The BioHub - by Avetix

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.

On this episode of the podcast we feature CEO & Co-Founder of Infinimmune, Wyatt McDonnell, to discuss a hugely impressive & milestone-rich journey since founding in 2022. Infinimmune was founded on the belief that human disease is best treated with truly human therapeutics. Their discovery platform, developed by Wyatt and his five former 10X Genomics colleagues, has already been tapped by Merck in a partnering deal potentially worth $800million plus. The first two of their immune system-derived antibodies are heading toward the clinic in Atopic Dermatitis, and the Series A round to fund those trials attracted interest from Regeneron's venture arm.On a more personal note, this episode also offers great insight into Wyatt's own journey into biotech and the entrepreneurial traits that lead to him going 'all-in' on Infinimmune. He also gives his advice for anyone in a similar position looking to go on that journey.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Amber is joined by Dr. Brent Richards, Founder and CEO of 5 Prime Sciences, a company helping biotech, pharma and investors use human genetics to make better drug development decisions.Brent shares his background in clinical medicine and human genetics, the story behind 5 Prime Sciences, and how genetic evidence can help identify and validate drug targets. We explore the challenges of translating complex data into actionable insights, why understanding causal biology matters, and the opportunity to bring greater confidence to early drug discovery.

Today I’m joined by Frédéric Sweeney, President and CEO of VedaBio.Fred has spent his career at the intersection of healthcare, diagnostics, venture capital and company building. He’s also been involved with a number of companies as an investor, board member and advisor.Today, Fred is leading VedaBio, which is developing a new approach to molecular diagnostics using CRISPR. The company’s technology is designed to deliver highly accurate molecular detection much faster and closer to the point of care, with the goal of making sophisticated molecular testing much more accessible.I’m really looking forward to hearing about Fred’s journey through the industry, what he’s learned from working across startups, large diagnostics companies and venture capital, and then diving into what VedaBio is building and where he sees the future of molecular diagnostics going.

In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Steve Tregay, Managing General Partner at Mission BioCapital.Steve shares his journey across research, pharma, biotech company building and venture capital, including the story behind founding FORMA Therapeutics and the lessons that experience taught him about creating successful biotech companies.We also discuss how Mission BioCapital approaches early-stage company creation, what Steve looks for in founders and new opportunities, the role big pharma plays in the biotech ecosystem, and what he believes separates the companies that ultimately succeed from those that don’t.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Todays episode we welcomed Pam Stetkiewicz from Lyora Therapeutics on the BioHub Podcast.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Today we're joined by Ben Swanson, Founder and CEO of Skeletalis, a biotechnology company developing a new generation of precision medicines for bone disease.Ben's path into biotech is anything but conventional. Trained as both a dentist and a scientist, he founded Skeletalis to tackle one of the biggest unmet challenges in musculoskeletal health: how to deliver treatments directly to the parts of the skeleton that need them most, while minimizing effects on the rest of the body.At Skeletalis, Ben and his team have developed the OASIS platform—a targeted drug delivery approach designed to direct therapies to sites of active bone remodeling. Their lead focus is osteoporosis, a disease affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with the potential to transform how bone diseases are treated in the future.In this conversation, we'll explore Ben's journey from academia to entrepreneurship, what it takes to build a biotech company from groundbreaking research, the future of precision medicine, and why solving bone health could have a profound impact on healthy aging

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Bennett Smith, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Beren Therapeutics.Bennett has spent more than two decades building commercial organisations and bringing innovative medicines to patients, holding leadership roles at Novo Nordisk, Regeneron, Akebia, and Orchard Therapeutics, where he helped launch one of the world's most expensive gene therapies.Today, he's leading commercial strategy at Beren Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech taking a different approach to developing treatments for rare diseases.In this conversation, we discuss Bennett's journey through biotech, why commercial thinking should begin long before launch, the story behind Beren's emergence from stealth, and what it takes to build a successful commercial organisation from the ground up.We also explore the future of rare disease innovation and why aligning science and commercial strategy from day one can make all the difference.

