Shows
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaBiotech Innovations and AI in Drug Development with Alex Telford:In this episode of IDEA Collider, we are joined by Alex Telford, a biotech founder, writer, and thinker based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the co-founder of Convoke Bio, Alex discusses his journey from studying biochemistry at UCL to founding a company that develops software tools for streamlining biopharmaceutical workflows.The conversation dives into the impact of AI and language models on the biotech industry, addressing inefficiencies in drug development, and exploring the potential of synthetic biology and personalized medicine. The discussion also touches on the future of drug discovery, China's role in biotech, and...
2025-09-2454 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaDr. Christian Rommel on Oncology Innovations and Modern Drug Development at BayerIn this episode of Idea Collider, host Mike Rea interviews Dr. Christian Rommel from Bayer. Dr. Rommel discusses his journey in molecular oncology from the Max Planck Institute, through roles at Roche, to overseeing global R&D at Bayer. He shares insights on turning scientific discovery into novel medicines, collaboration between scientists and commercial teams, and the importance of maintaining scientific integrity. Dr. Rommel also delves into the impact of AI in drug development, the potential of genetic medicines, and the complexities of launching new medicines on a global scale. The conversation also touches on embracing failure, internal and...
2025-09-0949 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaBold Science, Bigger Bets: Mathai Mammen on Visionary R&D and Transforming BiopharmaIn this insightful episode of IDEA Collider, Mike welcomes Mathai Mammen, Chairman and CEO of Parabilis Medicines. Mathai shares his extensive journey through academia, MD PhD program at Harvard, co-founding Theravance, and leadership roles at Merck and J&J. They delve into Mathai's innovative approach to creating transformative medicines, navigating the biotech industry, and the unique challenges of targeting 'undruggable' proteins. They also discuss the role of AI in drug discovery, the importance of strategic risk, and fostering team resilience and spirit in both large and small pharma companies. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
2025-07-1050 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaBridging Clinical Practice and Biotech: Paul Peter Tak's Transformative JourneyIn this episode of Idea Collider, host Mike Rea interviews Paul Peter Tak, CEO of Candel Therapeutics, discussing his remarkable journey from a clinician in Amsterdam to leading cutting-edge biotech companies. Paul shares pivotal moments in his career, the challenges of transitioning from academia to big pharma, and the innovative principles he applied. He dives deep into Candel’s promising work in viral immunotherapies for cancers and the unique leadership and management philosophies that have guided his journey. Additionally, Paul Peter touches on his passion for leveraging collective intelligence and his unconventional hobbies that keep him grounded and creative....
2025-06-2349 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaCreating Breakthroughs in Oncology: A Conversation with Susan Galbraith of AstraZenecaIn this episode of Idea Collider, we sit down with Susan Galbraith from AstraZeneca, a leading figure in oncology R&D. Susan shares her journey from medical training in Manchester and Cambridge to spearheading transformative cancer treatments at AstraZeneca. She discusses pivotal moments in her career, AstraZeneca's vision for eliminating cancer as a cause of death, the role of patient stories in motivating R&D efforts, and the integration of emerging technologies like AI and digital health tools. With a focus on collaboration and continuous learning, Susan provides insights into how successful oncology drugs are de...
2025-05-2643 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaBiotech Innovations & Leadership with John MaraganoreIn this episode of IDEA Collider, we dive into the world of biotech innovation with John Maraganore, former CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Recognized as a trailblazer, John transformed RNA interference from a scientific concept into a revolutionary class of medicines, leading the development of five life-changing drugs. Join us as we explore John's journey from a first-generation American with Greek immigrant parents to a key figure in biomedicine. We'll discuss his education at the University of Chicago, his leadership role at Alnylam, drug delivery challenges for RNAi therapeutics, and the importance of strategic pharmaceutical alliances. John also s...
2025-05-1939 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaExploring the book “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away” by Annie DukeWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today, Annie Duke joins us on the show to discuss her latest book, “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away.” Annie is an Author, Professional Speaker, Decision Strategist & co-founder of The Alliance for Decision Education, a non-profit whose mission is to improve lives by empowering students through decision skills education. In the episode, Annie Duke delves into the motivation behind her latest book, “Quit,” when quitting is a valuable option rather than sticking around, grit versus willingness to quit, an...
2022-12-281h 21
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaThe Industrial Revolution of Drug Discovery with Dr. Michael SecoraWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider series with your host Mike Rea. Today the Chief Financial Officer at Recursion, Dr. Michael Secora, joins us on the show as we discuss the industrial revolution of drug discovery. Michael is a scientist and a former equity investor.In the episode, Michael delves into the reasons behind the incredibly fast growth at Recursion, the company’s mission of decoding biology to radically improve lives, the relatability of data, and how Recursion builds its various data sets for drug discovery. Moreover, he expounds on how Recursion stands out ag...
2022-12-2151 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaEmbracing Digital Technology for Better Healthcare with Mary Lou JepsenThe healthcare industry is moving towards a digital revolution. With the help of digital technology, healthcare providers can now provide better and more efficient services to their patients. Digital technology has also proven to have a positive impact on patient outcomes, as well as the cost of care. Companies such as Openwater, which focuses on creating the future of medical imaging, have been able to deliver life-saving technologies. Through the use of low-intensity ultrasound, Openwater has been able to treat diseases such as glioblastoma, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke.In this episode, Mary Lou Jepsen, t...
2022-12-1449 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaCompetitive Advantage & Positioning with Jaynie SmithWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today a competitive advantage expert, and CEO of Smart Advantage, Jaynie Smith, joins us on the show. She delves into snippets in her book, Creating Competitive Advantage, & the role of competitive advantage in increasing sales and protecting profit margins. Moreover, she explains that it’s not about prices but your value proposition, understanding your customers' top three buying criteria, and competitive positioning. Ultimately she discusses the power of competitive advantage, implementing metrics that quantify competitive ads and focusing on the...
2022-12-0742 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaExploring Compounding Pharmacy with Sherine KhalilWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by Sherine Khalil, the Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Valor Compounding Pharmacy. She talks about sterile and non-sterile compounding as well as her transition from the nonprofit world to academic medicine.Additionally, she delves into the major functional areas of compounding pharmacy, the reasons behind the decline in compounding pharmacy over the years, her source of ideas, and how she judges success. Moreover, Sherine expounds on the organizational structure within the pharmacy, how fa...
2022-11-3053 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaPricing, Value, and Innovation with Prof. Brian D SmithWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by Prof. Brian D Smith, a pharma innovation geek for the past 24 years. He talks about his latest book, “ New Drugs, Fair Prices,” and how to manage the pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem for sustainable and affordable new medicines.Additionally, he delves deep into discovery habitats and how every habitat contributes to the ecosystem for a sustainable and affordable supply of new medicines. Moreover, Brian expounds on an unhealthy ecosystem and three big goals to achieve in our ec...
2022-11-2350 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaMarketing Intelligence & Data Quality with Matthew WahlrabWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today a tech pioneer, founder & CEO of Rapid Alpha joins us on the show as we discuss marketing intelligence & why business leaders can not ignore data quality. Matthew talks about his career path from intellectual property to where he is now, about Rapid Alpha, what innovation management entails, and how data works and impacts company decisions. Additionally, he expounds on the right KPIs for pharmaceuticals, platforms & tools for better data organization, creating value for your company as well as the...
2022-11-1657 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaDeveloping Effective Leadership, Strong Organizational Culture & Behavior with Tim KightWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today, Tim Kight, a long-life student of elite performance, coach, and Focus 3 CEO joins us on the show as we discuss developing leaders & strengthening organizational culture to achieve better results.Tim delves into the five drivers of organizational greatness, training your team on behavioral skills, rebuilding your company’s culture, and expanding your focus run. Additionally, he talks about replacing old habits with good ones, the twenty square ft principle, and stepping up to become an elite in your team...
2022-11-0957 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaAsymmetric Learning and Its Impact On Culture with John WaidWelcome to another amazing episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. In today’s episode, Mike is joined by John Waid. John is a thought leader, author, and CEO of a unique boutique global culture & leadership development firm. He talks about culture and the purpose of an organization.Additionally, he talks about the importance of knowing your; purpose, mission, values, and principles of behavior and why most professionals who are promoted based on their skill sets fail when promoted to leadership positions. Moreover, he shares how to start building a succ...
2022-11-0247 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaCreativity & Innovation In Corporate Venture With Rita McGrathWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by a consultant, best-selling author, and one of the world’s top experts on strategy and innovation, Rita McGrath.In the episode, Rita talks to us about her transition from a political science career to innovation in the corporate venture, how to build an innovation program, challenges in implementation, and why you need multiple funding sources while championing an idea. Additionally, we delve into making that 10x shift in a company, discovery-driven planning, strategic inflection poin...
2022-10-2659 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaUsing AI In Drug Discovery With Andrew HopkinsWelcome to another incredible episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by Andrew Hopkins, the Founder & CEO of Exscientia, as he talks to us about the use of AI in drug discovery. In the episode, we delve into Andrew’s journey of developing better drug discovery methods, applying data mining in drug discovery, and the value of data integration in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, he expounds on what AI drugs look like and future plans for Exscientia. Tune in! ...
2022-10-1950 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaThe Misconceptions In The Pharma Industry With John L. LamattinaIn this incredible episode, Mike Rea is joined by Dr. John L. LaMattina. John is the former Senior Vice President of Pfizer Inc and President of Pfizer Global Research & Development. Additionally, he is a senior partner at PureTech Health and an author. He talks about the misconception about Pfizer’s profiteering from the pandemic and the drug pricing in America. John also discusses how Gilead’s Sovaldi drug for hepatitis C became overpriced in the US and the effects of insurance companies on the drug market. Moreover, he talks about the misinformation about insulin and its pricing, NIH’s...
2022-10-121h 02
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaAsymmetric Learning in Cybersecurity & Intelligence with Gene YooWelcome to another fantastic episode of the IDEA Collider│Asymmetric learning series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by Gene Yoo, the Chief Executive Officer at Resecurity, Inc. He talks about asymmetric learning in cybersecurity & Intelligence and what gives Resecurity an edge over other competitors in the marketMoreover, he shares about the signal validation process at Resecurity, how to understand the vulnerability of your business and what you need to combat cyber threats. In addition, Gene talks about the ‘what if’ component in their learning approach and the leadership style & culture at Resecurity. ...
2022-10-0547 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaWhere Do Good Ideas Come from? With Steven JohnsonWelcome to another fantastic episode of the IDEA Collider│Asymmetric learning series with your host Mike Rea. In today’s episode, Mike interviews Steven Johnson, an author of 13 books, a TV host, and a podcaster. He talks about Innovation vs. Invention and explains where good ideas come from. Additionally, Steven talks about the Individual and organizational hunch collection tools and shares how organizational culture impacts innovation. Moreover, he talks about his books The Ghost Map and Farsighted. Tune in! During this episode, you will learn about;[01:05] Meet Steven...
2022-09-2858 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaSick Money: The Truth About The Global Pharmaceutical Industry With Billy KenberWelcome to another fantastic episode of the IDEA Collider│Pharma Book Club series with your host Mike Rea. Today we are joined by Billy Kenber, an investigative journalist at “The Times.” He talks about his journey to writing his book ‘Sick Money’ and the content in the book.Additionally, he talks about the pharmaceutical industry’s social contract with patients and how its distortion has led to pharmaceutical greed. Moreover, he shares how the culture within the pharmaceutical industry has changed, why drug companies overprice the drugs, and what can be done to regulate drug pricing. Tu...
2022-06-2258 min
The Best Of BioTech IQ#26 How do you know the right path of development? Mike Rea, CEO - IDEA PharmaMike is the CEO of IDEA Pharma and author of the Pharmaceutical Innovation Index. He just launched a new company, Protodigm, that’s mission is to act as a pharma/biotech skunkworks that can test and troubleshoot drug development and avoid failure by determining the best possible development paths. Here’s the release. He is an expert on all things drug development and has positioned 8 of the 15 biggest drug launches of the last 5 years. Mike is a contributor to Fortune, STAT, and Endpoints and also hosts his own podcast. https://podcast.ideapharma.com/Mike also refers to Protodigm as a next...
2021-09-0154 min
IDEA Collider: Innovation & Asymmetric Learning in PharmaIDEA Collider | Pharma Book Club | Brian ChristianWith so much at stake in the application of AI/ Machine Learning to pharma, biotech and medicine, this wonderful book touches on biases, systems of learning, and the choices we have to make to properly harness the power of what is possible. Email mike at ideapharma.com to enter a lottery to win a copy of the hardcover book, closing date 26th February.From the page at brianchristian.org: A jaw-dropping exploration of everything that goes wrong when we build AI systems and the movement to fix them. Today’s “machine-learning” systems, trained by data, are so...
2021-02-2350 min
DataPointWhat Separates the Pharma Companies who Truly Innovate from Those Who Don't? A Conversation with Idea Pharma CEO Mike ReaToday's Guest: Mike Rea | CEO, IDEA PharmaWhat does it mean to "innovate" in Pharma today? How has that concept evolved over the past 10 years? And WILL it evolve over the next ten? Host Greg Matthews talks through these questions with the creator of the Pharmaceutical Innovation Index - Mike Rea, the CEO of IDEA Pharma, a pharmaceutical industry innovation & drug development consultancy.Important Links:IDEA Pharma: https://www.ideapharma.com/Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigidea/Mike's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ideapharmaThe IDEA...
2020-03-1730 min