Ishani is a scientist and biotech founder dedicated to helping breakthroughs in cancer research reach patients more quickly and effectively. Inspired by her postgraduate degree and the University of Edinburgh’s innovation community, she is now starting her second company focused on using AI to improve cancer treatments.

Name: Ishani Malhotra

Degree course: MSc in Regenerative Medicine

Year of graduation: 2017

At the moment

What is your current role, and how did you get there?

Currently, I am working as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Edinburgh whilst also starting my second company – Oncocine – as Founder and CEO. We are an AI-native company* that engineers a patient’s biopsy data and unique tumour signatures into a personalised cancer vaccine. Previously I worked as a scientist in an oncology hospital, a stem cell therapy company and a stem cell biotech firm. I then founded my first company where I was Founder and CEO, growing it to the Series A stage** before stepping down. The company continues under new leadership, while I now on work in the AI-driven cancer vaccine space.

What inspired your interest in this field?

12 years ago, working as a scientist in an oncology hospital, I diagnosed a young boy with leukaemia. As I examined his genetic profile, the stark reality hit me: it would take years, possibly a decade, before this child could access the personalised treatments his unique cancer required. In that moment, I made a promise to myself that I would dedicate my career to accelerating the journey from discovery to treatment, ensuring breakthroughs in cancer research reach patients faster, smarter and more precisely. I started my first company with the aim of accelerating pre-clinical drug testing, and now I am building my second company with the aim of discovering cancer vaccines faster and smarter, while personalising these to individual patients. With every patient we help, every partnership we forge and every breakthrough we achieve, I am keeping that promise.

Career journey

What were some key milestones in your career journey?

My early roles in stem cell therapeutics and cancer diagnostics gave me a strong foundation in translational science, personalised medicine and real-world patient impact. Moving to Edinburgh for my MSc in Regenerative Medicine marked a shift into advanced cell models, oncology and industry focused research. Founding my first oncology biotech, where I built a team, led fundraising, achieved sustained commercial growth and established international partnerships with leading pharma and research institutes, was a defining milestone that shaped me as a founder and leader. Building on that experience, I have now founded Oncocine, focusing on AI-driven personalised cancer vaccines, while also taking on Entrepreneur in Residence and investor relations roles that allow me to support other high impact ventures.

How did your time at the University shape your professional path?

Studying an MSc in Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh was instrumental in my journey towards founding both my first oncology company and now Oncocine. The programme deepened my expertise in stem cells, oncology and translational medicine, while my thesis project in a biotech company exposed me to industry standards, commercial thinking and full project lifecycles. Being immersed in Edinburgh’s innovation ecosystem showed me how academia, entrepreneurship and investment can intersect, directly influencing my decision to build my second company in the AI enabled precision oncology space.

Can you share a standout achievement or moment you’re proud of?

A standout achievement has been founding my first oncology biotech and growing it from an early concept into a recognised leader in pre-clinical drug development. Leading multiple successful fundraising rounds, achieving year on year growth and securing international partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and research institutes demonstrated that deep science can be translated into a scalable business. The experience of steering the company through the pandemic while maintaining momentum, team culture and innovation was particularly formative. Recognition through multiple national and international awards for innovation and entrepreneurship remains meaningful, but the most important outcome has been using that journey as a springboard to create Oncocine and push the frontier of personalised cancer vaccines even further.

Alumni wisdom

What do you wish you had known at the start of your career?

I wish I had understood earlier how non-linear scientific and entrepreneurial careers are, and that changing direction is often a strength rather than a setback. The ability to learn quickly, ask good questions and work with ambiguity matters more than having a perfect plan. I would also have invested sooner in understanding finance, regulation and commercial strategy, because they heavily influence which scientific ideas succeed. Finally, I would have prioritised networks and mentors earlier, as the right people accelerate both learning and opportunities.

What advice would you give to students or alumni looking to enter your field?

Focus on building both deep scientific expertise and strong data skills, especially in immunology, oncology and computational biology. Seek out labs, internships or startups where you can work on real patient or translational datasets and see the clinical context behind the work. Learn how regulation, clinical trials and reimbursement shape what gets to patients. Finally, cultivate communication and storytelling skills so you can explain complex science clearly to collaborators, funders and non-scientific stakeholders.

Are there any books, podcasts, or resources that have influenced you?

I read a lot of published papers because it’s the best way to learn, and I love learning! When it comes to books, I mostly read fiction/thrillers but reading a lot of literature papers helps me come up with interesting ideas. I also like to surround myself with people who I learn from every day.

*AI-native company – a business built from the ground up with artificial intelligence as its core, foundational technology, rather than adding AI tools to existing processes.

**Series A stage – the first major, formal round of investment a startup raises from professional venture capital firms after it has moved beyond the “idea and testing” phase.

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