An experienced academic and industrial pharmacist, Professor Gino Martini has extensive expertise in oncology, rare and infectious diseases, and drug development – as well as policy development and external advocacy. 

 

As the CEO of PHTA – the University of Birmingham’s flagship life sciences research accelerator – Gino is responsible for helping growing businesses to succeed, through making connections to multidisciplinary opinion leaders and providing commercialisation support and expertise. 

 

PHTA is a £60 million state-of-the-art accelerator located within Phase 1 of Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC), comprising over 100,000 sq ft of incubation, collaboration and training space, located at the heart of the Birmingham Health Partners research and development ecosystem. Together, PHTA and BHIC will generate 10,000 jobs and contribute more than £400 million GVA to the regional economy within the next decade.  

 

Gino joined PHTA in 2021 from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society where, as Chief Scientist, he played a pivotal role in supporting pharmacists during the Covid-19 pandemic and in particular supporting the role of pharmacists as vaccinators. He was also instrumental in highlighting the dangers of Nitrous Oxide abuse in teenagers, the banning of Dintrophenol, and the reclassification of Medicinal Cannabis.

 

Gino’s career began with Senior Scientist roles at Scherer Drug Delivery Systems and SmithKline Beecham, before joining GSK – initially as Drug Delivery and Strategic Technologies Manager – rising to Senior Directorships across a 10-year stint.

 

An experienced academic, Gino was formerly Professor of Pharmaceutical Innovation at King’s College London, as well as undertaking visiting professorships and PhD supervision alongside his industry roles. Prior to his appointment at the RPS, he held a variety of commercial, innovative technology-based and medical affairs roles - directing groups in the US, Europe and emerging markets - for Shire Pharmaceuticals and Roche.

 

Professor Martini has an MBA specialising in SME success and business failure awarded with distinction from the University of Liverpool.

 

He is a past chair of the Industrial Pharmacists Group of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, past president of the European Industrial Pharmacists Group and holds Fellowships from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry and European Industrial Pharmacists Group.