Verena Stocker is the Head of Lilly Gateway Labs in the UK and Europe at Eli Lilly. In this capacity, she works with the most promising biotech companies in the region to help accelerate their development, giving access to space, skills and expertise from across Lilly. Previously she was the Managing Director of the Accelerated Access Collaborative and Director of Innovation, Research and Life Sciences Strategy at NHS England. While there, she led an ambitious suite of programmes spanning research, horizon scanning, industry partnerships, digital therapeutics, innovative medicines, and innovative medtech products. She was also the commissioner of significant parts of the local innovation ecosystem, including the Health Innovation Networks. Prior to this, she held a number of senior roles at NHS England covering digital transformation and the development of Integrated Care Systems and worked as a health and life sciences adviser at the Tony Blair Institute. Previously she was a management consultant in healthcare in Australia and the UK, after beginning her career as a healthcare, sport and arts advisor in the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.