Many promising life science innovations struggle to achieve widespread adoption – but why? What differentiates technologies that succeed in real laboratory environments from those that don’t, and what can be done to ensure more tools fulfill their potential? In this interview, Dale Gordon – Chair of the Board of Directors of Abselion (Cambridge, UK) – draws on his extensive leadership experience across life science tools, bioprocessing and advanced technologies to answer these questions and consider practical adoption factors, including usability, robustness, workflow integration and long-term value for scientists. Additionally, Gordon explores the role of measurement and data as enablers of informed decision-making in modern life science research and development, alongside broader factors such as workflow fit and long-term practicality. Questions [ui-toggle title= title=”Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your career.”] I’ve built my career in the life sciences tools sector, focused on translating scientific innovation into commercially scalable technologies that enable research, development and production. Over the past three decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work across several organizations in the industry, including leadership roles at Merck Millipore (MA, USA) and GE Life Sciences (now Cytiva (DE, USA)), as well as serving as CEO of Gemini Biosciences (CA, USA) and Mirus Bio (WI, USA). These roles provided exposure across the full ecosystem – from early research through to technologies supporting emerging therapeutic areas such as cell and gene therapy. A consistent theme throughout my career has been bridging the gap between innovation and sustainable market adoption. Scientific breakthroughs are important, but…
