ApconiX Welcomes Dr Amy Shepherd

ApconiX is delighted to welcome Dr Amy Shepherd who joins the team of nonclinical safety experts and will be working with Dr Richard Knight. Amy is an experienced immunologist having worked for over 10 years in nonclinical and clinical safety program design with both biologics and small molecule compounds.

Academic Career

Amy gained a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at Kings College London studying pharmacology, immunology, tropical disease, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, and cellular biology.  She then went on to research “Lymphocyte subpopulations in clinical and animal models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” for a PhD from the University of Sheffield, Department of Cardiovascular Research.  During a four-year internship, Amy also gained an MRes in Biomedicine from the Department of Cardiovascular and Oncology Research at the same university.

Work Experience

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Amy initially decided not to pursue a career in science instead joining a PR company promoting medical and health-related products.  Not long after, she decided to return to science, realising she missed the enquiring problem-solving, going back to university to gain an MRes and PhD before joining Covance (now LabCorp).

Amy joined the Cell-Based Assay team within the Chemistry Manufacturing and Control (CMC) department at Covance as a bench scientist testing batches of drugs to ensure potency using a variety of bioassays.  Here, she gained extensive laboratory skills with experience in many techniques including ELISA, cell-based assays, PCR, western blot, histological techniques, light microscopy, and extensive cell culture experience with primary cell lines.

Becoming a study director in the same department meant Amy could oversee a range of scientific, technical, quality, and regulatory, GMP and GLP studies.  In this role, she worked directly with big and small pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Amy then moved to the immunology and immunotoxicology department of Covance where she shifted away CMC testing the latter stages of drug development to preclinical and clinical phase I-III drug development.  Overseeing packages for clients, Amy also worked on new assays and new service offerings.  Amy commented, “Immunology and immunotoxicology is a rich environment for research and I found returning to my scientific roots very rewarding.”

Becoming a Drug Development Leader brought Amy even closer to toxicology.  In this role, Amy enabled clients to seamlessly access the broad services LabCorp offer.  Providing a single point of contact, Amy guided clients from discovery to FIH, overseeing the science, regulatory and strategic options available. Working with different drug types from small to large molecules, Amy enjoyed the challenges of analysing, interpreting, and presenting complex scientific data and advising clients on the next steps.

Working at ApconiX

Amy is excited to be joining the ApconiX team in a job role that allows her to use her prior drug development experience whilst offering a bespoke and flexible approach to project management and client interactions. Amy said, “It’s exciting to be part of a growing business with great aspirations and a reputation to match.  I’m looking forward to working closely with the project toxicologists who have a wealth of experience in drug safety testing and are renowned and respected in their field, helping provide innovative solutions to our clients.”

Amy will be working closely with the project toxicologists as a Senior Program Manager ensuring clients are supported and advised appropriately on their drug development programs. Using her scientific and technical expertise, Amy will be working collaboratively with clients to provide accurate and timely delivery of programs.

Richard commented, “We’re delighted Amy has joined ApconiX.  Her scientific and regulatory background and experience of program management at a large CRO will be great assets for the team.”

Interests Outside Work

A keen gardener and expert orchid grower, Amy plays the trumpet with the Take2 Big Band who play all over the country. Amy is fourth from the left 😊