This 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 his passion for supporting innovative startups. Peter also reflected on his early inspirations in science, the development of groundbreaking technologies at Morphosys, and the valuable lessons he has learned about commercialization and strategic decision-making. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, learning from mistakes, and the critical role of supportive investors. Join us as we explore Peter's fascinating career, his views on the future of biotech, and the key factors that contribute to successful leadership in this ever-evolving field.

In 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 accessible. In a candid conversation, Adam also reflects on his personal journey—balancing his love of science with a growing entrepreneurial drive and learning from the highs and lows of start-up life. He offers advice for those thinking about making the leap from research to business, emphasising the importance of being driven by curiosity, embracing uncertainty, and continuously learning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in biotech innovation, entrepreneurship, and the real-world challenges of scaling scientific breakthroughs.

In 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 service and solution business aimed at improving patient outcomes beyond pharmaceuticals. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity, purpose, and impact in driving success within the biotech industry. He offers advice on maintaining a strong sense of urgency, fostering a purpose-driven culture, and how to navigate the difficult elements of leadership in a fast-paced environment. Join us this week as we discuss the challenges and rewards of leading a biotech company with a focus on innovative patient-centric solutions.

In 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 how that led him into a career spanning structural biology, protein engineering, and ground-breaking start-ups like Grail and Arsenal Bio. He talks about the lessons he’s learned along the way, like the importance of staying curious, embracing technology, and being open to unexpected opportunities. Join us for a fascinating discussion on the intersection of science, technology, and the evolving landscape of drug discovery.

In 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, from his unexpected entry into pharma to his deepening focus on making a real difference for patients. Alistair offers honest and practical advice for those starting out in their scientific careers. He emphasizes the importance of staying curious, connecting with others, and being open to stepping out of your comfort zone. He also talks about the power of collaboration and how building a strong, open, and innovative culture has been key to his success at UCB. If you’re interested in the human side of a career in science and what it takes to lead with purpose, this episode is full of insights from someone who’s done it all.

This 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 required to drive success in biotech, the importance of building strong, multidisciplinary teams, and the lessons he’s learned on his path from scientist to executive. He also shares valuable advice on following your passions and the importance of staying adaptable in a fast-changing industry. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Kenny Duncan, where we unpack the future of drug discovery and the crucial role chemistry continues to play in shaping the industry.

Could 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 of success in developing new therapies. In this episode, Rich and I discuss the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery, explaining how these technologies are changing the game by improving the quality of molecules and enhancing the precision of clinical trials. He also reflects on the challenges of adapting to a rapidly evolving industry and the importance of staying open to new ideas and learning from those around you. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Richard Law, where we delve into the future of drug discovery and the revolutionary role AI is set to play.

This 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.

"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 science teacher and his diverse family backgroundThe critical milestones of his career, including his influential roles at Cambridge Antibody Technology, F-star, and AdaptateLessons learned about the importance of building strong teams and fostering a culture of continuous learningHis advice for aspiring scientists: trust your mentors, be patient, and remain open to learning Tune in for all this, and much more....

Mike 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.

We 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.

Shane 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.

Maude 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.

Vern 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.

Jordan 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.

Bill 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...

Namir 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!

Now 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. Enjoy!

"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. Enjoy!

"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 person. Enjoy!