From R&D to CRO CEO

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Dr. Fozia Saleem, Chief Executive Officer at Magnitude Biosciences. Your host, Raman Sehgal, speaks with Fozia about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain, including: How her early roles shaped her focus on applying science and innovation in a practical way The contrast between working in tobacco and vape R&D and traditional pharma research How a post-COVID reckoning led her to a CEO role at a university spin-out The commercial potential of worms, the WormGazer® technology platform, and why Magnitude Biosciences is far from a cookie-cutter CRO Fundraising, tripling the team, doubling lab space, and navigating the life of a scrappy CRO How the company is helping clients with novel therapies get better insights earlier and faster amid a tough market environment Dr. Fozia Saleem is the CEO of Magnitude Biosciences, a leading contract research organisation serving the pharmaceutical, health, and nutrition sectors to better understand the effects of drugs and nutraceuticals on healthy ageing, longevity, and neurodegeneration. With more than 15 years of experience across the FMCG and pharmaceutical industries — including leadership roles at GSK, BAT, and Broughton — Fozia has led global product launches, driven high-growth commercial strategies, and delivered transformative organisational change. Beyond her role at Magnitude Biosciences, Fozia is a passionate advocate for women’s leadership and inclusive innovation. She previously co-chaired The Lifted Project – Newcastle Board, supporting high-growth female founders, and was named on the We Are Power Future List 2024 in recognition of her business leadership.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and Charles River Laboratories, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!