Madusha Peiris: How a strategic career pivot led to a breakthrough scientific discovery

In this episode, we meet Dr. Madusha Peiris, CEO and Co-Founder of Elcella, a Queen Mary University spinout transforming appetite regulation and gut health. Madusha shares her journey from early exposure to commercialisation during her PhD, to the patient stories that inspired her mission, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path as an entrepreneur. She reflects on the highs and lows of spinout life - from “eureka” insights and successful clinical trials to surviving the funding valley of death.  Today, she leads a high-growth startup that sold out its first product batch in 20 minutes and built a 2m-strong online community through authentic science communication.