What's the right team to build a precision cardiovascular biopharma company?In this episode Tassos Gianakakos CEO and Chief People Officer Liz Nguyen discuss how Kardigan is thinking about talent, culture, and the capabilities required to bring precision medicine to cardiovascular disease.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Ben sits down with Miles Gerson, Partner at SV Health Investors and Co-Lead of the Dementia Discovery Fund.Miles shares his perspective on investing in neuroscience, building companies around emerging biology and identifying approaches with the potential to change the treatment landscape in dementia and neurodegenerative disease.The conversation explores how the Dementia Discovery Fund assesses scientific risk, what makes a neuroscience company investable, where the strongest opportunities are emerging, and how investors can help translate promising research into viable therapeutic companies.Miles also discusses the evolution of dementia drug development, the role of company creation and what the next generation of successful neuroscience businesses will need to get right.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Andrew Obenshain, CEO of Inventiva.Andrew brings more than 20 years of experience across global drug development, regulatory strategy, and commercialization. Before joining Inventiva, he led bluebird bio through its transformation into a global commercial-stage gene therapy company and previously held senior leadership roles at Shire and Genzyme.Inventiva is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapies for patients with significant unmet medical needs, with its lead program focused on MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).In this conversation, we discuss Andrew's journey through global biotech leadership, why he chose to lead a French biotech company, the challenges of running a late-stage clinical business, and what makes Inventiva's approach so exciting.We also explore the strengths of the European biotech ecosystem, the milestones ahead for Inventiva, and the leadership lessons Andrew has learned throughout his career.

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Eduardo, CEO of Citryll Therapeutics. Eduardo has built his career at the intersection of science, innovation, and business, leading the development of transformative therapies designed to address serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.With extensive experience in the biotechnology industry, Eduardo has played a key role in guiding companies from scientific discovery through clinical development and strategic growth. As CEO of Citryll Therapeutics, he is leading a team focused on pioneering treatments that target novel mechanisms of disease, with the ambition of improving outcomes for patients who currently have limited therapeutic options.In today's conversation, we'll explore Eduardo's career journey, what inspired him to pursue leadership in biotech, the science behind Citryll's approach, and the opportunities and challenges involved in bringing breakthrough therapies from the lab to the clinic

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast by Avetix, Ben is joined by Michael Rome, Managing Director at Foresite Capital.Michael brings a unique perspective across biotech investing, company formation, therapeutics strategy, and public markets. The conversation explores how great biotech companies are built, what separates strong science from a fundable opportunity, and how investors think about timing, team, differentiation, and value creation.We also discuss the current biotech market, the evolving relationship between capital and innovation, and what founders need to understand when building companies in today’s environment.A wide-ranging conversation on biotech investing, company creation, and the future of therapeutics.

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Luke Henry, Chief Business Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Quell Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of engineering the next generation of regulatory T cell, or Treg, therapies for immune-mediated diseases.Quell is pioneering a new approach to treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as improving outcomes in organ transplantation. Rather than suppressing the entire immune system, the company's engineered Treg therapies are designed to restore immune tolerance by precisely targeting the underlying immune dysfunction. Its platform combines advanced cell engineering, proprietary technologies to enhance Treg stability and function, and integrated manufacturing capabilities to develop potentially transformative, one-time treatments for diseases that today require lifelong immunosuppression.Luke has played a central role in Quell's journey since joining shortly after the company was founded in 2019. As Chief Business Officer and Chief Operating Officer, he oversees corporate strategy, business development, operations, and portfolio management, helping guide the company through rapid growth, major financings, strategic partnerships, and the advancement of its clinical pipeline.Before Quell, Luke was Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at Neon Therapeutics, where he helped shape the company's neoantigen T cell therapy strategy, led business development initiatives, and supported multiple financings, including the company's IPO. Earlier in his career, he was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group, advising leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on R&D strategy and immuno-oncology portfolios. He also brings a strong scientific foundation, holding an MSci in Natural Sciences with a focus on Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research, University of London.Today, we'll explore the promise of engineered Treg therapies, the challenges of building a pioneering cell therapy company, the evolving investment and partnership landscape in biotech, and what it takes to translate breakthrough science into medicines that could fundamentally change how immune-mediated diseases are treated.

