We have started with a series of interviews. In every newsletter one of our team members will be interviewed. In that way you get to know us a little better.
This interview is with Eleanor Price. Eleanor joined Thuja in February 2022 as an Investment Analyst. She holds a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Medicine (University of Bristol), a PhD in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine (University of Oxford) and she completed an online MBA at the Quantic School of Business and Technology.
What are your main activities at Thuja?
I am an investment analyst at Thuja. I typically source and evaluate investment propositions that come into Thuja. Then, once we have decided it may be of interest, I conduct a deeper assessment of the opportunity, looking into key aspects such as the scientific data, the market opportunity, competitors, exit potential and healthcare impact potential, to name a few. It’s my job to identify all the opportunities and risks, to support the decision of whether we should invest.
What do you enjoy most about working at Thuja?
I have always been impact driven, so I love the fact I get to work for a company that invests in and helps build companies which could transform the lives of patients. Take our latest investment in FundaMental Pharma. They are developing novel drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for which there is currently no adequate treatment, so the impact potential is huge.
As we typically invest in technologies coming straight out of universities, we get to delve into cutting-edge scientific research, in many different fields, which I really enjoy. It also means we interact with many top academics and aspiring entrepreneurs, which is always incredibly motivating.
What’s your background?
I come from a scientific background originally, completing my PhD in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the University of Oxford. During my studies I helped set-up an accelerator programme, PanaceaStars, to support entrepreneurial academics with turning their scientific ideas into a business proposition. After finishing my PhD I took on a full-time position, running the overall operations of PanceaStars, whilst completing a part-time MBA.
I then moved to the Netherlands at the beginning of 2020 (I know, perfect timing) and worked several years as a consultant at IQVIA. I worked on a broad range of strategic projects for large Pharma, such as market access and commercial launch, and carried out commercial due diligence to support private equity investments in healthcare.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Honestly, anything related to food. I really enjoy cooking, baking, and also eating out and trying new places, so recommendations are always welcome.
I also love to go and listen to live music and living in Amsterdam is a great place for that. At the weekends I enjoy exploring different cities and towns in the Netherlands, and neighbouring countries (and trying out the local delicacies of course).
You are quite a reader, can you name your top 3 favourite Books?
Ah, that is too difficult to answer. But my top 3 from the last couple of years would have to be ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, ‘The Binding’ and ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. All beautiful books which I would highly recommend.
Let’s end this interview with something fun, name one silly fact or anecdote about you.
I have a small electric sloep boat in Amsterdam called Winkel Wagen (shopping cart). It got its name because it was one of the first Dutch words I learnt (thanks to online shopping), and we thought it looked a bit like a floating cart.