Omar El Muhanna

Omar is a senior executive with a proven track record of creating long-term value in complex international operations and business management. He is best known for successfully leading the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine emergency response operation, overseeing biomanufacturing and global distribution for clinical trials. His expertise in complex operations was pivotal to this effort, and he is a recognised contributor to the Intellectual Property (IP) licensed by Oxford University Innovation to AstraZeneca.

Omar has extensive experience in international affairs, healthcare and life science, and humanitarian operations and strategies. In previous roles, he played a major part in initiating, designing, and implementing the first informal cross-border humanitarian assistance operation into Syria during extremely challenging circumstances. He has also led an organisational merger involving over 500 staff and managed budgets exceeding $80 million p.a.

As a growth and impact-driven strategist and corporate finance expert, Omar has developed profit and non-profit business models, managed diverse funding sources, ensured compliance with regulatory requirements, and led organically funded, income-generating, and grant-funded operations. He is multilingual and holds an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His advanced problem-solving, data analytics, and critical thinking skills have enabled him to lead innovative processes and optimise high-performance teams, fostering positive work cultures for the successful delivery of revenue growth and cost reductions.

Building on the vaccine's success, Omar has established strategic networks and partnerships within the industry to expand reach, accelerate growth, and diversify customer portfolios and revenue streams. Currently, he plays a significant role in leading substantial capital projects designed to accommodate a 200% increase in business capacity. Beyond his humanitarian work, Omar has supported and collaborated with global organisations in a consulting capacity, securing multiple winning deals, reducing costs, and driving regional expansion.

Omar currently leads the operations of the GMP Clinical Biomanufacturing at the University of Oxford, overseeing general and people management while working closely with the Head of the Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility and the University’s Senior Leadership. His role involves developing and implementing business strategies, identifying objectives, opportunities, risks, and priorities, and advising on the feasibility of proposed strategic directions. He is also an active member of the Oxford Centre for Advanced Cell Therapy (OxACT) oversight committee. Additionally, he holds oversight responsibility for the Oxford VaxHub Programmes delivery, and is leading various strategic and global partnership programmes.

In recognition of his contributions, Omar was among the recipients of the 2022 Copley Medal, awarded to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Team by the Royal Society, the Society’s oldest and most prestigious prize. Alongside his team, he was also a recipient of several other prestigious accolades, including:

• The GQ Men of the Year 2021: Heroes of the Year Award
• The Pride of Britain 2021: Special Recognition Award
• The Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2022
• The 2020 NHS Parliamentary Awards: Excellence in Healthcare Award

Omar was also featured in the best seller "Vaxxers: The Inside Story of the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine", recognising his pivotal role in the historic vaccine development effort.

Education:

• Master's Degree (International Executive MBA) from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, IL, USA
• Master's Degree (Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management MSc.) from the Global Business School for Health at UCL, London, UK
• BSc. Degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan