Management Team

Harnessing global expertise in the creation of a cell-based therapeutics business.

Dr Paul Tan, Chief Executive Officer

Dr Paul Tan has been an executive director since 23 February 2007 and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Group on 23 December 2008. Paul joined the company in 2004 as the Managing Director of LCT's New Zealand operations.

Prior to this he was Chief Executive Officer of CenTec Ltd and founding Deputy Director and Head of Health Division at Genesis Research & Development Corporation Limited. He has wide experience in all aspects of assessment and selection of products for commercialisation, expansion of intellectual property, product development and managing critical paths, timelines and establishing and managing international partnerships. He has been a research fellow, associate professor in immunology and a physician rheumatologist. He is on the NZBio National Advisory Council and Committee of the NZBio Auckland.

Emeritus Professor Robert Elliott, Medical Director

Professor Elliott trained as a Paediatrician at Adelaide University. He moved to New Zealand in 1970 to become the Foundation Professor, Director of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland. Professor Elliott co-founded LCT. He is an Emeritus Professor of Child Health Research, Professor of Paediatrics and a world leader in diabetes and autoimmune related research.

He is on the board of the New Zealand Child Health Foundation, Wings Trust (a NZ trust for the treatment of alcohol and substance abuse) and patron of the NZ Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 1999 he was awarded a CNZM (a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to the community.

Mr John Cowan, Finance & Administration Manager

Mr Cowan has over 30 years experience in senior finance positions in publicly listed companies with international operations and public benefit entities. He was Head Finance & Facilities at Auckland War Memorial Museum, CFO at the University of Auckland, Company Secretary at Mair Astley Limited and held senior finance positions in the Goodman Fielder Wattie Group.

He holds a BCA from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.