Stephen Byard has dedicated over 36 years to the pharmaceutical industry, a career path inspired by his lifelong interest in science. From a young age, Stephen was drawn to how things worked and loved science at school, which naturally led him into a career he still finds deeply rewarding.
Now principal research fellow at Arcinova, a Quotient Sciences company, Stephen plays a key role in advancing drug development through innovative research, formulation and manufacturing. For Stephen, the work is more than a job; it’s something he truly enjoys. Stephen said, “I’ve always been interested in this field. I feel fortunate because I enjoy what I do. It never feels like work.”
Archinova has been a NEPIC member for over a decade. When asked what he finds most beneficial about being a NEPIC member, Stephen commented, “It has to be the networking and the exchange of ideas. NEPIC brings together different businesses across the region, giving us a combined voice that’s stronger than any one company alone. The collaboration between industry and academia is especially valuable, whether it’s through apprenticeships or inspiring the next generation of scientists through initiatives like Children Challenging Industry. It’s great to see NEPIC actively facilitating those relationships.”
Stephen who has witnessed the sector evolve dramatically throughout his 36-year career, said: “The industry has grown phenomenally; it’s one of the fastest-growing sectors in terms of gross value added and recruitment. There’s a much richer interaction between companies now and far greater recognition of the value our region brings. NEPIC has helped incubate those connections and promote what we do at a national level.”
Reflecting on the past two decades of NEPIC, Stephen congratulated the organisation’s achievements saying: “NEPIC has done a great job connecting and promoting companies across the North East. It’s been fantastic to see how it has grown with the industry, particularly recognising the rapid expansion of the pharmaceutical sector. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 20 years bring.”
He concluded: “The NEPIC team are a great bunch of people. You feel supported, listened to and they act on what they hear. That makes a real difference.”
Stephen is one of many members who have shared their experience of NEPIC in its 20th year. Read more here.