Daphné Truan, PhD

At GSK, leading the intercontinental Protein Design & Informatics team across four countries meant sitting at the table where asset decisions were made: integrating target tractability, developability, and AI/ML insights into portfolio stage-gate discussions, and serving as program lead for an infectious disease biologic in collaboration with an external partner. At Janssen Vaccines, designing stabilised antigens for HIV, RSV, and influenza programs against preclinical milestones, and establishing the emerging diseases effort supported by the Gates Foundation. Across both, the work was never purely technical: it was about knowing which science was decision-relevant, and when.

At Lonza, reorganising and expanding the Bioinformatics team within Early Development Services improving delivery reliability, doubling annual sales targets, and acting as the primary scientific interface for 120+ pharma and biotech clients meant building a function while simultaneously running it commercially. At GSK, initiating cross-functional programmes to integrate generative AI and Disciplined Agile into R&D workflows required operating across biology, computation, and organisational design at the same time. Building teams, resetting their composition when needed, and leading them through change is a consistent thread across the career.

An Executive MBA at IMD with focus on corporate strategy, finance, and organisational leadership. A board mandate at SCCH Domus, a private cooperative, carrying direct accountability for financial reporting, balance sheet oversight, and operational governance. Competitive landscape analysis, investor narrative preparation, and BD positioning have been part of client-facing work at Lonza and through biodesyn engagements.