In Sight: My Life in Science and Biotech

by Julia Levy

In Sight is a memoir about how a love of science and discovery drove Julia Levy, a celebrated scholar and biotech CEO, to work her way through gender bias in order to achieve academic and professional recognition. Her story traces the unconventional invention of a breakthrough drug treatment from its development from laboratory research to its application as a medical treatment for vision loss. Told from a female perspective, In Sight is a unique and personal story covering Levy’s early years as a refugee, her university training in the UK, and her appointment as professor at the University of British Columbia. Years spent as an academic led the author to unexpected exposure to the biotechnology industry and a chance meeting with colleagues that led to the formation of a lucrative biotechnology company, known today as QLT Inc. The bulk of the book covers the years spent building the company, and Levy’s surprising transition from chief scientific officer to CEO. In Sight is an honest description of the trials of drug development, the tensions inherent in the commercialization of health innovations, and the truly remarkable hurdles faced by women in the scientific community.

312 pages, Hardcover

Published October 23, 2020

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging story shared by a brilliant Scientist. Starting on her 6th birthday during WWII and continuing onto her journey that made her who she is today. All in her words. She speaks of her life, things that happened, including the teachers she knew and other medical people, scientists, researchers she knew who made brilliant discoveries that affect us today. So many stories and so much life in this book. I couldn’t put it down and really felt like I was experiencing it with her during her life. Superbly written, fun and interesting. Also reveals the struggles of her field and dealing with many of the issues dealt with in that field. So good even for those who aren’t particularly interested in Science. Highly recommended for readers of all genres who love to read about influential people or to give us an insight of life and how the history of medicine, research, and bacteriology help us today.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read of the life of brilliant bio tech scientist Julia Levy. The author covers her childhood to educational years which helped form the scientist she was to become. Throughout her life devoted to science Julia has been instrumental in brilliant discoveries that affect us today.

This is very well written, fun and interesting to read. She writes of the gender discrimination she faced in the field of science and how she preserved devoted to her work. She writes of being head of a company and how she was able to continue her groundbreaking work in science to accomplish her goals. Hers is a remarkable story and this is a book all women should read to appreciate how one woman can accomplish her dreams no matter what field she is in. This is particularly inspiring for all of us women that have faced discrimination and had extraordinary challenges having their work recognized . A brilliant read that i highly recommend.

[Sree Gayathri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great case study to understand clinical development from point of view of a front runner Julia. Totally recommend it to people interested in drug development side.