Interview – Tim Hague

Posted on by Adorjan Toth

 
 
Interview with Tim Hague, a passionate biotechnology executive.
 

Unique technologies from Hungary may decide the success of transplantations. We talked with Tim Hague, CEO of Omixon.

Leading an innovating biotechnological company in Hungary, they may find a way how transplantations will be succeeding. Who is the head of this project, what’s his motivation? We asked Tim Hague.

Tim Hague is a passionate biotechnology executive. Committed to the science, his family, and also committed to helping people. He is leading a unique company here, in Hungary, called Omixon.

  1. Where are you from?

I am from England.

  1. When did you arrive to Hungary and what brought you here?

I arrived in 2003 and I came to Hungary because of a woman.

  1. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Yes, is Switzerland and the USA.

  1. Have you arrived originally to be an expatreneur or this was not your No. 1 priority?

This was not my number one priority. I did not plan being expat in Hungary.

  1. As of business: what is your business field?

Molecular diagnostics. I’m a 15 year veteran of the IT industry, who originally studied Genetics at University. This has proven to be a strong background combination of skills for a move into biotechnology and bioinformatics. Now I am leading the Omixon.  Its mission is empowering clinical labs with technologies to improve patient outcomes.

Omixon commercializes disruptive technologies for clinical and research laboratories. Omixon’s flagship product is the world’s leading NGS-based HLA genotyping product (gen-technology based on diagnostic tools that can help making the good decision before a transplantation, namely that whether it would be successful or not – editor’s remark), and is used in more than 20 hospitals worldwide. Omixon’s research software, analyzes data from any sequencing technology and determines HLA genotypes from Whole Exome/Genome Sequencing experiments.

  1. What was the most difficult to solve when you started your company in Hungary?

I’m not the founder of the company, I took over as the CEO after about three years.  For me, the most difficult bits are the Hungarian language and bureaucracy, especially the finances.

 

Tim Hague - CEO of Omixon

    Tim Hague – CEO of Omixon

  1. How did you find a solution?

I hired a competent Hungarian to manage the administration and finances.

  1. What are today’s challenges?

Growing an international business in the face of competition.  We want a new office, too.

  1. How many employees do you work with?

32.

  1. What surprised you the most about Hungary?

The wine.

  1. What is your favorite Hungarian food?

The soups.  Especially fruit soups. I like it.

  1. What about Hungarian wines? Do you have a favorite?

Villanyi or Szekszardi Kadarka

  1. What is your favorite Hungarian word?

Csak. Nem (Even and no!) (every question starts with nem!) I used to learn Hungarian, but only rather use this language. At home we speak only in English because of the children.

  1. What do you miss most from home?

Pubs, live football. That is another lifestyle and part of the life. Here is not that culture of football. (But now, the European Championship was little bit same like there.)

  1. What’s your favorite thing about being an expat in Hungary?

The weather, four proper seasons. The weather is shinier here and here are different seasons. In England the weather is foggy. I also like the cold winters.

  1. What would you do different now than in the beginning regarding your business or career?

I would have become an entrepreneur earlier in life. In England I were not brave enough, I did not think big enough earlier. The key is here thinking bigger.

  1. What are your hobbies?

My kids. I have no time for anything else other than work.

  1. Buda or Pest?

Buda. I love the hills. However, one of my favorite places in Hungary is Ópusztaszer. We cannot said, in that area can found lots of hills… (laughs; This town is in the Great Hungarian Plain.)

  1. What is your personal credo, motto or quote?

Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until they succeed.

Science – if you’re not making mistakes you’re not doing it properly.

I have science degrees and love researches, and now I am leading a research company. In this, you have to make mistakes, without them you cannot improve anything.

  1. Do you have or plan to start any CSR activities?

We already sponsor disease and drug research outside of our core transplantation business, and what we do as a primary business is helping to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

  1. If you could go back in time to start your business in Hungary from the beginning, do you see the sense to work with a business management agency like Business Management Hungary?

I certainly would if I was starting another company here.  I would consider working with an incubator as well.
 
 

Did you like this interview with Tim Hague? If so, you are welcomed to suggest us people to do interview with!

 
 
 

Business Management Hungary
www.businessmanagementhungary.com