The VIC Fellows Program offers experienced professionals the opportunity to learn how to identify and evaluate high-potential innovations from around the world. We’re proud to showcase the members of the 2025–2026 Fellows class through a series of interviews, including this recent conversation with Amuche Anakor, MD.
Please tell us a little bit about your background.I have had a varied medical career spanning emergency medicine, forensic medicine, and family medicine, which gave me a broad perspective on patient care across different settings. My years as a Family Medicine Physician deepened my appreciation for holistic, patient-centered care and the importance of prevention. Over time, my interest in translational science and innovation led me to the pharmaceutical industry, where I now serve as a Clinical Development Physician. In this role, I drive the development of immunology assets shaping clinical development strategy, overseeing study design and execution, and ensuring patient safety across global trials.
At the core, I have always been motivated by impact, finding ways to improve patient outcomes not just one consultation at a time but at scale. Working in clinical practice gave me an understanding of real-world patient challenges, while my transition into research and drug development allowed me to address those challenges through innovation and evidence generation. I was drawn to industry because it offers the opportunity to translate scientific discovery into therapies that reach millions. The thread connecting all my experiences has been a focus on prevention, immunology, and equitable access to care, ensuring that scientific progress truly benefits the patients and communities who need it most.
You’ve worked across several important areas of healthcare. How have those experiences shaped your perspective on patient care and innovation?
Having worked across clinical care, academia, and pharma, I have come to see that meaningful innovation starts and ends with the patient. My clinical background reminds me that data points represent real people with complex stories. My research and development experience reinforces how critical rigorous science, collaboration, and translational insight are in bringing new therapies to life. These combined perspectives have shaped my belief that the best innovations emerge at the intersection of patient need and scientific curiosity when we listen to patients, learn from biology, and design solutions that are both evidence-based and accessible.
What excites you most about your current work in clinical development, and where do you see the biggest opportunities to make an impact?
What excites me most is the opportunity to bridge discovery science with clinical medicine translating mechanistic insights into therapies that change the standard of care. In immunology, for example, we are learning to target disease pathways with unprecedented precision. I am particularly energized by the role of biomarkers and translational science in predicting response and accelerating development decisions. Looking ahead, I see huge potential to make an impact through data integration, precision immunology, and inclusive trial design ensuring that innovation not only advances science but also addresses unmet needs across diverse populations.
What advice would you give to others who are thinking about pursuing a career path that blends clinical practice with research and development?
My advice would be to stay curious and intentional. Don’t be afraid to explore beyond traditional boundaries! Clinical experience gives you a unique lens on what truly matters to patients, and that perspective is invaluable in research and development. Seek out mentors, stay scientifically engaged, and remember that every career transition is an opportunity to broaden your impact. Most importantly, keep your “why” in focus: whether in the clinic or in industry, the ultimate goal remains improving patients’ lives.
Why did you decide to become a VIC Fellow, what do you hope to contribute, and what new tools or skills are you currently excited to learn?
I joined the VIC Fellows program to deepen my understanding of how innovations are evaluated, selected, and advanced. I’m particularly interested in exploring the scientific, competitive, developmental, and business factors that transform a promising discovery into a viable opportunity for investment or partnership.
I am also eager to learn how technologies are assessed for strategic fit, scalability, and real-world clinical impact, areas that closely complement my experience in translational medicine and clinical development. The program offers a unique opportunity to broaden my perspective beyond therapeutics and understand how diagnostics, devices, and digital health solutions move from concept to market.
Ultimately, I see the VIC Fellowship as a bridge between science and commercialization, a chance to develop the skills needed to translate innovation into solutions that truly reach patients. In return, I hope to contribute my clinical and translational insight, helping to evaluate opportunities through a physician’s lens and ensuring that innovation remains grounded in patient and healthcare system needs.