Philip Ashton-Rickardt
Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer
New York, NY / Boston, MA
About Philip Ashton-Rickardt
Philip Ashton-Rickardt is a dual U.S./UK molecular immunologist with over 30 years of experience spanning academia and biotechnology. He holds advanced degrees from King's College London (BSc Biochemistry) and the University of Edinburgh (PhD Molecular Immunology), and completed postdoctoral training at MIT. After earning tenure at the University of Chicago in 2001 and serving as Professor and Head of Immunology at Imperial College London, Ashton-Rickardt transitioned to biotech entrepreneurship in 2017, founding Smith Therapeutics to develop CAR-Treg therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company was acquired by AZTherapies in 2019.
He subsequently served as Senior Vice President for Immunology at AZTherapies (2019-2021) and Chief Scientific Officer at Sigilon Therapeutics (2021-2024), where he led research and development through the company's acquisition by Eli Lilly in 2023. He also served as Senior Scientific Advisor at Flagship Pioneering (2024-2025) and co-founded Halyard Therapeutics in 2024, where he remains President, Chief Scientific Officer, and Founder.
Since June 2025, Ashton-Rickardt has served as Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer at BE Therapeutics, a seed-stage biotechnology company developing proto-cortex technology. The company uses iPSC-derived neurons, glia, and vascular cells combined with proprietary extracellular matrix protein biogels to produce proto-cortex implants designed to replace damaged brain tissue and treat stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and traumatic brain injury. Animal model validation is underway with a development path targeting chronic stroke patients within three years.
Ashton-Rickardt received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President William Clinton in 1999. His research has focused on T cell biology, CAR-Treg platforms, shielded living cell products, myeloid cell reprogramming, and antibody discovery and engineering. He has served on review panels for the Science Foundation of Ireland, Israel Science Foundation, and Medical Research Council, and was a panel member for NIH Study Sections in Immunobiology and Cell & Molecular Immunology B from 1999 to 2006.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
Halyard Therapeutics
Flagship Pioneering
Sigilon Therapeutics, Inc.
AZTherapies
Smith Therapeutics
Imperial College London
University of Chicago
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Education
King's College London, University of London
University of Edinburgh
Media
Press
Awards & Recognition
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, President William Clinton, 1999
- Award of Tenure, University of Chicago, 2001
Boards & Memberships
- Life Science Review Panel, Science Foundation of Ireland, 2016
- Israel Science Foundation, 2016
- Medical Research Council Panel Member, Non-Clinical Training & Career Development Panel, 2009-2013
- College of Experts, Medical Research Council, 2007-2010
- Drug Discovery Facility Review Panel, Imperial College London, 2006-2009
- Immunobiology and Cell & Molecular Immunology B NIH Study Section Panel, 1999-2006
- Council Advisory Subcommittee on Immunological Memory, NIAID, 2000
- Committee on the Reappointment of Assistant Professor, University of Chicago, 2002-2003
- Gwen Knapp Center ES Cell and Transgenic Mouse Facility Director, University of Chicago, 1995-2002
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Philip Ashton-Rickardt do?
Philip Ashton-Rickardt is Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer at BE Therapeutics, a seed-stage biotechnology company developing proto-cortex implants to treat stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and traumatic brain injury. He is a dual U.S./UK molecular immunologist with over 30 years of experience spanning academia and biotechnology.
What is Philip Ashton-Rickardt known for?
He is known for his work in T cell biology, CAR-Treg platforms, shielded living cell products, and antibody discovery and engineering, as well as founding and leading multiple biotech companies including Smith Therapeutics and Halyard Therapeutics. He received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President William Clinton in 1999.
Where is Philip Ashton-Rickardt based?
He is based in the New York, NY / Boston, MA area.
Where did Philip Ashton-Rickardt study?
He earned a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from King's College London, University of London, and a PhD in Molecular Immunology from the University of Edinburgh, followed by postdoctoral training at MIT.
Who does Philip Ashton-Rickardt work for?
He currently works for BE Therapeutics, where he serves as Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer.
Last updated July 23, 2026