Shows
Careers in DiscoveryJelena Aleksic, SparkBioIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jelena Aleksic, a serial entrepreneur, business coach, and director at SparkBio.
Jelena shares her fascinating journey from genetics researcher to founder and start-up builder, including the lessons she learned from creating seven businesses across life sciences, tech, and even live entertainment. She opens up about her transition from academia to entrepreneurship, the importance of testing ideas early with customers, and why stepping away from a company can sometimes be the right choice.
We also talk about embracing curiosity, building businesses that align with your pa...2025-05-1439 min
Careers in DiscoveryLars van der Veen, iOncturaAfter nearly two decades in big pharma, Lars van der Veen made the leap to entrepreneurship, co-founding iOnctura, a clinical-stage Biotech developing low-disruption therapies that target the tumour-stroma crosstalk to improve patient outcomes in cancer.
In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Lars shares his journey from medicinal chemist to Biotech CSO, the lessons he learned building a company from scratch, and why taking the leap into Biotech offered him the chance to have real impact. He also talks about the science behind iOnctura’s approach, how focusing on quality of life - not just survival - is...2025-05-0744 min
Careers in DiscoveryJuozas Gordevicius, VUGENEIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Juozas Gordevicius, founder of VUGENE, a bioinformatics company making complex multi-omics data analysis accessible to scientists across academia and industry.
Juozas joined us to talk about his unconventional journey from computer science into the world of life sciences, how a chance meeting with an epigenetics professor changed his career path, and the story behind founding VUGENE.
We also discussed the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on omics data, the realities of building a company from scratch, and why hiring that first team...2025-04-3030 min
Careers in DiscoveryMirko Buchholz, PerioTrapIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Mirko Buchholz, Co-founder and Managing Director at PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals, a Biotech company on a mission to revolutionize oral health by tackling one of the most widespread and underestimated diseases in the world - periodontitis.
Mirko shares how a passion for chemistry and biology sparked his journey into drug discovery, and how his training in pharmacy gave him the unique ability to translate across scientific disciplines. He takes us through the ups and downs of building PerioTrap, from the science behind their microbiome-preserving approach to gum disease, to...2025-04-2354 min
Careers in DiscoveryAnnelise Vuidepot, ImmunocoreIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Tom meets with Annelise Vuidepot, Chief Technology Officer and UK Site Head at Immunocore, one of the UK’s most successful Biotech companies.
Annelise was there on day one in 2000, when Immunocore spun out from Oxford University, and she’s been at the heart of the company’s pioneering work in T-cell receptor-based therapies ever since. She shares her story of building a new technology from scratch, the long road to Immunocore’s first approved drug, and how the company continues to evolve and innovate across oncology, infectious disease, and now auto...2025-04-1642 min
Careers in DiscoveryRobert Fletcher, NanolyxIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Robert Fletcher, co-founder and CEO of Nanolyx, a company developing sustainable antimicrobial technologies that could help solve one of the world’s biggest challenges: antimicrobial resistance.
Robert shares his unconventional path into Biotech - from working every entry-level job under the sun to returning to school in his thirties to study Biochemistry. Now leading a start-up while also working full-time in the lab at an early-stage Flagship Pioneering company, he reflects on the mindset needed to navigate entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and why curiosity is mo...2025-04-0937 min
Careers in DiscoverySøren Bregenholt, Alligator BioscienceIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Søren Bregenholt, CEO of Alligator Bioscience, a company developing tumour-directed immunotherapies to treat aggressive cancers such as pancreatic cancer.
Søren shares his journey from academic immunologist to biotech CEO, including pivotal moments in his career - from his experiences at the Pasteur Institute, to building his Biotech education at Symphogen, to navigating the corporate world at Novo Nordisk. He reflects on lessons learned from leadership, fundraising, and decision-making at the top, and the importance of humility, structure, and courage in the face of uncertainty.
2025-04-0347 min
Careers in DiscoveryChelsea Trengrove, NeocleaseIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma meets with Chelsea Trengrove, CEO & co-founder of Neoclease, a start-up pioneering AI-designed, gene-specific editors that aim to overcome the safety, specificity, and scalability challenges of CRISPR-based therapies.
Chelsea shares how her lifelong fascination with the brain and a PhD in neuroscience evolved into a career at the intersection of deep tech, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. From clinical trials and digital health to strategic partnerships and building a company from the ground up, her journey is a masterclass in adaptability, curiosity, and courage.
She also opens up about the...2025-04-0130 min
Careers in DiscoveryUlrika Norin, Serendo TherapeuticsFrom a childhood hospital bed to the founding of her own Biotech company, Ulrika Norin’s journey into drug discovery has been anything but conventional. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we speak with the founder and CEO of Serendo Therapeutics about her mission to transform treatment for autoimmune disease - starting with a breakthrough she made during her PhD.
Ulrika shares how a long-standing fascination with the immune system led her to discover Endothelin A2 as a key regulator of autoimmunity, and how that science laid the foundation for Serendo. She talks openly about the le...2025-03-2727 min
Careers in DiscoveryManuela Zonca, NeoVacWhat happens when a scientist trained in immunology finds herself leading biology at a cutting-edge mRNA Biotech? In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we sit down with Manuela Zonca, VP of Biology at NeoVac, to find out.
Manuela shares her fascinating career journey across Europe - from academia in Spain and France to Biotech leadership in the UK - and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She talks about the importance of following your gut, learning through mistakes, and why adaptability, teamwork, and mentorship are central to scientific success.
We explore Manuela’s ro...2025-03-2525 min
Careers in DiscoveryJostein Dahle, Blue Wave TherapeuticsIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jostein Dahle, Chief Technology Officer at Blue Wave Therapeutics.
Jostein has spent over two decades in radionuclide therapy, taking discoveries from the lab to patients. Now, he's developing a new treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and challenging brain cancers, using targeted radionuclide therapy derived from Norwegian seaweed.
We talk about his journey from academia to Biotech, the hard lessons of building and scaling a company, and why following the science, staying agile, and knowing when to walk away are critical in dr...2025-03-2027 min
Careers in DiscoveryKarin Conde-Knape, Novo NordiskThis week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Karin Conde-Knape, Senior Vice President of Global Drug Discovery at Novo Nordisk.
Karin’s career has taken her from a PhD in cardiovascular science to leadership roles in big pharma, business development, and drug discovery. Now, she oversees early-stage research, external innovation, and portfolio strategy at one of the world’s most successful pharmaceutical companies.
We discuss how Novo Nordisk has transformed over the past seven years, the importance of human-centric drug discovery, and why AI, external partnerships, and a more holistic approach to disease biolog...2025-03-1846 min
Careers in DiscoveryDave Hallett, RecursionThis week on Careers in Discovery, we welcome back Dave Hallett, now Chief Scientific Officer at Recursion, following the recent merger with Exscientia.
The last five years have been transformative for Dave, from leading AI-driven drug discovery at Exscientia to navigating one of Biotech’s biggest IPOs and stepping into the CEO role in a challenging market. Now, he’s focused on proving that AI-designed medicines can deliver real impact, with clinical results beginning to emerge.
We discuss the evolution of AI in drug discovery, the lessons Dave has learned leading a publicly listed company, and...2025-03-1344 min
Careers in DiscoveryMikko Turunen, RNativesThis week on Careers in Discovery, Emma sits down with Mikko Turunen, founder and CSO of RNatives, a company pioneering RNA activation for therapeutic use.
Mikko’s journey has taken him from academia to Biotech entrepreneurship, with more than 25 years in gene therapy. He shares the story behind RNatives, the challenges of launching a company in a tough funding climate, and the resilience required to keep going when setbacks arise.
Emma and Mikko talk about navigating the transition from scientist to entrepreneur, building a startup from the ground up, and the importance of networking, persistence, an...2025-03-0636 min
Careers in DiscoveryJosef Christensen, ImmuneAGE BioThis week on Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Josef Christensen, Chief Operating Officer at ImmuneAGE Bio.
Josef started out in academia, completing a PhD at Harvard Stem Cell Institute, before moving into consulting, venture capital, pharma, and Biotech startups. Now, he’s leading efforts to rejuvenate the immune system and combat age-related disease.
He shares his journey from scientist to business leader, the challenges of fundraising in today’s climate, and why mentorship, sponsorship, and big pharma experience can be game changers for those looking to enter Biotech.
Josef’s insights are es...2025-03-0437 min
Careers in DiscoveryDominique Verhelle, NextRNA TherapeuticsIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Tom sits down with Dominique Verhelle, Co-Founder, President and CEO of NextRNA Therapeutics, a company pioneering the use of long non-coding RNAs in drug discovery.
Dominique takes us through her unconventional journey - from aspiring flight attendant to Biotech entrepreneur - sharing the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She talks about the challenges of leading a startup through uncertainty, balancing science and business as both CSO and CEO, and why strategic timing is key in career growth.
We also discuss the evolution of the dark genome field...2025-02-2744 min
Careers in DiscoveryChristian Schroeter, Topas TherapeuticsIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Christian Schroeter, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director at Topas Therapeutics.
Christian’s work focuses on developing immune tolerance therapies for autoimmune diseases, using nanoparticle technology to retrain the immune system. With Topas recently completing a Phase 2a trial in coeliac disease, he shares the excitement of leading a Biotech at a critical stage and the challenges of securing funding to drive the next phase of development.
He also reflects on his career journey from academia to Big Pharma and now Biotech, the lessons he’s...2025-02-2528 min
Careers in DiscoveryTheonie Anastassiadis, Prologue MedicinesIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Theonie Anastassiadis, Senior Principal at Flagship Pioneering and Founding President of Prologue Medicines.
Theonie’s work is all about uncovering ground-breaking biology and turning it into transformative Biotech companies. She shares her journey from academia to venture creation, her experience co-founding multiple Biotech start-ups, and how Prologue Medicines is harnessing viral proteins to develop innovative therapeutics.
She also dives into the importance of culture in scientific innovation, the role of mentorship in shaping careers, and why curiosity is the most powerful tool a scientist ca...2025-02-2032 min
Careers in DiscoveryRiccardo Panella, Resalis TherapeuticsOn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we spoke with Riccardo Panella, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Resalis Therapeutics, and Associate Professor at the Center of RNA Medicine in Copenhagen.
Riccardo shared his journey from academia to Biotech entrepreneurship, discussing how a serendipitous discovery during his postdoctoral research at Harvard led him to explore the role of microRNAs in metabolism. He delved into the challenges and rewards of founding Resalis Therapeutics, highlighting the importance of resilience in securing funding and the differences between academic and commercial science.
We also explored his perspectives on leadership...2025-02-1836 min
Careers in DiscoveryKathryn Penkus Corzo, bit.bioThis week on Careers in Discovery, we sat down with Kathryn Penkus Corzo, President & COO of bit.bio, to talk about her journey from clinical pharmacy to leading a company at the forefront of cell therapy and drug discovery.
Kathryn shared how bit.bio is using machine learning and cell coding to create scalable, precision-engineered human cells - both for research and as potential therapies. She also reflected on her career path, from cold calling her way into Roche in Switzerland to leadership roles at Lilly, Sanofi, and Takeda, and why taking risks, embracing change, and working...2025-02-1347 min
Careers in DiscoveryGraham Dempsey, Quiver BioscienceThis week on Careers in Discovery, we spoke with Graham Dempsey, CSO of Quiver Bioscience, to talk about his journey from a passion for sports medicine to leading a company at the cutting edge of neuroscience drug discovery.
Graham shared how Quiver is combining stem cell models, optogenetics, and AI to study brain diseases at an unprecedented scale, and what he’s learned from spending over a decade growing within the same company, from Senior Scientist to CSO. We also explored the realities of Biotech growth, the challenges of translating research into real-world impact, and why persistence is...2025-02-1146 min
Careers in DiscoveryMarco Schmidt, biotx.aiThis week on Careers in Discovery, we sat down with Marco Schmidt, CSO of biotx.ai, to talk about AI, Biotech, and the future of drug discovery.
Marco’s career has taken him from Biochemistry to Biotech start-ups, where he’s using causal inference to reshape clinical trials and drug development. We explored the evolution of AI in science, the rise of tech-bio companies, and why he believes this is the best time in history to be a scientist.
We also got into the mindset shift needed for scientists moving into business - and why fail...2025-02-0627 min
Careers in DiscoveryTommi Kainu, GlyProVacThis week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Tommi Kainu, Chairman of GlyProVac, a Biotech developing bacterial vaccines with the potential to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Tommi’s career has taken him from medicine and research to consulting at BCG and leadership roles in Biotech. He shared insights on GlyProVac’s work, why commercial thinking is key in drug development, and lessons from his time at Bavarian Nordic - including the unexpected rise of the MPOX vaccine.
His advice for scientists moving into industry? Start with the end in mind.
A great conver...2025-02-0433 min
Careers in DiscoveryMartijn Van De Bunt, Cytoki PharmaThis week, Emma spoke with Martijn Van De Bunt, Chief Scientific Officer at Cytoki Pharma, a pioneering Biotech in Denmark developing IL-22-based therapies for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Martijn shared insights from his journey from medicine and academia to leading a lean, globally connected Biotech team advancing transformative therapies.
