Our Story
At Elion, we are passionate about disseminating the latest scientific research for cutting-edge therapies and medical devices. We work across the full spectrum of medical communications, from medical writing for peer-reviewed publications to promotional medical copywriting for healthcare professionals or educational materials for patients. We love what we do and we do it with pride!
A business built on a history of excellence
Our story began with a jellyfish. A box jellyfish to be precise. From there, Boxjelly – an owner-operated, freelance medical writing and medical copywriting business – arose. Established in New Zealand in April 2013, Boxjelly has supported medical communications agencies and pharmaceutical and medical device companies around the world. From New Zealand and Australia to the UK, Japan, the US, and Malaysia, our work has spanned four continents. We have built trusted partnerships with our clients, some of whom we have worked with consistently since the company’s inception.
A business built on a history of excellence
A decade on, it is time to evolve and grow. We are training more medical writers to enable us to offer high-quality medical writing and copywriting to our growing number of clients. We are also changing our name to Elion – a name synonymous with pioneering innovation in medicine.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Gertrude Elion (1918 – 1999) is the inspiration behind Elion Medical Communications. Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who overcame barriers against women practicing chemistry to develop numerous life-saving and life-changing drugs. Elion’s name was associated with 45 drug patents and several major discoveries, including treatments for leukaemia and malaria, and a breakthrough antiviral drug, which led to the first drug to treat AIDS.
Elion and her research partners revolutionised drug development through their ‘rational drug design’ approach – a technique still used today and for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for Medicine in 1988. Through her significant contribution to science and medicine, Gertrude Elion continues to impact therapeutic drug development and our work as medical writers every day. It felt appropriate to name the new iteration of the company after this incredible scientist.
Nobel Prize Winner, Dr Gertrude Elion. Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0
Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0
Meet the team
EMMA DONADIEU
Founder & Managing Director
MSc
MSc
Emma gained a Masters in Science Communication at Imperial College, London. An accomplished medical writer and medical copywriter with over 18 years’ experience, Emma has worked with some of the UK’s most dynamic healthcare advertising agencies and medical communications agencies. Emma prepares manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and crafts strategically-sound and persuasive copy, expertly working within the constraints of regulations and codes of practice. Emma and her family spend time in the outdoors of New Zealand and enjoy tending to their menagerie of pets.
BIANCA SANKO
Administrative & Marketing Assistant
Bianca holds a degree in Marketing and Business Analytics. Her role at Elion is Administrative & Marketing Assistant, where she handles administrative tasks and contributes to managing our social media presence. Based in Hawke's Bay, Bianca can often be found soaking up the sun at the local beaches.
ADRIAN LAU
Editorial Assistant
PGDipBioEnt, BPharm (Hons), RegPharmNZ
PGDipBioEnt, BPharm (Hons), RegPharmNZ
Adrian graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland in 2020 before becoming a New Zealand registered pharmacist. His interests in business and research commercialisation led him back to the University in 2022 to pursue postgraduate studies in Bioscience Enterprise, first receiving a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, then enrolling in the Master's programme. At Elion, Adrian is involved in developing a training programme for new medical writers and provides regular editorial support to Emma. Adrian is an avid gym-goer and especially enjoys heavy weight training.
ANITA JAGROOP-DEARING
Medical Writer
FRSPH PhD
FRSPH PhD
Anita migrated here more than 23 years as a Senior Scientist at University College London (UCL, a major teaching hospital), UK. Her PhD in Academic Surgery is also from UCL, while her Master of Philosophy in Medicine is from St George's Hospital, Medical School, Kingston University, UK. At Elion, Anita is a medical writer. Relaxation for Anita involves family time with her Kiwi husband and their three daughters, Caribbean cooking, salsa dancing, Zumbacise and yoga.
ANA HOLLEY
Medical Writer
PhD
PhD
After completing her PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Ana has spent the majority of her career as an academic researcher at the University of Otago. Her expertise lies in cardiovascular science, where she works with clinical cohorts and uses molecular and genetic techniques to identify biomarkers relating to inflammation, small RNA molecules, and genetic variants measured in patients who have suffered a heart attack. Ana is one of the Elion medical writers. She resides in Tauranga with her young family and their many pets and farm animals.
ZANA WHITTAAKER-SCOTT
Graphic Designer
An experienced designer and artworker, Zana has spent the last 20 years after gaining her Bachelor in Visual Communication in various communication and advertising agencies in Auckland and overseas. She has a passion for layouts and typography. Now working with her own clients, Zana supports Elion with all things graphic design related. Zana likes getting out in the outdoors with her 7 year old twins and husband, enjoy a good book. They also have their own small vineyard and wine label.
JOIN THE TEAM
We are always on the hunt for medical writers to join our talented team. If you are interested in working for us, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
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