Chris Kilbee

Chris Kilbee is Co-Founder of Life Science Networks

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to join our company? 

Prior to launching Life Science Networks, my 25-year career has been spent firstly in B2B media and then latterly in large-scale, global B2B events – I spent over 5 years leading the global CPHI pharmaceutical events business from Amsterdam and subsequently held senior, event leadership roles in Dubai with DMG and in Singapore with Informa Markets.

I thoroughly enjoyed corporate life but I always had a hankering to launch and grow my own company and the opportunity to launch our business, focused on highly targeted partnering events and online communities in a market we know so well was simply one that we had to take on!

What is your role at the company, and what are your main responsibilities?

As is the case with most companies of this size, Founders are very much down in the detail and like Luke, my responsibilities are pretty varied! I spend a lot of time with clients and out in the market focusing on the development of our key brands like CDMO Live.

I also focus heavily on developing and fine-tuning our strategy and future expansion plans and I tend to lead on relationships with suppliers, venues etc and also on the commercial performance, governance and overall financial management that is so key with a fast growing business.

How would you describe the company culture here?

Different on every level to working in a corporate! We work hard to create a motivated, collaborative, empowered, fast-moving culture and while we’re still at an early stage, we’re acutely aware that the business and the products are only as good as the team that we’re building…and we’re very lucky to have hired team members who see the vision of what we’re creating and who want to play their part in that journey!

We also want to be tech-led and globally focused and that is really reflected in the way we work. Long way to go but I love the culture that we’re building!

Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had while working here?

There are memorable moments every week but for me the most important and enjoyable have been launching CDMO Live 2025 and seeing and hearing such brilliant feedback from sponsors and buyers alike, sailing through the 100-mark on published PharmaSource Podcasts which has been so key to our audience growth and in building out our global team – with more hires to come in the months ahead!

What do you like working in the life sciences industry? 

An awful lot! Pharma and Life Sciences really fascinated me when I was running the CPHI business and although, I then worked in several other sectors before returning with LSN, the global scale, absolute complexity and the fact that this industry is so focused on doing life-changing good all combine to make it a brilliant industry to work in.

I also love the people – we have been so humbled by the number of people willing to give us advice, to support and to get behind us on this entrepreneurial journey! It’s a great place to be!

What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?

I love to travel! I feel fortunate to have seen some amazing places during my lifetime and career and while I try to do so as sustainably as possible nowadays and to truly make the most of the time I spend in each place, I look forward to many more adventures in the years ahead.

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Connect with Chris on LinkedIn