Martijn discussed the pivotal moments in his career, from a PhD at Oxford that sparked his passion for impactful science, to his tenure at Novo Nordisk, and ultimately to joining Cytoki Pharma. Along the way, he emphasised the importance of adaptability, the nuances of...2025-01-3035 min
Careers in DiscoveryJordi Carreras-Puigvert, Phenaros PharmaceuticalsThis week, we welcomed Jordi Carreras-Puigvert, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Phenaros, a Swedish company revolutionising drug discovery at the intersection of artificial intelligence and life sciences. Jordi shared his journey from personal tragedy inspiring a career in science, to leading a cutting-edge platform combining high-content microscopy and AI to accelerate therapeutic development, especially in rare diseases.
Jordi delved into his unconventional career path, including his foundational work in phenotypic drug discovery, insights on transitioning from academia to biotech, and the critical role of mentorship and networking in shaping his success. He also explored the transformative...2025-01-2824 min
Careers in DiscoveryHenri Huttunen, Herantis PharmaIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma sits down with Henri Huttunen, Chief Scientific Officer at Herantis Pharma, a Finnish biotech developing ground-breaking therapies for Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases. Henri shares the exciting progress on their next-generation molecule that crosses the blood-brain barrier and their innovative approach to tackling the challenges of clinical trials in this field.
Henri reflects on his journey, from his early days in academic research to founding start-ups and leading Herantis’ mission to develop disease-modifying treatments. He talks about the importance of balancing scientific rigour with innovation, navigating the risks of c...2025-01-2325 min
Careers in DiscoveryArvid Söderhall, Empros PharmaIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Arvid Söderhall, the first employee and project lead at Empros Pharma, as he shares his unique journey from physicist to biotech innovator. Arvid unveils the vision behind Empros Pharma’s pioneering work to combat obesity with a pharmaceutical approach to gastric bypass surgery.
Emma and Arvid’s conversation delves into the evolution of Empros Pharma, the challenges of developing innovative treatments in a competitive field, and the critical importance of adapting to an ever-changing market landscape. Arvid also reflects on his career trajectory, discovering his leade...2025-01-2134 min
Careers in DiscoveryJonas Dyhrfjeld-Johnsen, Acousia TherapeuticsThis week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jonas Dyhrfjeld-Johnsen, Chief Development Officer and Managing Director at Acousia Therapeutics, a company developing innovative therapies to preserve and restore hearing.
Jonas shares his journey from academic Biophysics to Biotech leadership, reflecting on the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. We discuss Acousia’s groundbreaking work targeting sensory hair cells and their Phase 2 trial aimed at preventing chemotherapy-induced hearing loss, as well as the challenges and rewards of leading a lean, virtual Biotech.
An inspiring conversation about tackling a major global health issue and building a me...2025-01-1637 min
Careers in DiscoveryDavid Gray, Vigil NeuroscienceCould microglia hold the key to treating neurodegenerative diseases? This week on Careers in Discovery, Emma Hobbs is with David Gray, Chief Scientific Officer at Vigil Neuroscience, who is pioneering new approaches to harness the brain’s immune system.
David shares his unique career journey, from aspiring author to leading drug discovery programs at Pfizer and now in Biotech. He reflects on the power of curiosity, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary learning that shaped his path to leadership.
In this episode, David and Emma discuss Vigil's ground-breaking work in targeting ALSP and Alzheimer’s disease, the lessons he’s...2025-01-1430 min
Careers in DiscoveryRodrigo Santos, clock.bioThis week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Rodrigo Santos, CTO of clock.bio, a company pushing the boundaries of cellular rejuvenation to tackle age-related diseases. Rodrigo shares the fascinating work happening at clock.bio, including their hypothesis-free approach to uncovering rejuvenation factors and the creation of their “Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors.”
We also got to hear about Rodrigo’s incredible journey - from growing up in a small farming village in Portugal to leading cutting-edge biotech companies - all driven by his passion for cellular plasticity and the transformative potential of Yamanaka factors. Along the way...2024-12-1852 min
Careers in DiscoveryJen Fortune, Precede BiosciencesIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we had the pleasure of talking to Jen Fortune, Chief Operating Officer at Precede Biosciences. Jen shared her fascinating journey, from a PhD in chemistry to consulting, big pharma, and now driving operations in a cutting-edge liquid biopsy company. Her story is one of curiosity, grit, and seizing opportunities alongside incredible people.
We also explored the game-changing potential of Precede’s work in epigenomics and how their innovative platform is helping to unlock the future of precision medicine. Along the way, Jen reflects on her passion for mentoring, the importance of...2024-12-1135 min
Careers in DiscoveryJames Field, LabGeniusIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re with James Field, the founder and CEO of LabGenius, as we discuss his remarkable journey from PhD student to biotech entrepreneur. James reveals the vision behind LabGenius, a company harnessing the power of machine learning and protein engineering to transform therapeutic antibody discovery.
Our conversation explores the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and the transition from being a scientist at the bench to leading a multidisciplinary team. James also reflects on the role of focus, perseverance, and tackling unsolved problems in...2024-12-0446 min
Careers in DiscoveryKatie Binley, IkarovecThis week on Careers in Discovery we’re with Katie Binley, CSO of Ikarovec, a gene therapy company tackling chronic eye diseases like geographic atrophy and age-related macular degeneration. Katie shares Ikarovec’s incredible journey—from starting out in the middle of a pandemic to securing a £5 million funding extension—and how a small, tight-knit team made it all happen.
Katie tells us all about the science behind their work, how her career has evolved (including 25 years at Oxford Biomedica), and why stepping out of your comfort zone and creating your own luck are so important.
It’s a...2024-11-2743 min
Careers in DiscoveryLucas Arruda, CuracellIn this week’s episode of Careers in Discovery we’re talking with Lucas Arruda, CSO at CuraCell, a biotech on a mission to push the boundaries of cancer treatment using TIL (tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy. Lucas shares how CuraCell is working to expand TIL treatment beyond "hot" tumours like melanoma to tougher "cold" tumours, including prostate cancer—offering hope for patients who often have limited options.
Lucas opens up about his path from academia to industry, driven by a lifelong love of science and a desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. He talks about th...2024-11-2038 min
Careers in DiscoveryLindsay Davies, NextCell PharmaIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we're joined by Lindsay Davies, Chief Scientific Officer at NextCell Pharma. Lindsay’s work focuses on harnessing the potential of umbilical cord-derived cells to treat autoimmune diseases, especially type 1 diabetes. She shares her inspiring journey from academia to leading cutting-edge cell therapy trials, driven by a commitment to patient-centred science and innovation.
Lindsay also highlights her role in mentoring the next generation of scientists and her team’s exciting plans for QVance, a new venture to support advanced therapies with robust quality analytics.
If you’re curious about the fu...2024-11-1320 min
Careers in DiscoveryTorleif Gjølberg, AutheraIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we welcome Torleif Gjølberg, CSO and co-founder of Authera, a biotech innovator transforming antibody and albumin-based therapeutics.
Torleif takes us through Authera's journey from its academic beginnings in Oslo to becoming a revenue-generating company with a clear mission: to drive therapeutic innovation. He reflects on his path from molecular biology to biotech entrepreneurship, highlighting the power of curiosity, adaptability, and having the courage to bridge science and business.
If you're curious about making the leap from academia to biotech, or want to hear what it really takes t...2024-11-0637 min
Careers in DiscoveryChristian Code, DianoxIn this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Christian Code, Chief Technology Officer at Dianox, as we explore how his career journey took him from being a young science enthusiast in Canada to leading a cutting-edge biotech startup in Denmark.
Christian opens up about the unexpected path that led him into the world of diagnostics and therapeutics, where he and his team are now using AI to uncover new possibilities for drug discovery and push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare. He shares some hard-earned lessons about curiosity, the importance of connecting with...2024-10-3041 min
Careers in DiscoverySimon Young, C4X DiscoveryIn this episode of Careers in Discovery I sit down with Simon Young, VP of Translational Science at C4X Discovery.
Simon’s career has taken some fascinating twists and turns, from veterinary medicine to electrical engineering, and eventually into diagnostics, drug discovery and precision medicine.
He shares how those experiences have shaped his approach today, and how staying flexible, taking on new challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone have helped him to build an exciting career.
2024-10-2344 min
Careers in DiscoveryPeter PackThis week on Careers in Discovery, I'm joined by Dr Peter Pack, an influential figure in the Biotech industry whose journey has taken him from Germany to the dynamic Biotech landscape of the UK, where he now operates as a strategic partner and advisor to Private Equity firms and startups.
In our conversation, Peter shared his diverse experience, including his time as a CEO for nearly 20 years and his current role mentoring young biotech teams. He offered insights into the differences between the Biotech industries in Germany and the UK, the importance of building strong networks, and...2024-09-2658 min
Careers in DiscoveryAdam Glen, Unicorn BiotechnologiesIn this episode of Careers in Discovery we sit down with Adam Glen, co-founder of Unicorn Biotechnologies, to talk about his journey from academia to building a biotech company that’s tackling one of the biggest pain points in life sciences: manual cell culture.
Adam shares the frustrations that led him to start his own company, explaining how his experiences in academia and industry shaped his vision. He talks about the challenge of scaling up stem cell manufacturing and how Unicorn Biotechnologies’ approach strips complex problems back to their fundamentals, making the whole process more efficient and acce...2024-09-1845 min
Careers in DiscoveryVolker Herrmann, Sonata TherapeuticsIn this episode of Careers in Discovery we’re joined by Volker Herrmann, CEO of Sonata Therapeutics, for a fascinating conversation about his journey from a cardiologist to a biotech leader. Volker shares the moments in his career that led him to question the traditional approaches in medicine, which sparked his innovative thinking at Sonata Therapeutics. He discusses the company's unique approach to using "network medicines" to potentially reprogram disease cells to fight illness, akin to a form of "biological judo."
Volker also reflects on his career transitions, from leading Pfizer’s CNS Pain franchise to spearheading a se...2024-09-1136 min
Careers in DiscoveryMarcin Paduch, Metaphore BiotechnologiesIn this week’s episode of Careers in Discovery, we sit down with Marcin Paduch, Head of Platform Biology at Metaphore Biotechnologies. Marcin shares his insight into the exciting work happening at Metaphore, where they’re using the power of biomimicry and machine learning to develop new therapeutics. He explains how their MIMIC platform helps tackle tough therapeutic challenges, particularly in areas like cardiometabolic diseases and immunology, and shares the story behind their recent collaboration with Novo Nordisk.
Marcin also opens up about his personal journey into science, starting with a childhood surrounded by scientists and doctors, and...2024-09-0448 min
Careers in DiscoveryAlistair Henry, UCBIn this latest episode of Careers in Discovery, we sit down with Alistair Henry, the new Chief Scientific Officer at UCB, to talk about his remarkable 26-year journey with the company. Alistair shares his passion for science and how it led him from a curious teenager to a leader in drug discovery, working on ground-breaking projects in immunology and neurology.
Alistair opens up about the excitement and challenges of his new role, the importance of always looking ahead, and how he balances immediate priorities with long-term innovation. He also reflects on the pivotal moments in his career...2024-08-2847 min
Careers in DiscoveryKenny Duncan, Accent TherapeuticsThis week on Careers in Discovery, we're delighted to be joined by Kenny Duncan, SVP of Chemistry at Accent Therapeutics, where we explore the evolving landscape of drug discovery and the critical role chemistry plays in advancing new therapies.
Kenny takes us through his incredible career journey, from his early passion for chemistry to becoming a leader in Boston’s thriving biotech industry. We discuss his work on RNA-modifying proteins and how his team is tackling the challenges of targeting complex biology with innovative chemistry.
In this episode, Kenny and I discuss the strategic thinking re...2024-08-2140 min
Careers in DiscoveryRichard Law, ExscientiaCould AI be the key to reducing the high failure rate in drug discovery? This week on Careers in Discovery, we explore this critical question with Richard Law, Chief Business Officer at Exscientia, who has been at the forefront of integrating AI into the Biotech industry for decades.
Richard shares his fascinating career journey, from his early days as a Computational Chemist to his current role leading Business Development in one of the most innovative companies in drug discovery. He offers unique insights into how AI is not only accelerating the process but also increasing the likelihood...2024-08-1449 min
Careers in DiscoveryHazel Jones, Enhanc3d GenomicsThis week I’m joined by Hazel Jones, CEO of Enhanc3d Genomics. Hazel shares her journey from her early days in Biotech to leading a company at the cutting edge of 3D genomics.
We explored Hazel's career path, her transition into a CEO role and her insights on leadership, the significance of networking, and balancing professional and personal life.
2024-07-2445 min
Careers in DiscoveryPeter PackThis week on Careers in Discovery, we are joined by Peter Pack, an influential figure in the biotechnology industry with a career spanning over two decades.
Peter's journey has taken him from Germany to the dynamic biotech landscape of the UK, where he now operates as a strategic partner and advisor to private equity firms and startups.
