Manek’s dementia research role
ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH UK last Friday (27) said that Divya Chadha Manek OBE, Biotech clinical development leader and former UK Vaccines Taskforce (VTF) member, as well as former BBC executive Amanda Farnsworth have joined its board of trustees.
In their voluntary roles, they will provide strategic leadership, governance and insight into the charity’s running, and they will meet with the rest of the 12-strong board five times a year.
The need for investment in dementia research has never been more urgent, the UK’s leading dementia study charity said. It is going through a crucial phase in its 30-year history, overcoming challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to continue to make breakthroughs possible, it added.
Manek (below) is currently senior vice-president, clinical development at Eyebio, an ophthalmology biotech firm. Prior to this, she held various roles at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) having joined it in 2007.
Most recently, she served as the clinical research network’s director of business development and marketing, leading a team responsible for increasing investment into UK health and social care research from both non-commercial and commercial research sponsors.
Manek said, “One of the greatest challenges we face as a society is dementia. Having started my career in clinical research, recruiting people with dementia and their families into studies, I have had first-hand experience of the devastation the condition causes families.
“Research is the way to overcome this challenge. I am passionate about getting new treatments to people faster through innovative research. Alzheimer’s Research UK is at the forefront of advancing science in dementia, and I’m delighted to be able to bring my skills and expertise to help guide that effort.”
In 2020, Manek was seconded to the VTF, which was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to lead the UK’s search for a safe and effective vaccine. She was responsible for supporting global pharmaceutical companies to generate the evidence required for authorisation of Covid vaccines, and played a pivotal role in conceptualising and developing the NHS Vaccine Research Registry.