From Single Targets to Systems Biology: A New Framework for Neurodegenerative R&D For three decades, neurodegeneration programmes have been built around a tightly focused premise: find the toxic protein, clear it from the brain, protect the vulnerable neuron. Alzheimer’s was framed as an amyloid and tau problem. Parkinson’s as a dopamine and alpha-synuclein problem. ALS as a motor neuron problem. That framing has driven real progress – from disease-modifying antibodies to g

On 23rd July, I’m officially launching Sharon Shields Consulting — a specialist consultancy focused on executive research, market mapping and talent intelligence for life sciences organisations across the UK, Europe and the US. I also partner with executive search consultancies who need deep, reliable research support for complex senior mandates.

For generations, treating cancer has relied on a pretty brutal calculus: hit the body hard and hope the cancer dies first. Traditional chemotherapy is essentially a scorched-earth strategy. It works, but at a massive cost—wrecking the heart, gut, and nervous system along with the tumour. . For decades, researchers have chased a deceptively simple question: What if we could send the drug only where it’s actually needed? Antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, are the most promising

Fractional vs Interim in Life Sciences – Not the Same Thing I’m seeing more life sciences organisations explore fractional senior roles – and they’re often confused with interim roles. Interim: usually full‑time, time‑limited, covering a defined role for a fixed period. Fractional: usually part‑time, longer-term, adding senior expertise for a set number of days or hours without owning the whole role. In a milestone‑driven, resource‑constrained environment, fractional models