In our conversation, Peter shares his diverse experiences, including his time as a CEO for nearly 20 years and his current role mentoring young biotech teams. He offers insights into the differences between the biotech industries in Germany and...2024-07-1758 min
Careers in DiscoveryJose Munoz-Olaya, Valink Therapeutics"Science and technology have always fascinated me, and I've always been one to challenge the status quo."
This week on Careers in Discovery, we welcome Jose Munoz-Olaya, Chief Scientific Officer of Valink Therapeutics.
Jose shares his journey from an eager intern to a leader in biotechnology, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the power of teamwork. He discusses his role at Valink, where he's spearheading the development of next-generation Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for oncology using their innovative high-throughput screening platform.
Join us as Jose discusses:
His early inspiration from a high school...2024-07-1044 min
Careers in DiscoveryMike Stubbington, CS GeneticsMike Stubbington and CS Genetics are on a mission to democratise single cell genomics. We caught up with Mike recently and discussed what being kind really looks like as a scientist, why you should move on when the time is right, and a whole lot more.
2024-07-0347 min
Careers in DiscoveryBen Cross, PhoreMostWe first interviewed Ben Cross five years ago, when he was the Head of Functional Genomics at Horizon Discovery, and we're delighted to welcome him back to the podcast as CTO of PhoreMost, an innovative target discovery company focused on drugging the undruggable.
Ben caught us up on what he's learned over the last five years, including why failing fast isn't a viable strategy in drug discovery, and introduced us to PhoreMost's brand new molecular glue platform, GlueSeeker.
2024-06-2646 min
Careers in DiscoveryShane Hegarty, Axonis TherapeuticsShane Hegarty is the Chief Scientific Officer of Axonis Therapeutics, a Boston-based Biotech targeting KCC2 to revive neurons and treat people suffering from neurological disorders.
Shane shared with us the story of his transition from academic to Biotech entrepreneur, why communication, persistence, collaboration and focus are critical skills for success, his amazing track record of securing grant funding, and much more.
2024-06-1952 min
Careers in DiscoveryMaude Tessier, Seismic TherapeuticMaude Tessier is the Chief Business Officer at Seismic Therapeutic, the machine learning immunology company building a discovery platform centred on parallel drug development.
Maude joined us on Careers in Discovery to talk about the impact of machine learning on drug development, taking control of her career by literally knocking on doors, balancing humility and confidence, and much more.
2024-06-1248 min
Careers in DiscoveryVern de Biasi, BenevolentAIVern de Biasi is VP of Business Development at BenevolentAI, one of the world's leaders in the application of cutting edge technology to drug discovery.
Vern's career has seen him travel the world, from the UK to Italy, China and the US, and he shared with us the key lessons he's learned along the way.
2024-06-0548 min
Careers in DiscoveryJordan Lane, Ignota LabsJordan Lane is the Chief Scientific Officer of Ignota Labs, a company leveraging AI to rescue failed drug programmes.
Jordan joined us to talk about building conviction, seeking feedback & maintaining networks, the huge opportunity lying in failed research, and why risk is relative in your career.
2024-05-2945 min
Careers in DiscoveryBill Eldridge, IsogenicaBill Eldridge is an experienced scientific and commercial leader, one of the founding team members of the VHH antibody company Isogenica, and now their CEO.
Bill joined us to talk about his career, the huge potential that still exists within antibody discovery and the magic of seeing a 96 well ELISA plate turn blue after months of failure!
Enjoy...
2024-04-0349 min
Careers in DiscoveryNamir Hassan, Zelluna ImmunotherapyNamir Hassan is the CEO of Zelluna Immunotherapy, a cancer cell therapy company harnessing natural immunity to treat solid tumours.
Namir joined us on Careers in Discovery to talk about when precision medicine gets too precise, the importance of servant leadership and trusting the journey in your career.
Enjoy!
2024-03-1346 min
Careers in DiscoveryJane DancerNow a Non-Executive at a range of leading Biotech companies including Spirea, PharmEnable, Macomics, NanoSyrinx and Elasmogen, Jane Dancer has built a highly successful career in Business Development in the sector.
Jane joined us to discuss that career, how she created a portfolio of NED positions, the real value of an MBA and whether you really need a PhD.
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2024-02-2843 min
Careers in DiscoverySamantha Bailey-Bucktrout, Akamis Bio"I see all the other element of my current role - the leadership, management and mentoring - as enabling the science."
Samantha Bailey-Bucktrout is the Senior Vice President of Research at Akamis Bio, a company harnessing the power of tumour gene therapy in the fight against cancer.
Samantha talked to us about her career in cancer immunotherapy, what Greek mythology has to do with modern-day Biotech, and the importance of a collaborative approach to drug development.
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2023-11-2951 min
Careers in DiscoveryBeverley Carr, Amphista Therapeutics"You can learn corporate finance. You can do Excel modelling. You can read books on negotiation. But I strongly believe that Business Development is an art, and it's something that you can only really learn by doing."
Beverley Carr is the Chief Business & Operating Officer of Amphista Therapeutics, a company re-engineering TPD therapies to tackle cancer and neurological disorders.
Beverley joined us on Careers in Discovery to talk about how Amphista are tackling the limitations of first-generation TPDs, why strategic Business Development is coming back into fashion, and the qualities that make a good BD...2023-11-0843 min
Careers in DiscoveryJanette Thomas, Five Alarm Bio"I realised that drug development was much more than just research. There's a huge amount of work beyond coming up with a molecule, but research scientists just don't get exposed to it."
Janette Thomas has built a career from Researcher to Project Manager, Operations Director and now CEO of Five Alarm Bio, a company focused on novel approaches to anti-aging.
Janette joined us to talk about the current state of anti-aging research, what makes a good project manager and why you should never be limited by fear in your career.
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2023-10-2544 min
Careers in DiscoveryDan Williams, SynaptixBio"If you've got into science because science itself motivates you, try and stay with it. Do other things too, learn what you need to, but be careful not to leave that science behind."
Dan Williams is the CEO of SynaptixBio, a company dedicated to developing lifesaving therapies for severe leukodystrophies.
Dan joined us to talk about the challenges of building a company around an ultra rare disease, why exposure to an executive team is critical for career development and what REALLY makes early stage Biotech companies successful.
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2023-10-0452 min
Careers in DiscoveryMatthew Duchars, CHAIN Biotech"Taking a vaccine from concept and early stage data through to a licensed product that you're putting into millions of people takes 10-15 years on average, but it was done in 10 months. So how did we manage to acheive that? Nobody wanted to be stuck in lockdown forever and so everyone really focused on coming together - a combination of industry, government and academia, all focused on how to [deliver this vaccine] on the shortest possible time, safely and effectively."
Matthew Duchars is the CEO of CHAIN Biotech, a fascinating company developing oral vaccines and immunotherapies that...2023-09-2748 min
Careers in DiscoveryOrla Cunningham, Granular Therapeutics & Ultrahuman 8"Whatever opportunity arises, it may not be on the path that you think you should be on, but it will bring value. You have to do your best to identify what that value is. So keep an open mind about opportunities - there's sometimes value in applying for something that you only have 30% of the requirements for."
Orla Cunningham is the Chief Scientific Officer of Granular Therapeutics and Ultrahuman 8, companies developing novel single antibody therapies for a range of diseases.
Orla talked to us about her fascinating career to date, as well as the therapeutic...2023-09-1354 min
Careers in DiscoveryRebecca Godfrey, ExpressionEdits"LinkedIn is like the professional Instagram. It looks like people's careers were so easy, mapped out and planned. It doesn't tell of the difficult decisions, the failures, the challenges, the dead ends and having to start again."
Rebecca Godfrey is the Chief Operating Officer of ExpressionEdits and the author of "The Leadership Vaccine".
Rebecca talked to us on Careers in Discovery about her journey from Immunology PhD to COO, figuring out who you are professionally and why she loves her job.
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2023-08-1659 min
Careers in DiscoveryJenny Barnett, Monument Therapeutics & Five Lives"Cancer drugs only started working once we realised that we actually had to measure what was going on in the tumour and match them appropriately [to patients]...we're just on the cusp of that approach being accepted in neuroscience."
Jenny Barnett is the CEO of Monument Therapeutics, a Biotech company using precision medicine approaches to develop new treatments for psychiatric and neurological conditions, and the Chief Scientific Officer of Five Lives, a digital therapeutics business focused on reducing dementia risk.
Jenny joined us on Careers in Discovery to discuss...2023-08-0941 min
Careers in DiscoveryPaul Thompson, Mission Therapeutics"The most important thing is to enjoy what you're doing. If you're in the lab and enjoying your research, that's great. Keep enjoying it and you'll probably delivery well. If you want to keep focusing on research, you can, and if you want to experience different things, you'll have created the opportunity to do so."
Paul Thompson is the Chief Scientific Officer of Mission Therapeutics, a company at the cutting edge of DUB inhibitor research to treat a range of conditions.
Paul talked to us about his career so far, how his background in clinical...2023-06-2849 min
Careers in DiscoveryAndy Whiting, Nevrargenics"Look at oncology 50 years ago. With huge amounts of investment we now think that most form of cancer are treatable. With investment, understanding, time and research that's possible in neurodegeneration - that you can not just slow or even stop but reverse and repair it."
Andy Whiting is the CEO of Nevrargenics, a Biotech company spun out of his research at Durham University using dual-acting retinoic acid receptor modulators as a novel treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
Andy talked to us about his decision to leave academia to run the company, how he...2023-06-2148 min
Careers in DiscoveryRoss Breckenridge, Arjuna Therapeutics"[As a CEO] you have to force yourself to think about what's happening in your business - and that doesn't mean doing 8 hours of Zoom calls a day. Just as it's the gaps between the notes that make music, it's the gaps between the timetable acitvities that enable strategic thinking."
Ross Breckenridge is the CEO of Arjuna Therapeutics, a Biotech company working on a novel class of (very) small molecule treatments for cancer.
Ross joined us to talk about the founding of Arjuna, his career leading to that point, working with Patrick Vallance and how...2023-06-1456 min
Careers in DiscoveryJonathan Steckbeck, Peptilogics"Drug discovery is one of the biggest miracles we can accomplish. You're taking something that didn't exist before, then putting it into the most complex system we know of, hoping that it does one specific thing and not a bunch of other bad things. The fact that it ever works is a miracle."
Jonathan Steckbeck is the CEO of Peptilogics, a Biotech company combining peptide biology and machine learning to recreate the future of peptide biologics.
Jonathan talked us through his career so far, how business and science are fundamentally related, why every decision is...2023-05-3147 min
Careers in DiscoverySteve Trim, Venomtech"Get experience, talk to people who are doing it, go to networking sessions and interact with business owners - we've all got a story to tell and most are happy to share advice."
Steve Trim is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Venomtech, a truly unique company that helps Biotech researchers to work with venom-based assays.
Steve talked to us on Careers in Discovery about his journey building a remarkable company, how he learned to be an entrepreneur and business leader and his experience contributing to the Human Genome Project.
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2023-05-241h 03
Careers in DiscoveryTomas Dias, Mursla"Embrace being uncomfortable. It's easy to say, I know, but go out there and don't be afraid. It will be challenging, it will make you anxious but if you don't try, [what you want] won't happen."
Tomas Dias is the Chief Technology Officer at Mursla, a Biotech company using extracellular vesicles to develop next-generation liquid biopsy tests in service of their mission to offer life-saving clinical insights to patients and their medical teams.
Tomas talked to us about his path through his career so far, why reliability is underrated and the importance of hard work...2023-05-1752 min
Careers in DiscoverySamantha Dale Strasser, Pepper Bio"As a PhD, you're very focused on the question and the process of how you get things done. Our focus [as a Biotech company] is on what impact we want to have, where we're going and the key questions that our partners are trying to answer."
Samantha Dale Strasser is the Chief Scientific Officer of Pepper Bio, the world's first transomic analysis company.
Samantha joined us in a fascinating discussion about her career to date and her experiences of building Pepper, developing cures with confidence and the differences between working in academic research and a...2023-05-1046 min
Careers in DiscoveryNara Daubeney, Phaim"It comes down to [the question], 'Why are you here?'. We looked at this project and thought, if we do this and it works, then we have a therapy that could prevent people from progressing down the inevitable slide into insulin dependence, with all the long term impacts that implies. And that would be a really worthwhile course to take."
Nara Daubeney is the COO of Phaim, a Biotech company using antigenic immune modulation to treat diabetes and other conditions.
Nara joined us to talk about her transition from a successful medical career into...2023-04-2645 min
Careers in DiscoveryRichard Weaver"Don't think that just because you've done a Biology or Chemistry degree, this is your path forever....I didn't become an entrepreneur until the age of 42. Your [career] path isn't fixed."
Richard Weaver is a consultant to Biotech companies on their drug development programmes, specialising in DMPK. Before becoming a consultant, Rich was the founder of XenoGesis, a CRO he successfully sold to Sygnature Discovery in 2020.
Rich talked to us about his career as a scientist and an entrepreneur, his formula for building a CRO and the advantages of organic growth.
