Martijn Van De Bunt, Cytoki Pharma

This week, Emma spoke with Martijn Van De Bunt, Chief Scientific Officer at Cytoki Pharma, a pioneering Biotech in Denmark developing IL-22-based therapies for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Martijn shared insights from his journey from medicine and academia to leading a lean, globally connected Biotech team advancing transformative therapies. Martijn discussed the pivotal moments in his career, from a PhD at Oxford that sparked his passion for impactful science, to his tenure at Novo Nordisk, and ultimately to joining Cytoki Pharma. Along the way, he emphasised the importance of adaptability, the nuances of transitioning between academia and industry, and the role of networks and teamwork in achieving success. With Cytoki Pharma approaching critical milestones in their clinical studies, Martijn also reflected on the challenges and excitement of developing ground-breaking treatments in a dynamic Biotech environment. Tune in for a conversation packed with advice on career growth, the evolution of drug discovery, and the human side of building innovative Biotech companies.