Learn what Accelagen’s Head of Medical Affairs, Dr Chris Goon, is doing to keep the team adaptable and grounded in clinical reality.

Chris brings a rare combination of deep clinical experience and genuine curiosity to his role at Accelagen. Starting his career as a medical doctor before moving into Phase I clinical trials as an Investigator, he developed a lasting interest in drug development and monitoring trials.

“That was really where I started learning about the drug development process,” he says. “Being quite hands-on with trial operations and the participants gave me a deep appreciation for how research can directly impact patients.”

Chris later held senior roles in medical affairs, working across oncology, haematology and rare diseases, with responsibilities spanning medical education, strategic pipeline oversight, and cross-functional brand collaboration.

Now at Accelagen, Chris leads a team that is dynamic and responsive throughout the clinical trial timeline, from protocol development and trial feasibility at startup, analysing safety data during the study to medical writing after trial completion.

“It’s a really diverse role,” he says. “Anything could land on my desk. I like the variety and problem solving.”

A passion for practical research

Chris is actively involved as a medical monitor and contributes medical expertise to Accelagen’s business development efforts. For early-phase studies, he evaluates protocols and recruitment challenges and pathways, and consults with leading specialists to ensure the study design is aligned with clinical practice.

“We reach out to specialists who are treating these conditions every day and are thought leaders in their field. That external input ensures the studies we run are relevant to clinical practice and recruit well.”

Clinical relevance and patient safety are at the centre of Chris’s approach. With many of Accelagen’s studies being first-in-human, monitoring safety is a core responsibility.

“You can do research, but it needs to be appropriate to clinical practice,” he says. “Our job is to make sure protocols remain translatable to real-world settings, and that safety is monitored closely.”

He sees each part of his role in the medical team at Accelagen as interlinked. Together, they ensure studies are run safely and results are documented with the rigour needed for regulatory approval.

“The last thing you’d want is to run a good trial and have the results not be written up properly. That could lead to poor interpretation or regulatory delays.”

What makes a good team

Chris believes Accelagen’s size offers an advantage: decisions are fast, and collaboration is embedded in the culture.

“We meet regularly across functions, and everyone is clear on their responsibilities. It’s an open, friendly and respectful workplace. There’s real trust here.”

That transparency influences his leadership style as well. Chris aims to foster an environment where people are supported to stretch and grow.

“You’re not just a cog in a machine. You might be doing things you’ve never done before, but it gives you a more hands-on experience and a broader perspective.”

In new hires, he looks for clinical depth and flexibility. “Put the patient and your clinical experience at the centre of how you think. Understand the science, the operations, the business case. And don’t just follow the process; understand it from basic principles.”

Looking ahead

Chris is particularly excited by the cell therapy projects the team is supporting, including applications beyond traditional oncology settings.

“They’re complex in how they’re delivered and monitored, but they hold enormous promise. It’s exciting to see how they might be used in areas like osteoarthritis.”

When asked what motivates him, he doesn’t hesitate. “My team,” he says. “Everyone here is passionate about the quality of our trials. There’s a real curiosity and commitment to doing things well.”

That combination of medical depth and leadership grounded in trust makes Chris Goon a key part of how Accelagen continues to deliver impactful, clinically relevant research.

Join our growing team

Accelagen is always on the lookout for passionate, talented individuals who share our mission to accelerate human health. Interested in joining us? Explore our Careers page to see current opportunities.