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2023-04-1945 min
Careers in DiscoveryNuno Madeira do Ó, Reflection Therapeutics"Anybody can be a pair of hands, follow a protocol and do what they're told. If you want more than that, if you want to be a pair of hands with a brain, then you have to think differently."
Nuno Madeira do Ó is the CEO of Reflection Therapeutics, a Biotech company harnessing the potential of Tregs to treat inflammatory diseases.
Nuno shared the story of his career so far, and among other things we discussed pivoting a Biotech into a new disease area, transitioning from research into commercial roles and how a children's cartoon inspired a...2023-04-1243 min
Careers in DiscoveryLeigh Brody, AlbionVC"We are in such an exciting time in Life Sciences...if you have an idea, go for it, because there's a lot of VC money out there...and the appetite to invest early has improved, so it's the right time to speak to investors about potential ideas."
Leigh Brody is an entrepreneur, executive and now venture investor at AlbionVC, where she oversees the UCL Technology Fund.
Leigh joined us to talk about her career, the difference between a good idea and an investable one and why you must ALWAYS patent your ideas.2023-03-2944 min
Careers in DiscoverySamuel Woodhouse, CoSyne Therapeutics"Join a young company. If you're employee number 10, you're 10% of the business as opposed to 1% in a 100 person company. You will learn way more just by osmosis....if you're curious and ask questions."
Samuel Woodhouse is the VP of Operations at CoSyne Therapeutics, a technology-driven drug discovery company on a mission to reinvent Pharma from the ground up.
Samuel joined us to talk about his career in genomics and start up Biotechs, why academia wasn't for him and why developing people is much more powerful than giving them a payrise.
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2023-03-2251 min
Careers in DiscoveryRoland Burli, Cerevance"In the first few years [of your career], what's really important is to establish yourself. You learn a certain skillset in academia...the next thing is to really apply that in the context of a drug discovery project....if you develop a proven track record as a good scientist, good things will happen."
Roland Burli is the Vice President of Drug Discovery at Cerevance, where he and his team are using a unique platform to develop new treatments for brain diseases.
Roland joined us to discuss his varied career to date, from landing in LA...2023-03-1542 min
Careers in DiscoverySree Vadlamudi, Iktos"[If you receive negative feedback] analyse it in a constructive way, then take away the good points that will help you to move forward. Outside of that, just move on."
Sree Vadlamudi is the Vice President of Business Development for the EU and Rest of World at Iktos, a company using AI to expedite drug discovery.
We talked to Sree about his career move from research into BD and how he approaches prospecting, outreach and relationship building in Biotech.
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2023-03-0143 min
Careers in DiscoveryValentino Parravicini, Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies"Scientists work on things they can't see and that probably will never work - but they keep going. Resilience is so important in this career."
Valentino Parravicini is the Chief Scientific Officer of Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies, a company harnessing the power of the endocannabinoid system to treat severe, chronic pain.
Valentino joined us to talk about his career in academia, Pharma and Biotech, the 5,000 year history of cannabinoids as medicines, and why EVERY piece of information is important in science.
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2023-02-2254 min
Careers in DiscoveryYaniv Erlich, Eleven Therapeutics"Academic freedom is a little like french fries - they're not really French, and it's not really freedom."
Yaniv Erlich is the CEO of Eleven Therapeutics, a global Biotech startup turning RNA drug development into a programmable process.
Yaniv talked to us about his journey from academia to the military and into Biotech, meeting Bill Gates and the importance of maintaining your optimism.
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2023-02-1544 min
Careers in DiscoveryMarcelo Bravo, OxVax"I think of raising money as making a sale...instead of selling a house, I'm selling you my dream. First, you have to target the people you will sell to, then you create awareness and establish rapport, without selling....it's an ongoing process that can take years."
Marcelo Bravo is the CEO of OxVax, a Biotech company building a next generation dendritic cell cancer vaccine platform to take a new approach to some of the biggest challenges in oncology.
Marcelo joined us to discuss his journey from Chemical Engineer to Biotech CEO, how the pandemic...2023-02-0949 min
Careers in DiscoveryFarid Khan, PharmaKure"Not everything is driven by innovation. It's actually timing that proves to be more important than anything else."
Farid Khan is the CEO and founder of PharmaKure, a Biotech company taking a novel approach to treating complex neurological diseases.
Farid talked us through his fascinating entrepreneurial career, along with the opportunity presented by repurposing drugs and the learning curve involved in starting and building a Biotech business.
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2023-02-0148 min
Careers in DiscoveryClare Jones, Talisman Therapeutics"I've always learned the most when things were the most difficult, and I try to remind myself of that when I'm in the middle of something that feels really challenging. They're the most satisfying situations when you solve them."
Clare Jones is the Chief Scientific Officer of Talisman Therapeutics, a Biotech company committed to revolutionising the discovery of disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases using stem cell technologies.
Clare talked with us about her career in Biotech, taking jobs where you both bring something and learn something, and the importance of clear, ongoing communication.
...2023-01-2544 min
Careers in DiscoveryJonny Finlay, LockBody Therapeutics"If you can't prioritise, rationalise and simplify, then the low-hanging fruit is probably all you're going to get to...the only way to understand your way [to the difficult things] is by removing as much noise from the system as possible."
Jonny Finlay is the CEO and founder of LockBody Therapeutics, a Centessa company, where he and his team are developing a new kind of antibody to fight cancer.
Jonny talked to us about his career, the principle of radical simplicity and the relative advantages of big Pharma and startup Biotech.
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2023-01-1749 min
Careers in DiscoveryAli Tavassoli, Curve Therapeutics"It's so refreshing to have the science come first. Universities and their funding models have changed over the past ten years - there's a lot more admin and red tape...science almost takes a bit of a back seat. Ideas that are high risk don't always get backed, [but in Biotech] things get done."
Ali Tavassoli is the Chief Scientific Officer at Curve Therapeutics, a company developing a revolutionary intracellular screening platform to power drug discovery for challenging targets.
Ali joined us to talk about his career, balancing academic work with building a Biotech company...2023-01-1147 min
Careers in DiscoveryDarren Pitt, VisusNanoDarren Pitt is the Chief Scientific Officer of VisusNano, a company developing a novel drug-device combinationto treat issues surrounding cataract surgery, one of the most widely performed procedures in the world.
We talked to Darren about what these problems are and what he's learned in a varied career so far.
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2022-11-3052 min
Careers in DiscoveryLisa Patel, Istesso"It's not success that drives the cohesion of a team, it's facing a challenge together and having a shared commitment to solving that challenge that really builds the relationships. Once you see how a person faces difficulty you can understand them much better - that understanding builds trust and a sense that you're in it together. That then drives success."
