Robert Fletcher, Nanolyx

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Robert Fletcher, co-founder and CEO of Nanolyx, a company developing sustainable antimicrobial technologies that could help solve one of the world’s biggest challenges: antimicrobial resistance.

Robert shares his unconventional path into Biotech - from working every entry-level job under the sun to returning to school in his thirties to study Biochemistry. Now leading a start-up while also working full-time in the lab at an early-stage Flagship Pioneering company, he reflects on the mindset needed to navigate entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and why curiosity is more important than technical skills.

We also dive into the science behind Nanolyx’s unique nanoparticle-based technology, why they pivoted from FDA to EPA approval, and how the company is aiming to tackle everything from hospital infections to sustainability in surface disinfection.