Angela Scott

From being part of the team that cloned Dolly the Sheep to founding biotechnology company TC BioPharm, Angela Scott is one of the UK’s top scientists and a pioneer in Scotland’s cell therapy and regenerative medicine sector. Edinburgh Napier is delighted to award Angela a 2025 Excellence Award. Keep reading to learn more!

How does it feel to receive an Excellence Award?

“I’m truly honoured to receive this award because my time at Edinburgh Napier had a big impact. It was a stepping stone to a change in career path that allowed me to do so much more.

“I found out I had received this award on my birthday. I was out for a meal to celebrate, and I discovered our waitress had just got accepted into Edinburgh Napier University. It was a fantastic full circle moment.”

Angela Scott

Have you always been interested in the sciences?

“My parents were Italian, and I speak the language fluently which made picking up other languages easier. However, in school it was the sciences which really interested me. I loved knowing how cells worked, and I really took to that subject. Growing up my family had a PhD chemistry student live with us as a lodger. He went into the field of cancer research, and he inspired me to explore that field.

“I finished high school in 1981, and I had intended to go to university, however a job came up for a Research Assistant at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund within the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. They were setting up a unit to study cells from cancer patients. I applied on a whim and to my shock I got it!”

What brought you to Edinburgh Napier?

“Working in a lab doing research to cure cancer was my dream job. Even today, some of the drugs I worked on are still being used to treat patients. However, I realised that not having an academic qualification would restrict my career progression.

“I joined Edinburgh Napier to study biological science in 1987 as a day release student. I continued working but spent one day a week from 9am to 9pm on campus.”

What was your experience like?

"I loved it! Juggling everything was tough; I was already married, and I had my second child during my studies. However, my classmates were supportive being in similar work positions.

“Edinburgh Napier has always had a reputation for aligning students with industry, and the course was extremely varied – we were even taught how to develop film in photography. Sometimes we would study a subject, and I couldn’t understand the relevance with regards to my career. I thought, “when would I ever need this?”, but little did I know, 35 years later it would become very useful!”

What did you do after finishing your studies?

“After five years of studying I graduated in 1992. That same year I left Imperial Cancer Research Fund after a decade to join PPL Therapeutics as Senior Research Associate. It was here that I was part of the team that cloned Dolly the Sheep - the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. I was involved in the characterisation, maintenance and programming of the cells used. It was a momentous moment that will go down in history.

“Eleven years later I joined a company called Excel Biotech. In this role I managed a team responsible for taking cell culture process from the research bench to bedside. I was involved in a variety of stem cell therapies, from hair replacement to meniscal repair using cartilage stem cells to stroke treatments using stems cells injected into the brain.

“From there I did some international consultancy work in Asia and Europe and set up my own consultancy company before founding TC Biopharm with my husband, Dr. Mike Leek.”

Tell us more about TC Biopharm.

“TC Biopharm is a clinical development company founded it in 2014. At first it was just the two of us before we grew to over 100 staff.

“We have cells in our bodies called Gamma Delta T cells which form part of our immune response. These cells are really funky. They can basically sense cancer cells and they attack them. They do this every day, but we don’t have enough of them in our body and if the balance is uneven then cancer develops. So, my husband and I set up a collaboration with a Japanese company to manufacture billions of these cells to be used in treatments. This had never been done before.

“I was Chief Operating Officer, and I was involved in all aspects of the company. I set up the manufacturing facilities, I was operations director, I oversaw the research, I did the HR and finance side of things, I even learnt Japanese! We raised tens of millions of dollars in investment before listing on the Nasdaq stock market in 2021.

“If I had known at the start that the company would grow this much, I think I would have run a mile! But I do believe you have to take the opportunities when they come.”

What are you doing now?

“TC Biopharm was 10 years of hard graft and I stepped down in 2023. Since leaving the company I have been able to focus on myself more. However, I’m still heavily involved in consultancy work and I’m passionate about supporting young entrepreneurs.

“I advise start-ups in the cell therapy and regenerative medicine areas, and I also sit on Scottish Edge’s grant award panel. I’m really enjoying this because it allows me to get involved in a wide variety of disciplines.”

What has been the highpoint of your career?

“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve had many wonderful things happen, so it’s hard to pick.

“Even on a science front it is difficult to pinpoint one highlight. Obviously, being involved with Dolly was fantastic and I’m proud to be involved in something than leaves a mark. But equally, knowing that our cells have treated cancer patients and allowed them to spend Christmas with their families,when there was little hope, that is so rewarding.

“Graduating from Edinburgh Napier was also a huge achievement for me. I was pregnant with my son during my studies, and it was incredible to have him with me when I graduated. At the ceremony some of the guests were sat in the seats at the back of the stage. My son was one of them and it was wonderful, to walk across the stage with him there. Years later he attended Edinburgh Napier, and I was able to watch him walk across the stage as he graduated with a First!”

Angela offers her advice to the Class of 2025.

“Your career will take you places you can’t even imagine. I wanted to do cancer research, and I ended up starting my own company. You don’t know what the future holds, and that's exciting! You just need to believe in yourself and be willing to take the opportunities that come to you. There is nothing stopping you if you have the motivation.”

Alumni Awards

The Edinburgh Napier Alumni Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the University’s global community and showcases the value and impact of their Edinburgh Napier education.

Published October 2025