Lisa Patel is the CEO of Istesso, a company striding into the unknown frontiers of immunometabolism to discovery new treatments for autoimmune conditions.
Lisa joined us to talk about her career so far, what it's...2022-11-1650 min
Careers in DiscoveryBakul Gupta, ImmTune Therapies"I'm still learning....it's a steep learning curve, especially since my training is all in science. When you become a CEO, it's not just about the science or good data, but about selling your vision, being inspirational and telling the story of why you're doing what you're doing."
Bakul Gupta is the CEO of ImmTune Therapies, a Biotech company pioneering in vivo generation of cell and gene therapies.
Bakul joined us to talk about her career to date, tackling the affordability problem of advanced medicines, the challenges of business development during a pandemic and why...2022-10-2643 min
Careers in DiscoveryPedro Correia de Sampaio, Neobe Therapeutics"The pandemic hit and I found myself stuck back in my childhood room in Lisbon, and I thought, why not [start a company]? Then I realised that it had legs, I was really enjoying it and I could see it being successful, so I fully immersed myself in it."
Pedro Correia de Sampaio is the CEO of Neobe Therapeutics, a company engineering biologics to treat immunologically cold tumours.
Pedro talked to us about his work, his time working in one of the world's leading cancer centres, why you shouldn't start fundraising too early and not...2022-10-1243 min
Careers in DiscoveryIan Pike, Proteome Sciences"It's one thing having an idea, but you've got to be able to make it and you've got to be able to sell it."
Just one extract from a wealth of sound advice offered by Ian Pike, Chief Scientific Officer at Proteome Sciences, on the Careers in Discovery podcast.
Ian also talked to us about how CROs have become a crucial part of drug discovery, the importance of serendipity, his one career regret and being willing to pivot in your vision for your working life.
Enjoy!
2022-09-2845 min
Careers in DiscoveryJames Lapworth, NanoSyrinx"It's important to have a plan [for your career], it's important to know where you want to be, but it's almost more important to be able to break from that when something interesting comes along....focus on what you'll learn from each opportunity and how that takes you closer to where you want to go."
As Chief Business Officer at NanoSyrinx, James Lapworth plays a key role in developing a truly novel solution to the "delivery problem" faced by Biotech research around the world.
James joined us to talk about how he built a career...2022-09-1458 min
Careers in DiscoveryYulia Lampi, coding.bio"If you find that you're dissatisfied, pivot. If the place you're at isn't meeting your expectations, perseverance isn't going to help you."
Yulia Lampi is the Chief Scientific Officer of coding.bio, a company born in the pandemic who are using AI to advance cell therapies for cancer.
Yulia joined us to talk about cellular machines and why they could hold the key to targeting solid tumours, building a company around her life (rather than the other way round) and acheiving balance as a scientist.
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2022-08-1746 min
Careers in DiscoveryVictoria Marsh Durban, Cellesce"You don't need to know everything about a job to be able to do it....imposter syndrome is a massive issue. You may not know every answer, but you're not expected to, and nobody does."
Victoria Marsh Durban is the CEO of Cellesce, a Cardiff-based Biotech championing the industrialisation of organoids.
Vicky talked to us about her journey from academic researcher to CEO, learning to run a business without any formal training and how going on maternity leave propelled her into a career in industry.
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2022-08-1042 min
Careers in DiscoveryRabia Khan, Ladder Therapeutics"There's not a single experience that you can have working for someone else that will teach you how to build a company. People will say this to you, but you really have to internalise it and when you're ready, you will go do it."
Returning to Careers in Discovery is Rabia Khan, now CEO of Ladder Therapeutics, a Biotech company focused on the novel problem of mapping the druggable transcriptome.
Rabia caught us up on the last two years, sharing what she's learned about becoming a Biotech CEO, why you're never quite "ready" to start...2022-07-1351 min
Careers in DiscoveryJoanna Holbrook, Cambridge Epigenetix"I think of genetics as your inherited risk of disease, and epigenetics as codifying your environmental risk. We know they work together and that they determine who will respond to which treatment, along with how well treatments are likely to work."
Joanna Holbrook is the Chief Scientific Officer at Cambridge Epigenetix, a company pushing the boundaries of DNA sequencing to enable precision medicine.
Jo joined us to talk about her international career, how 6 letter sequencing is creating new scientific frontiers, the secret of communicating with non-scientists and why good science is necessary, but not sufficient.2022-06-2954 min
Careers in DiscoveryClaire Thompson, Agility Life Sciences"Meet people who do the role you're interested in, and ask them what they hate about their job - you'll find out a lot! Ask them what they like too, and you'll find it really insightful."
Claire Thompson is the CEO of Agility Life Sciences, an award-winning formulation development CDMO on a significant growth curve.
Claire talked to us about her key learns from her career so far, including the importance of coaching, not "chasing every ball" and why what other people think of you is none of your business.
Enjoy!
2022-06-0849 min
Careers in DiscoveryIan Waddell, Cumulus Oncology"If you're using rational persuasion - as most scientists do by default - and it's not working, and you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall, it's not the brick wall that's stupid....it's not so much the influencing skills themselves that are important, because they can be learned, but understanding that it's up to you to change your approach when needed."
Ian Waddell is the Chief Scientific Officer of Cumulus Oncology, Europe's first oncology drug development accelerator.
A prominent figure in drug discovery, Ian joined us to discuss his career, the...2022-05-2546 min
Careers in DiscoverySimon Ward, Medicines Discovery Institute @ Cardiff University"I would definitely encourage people to move from academia to industry, and vice versa. There are so many opportunities that involve interfacing between the two....they are different environments, clearly, each with pros and cons, but the perceived risk of not being able to go back just isn't there anymore."
Simon Ward has taken a varied route through his career in drug discovery and translational research, holding roles in academia, start-up Biotech and big Pharma.
Now Director of the Medicines Discovery Institute at Cardiff University, Simon joined us to talk about the research landscape in...2022-05-1146 min
The Recruitment Mentors PodcastTom Froggatt - Surviving a pandemic, & why 180 models are one of the most valuable models for businesses todayPodcast Partners - Claim your exclusive savings with the links below.Vincere - https://recruitmentmentorspodcast.captivate.fm/vincereSourcebreaker - https://hubs.la/Q017bVC70-----------------------------------------Watch the episode on Youtube 🎥 - https://youtu.be/IUJEfIbDErI-----------------------------------------The key takeaways from this episode are as follows:🚀 You’ll learn about SThree and why it’s an organisation that births so many recruitment entrepreneurs🚀 You’ll get some solid advice on recruitment models as well as an in-depth look at the 180 side of recruitment🚀 Hiring t...2022-05-0951 min