Cell & Gene Therapy Community Connects

Diana Hernandez

Director of Immune and Advanced Therapies, Anthony Nolan

Dr Diana Hernandez is a stem cell biologist with more than 30 years’ experience in medical research and at least 20 years in the cell therapy field, both in academia (Imperial College and UCL) and industry (Plasticell Ltd).

She leads a research team at Anthony Nolan (AN), a charity established in 1974 as the first bone marrow register in the world. Her research focuses on improving the outcomes of patients undergoing bone marrow transplants by understanding the graft and creating cell therapy products to treat relapse and GvHD. 

As Director of Immune and Advanced Therapies in Anthony Nolan, she also has advisory roles in AN’s cell, gene and laboratory services (CT&LS) and in the public and policy teams.

Darren Blamire

Managing Director UK&I, Autolus

Darren Blamire is a senior pharmaceutical executive with over two decades of global leadership experience across Autolus, Roche and Abbott.

He has held pivotal roles in shaping strategy, launching breakthrough oncology and rare disease therapies, and leading cross-functional teams across commercial, clinical, and access domains.

As Managing Director at Autolus UK & Ireland, he leads the affiliate in delivering on their next-generation CAR T-cell therapy.  Previously at Roche HQ, he led global lifecycle and integrated strategy for lung cancer and tumour-agnostic therapies.

His career spans leadership in Europe, the UK, and the US, as well as country management in East Africa and senior leadership roles in South Africa - delivering access, growth, and impact across diverse healthcare systems.

Rosie Lindup

Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, BIA

What does your role at BIA involve?
Rosie leads the BIA’s policy work on access to medicines, rare diseases, cell and gene therapies and antimicrobial resistance. This involves providing the secretariat for the BIA’s Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (CGTAC) and Rare Disease Industry Group (RDIG). She is also responsible for organising the BIA’s annual Parliament Day, which brings CEOs and senior representatives from BIA member companies to Westminster to meet with politicians and policymakers.
 

Previous experience
Previously, Rosie worked as a Senior Research Consultant at a Westminster-based public affairs agency, where she supported clients from a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, technology and financial services. Prior to that, Rosie worked as a Management Consultant at KPMG, where she assisted on financial and regulatory projects with large corporate clients. She has a BA in Human, Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge.