In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox speaks with Liia Ramachandra, CEO and founder of EpilLynx — a clinical pharmacist, global pharma leader, and bold entrepreneur who's turning personal health challenges into industry-shifting innovation.
Liia shares how she went from VP in big pharma to building a clean, allergy-safe skincare line from her basement — now available in over 500 retailers across the U.S.
She opens up about leadership reinvention, navigating bias, and why sometimes the key to growth isn’t leaving — it’s watering your own grass.
Chapters / Timecodes:
00:00 — Meet Liia Ramachandra
Intro to her career journey and scientific background
03:10 — From Pharma Executive to Founder
Why she walked away from corporate leadership
07:30 — Building EpilLynx from Scratch
The inspiration behind her allergy-safe skincare brand
12:40 — Burnout, Boundaries, and Starting Over
What leaving pharma taught her about self-worth and ambition
18:15 — Career Advice for Women in Biotech
Why pausing and reflecting matters more than reacting
22:45 — Balancing Science, Business, and Family
Real talk about energy, expectations, and being “too much”
26:30 — The Power of Purpose-Driven Products
How consumer needs guide innovation at EpilLynx
30:55 — Final Takeaways & Leadership Reflections
Why authenticity is non-negotiable — and how to protect it
Listen now to hear Liia’s powerful take on leadership, reinvention, and building something real.
#SheLeadsBiotech #WomenInSTEM #LiiaRamachandra #EpilLynx #AuthenticLeadership #CareerTransitions #FemaleFounders #BiotechInnovation
