Meet Norn Ventures co-founder Chris Howie, who reflects on 35+ years in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices. With a legacy of launching impactful innovations, he now focuses on supporting the next generation of medical innovators.
Could you share a bit about your background and how your experience has shaped your role as a co-founder of Norn Ventures?
With over 35 years of experience, I’ve worked across the pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech, and digital health sectors. I spent the first 15 years in pharmaceuticals with companies like Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, helping to launch key products like Prozac, Seroquel and Nexiumand setting up Pfizer’s biotechnology team. My career has been shaped by an understanding of how to blend life sciences with commercial strategies, which has been invaluable in co-founding Norn Ventures. Additionally, as an advisor on the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of doctors and nurses bring their clinical innovations to life, which has further deepened my commitment to fostering innovation.
"Norn Ventures was founded to fill that gap, helping start-ups navigate the complexities of commercialisation and regulatory approvals while providing the mentorship and resources needed to scale globally."
With over 35 years in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, what are the most significant changes or trends you’ve observed in these industries?
One of the most striking changes has been the increasing integration of technology in healthcare, especially the rise of digital health solutions. When I started, we focused on traditional pharmaceuticals, but now, innovations like PCR rapid testing, molecular diagnostics and next generation sequencing and biotech advances are driving the industry. Mergers and acquisitions have also become more prominent, as companies are constantly seeking the next big technology to acquire and scale.
You’ve held leadership positions at MediShout, Biotechnology Business Institute, and Go To Market Global—how did these roles prepare you for co-founding Norn Ventures?
Each of these roles gave me insight into the nuances of commercialisation, especially for start-ups. At GeneOhm, we developed a 20-minute MRSA test, which became widely adopted across Europe. Working with different start-ups taught me the importance of balancing innovative technology with a strong commercial focus. These experiences directly shaped Norn Ventures’ mission to help start-ups scale their ideas into commercially viable products.
As someone who has navigated markets in the UK, EU, Switzerland, and the USA, what are the key differences and challenges in these regions for life sciences start-ups?
The regulatory environments vary significantly. For example, pre-Brexit, the UK was an ideal hub for American companies launching into Europe due to its strong scientific base and proximity to the EU. However, post-Brexit, companies are now gravitating towards Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Each market also has its own healthcare systems and customer bases, so it’s important to adapt go-to-market strategies accordingly.
What excites you most about the current state of the life sciences and health tech sectors? Are there any particular innovations or trends that stand out to you?
I’m excited about the convergence of technology and life sciences, especially in diagnostics and personalised medicine. Technologies like rapid diagnostic testing and AI-driven healthcare solutions are making a real impact. These innovations, combined with the global need for better, more efficient healthcare systems, create a fertile environment for start-ups to make significant contributions.
What was the inspiration behind founding Norn Ventures, and what vision do you have for its role in the life sciences and medical tech ecosystem?
The inspiration came from my own experiences working with brilliant innovators who often struggled to bring their technologies to market. Norn Ventures was founded to fill that gap, helping start-ups navigate the complexities of commercialisation and regulatory approvals while providing the mentorship and resources needed to scale globally.
Norn Ventures has a wealth of commercial experience across the team. How does that collective experience influence the accelerator’s approach to helping start-ups succeed?
Our team has decades of experience across sectors, from pharmaceuticals to med-tech and digital health, as well as insurance, and this allows us to take a holistic approach to supporting start-ups. We can guide them not just in product development but also in securing funding, navigating regulatory hurdles, and scaling globally. Our hands-on approach is grounded in real-world experience, which makes a significant difference for the start-ups we work with.
"We can guide companies not just in product development but also in securing funding, navigating regulatory hurdles, and scaling globally. Our hands-on approach is grounded in real-world experience, which makes a significant difference for the start-ups we work with."
What advice would you give to startups looking to enter the highly competitive medical device market?
The key is to stay patient-focused. You need to ensure that your device truly solves a critical issue in healthcare and that someone will pay for it. Beyond that, understanding the regulatory landscape, delivering clinical evidence and securing early-stage funding are crucial. Partnering with experienced mentors and investors who understand the market can make the difference between success and failure.
As a thought leader in this space, what do you believe are the critical factors for scaling life sciences innovations globally?
It comes down to understanding both the global regulatory environment and the local markets. You need to be agile enough to tailor your strategy to different regions, whether it’s the UK, EU, or US. Building strong relationships with healthcare providers, regulators, and commercial partners is also essential to scaling effectively.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Norn Ventures over the next 3-5 years?
We aim to expand our portfolio of life sciences and health tech start-ups and continue to play a leading role in the medical devices landscape. Our goal is to help these companies not only survive but thrive, driving real change in healthcare systems around the world.
Is there a particular achievement or project in your career that you’re especially proud of? How has it influenced your approach at Norn Ventures?
Launching the MRSA rapid diagnostic test was a major achievement. We were able to get it into major hospitals in just eight months and generated millions in revenue. While the financial success was great, what I’m most proud of is how that technology positively impacted healthcare. It’s experiences like these that fuel my passion for supporting start-ups at Norn Ventures.
If you’d like to connect with our team and learn more about how we can support your life science venture, we’re here to help you thrive. Whether you’re exploring partnership opportunities, seeking expert guidance on navigating the UK, European, and North American markets, or simply have questions about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today to discover how Norn Ventures can help bring your innovations to life.