JOANNE’S STORY: A SCIENCE CAREER WITH THE WOW FACTOR

Joanne Berry’s science career has taken a remarkable trajectory, from high school chemistry lessons to working on a team that’s about to revolutionise mental health treatment.  We met her in Mossley Hill, where she lives with her children and her cats, and asked to chart her career path: a story that will inspire anyone with a passion for science.

Education and early inspiration

Joanne grew up on the Wirral and attended Woodchurch High School. While she found school quite uninspiring, science was the one subject she enjoyed. This was thanks to her teachers, who made the subject come alive, igniting her imagination and paving the way for her future career in science.

After finishing school, Joanne went on to study A-levels in chemistry, biology and languages at Birkenhead Sixth Form College. She achieved the grades she needed to read chemistry at the  University of Hull. Her final-year dissertation explored the differences between solid and liquid sugars, and was cited by Nestlé-owned Gail’s honey when developing the squeezable honey now found in supermarkets worldwide!

Career beginnings

After graduating, Joanne joined the laboratory team at Reckitt Benckiser in Hull, where she worked on the formulation of Lemsip to ensure it was highly soluble. She then moved on to a position with the manufacturing firm CP Kelco in Kirby, which specialises in bio-gums, often used in the outer shells of capsules. Here, she spent a couple of years as a laboratory analyst in a research role. Joanne says:

”It sounds geeky, but I developed a specialism in fermentation. If the capsule ingredients don’t function as they should, the medicine they contain won’t work, and people won’t get better. I’ve always focused on how scientific outcomes positively impact humans.”

Next stop at global giant: Eli Lilly

Geeky or not, her interest in fermentation helped Joanne advance her career into a new role at Eli Lily, where she spent more time in the lab examining fermentation and antibiotics. She was soon promoted to lab coordinator, overseeing seventeen team members while remaining hands-on in day-to-day operations. Progressing through several promotions, Joanne became a manager responsible for several laboratories:

“It was a big shift moving from lab work to managing a substantial operation. With that came responsibility not just for outputs but also for the team’s wellbeing and professional growth. I learned to step back and trust the team.”

Joanne spent 14 years at Eli Lilly, ultimately transitioning into quality assurance, a field that requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance. She goes on:

She explains:

“I was overseeing the operations and manufacturing processes for millions of doses of drugs. There is a lot of red tape in developing pharmaceuticals, and I actually enjoyed navigating it.”

Joanne’s subsequent positions included manufacturing project work for AMRI and Elanco. Here, she streamlined processes, driving projects to completion with substantial responsibility for quality.

Discovering a niche: Ipsen

Joanne was living in South Liverpool when she began working for, and commuting to, Ipsen in North Wales. She stayed with this global company for seven years, firstly as a compliance expert, and eventually as a quality external manufacturing manager. This was a highly specialised role, working on drugs for rare diseases. Joanne oversaw the manufacture of niche products, transforming the lives of people with seldom-seen conditions. She says:

“I oversaw the manufacture of fourteen different pharmaceuticals, some with as few as 800 units a year. One example was a drug for stone man syndrome, a highly unusual genetic disorder where bone gradually replaces muscle and connective tissues.

“Without the drug I worked on, the disease would progress faster. It was the first FDA-approved oral medication for the condition, officially titled fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, and is now improving the lives of children as young as eight.”

Compass Pathways: A new chapter 

In 2023, Joanne’s career took a significant step when she was headhunted by Compass Pathways. At this biotechnology company, dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health, she has found her true calling: bridging scientific innovation and patient care. Starting as the associate director of quality, she progressed to quality director for operations within a year and is currently the senior quality director for manufacturing and operations. The job is hybrid, and she works from home and travels to London for meetings.

The team Joanne is part of today is leading a seismic shift in the treatment of mental health issues. We asked her what is unique about her job. She says:

“Moving to Compass Pathways was a bold step. We were a biotech firm in the early stages of product development, a start-up, and funded by private equity. A different culture from the corporations I have worked for previously. My job is still focused on regulatory and manufacturing requirements. But the backdrop I am operating in feels very dynamic; everybody here is purpose-driven and working towards a common goal.

“We are on track to launch a mental health treatment combining pharmaceuticals and psychological support in a single session. It shows potential to be an effective treatment for serious disorders, including treatment-resistant depression.’

A closer look at Compass Pathways reveals they are running a global clinical trial of psilocybin therapy. Patients lie in a comfortable bed in a quiet room and receive a dose of psilocybin in a capsule. During the experience, patients listen to specially designed music and wear an eye mask. The psilocybin experience typically lasts six to eight hours. A therapist is present throughout the session.

Joanne adds:

“Psilocybin is an active ingredient found in some species of mushrooms, in particular those associated with hallucinogenic experiences. My role involves developing the controlled dose a client will receive. I’m overseeing the manufacture and distribution of a synthesised formulation called COMP360.

“Being involved in something that has the potential to impact so many lives certainly has the wow factor. The power of science, yet again, can offer profound change. What better job in the world to be at the heart of than that?”