Ahilya Mathew: Making medicines accessible

For Ahilya Mathew, biotechnology has never been confined to the lab. From research assistant roles at Novartis in Switzerland and Aurigene in India, to her current position as a pharmaceutical strategy consultant, Ahilya has embraced the full spectrum of what biotech careers can offer.

“I began my career in R&D, but quickly realised the breadth of opportunities available in the pharmaceutical sector,” she explains. That realisation spurred her transition from the bench to the boardroom. After completing a Master of Biotechnology at The University of Queensland, Ahilya returned to UQ to study a Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation and a Master of Technology and Innovation Management at the UQ Business School.

“Switching from research to the commercial side of pharma wasn’t easy,” she says. “But I’m proud that I made it happen.” Armed with a mix of scientific training and business insight, she now works in market access strategy – helping pharmaceutical companies navigate complex regulatory and pricing environments to bring life-saving medicines to patients.

Creating global health impact

Ahilya’s work in market access directly shapes patient outcomes, especially in regions where access to medicine has been limited. One of her most meaningful achievements was helping pharmaceutical clients launch orphan drugs for rare diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia in the Middle East.

“These countries have a higher burden of rare diseases, but historically limited access to cutting-edge treatments,” she explains.

“We supported clients from market authorisation all the way to pricing and reimbursement. It was an all-round success – but more importantly, it meant children with no hope suddenly had a chance at a full life.”

To Ahilya, this is what biotech is about: “determining whether patients can access new, life-saving treatments. It impacts global health, drug innovation and the economic sustainability of healthcare systems.”

And, as a pharmaceutical strategy consultant working in market access, Aliyah also worked for large corporates, such as Novo Nordisk. “A master's degree from UQ can open your horizons and allow you to work for top global pharma companies,” she said.

Biotech now and on the horizon

Reflecting on recent advancements, Ahilya points to CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing as the most transformative biotech development of the past 25 years. “CRISPR has revolutionised our ability to treat genetic disorders and engineer solutions in medicine, agriculture, and the environment,” she says.

Looking forward, she’s excited by the integration of artificial intelligence with biotech.

“AI is streamlining drug discovery, predicting molecular behaviour and enabling personalised medicine based on genetic profiles.”

She believes biotech is especially critical today due to:

• global health threats, like COVID-19
• the demands of an aging population
• food security challenges
• the rise of personalised medicine.

“Innovation in biotechnology holds the key to tackling some of the biggest challenges humanity faces,” she says.

A global experience at UQ

Ahilya’s memories of UQ are deeply rooted in community and nature. Living at Women’s College and later St John’s College, she connected with students from around the world and travelled across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. “UQ’s lakes, wildlife and sandstone buildings made the campus one of the most beautiful places to study,” she recalls.

Academically, she was equally inspired. “The infrastructure, the quality of teaching and the relevance of the coursework all made a lasting impression.”

Advice for future biotech professionals

Ahilya encourages students to explore the breadth of opportunities available in biotechnology. “You don’t have to follow the traditional path of a PhD and postdoc. There are roles in IP, regulatory affairs, medical writing, health economics, product management, and more.”

She notes that many life science graduates enter commercial roles with no formal business education, but for those seeking an edge, programs like UQ’s Master of Biotechnology are ideal. “It’s a Professional Science Master’s degree accredited by the US Council, blending science with business skills and an industry focus.”

Whether through consultancy or corporate roles, Ahilya believes the key is curiosity and adaptability. “Biotech careers are diverse, and the impact you can make is enormous. If you’re open to learning and unafraid to pivot, you’ll find a rewarding path.”