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The BioHub - by Avetix

Max Brennan - Biotech HeadHunter

Welcome to The BioHub, where the doors to the world of biotechnology swing wide open. Join your host, Max Brennan, a seasoned biotech recruiter, as he engages in thought-provoking conversations with the brightest minds in biotech. This podcast is your backstage pass to the insights, strategies, and stories that fuel success in the dynamic and ever-evolving biotech landscape.

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S2 · E221
Thursday · 25 min
Episode 221 - Hans Schambye - CEO BOOST Pharma
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Hans Schambye, CEO of BOOST Pharma. Hans shares what drew him to BOOST and the opportunity to develop what could become the first disease-modifying treatment for osteogenesis imperfecta. We discuss the challenge of taking a novel cell therapy from early clinical success towards Phase III, and what it takes to build the company around that journey. We also explore the lessons Hans has learned from leading and scaling multiple biotech companies, how the CEO role changes through different stages of growth, and where he sees the cell and gene therapy landscape heading next.
Wednesday · 36 min
Episode 219 - Prakash Raman - CEO of InduPro Therapeutics
We were delighted to be joined by Prakash Raman, Ph.D., CEO of InduPro Therapeutics. Prakash brings more than two decades of experience across the biopharmaceutical industry, spanning business development, licensing, portfolio strategy, venture creation and executive leadership. Before joining InduPro, he was President and CEO of Ribon Therapeutics, following a period as Senior Partner and Chief Business Development Officer at Flagship Pioneering. Prior to that, he spent almost 14 years at Novartis, ultimately becoming Global Head of Business Development and Licensing for NIBR, where he was involved in a number of significant partnerships and acquisitions. Today at InduPro, Prakash is helping build a company around a differentiated proximity biology platform, using an understanding of how proteins interact and are spatially organised to develop new therapeutics across oncology and immunology. The company has recently announced a $77 million Series B, entered into collaborations with companies including Lilly, Sanofi and Lonza, and has moved its lead programme, IDP-001, into the clinic. So today, we’re going to talk about Prakash’s journey through biotech, what he learned from operating inside big pharma and venture, how he thinks about building companies and platforms, the opportunity around proximity biology, and what it takes to translate a differentiated scientific idea into a successful biotech business.
S2 · E220
Wednesday · 21 min
Episode 220 - Kristen Stants - Chief People Officer Parabalis
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Kristen Stants, Chief People Officer at Parabilis Medicines. Recorded shortly after Parabilis completed its record-breaking IPO, Kristen shares what that milestone means for the company and how the people strategy changes when a biotech suddenly enters a new phase of rapid growth. We also discuss how to protect culture while scaling, the qualities that help people thrive in biotech, what strong leadership looks like in a volatile industry, and Kristen’s advice for the next generation looking to build a career in HR.
Monday · 23 min
Episode 218 - JD Finley & Mitch Jones - Palisade Bio
On this episode we're joined by Palisade Bio's CEO & CMO, JD Finley & Mitch Jones. In Q2 2026, Palisade released promising ph1 data for their lead asset - PALI2108 - a PDE4 inhibitor. With recent IND clearance for their ph2 ASCENTRA-UC study, we discuss that data, and what real success looks like clinically & commercially for the business & asset moving forward, in an increasingly busy IBD market. We hope you enjoy the episode.
S2 · E217
August 27 · 27 min
Episode 217 - Kristen Wong - Partner Altitude VC
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Kristen Wong of Altitude Life Science Ventures. Kristen shares her journey into venture capital and how she thinks about identifying the people and companies worth backing at the earliest stages. We discuss why the investments you pass on can be just as valuable as the ones you make, the importance of founder emotional intelligence, and what the SVB crisis taught her about supporting companies through uncertainty. We also explore where AI is genuinely changing biotech and investing, why Kristen writes about the industry, and the lessons she has learned from working closely with founders and company builders.
August 17 · 20 min
Episode 216 - Tom Ciulla - CEO Ikarovec
In this episode we meet Tom Ciulla, CEO of Ikarovec, one of the most exciting gene therapy biotechs in The UK and the ophthalmology scene more broadly. Ikarovec isn't Tom's first rodeo - playing a role in the rise of Iveric, Spark, Viridian, and Nanoscope - but as a first-time CEO, tune in to hear what excited him the most about Ikarovec's bicistronic platform, their plans for clinical trials in GA & RP, and the latest on their Series A.
S2 · E215
August 13 · 37 min
Episode 215 - Nykode - Michael & Agnete - CEO & CSO
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Michael Engsig, CEO of Nykode Therapeutics, and Agnete Fredriksen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer. Michael and Agnete share the story behind Nykode, how the company’s technology has evolved, and what they’ve learned from building a biotech around a novel approach to immunotherapy. We also discuss the balance between scientific ambition and commercial execution, the challenges of developing new cancer treatments, how the CEO and CSO roles work together, and where they see the future of cancer immunotherapy heading.
August 10 · 33 min
Episode 214 - David Crean - CBO at MediciNova
In this episode of The BioHub Podcast by Avetix, Ben sits down with Dr. David Crean, Chief Business Officer at MediciNova, to explore a career spanning biotechnology, investment, M&A and strategic partnering. The conversation explores David’s journey into biotech, how he evaluates opportunities and partnerships, and the decisions that shape the development of emerging therapeutics. We also discuss MediciNova’s work in neurological disease, including the development of MN-166 (ibudilast), and the challenges of advancing therapies in areas such as ALS and other complex CNS disorders. David also shares his perspective on business development in today’s biotech market, what makes an asset attractive to potential partners, how smaller companies can position themselves effectively, and how the relationship between science, financing and deal-making has evolved throughout his career.
August 10 · 37 min
Episode 215 - Kathleen Gallagher - CEO at Atrium Therapeutics
We were delighted to be joined by Kathleen Gallagher, CEO of Atrium Therapeutics. Kathleen has built a fascinating career across the biotech industry, with experience spanning corporate communications, investor relations, clinical development and executive leadership. Before founding Atrium, she spent time at companies including Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Akcea Therapeutics, before joining Avidity Biosciences, where she ultimately became Chief Program Officer. At Avidity, Kathleen was closely involved in the company’s evolution and the development of its RNA therapeutics platform, including its work in myotonic dystrophy. The company’s journey ultimately culminated in its landmark acquisition by Novartis for up to $12 billion, one of the largest transactions in the biotech sector. Following that experience, Kathleen took on the CEO of Atrium Therapeutics. Atrium is developing targeted RNA therapies for genetically driven cardiovascular diseases, with the ambition of addressing serious rare diseases where patients currently have limited treatment options. Today, we’re going to talk about Kathleen’s journey through biotech, how her career evolved from communications and investor relations into drug development and ultimately the CEO role, what she learned from helping build Avidity, and what it was like to go through such a significant company transaction. We’ll also explore the opportunity in RNA therapeutics, the decision to start Atrium, what it takes to build a biotech from the ground up, and Kathleen’s perspective on leadership, culture and what makes an early-stage biotech successful.
S2 · E213
August 7 · 29 min
Episode 213 - Fred Aslan - CEO Artiva Bio
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Fred Aslan, President and CEO of Artiva Biotherapeutics. Fred shares his journey across venture capital, business development and biotech leadership, including his time at Venrock and Vividion, and how those experiences shaped the way he now leads Artiva. We discuss what it takes to build and scale a biotech, how investor experience changes the way you make decisions as a CEO, the opportunity for off-the-shelf cell therapies, and where Fred sees the future of the cell therapy space heading.
S2 · E212
August 6 · 20 min
Episode 212 - Luis Pena - Founder & CEO Evommune
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Luis Peña, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Evommune. Luis shares his journey from scientist to biotech founder, including the story behind building Dermira and the lessons he took from its acquisition by Eli Lilly. We discuss why he decided to start again with Evommune and the company’s ambition to develop new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases. We also explore what it takes to build and finance a biotech, the transition into the CEO role, how Luis approaches leadership, and what he believes separates companies that successfully turn strong science into meaningful medicines.
August 4 · 16 min
Episode 211 - Meredith Kaya - Corsera Health
In Q1 of this year, I sat down with Meredith, CFO at Corsera Health, to discuss the future of cardiovascular health and why prediction and prevention are becoming increasingly important in improving outcomes long before a CVD diagnosis.We explored what it takes to build a company at the intersection of science, data and healthcare, how finance and strategy support innovation.A really insightful conversation with Meredith on the opportunities and challenges of building a company focused on tackling one of the world's leading causes of death.
August 4 · 23 min
Episode 210 - Dana Watt - Partner at Breakout Ventures
In this episode of the BioHub by Avetix, we’re joined by Dana Watt, Partner at Breakout Ventures, to explore how she evaluates ambitious science-led businesses at the earliest stages. Dana discusses her journey from neuroscience and company building into venture capital, what separates an exciting technology from an investable company, and the signals she looks for in scientific founders. We also explore how Breakout supports companies beyond capital, the changing investment environment for biotech and deep tech, and where Dana sees the greatest opportunities emerging across biology and technology. A brilliant conversation for scientists, founders and anyone interested in how transformative ideas make the leap from the lab into the market. Dana is currently a Partner at Breakout Ventures and has a background spanning cellular and molecular neuroscience, company formation and early-stage life-science investment.
August 3 · 22 min
Episode 209 - Pam Stetkiewicz Lyora Therapeutics
Todays episode we welcomed Pam Stetkiewicz from Lyora Therapeutics on the BioHub Podcast.
S2 · E207
August 3 · 25 min
Episode 208 - Handol Kim - CEO Variational AI
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Handol Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Variational AI. Recorded at BIO 2026, Handol shares his unconventional journey from more than two decades in technology into biotech, and why he chose to apply generative AI to one of science’s most difficult challenges: discovering new medicines. Variational AI’s Enki platform is purpose-built to generate novel, synthesizable small molecules designed around a specific target product profile. We discuss the realities behind the AI hype, where the technology can genuinely improve drug discovery, the challenge of building credibility at the intersection of technology and biology, and the lessons Handol has learned from building companies throughout his career.
July 30 · 31 min
Episode 207 - Ola Wlodek - CEO of Constructive Bio
We were delighted to be joined by Ola Włodek, a biotech executive and the CEO of Constructive Bio, a company at the forefront of synthetic biology and the development of new ways to engineer biology and create novel molecules. Ola brings a wealth of experience across the life sciences industry, with a background spanning strategy, operations, and business leadership. At Constructive Bio, she is part of the team working to translate cutting-edge synthetic biology into a platform capable of creating entirely new possibilities for drug discovery and development. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore Ola’s career journey, and the potential of the company’s technology to fundamentally change how we think about designing and developing new medicines. We’ll also discuss the challenges of scaling a highly innovative biotech, the next major inflection points for the business, and Ola’s perspective on where the industry is heading.
S2 · E206
July 23 · 26 min
Episode 206 - Valerie Vanhooren - CEO & Co-Founder Ona Therapeutics
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I'm joined by Valerie Vanhooren, CEO and Co-Founder of Ona Therapeutics. Recorded shortly after Ona Therapeutics announced its $85 million Series B, Valerie shares the journey behind building the company, the challenges of fundraising in today's biotech market, and the opportunity to develop next-generation precision oncology therapies that improve outcomes for patients with cancer. We also discuss the evolution of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), what it takes to build a biotech from the ground up, the importance of company culture, and Valerie's vision for the future of precision oncology.
July 22 · 22 min
Episode 205 - Paul Bresge - CEO of Ray Therapeutics
Paul didn't stumble into biotech, he was pulled in by a diagnosis. When a doctor told his daughter to prepare for a life without her sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, he went all in on finding the best science out there to give patients like her new hope. Today he leads Ray Therapeutics, who're developing optogenetic gene therapies designed to restore vision, not just slow its loss, for patients who are already out of other options. We talk about the science, the personal mission, and what's coming next.
S2 · E204
July 20 · 29 min
Episode 204 - Samir Ounzain - Co-founder & CEO Haya Therapeutics
In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I'm joined by Samir Ounzain, CEO and Co-Founder of HAYA Therapeutics. Samir shares the journey from pioneering research into the so-called "dark genome" to building one of biotech's most exciting RNA therapeutics companies. We discuss why long non-coding RNAs could unlock an entirely new class of precision medicines, the challenge of turning groundbreaking science into a business, and how HAYA is approaching diseases with significant unmet need. We also explore the importance of resilience in biotech, the evolution from scientist to CEO, the role AI is beginning to play in drug discovery, and what the future holds for RNA therapeutics and precision medicine.
July 20 · 26 min
Episode 203 - Tim Noyes - CEO of Newleos Therapeutics
In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Ben is joined by Tim Noyes, President and CEO of Newleos Therapeutics. Tim reflects on more than 35 years across the life sciences industry, from beginning his career at Merck to building and leading emerging biotechnology companies. He shares why he has consistently been drawn to smaller organisations, where leadership teams can remain close to the science, the patients and the people driving the company forward. The conversation explores Newleos’ mission to rethink the treatment of anxiety and other neuropsychiatric conditions through a pipeline of differentiated GABA-A receptor modulators originally licensed from Roche. Tim discusses the opportunity to retain the therapeutic benefits associated with GABA modulation while overcoming the limitations of traditional benzodiazepines, including the company’s clinical programmes in generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. They also discuss the importance of patient access, the challenges of reimbursement in the US healthcare system, and why humility, appreciation and a people-focused culture are central to Tim’s approach to leadership.

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