Dr David Tew, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Technology and GSK Senior Fellow at GlaxoSmithKline, will join the University of Bristol as a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence from September 2018.

The appointment was announced on March 20th at the Royal Society’s annual Labs to Riches dinner.

The University of Bristol reports David Tew has over thirty years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has recently focused on applying synthetic biology to various aspects of drug discovery, development and manufacture.

The University of Bristol is widely recognised as a centre of excellence in the UK for synthetic biology research. The University hosts the Bristol BioDesign Institute (BBI) which encompasses £103m of synthetic biology research, training, public engagement and innovation programmes. Led by Professor Dek Woolfson, BBI aims to use fundamental understanding to inform rational design of new biomolecules to and biosystems.

David Tew will support the translation of the University of Bristol’s portfolio of synthetic biology projects including work on gene therapy, cell therapy, vaccines and biosensors. He will provide industrial feedback on new technologies, build bridges with the pharmaceutical industry, and mentor new entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, Professor Hugh Brady, said “We are delighted to welcome Dr David Tew to the University of Bristol. David’s wealth of experience will be a great asset to the University and will enable us to capitalise fully on the Research Council’s and our own investment in synthetic biology. David’s leadership will enable us to foster even greater links with industry, at a time when collaborations and joint ventures between academia and industry are key to strengthening the UK’s bioeconomy and addressing the Governments new industrial strategy. David’s passion for applying exciting new approaches to solve real-life problems is a perfect fit for the dynamic and creative environment fostered in BBI. I believe they will make a formidable team and further enhance Bristol’s position at the forefront of translational research.”

David Tew said “It is a great honour to join the University of Bristol as s Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence and to be among colleagues who share my passion and energy for synthetic biology. My role will be to build long-term links between the University and industry, by promoting an understanding of how cutting-edge science is done in industry so Bristol’s talented researchers can make further impacts in this new and exciting area of science.”