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Interview with Anna Upton

Anna Upton, SVP Infectious Diseases, Evotec.

What is your role in ERA4TB?
I’m leading the TB research at Evotec – one of the companies involved in the consortium – we have an exciting new compound, which has potential to be a new TB drug, progressing to development in the consortium.
As part of my consortium role, I sit on an ERA4TB committee that shapes and manages the portfolio of projects included and reviews the planned research to ensure it is scientifically and strategically sound.

Which ERA4TB work packages do you work in?
Evotec is one of the companies involved, bringing compounds (which are potential drugs) to the consortium. Our compound currently benefits from Work Package 6 and our scientists work closely with Work Package 6 scientists to plan and conduct studies for the compound.

How did you end up working in TB research?
I was in the right place at an interesting time! The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis – the bacteria that causes TB – was published when I was thinking what to do as a PhD project. To my surprise, I saw a gene in the bacterial genome which could cause drug resistance and hadn’t been studied before. As I studied this gene for my PhD, I learned about the realities of the TB pandemic. After my PhD I worked in a University, aiming to improve the understanding of the disease to enable discovery of new treatments. Later on, I wanted to work in TB drug discovery and development directly and I moved to TB Alliance and then Evotec to pursue this. And here I am. It has been an amazing and humbling journey to see how the efforts of many, over years, have started to improve TB treatment and develop a pipeline of new drugs that can achieve far more.

Are there many women working in your field of interest at the moment?
Yes, there are many! Powerful women have been involved for many years at all levels and we often see them Chairing key conferences in the field and publishing seminal research findings. Three our of four Chairs and Vice Chairs of this year’s Gordon Research Conference in TB drug discovery are women. Women are also involved in many TB research and development projects in companies. This includes my company Evotec, where the vast majority of our large TB biology team and half of our TB chemists are women! Importantly, this includes all levels and types of work including most of our senior scientific staff and project leaders involved in this field.

Why is it important for women to be involved in TB or drug development research?
It’s critical to bring as many perspectives and talented individuals as possible to this challenging scientific problem. Women are a large part of the population – and we are affected by TB, so the female patient voice also needs to be represented. We cannot afford to not have women involved!

What advice would you give to girls or women interested in a career in TB or drug development research?
If you are interested, that’s fantastic! I’m so happy! Don’t hesitate to reach out to these involved in the field – women and men alike – to find out more or for advice in finding the best place for you to get started or options to move to next. Don’t underestimate how glad we will be that you have an interest in joining the field, and how much we want to help you succeed. No question is a silly question.  A really important point is that while talent is important, your interest and passion are the key ingredients for a fruitful and satisfying career.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #AccelerateAction – Advancing and celebrating women’s equality worldwide. If you had one wish, what would you like to see happening in the world to make this happen?
Additional mechanisms to help interested girls and women speak with other more experienced women to get advice or just ask questions – about career paths or life-related matters. Those of us who have had some experience would love to pass this on, to encourage and enable girls and women to pursue their passions, whatever they may be.

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