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A Call to Lead @LifeScience ORG

LifeScience ORG

A Call To Lead is a series shining a light on the leadership, vision, and impact of European life science CEOs who are proving that world-class ventures don’t need to be built in Boston to shape the future of healthcare.

Each episode features a one-on-one conversation with a European life science CEO and member of the LifeScience ORG community. Our conversations are not about companies or pipelines; instead, guests reflect on their personal journeys, the pivotal choices that shaped their careers, and the future they are helping to build. These kinds of insights are rarely shared publicly.

New episodes are released every Thursday.

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20 episodes
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Avg 37 min
English

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S4 · E4
Thursday · 40 min
Torbjørn Furuseth, DoMore Diagnostics
Why is stopping something in medicine so much harder than starting something new? How do you tell an equity story when the exit doesn’t exist yet? And what goes into deliberately building a career towards leadership so that every role is a stepping stone? Today we’re speaking with Torbjørn Furuseth, CEO of DoMore Diagnostics based in Oslo, Norway. DoMore Diagnostics is personalising cancer treatment by analysing tumour tissue with AI algorithms. Of course, we’ll talk more about the science at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 1:12 - From Medicine to Leadership 2:52 - Natural Leadership Instincts 5:22 - Deliberate Career Planning 7:20 - Founding a Diagnostics Company 9:12 - Building High-Performing Teams 11:47 - Shared Startup Challenges 16:12 - Articulating the Equity Story 17:32 - Lessons from Downsizing 24:18 - AI in Cancer Diagnostics
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S4 · E3
September 16 · 36 min
Christian Kersten, AKIGAI
What does it take to found a biotech when you were never trained for that job? How do you lead with confidence when imposter syndrome stands in the way? And why does hearing someone else describe problems like yours make them seem smaller? Today we’re speaking with Christian Kersten, CEO of AKIGAI based in Oslo, Norway, working on treatments for neuropathic pain. We’ll talk more about the science later in the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 1:06 - From doctor to founder 5:00 - The first breakthrough 9:54 - Understanding the pain 13:50 - Navigating new 31:45 - Creative freedom territory 17:00 - Facing imposter syndrome 21:12 - Shared CEO challenges 27:23 – When treatments fail patients 31:45 - Creative freedom
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S4 · E2
September 9 · 39 min
Mihriban Tuna, Immutrin
Why does a little pause make a big impact? How do you keep showing up when the hundredth investor says no? And what does it mean to be a CEO when there’s no team yet – and every job title belongs to you? Today we’re speaking with Mihriban Tuna, CEO of Immutrin based in Cambridge UK, a company developing best-in-class antibody-based therapy for depleting cardiac amyloid in ATTR amyloidosis. We’ll talk more about the science at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 1:08 - From Scientist to CEO 3:48 - Learning Through Failure 5:58 - The Call to Step Up 9:40 - Leading Through Crisis 12:03 - The Fundraising Crucible 19:13 - Building the Right Team 23:50 - Keeping Perspective Under Pressure 30:18 - Tackling Cardiac Amyloidosis 37:18 - The Unsung Heroes of Leadership
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S4 · E1
September 2 · 45 min
Omar El Nahhas, StratifAI
Why was “if you want to help cancer patients, don’t become an oncologist” actually great advice? What’s the difference between being early and being wrong as a startup? And how do you survive long enough to be proven right? Today we’re speaking with Omar El Nahhas, CEO and co-founder of StratifAI based in Berlin, Germany, and the US. StratifAI turns routinely collected histology data into high-quality predictive diagnostics to help in cancer treatment decisions. And we’ll talk more about the science at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 0:00 - From Data Science to Healthcare 5:30 - Don't Become an Oncologist 8:02 - Bridging Science and Business 12:16 - Managing Board and Investors 17:55 - Learning From Experienced Peers 23:56 - Ecosystem Differences Abroad 27:47 - AI Diagnostics for Cancer 37:19 - Visionary vs Delusion
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S3 · E8
June 24 · 41 min
Susan Hill, Mestag Therapeutics
Why is condensing information a critical skill for a CEO? How do you keep dozens of people across different functions of a company feel like one team? And why should you keep patients and caregivers at the centre of drug discovery? Today I’m joined by Susan Hill, CEO of Mestag Therapeutics, a Cambridge-based company developing new programs for cancer and inflammatory disease. We’ll touch on the science towards the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 0:00 – From Lab to Boardroom 6:23 – The Call to Lead 10:26 – Knowing When to Jump 14:12 – Comfortable with Uncertainty 16:33 – Shared Challenges at the Top 21:01 – The Art of Condensing 27:56 – Tackling Solid Tumors 32:46 – Multiple Teams, One Mission 34:36 – Closing the Gap for Patients 39:00 – Sailing Toward the Horizon
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S3 · E7
June 18 · 38 min
Danuta Jeziorska, Uncover Therapeutics
How does a cancer diagnosis completely rewire your leadership style? Why is maintaining your mindset a core responsibility of a CEO? And what is the question every leader should ask themselves before they make a decision? Today I’m joined by Danuta Jeziorska, the former CEO and co-founder of Nucleome and current CEO and co-founder of Uncover Therapeutics based in Oxford. Uncover is an immuno-oncology company turning cancer’s immunoshield into an immunobeacon. And we’ll get more into the science of that towards the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 0:58 — Fascination With the Code of Life 5:06 — The CV in the Suitcase 12:54 — From the Lab to the Boardroom 17:20 — A Pandemic, a Diagnosis and a Company to Run 21:03 — Leading From Purpose Not Fear 25:26 — The CEO's Most Underrated Responsibility 30:48 — Why She Said Yes to Oncology 32:34 — What Europe Must Do Differently
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S3 · E6
June 3 · 33 min
Stefanie Flückiger, TOLREMO Therapeutics
What happens when the science you built a company on becomes the science you desperately wish could save someone close? How do you transform as a leader as your company evolves? And why should you actively seek out friction when building your company? Today I’m joined by Stephanie Flueckiger, co-founder and CEO of TOLREMO Therapeutics based in Basel, Switzerland. TOLREMO is developing small molecules to reprogram cancer for longer patient benefit. As usual, we’ll talk a bit more about the science at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 0:00 — From Science to Purpose 1:17 — A Founder's Call to Action 5:52 — Tragedy at the Start 9:27 — Evolving as a Leader 14:41 — Leading Calmly Under Pressure 17:54 — The Swiss and European Ecosystem 21:30 — Communicating Across Cultures 24:42 — The Science of Drug Resistance 29:49 — Embracing Friction
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S3 · E5
May 27 · 38 min
Marc Gitzinger, BioVersys
Why is self-awareness the secret ingredient to good leadership? How do you let go of a critical early team member? And what does it take to found a company during your PhD? Today I’m joined by Marc Gitzinger, CEO of BioVersys, a biotech based in Basel, Switzerland. BioVersys is a leader in the anti-infective space, developing new antibiotics for very highly drug-resistant infections. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 01:16 — From the Lab to the Boardroom 02:51 — The Naivety That Gets You Started 04:08 — When the Board Asks the Impossible 09:12 — Managing Up: Working With Your Board 11:42 — Try Before You Buy: Choosing Independent Directors 15:25 — Three Experts, One Decision 17:05 — A Culture of Calculated Risk 19:05 — A Hub Unlike Any Other 20:40 — The Antibiotic Paradox 25:14 — Stigma, Silence, and Resistant Infections 35:15 — The Mirror Test
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S3 · E4
May 13 · 37 min
Namir Hassan, Zelluna
Why do people with a sense of service make better leaders? How do you walk into the boardroom – on the cusp of clinical trials – and tell them the strategy is set to fail? And what does it mean to go from CSO to CEO on the brink of a pivot? Today I’m joined by Namir Hassan, CEO of Zelluna based in Oslo, Norway. Zelluna is developing next generation off the shelf cell therapies to address huge unmet needs like solid tumours in oncology. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 1:32 A personal connection to cancer 4:12 From scientist to CEO: answering the call 4:25 Service as a leadership philosophy 6:58 Leading through a high-stakes pivot 15:25 Stepping into the unknown: leading outside your expertise 19:50 The challenges facing biotech leaders today 21:49 Activity is not progress 24:25 The biotech ecosystem in Oslo 27:51 Why solid tumors are so hard to treat 32:15 What the ecosystem needs to address solid cancer 34:58 A call for steady, accountable leadership
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S3 · E3
May 6 · 36 min
Reagan Jarvis, Anocca
What does it take to follow the science halfway round the world? How do you persuade a team of brilliant scientists to go from asking questions to building solutions? And why is “If you’re explaining, you’re losing” some of the worst advice in biotech? Today I’m joined by Reagan Jarvis, CEO of Anocca. Anocca is a T-Cell biology biotech based near Stockholm, Sweden, and they’re building a platform to decipher T-cell targets and targeting constructs to develop personalised and precise T-cell therapies. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 01:35 — Following the Science Across the World 03:04 — From Postdoc Frustration to Founding a Company 04:37 — Taking the CEO Role 06:02 — Redirecting Scientists Toward Execution 10:59 — Communicating Differentiation in a Complex Field 13:53 — Lessons in Tone and Positioning 18:31 — Building Biotech in Europe 22:29 — Decoding T-Cell Biology and the Path to Personalised Therapies 32:39 — Leadership vs. Management
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S3 · E2
April 30 · 50 min
Yogev Debbi, Mana Bio
How do you run a company that is – quite literally – in a warzone? Why should you define your culture before building the company? And what is the secret to a co-founder relationship that’s lasted longer than most marriages? Today I’m joined by Yogev Debbi, CEO and co-founder of Mana Bio based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Mana is an AI based drug delivery startup, focusing on gene therapy including DNA and RNA-based therapeutics, and vaccines. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 1:37 – From Software to Life Science: Finding Purpose Beyond Profit 3:41 – Building a Founding Team: Hiring Scientists When You're Not One 16:42 – The Co-Founder Relationship: Trust, Transparency, and Two Decades Together 19:17 – Defining Culture Before You Have a Company 21:05 – Using Investors as a Filter: Reverse Due Diligence During Ideation 32:38 – Leading Through Crisis: Resilience in an Active Conflict Zone 37:55 – The Gene Delivery Challenge: Why the Space Shuttle Matters More Than the Astronaut 39:41 – AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Redefining What a Failed Experiment Means 45:18 – The Tech-Bio Convergence: Bridging Two Worlds Within One Team
- Chapters
S3 · E1
April 22 · 43 min
Jean-Pierre Latere, EsoBiotec
What do you do when a family member gets a life-changing diagnosis? How do you convince investors to back the impossible? And why should you ask every expert to kill your idea? I’m joined by JP Latere, CEO of Esobiotec. Based in Belgium, Esobiotec pioneered in-vivo cell therapy and was acquired by AstraZeneca in a billion-dollar deal in 2025. Of course, we’ll talk more about the deal (and the science) at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:35 When Cancer Gets Personal 5:47 No More Options 7:48 The Manufacturing Crisis 12:18 A Crazy Idea Worth Exploring 12:57 Betting on the Impossible 17:16 How to Kill an Idea 28:19 The China Pivot 34:06 Good Data Screams 38:54 Cell Therapy for Everyone 42:03 The Patient Is the Ultimate Shareholder
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S2 · E8
March 25 · 37 min
Ola Wlodek, Constructive Bio
Why is leadership development a bit like working out? How does a self-confessed introvert and data-driven scientist rewire themselves to make high-stakes decisions with incomplete information? What does it really mean to lead a biotech as an outsider – an immigrant, a woman, an introvert - who never set out to be a CEO? Today I’m joined by Ola Wlodek, CEO of Constructive Bio based in Cambridge UK. Constructive Bio is a biotechnology company specializing the manufacturing and design of proteins and peptides with new chemistries for pharma and other industries. We’ll talk more about the science at the end of the episode. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps 4:12 From Medicine to Molecular Biology 6:13 The Path to a PhD and an Unconventional Career 6:57 Leading from the Lab: An Unexpected CEO 7:52 Building Leadership Muscles as an Introvert 10:57 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the C-Suite 15:55 Navigating Cultural Identity and Bias in Biotech 19:33 Women in Science: Systemic Barriers and Advocacy 22:55 Intentionality as a Strategic Leadership Tool 26:44 The Science of Sustainable Peptide Manufacturing 33:29 CEO Loneliness and the Power of Peer Networks
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S2 · E7
March 18 · 36 min
Eliot Forster, Levicept
Why is celebrating failure in life science just as important as celebrating success? How do you make the psychological shift from being one expert among many in the room to being a leader of experts? And what does a near-industry wide clinical failure have to do with a potential new treatment for half a billion osteoarthritis patients? Today I’m joined by Eliot Forster, CEO of Levicept based just south of Oxford in the UK, looking into novel treatments for the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps 1:03 - From Big Pharma to Biotech: Why Cross the Table? 4:33 - The Moment You Decide to Lead 7:41 - The Personal Toll of the CEO Role 9:39 - Practical Habits That Protect Your Bandwidth 11:04 - Leading in a Crowded Capital Environment 13:02 - Transitioning from Expert to Leader of Experts 17:36 - Why Celebrating Failure Is Non-Negotiable in Drug Development 24:40 - The Maturing European Life Science Ecosystem 28:07 - A Novel Approach to Osteoarthritis: From Industry-Wide Failure to Phase 2 Success 35:13 - Optimism as a Professional Imperative in Life Science
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S2 · E6
March 11 · 40 min
Szabolcs Nagy, Turbine
How do you lead a company that’s one of the first of its kind? What can a geocaching game on a company retreat teach you about leadership style? Can AI tackle the big challenges in drug discovery today? Today I’m joined by Szabolcs Nagy, CEO of Turbine, based in Budapest, Hungary. Founded 10 years ago, Turbine is virtualising biology from the cellular level upwards using AI. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Background 1:19 - From Cybersecurity to Life Sciences 6:18 - Becoming CEO: Leadership Transition 10:14 - Early Challenges: Learning the Space 14:22 - Navigating Imposter Syndrome 19:03 - Leadership Lessons from Geocaching 22:44 - Building in Hungary: Ecosystem Challenges 26:05 - Virtualizing Biology: The Vision 32:01 - Industry Challenges: Data, AI & Business Models 37:48 - Leadership Reflection: Letting Go
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S2 · E5
March 4 · 35 min
Kärt Tomberg, ExpressionEdits
What do you do when entrepreneurship calls and your partner lives overseas? How much can you really delegate as a CEO? Why does a 50-year-old gene expression problem still exist – and what happens if we solve it? I’m joined by Kart Tomberg, CEO of ExpressionEdits based in Cambridge, UK. ExpressionEdits is a seed-stage company taking on the challenging bottlenecks going from DNA to protein and convincing cells to make proteins for us. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Background 2:52 - From Academia to Entrepreneurship 7:18 - Early Leadership Lessons 10:30 - The Two-Body Problem 13:39 - Challenges Facing Life Science CEOs 19:25 - Cambridge Ecosystem & European Life Science 22:59 - The Science: Protein Expression Challenge 30:45 - Leadership Philosophy & Delegation
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S2 · E4
February 25 · 38 min
Camilla Easter, Oxford Medical Products
Why lead a company into the increasingly crowded obesity space? How do you go from a career in veterinary surgery to CEO of a medtech company? And what is so magical about Oxford when it comes to life science? Today I’m joined by Camilla Easter, CEO of Oxford Medical Products (OMP), a late-stage medtech company based in Witney, Oxfordshire, in the UK. OMP’s lead product is a non-pharmacological treatment for obesity in overweight patients. We’ll talk more about the science at the end of the episode, but first Camilla shares her journey to leadership from the vet clinic. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps Introduction (0:00) From Veterinary Surgery to Biotech Leadership (0:53) The Call to Lead: Finding Your Path (1:50) Career Transitions: Navigating Change (4:30) Stepping Into CEO Role (7:55) Personal Challenges and Defining Moments (10:49) Shared Challenges in Life Science Leadership (15:42) Leadership Lessons: Communication & Community (17:47) The European Life Science Ecosystem (20:39) Tackling the Obesity Crisis: Why This Problem? (21:47) The Technology: A Non-Pharmacological Solution (25:21) Ecosystem Solutions: What We Can Do Together (27:13) A Vision for the Future (33:09) Final Thoughts: Embracing Failure and Learning (35:49)
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S2 · E3
February 18 · 29 min
Victor Bustos, Refoxy Pharma
Why does the perception of facts matter when talking to investors? How do you attract a US-based chair to a European company’s board? And what are the advantages of running a virtual biotech with no labs of its own? Today, I’m joined by Victor Bustos, CEO of Refoxy Pharma. Refoxy is a "virtual biotech" located in Cologne, Germany, and is developing small-molecule drugs for the treatment of age-related disease. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: The Leadership Journey 1:24 - From Academia to Entrepreneurship 6:00 - Early Leadership Challenges: Truth vs. Perception 7:24 - Communication Skills & Stakeholder Management 10:37 - Peer Learning & Strategic Thinking 12:05 - Building Your Board: Attracting US Talent to Europe 13:29 - Virtual Biotech Model: Advantages & Strategy 16:26 - Due Diligence in CRO Partnerships 18:09 - The Science: Targeting Age-Related Disease 20:01 - Strategic Indication Selection: IPF Case Study 22:01 - Ecosystem Collaboration & Regulatory Landscape 23:31 - The Future of Longevity Medicine 25:25 - Leadership Philosophy: Leading by Example
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S2 · E2
February 11 · 31 min
Mark Gaffney, Calluna Pharma
How does a United States Air Force officer end up leading a European biotech company? Is there an advantage to leading a company that’s based half a world away? And are you doing a regrets analysis as part of your decision-making? This week I’m joined by Mark Gaffney, a Boston-based CEO leading Calluna Pharma. Calluna is a Norwegian company developing therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, such as IPF – but we’ll get into the science later in the episode. First, Mark shares his story on what drew him into life science and how he got from the US air force and into C-suite. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps 1:30 - From Military Service to Biotech Leadership 1:45 - Personal Motivation: Fighting Retinitis Pigmentosa 3:10 - Career Transition: Law to Life Sciences 5:36 - Stepping Up to CEO: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 7:49 - Leadership Lessons from the Air Force 12:00 - Leading Across Continents: Virtual Leadership Strategies 16:14 - The Regrets Analysis: A Decision-Making Framework 20:03 - European Biotech Innovation and Efficiency 22:13 - Calluna Pharma: Tackling IPF with Novel Targets 24:02 - Navigating Risk in Novel Target Development 25:35 - Ecosystem Support for Inflammatory Disease Research 28:32 - Building and Empowering High-Performance Teams
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S2 · E1
February 4 · 29 min
Maximilien Levesque, AQEMIA
What inspires a theoretical physicist to start a drug invention company? How do you choose the right co-founder when you're coming from academia? And, in a multi-site, multi-cultural European organisation – how does a leader manage communication with the team? I’m joined by Maximilien Levesque, physics academic turned entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of Paris and London-based company AQEMIA. Aqemia uses a mix of physics and generative AI to invent therapeutics for poorly treated diseases. More on the science towards the end of the episode, but first Max explains what inspired him to found AQEMIA and how he's faced challenges from selecting a co-founder to communicating and maintaining team alignment as his company grows in two locations. About LifeScience ORG It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare. The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:27 Max's Story 05:08 Challenges and Realizations in the Leadership Journey 07:09 Finding the Right Co-Founder 10:32 Building a Multicultural, Multidisciplinary Company 13:44 Maintaining Team Alignment 14:50 European Life Science Landscape 17:09 Generative AI in Drug Discovery 24:42 Vision for the Future 26:23 Leadership Insights
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