24. Responding to a crisis: The force behind getting life-saving vaccines to the public | Dame Kate Bingham
Podcast:James Reed: all about business Published On: Mon Apr 21 2025 Description: The UK’s life science sector is booming, generating over £100 billion in turnover in 2022. And with more and more companies entering the space, how do you marry business and science to create a drug that not only makes money but saves lives.In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments. Kate has over 30 years of experience in healthcare investment and led the UK's vaccine task force during COVID-19.She shares the ins and outs of health care investment, the challenges that came with leading the UK’s vaccine taskforce, and what she did when the press questioned her credentials. Dame Kate Bingham is a venture capitalist and biotech investor. She is best known for her role as the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led efforts to procure and distribute vaccines. Katie is currently a managing partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments. Kate was awarded a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021.Timestamps02:22 Kate Bingham's career journey05:42 Precision medicine and disease modification12:01 The future of healthcare and AI14:18 Dementia discovery funds and new drugs20:32 The challenges and rewards of venture capital24:29 The Importance of constructive relationships in venture capital30:37 Challenges and successes of the vaccine task force40:32 Navigating political and public scrutiny49:59 Women in science and leadershipLinksFollow Kate on LinkedInVisit Kate’s company websiteFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk