Björn Schimmöller - CEO & Co-Founder | PhD to Biotech CEO: Academia vs Industry

In this episode, we’re joined by Björn, CEO & Co-Founder of the precision immunology biotech, Iuvantium, to unpack his journey from PhD to leading a company tackling some of the world’s biggest healthcare challenges.From building Lego as a kid to engineering next-generation immune therapies, Björn shares how he navigated the transition from academia to industry, and why the real world often values speed, decision-making, and adaptability over perfection.We explore the key differences between academia and industry, what it actually means to be a CEO in biotech, and the lessons he’s learned building a company from the ground up: from strategy and hiring to fundraising and navigating uncertainty.If you’re a student or researcher thinking about careers beyond academia, but still want to make a real-world impact through science, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice.