Transitioning from corporate America to academia in the UK was a jarring experience for Helen Lee, who previously managed an annual budget of approximately $20 million at Abbott Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company. When she arrived at Cambridge University in 1995 to establish a new diagnostics unit, she was taken aback by the rudimentary laboratory conditions. Lee recalls requesting basic amenities, only to be told she would need to secure the funding herself. This experience instilled in her the importance of maximizing resources.

With initial funding of £200,000 from the World Health Organization (WHO), Lee successfully built the unit while securing additional grants from organizations such as the Wellcome Trust. The primary mission was to create straightforward, rapid, and affordable tests for infection detection in resource-limited settings.

Once operational, she launched Diagnostics for the Real World (DRW), a start-up that developed the Samba diagnostic machine. Designed for use in sub-Saharan Africa, the Samba enables quick disease detection, including HIV through blood tests, and guides treatment decisions. It is also applicable in developed regions for diagnosing respiratory diseases via throat and nasal swabs.

While initial adoption in Africa faced challenges, the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 prompted DRW’s scientists to adapt Samba technology for Covid testing. The firm sought to supply the NHS with Samba II machines, resulting in remarkable growth, with a peak turnover of £60.8 million and pre-tax profits of £28.6 million in 2021. Though sales have since stabilized, Lee is initiating a strategic shift with the upcoming launch of Samba III, scheduled for March next year, funded by profits from Covid testing.

Having been in the industry for 60 years, Lee, now 83 and serving as chair and CEO of DRW, notes that her team is expanding their focus beyond respiratory illnesses to include sexually transmitted infections and even cancer diagnostics. She expresses excitement about the potential growth in their offerings, enabled by a solid financial foundation.

The development of Samba III reflects Lee’s extensive career, starting in Taiwan after her family fled China amidst political turmoil. With a rich background in science, Lee initially pursued a career in writing and medicine before ultimately focusing on diagnostics technology, which she views as encompassing myriad aspects of healthcare.

Lee’s educational journey began in China before receiving a scholarship to study at Elmira College in New York and later completing a PhD in biology at Cornell University. Despite difficulties, including being separated from her mother for a decade, she adapted well to American culture during the 1950s and 60s.

Throughout her career, she has held various academic and research positions, including work in veterinary virology and insect viruses. Lee is credited with 14 patents and has received numerous accolades, including the European Inventor Award in 2016 for her innovative low-cost diagnostic kits.

In 1995, after four years at Abbott Laboratories, Lee co-founded Sentinel Biosciences, focusing on technologies for viral discovery before shifting her attention to Cambridge and launching her diagnostics unit. She identified a significant gap in the market for affordable diagnostics in developing regions, inspired by the dire need for effective healthcare tools in resource-limited settings.

Although her initial efforts faced commercial hurdles in sub-Saharan Africa, the influx of Covid contracts revitalized DRW, significantly expanding the workforce from 10 to 200 in a matter of months. Reflecting on this period, Lee states it was a unique blend of challenges and opportunities that her team navigated.

The Samba machines played a crucial role in hospitals during the pandemic, enabling rapid diagnoses for critically ill patients. Although the company has since downsized to 45 employees, Lee describes this as a natural adjustment as many temporary staff were hired during the crisis.

Looking ahead, Lee is focused on launching Samba III and plans to transition to a new CEO shortly afterward. However, retirement is not on her immediate agenda. She is developing a new venture called “Grey Matters,” aimed at fostering mentorship between older and younger generations in collaborative settings. Lee believes that the contributions of older individuals are undervalued in Western society and is eager to create an environment that bridges this generational gap.

Lee’s reflections reveal her commitment to innovation and societal impact, as she prepares for the next chapter of her career and continues to champion the importance of experienced voices in driving progress.

HIGH FIVE

My heroes: My mother, who encouraged me to pursue my own path, and Dr. Rosemary Biggs, a mentor during my early career. My best decision: Climbing the Organ Mountains in New Mexico in my 20s, proving to myself my capabilities. My worst decision: My competitive nature means I struggle with losing, but I strive to turn failures into opportunities. Funniest moment: Attending an interview at Abbott Laboratories in vibrant pink Hush Puppies, leading to memorable comments from my future boss. My best business tip: Persevere. If I want something, I’ll find a way around any obstacle.