Rick Batycky, CEO of Nocion Therapeutics, joins The BioHub Podcast by Avetix to discuss the company’s work in chronic cough and neurogenic inflammation.Rick talks about the scale of the unmet need in chronic cough, why the condition remains so difficult to treat, and how Nocion is approaching the biology differently. He also shares insight into the company’s lead programme, its upcoming pivotal-stage development, and what successful execution could mean for patients who currently have limited treatment options.The conversation also explores Rick’s perspective on building a focused biotech, operating as a lean virtual organisation, working with regulators, and leading a team through late-stage clinical development.

Welcome back to another episode of the BioHub Podcast.Today, we're delighted to be joined by Patrick Mooney, CEO of SpyGlass Pharma.Patrick has built an impressive career in ophthalmology, beginning in sales and progressing through a variety of leadership roles to become one of the industry's most respected executives.At SpyGlass Pharma, the mission is simple: put patients first. The company is developing innovative technology designed to transform the treatment of eye diseases, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Their groundbreaking drug-delivering lens platform represents an exciting advancement in ophthalmic care.In today's conversation, we'll explore Patrick's career journey, the vision behind SpyGlass Pharma, and how the company is working to shape the future of eye care.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni, Co-Founder and CEO of Zura Bio.Sandeep's career has spanned consulting, investing, and operating roles across biotech, including positions at BCG, Roivant, and Immunovant, before going on to co-found Tourmaline Bio and now lead Zura Bio.Zura is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases through a differentiated multi-asset strategy.In this conversation, we discuss Sandeep's journey into the CEO role, the thinking behind Zura's strategy, the lessons he's learned from building companies, and how founders should navigate today's biotech environment.We also explore company culture, portfolio building, and when founders should think about strategic exits versus building independently.

In this episode of The BioHub, Amber is joined by Trevor Martin, Co-Founder and CEO of Mammoth Biosciences.Mammoth Biosciences is developing next-generation CRISPR technologies with the goal of unlocking the full potential of programmable medicine. Founded alongside Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, the company has built a platform focused on discovering and engineering novel CRISPR systems for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.During the conversation, Trevor shares the story behind Mammoth's founding, the evolution of the CRISPR field, and why delivery remains one of the biggest challenges in gene editing today. We also discuss the transition from platform innovation to therapeutic development, the role of AI and computational biology in advancing gene editing technologies, and what the future of programmable medicine may look like.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Sean MacDonald, CEO of Kainova Therapeutics.Sean has spent more than two decades in biotech, helping build companies through strategy, fundraising, business development, and corporate leadership. Today, he leads Kainova Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company focused on unlocking the potential of GPCR biology in immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of Kainova from Domain Therapeutics, the thinking behind the company's rebrand, and why GPCR drug discovery is generating renewed excitement across the industry.We also explore leadership, company culture across international teams, the lessons Sean has learned from decades of partnerships and dealmaking, and what's next for Kainova as the company advances its pipeline.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Cameron Pitt, Co-Founder and COO of Quanta Therapeutics.Cameron's career has taken him from academic research at Stanford and UCSF, to venture investing at Versant Ventures and Sofinnova Investments, before helping form and build Quanta Therapeutics from the ground up.Quanta is focused on one of the biggest challenges in oncology: targeting RAS-driven cancers. Using a novel approach designed to restore control of RAS signalling, the company is developing therapies aimed at addressing a broad range of RAS-driven tumours.In this conversation, we discuss Cameron's transition from academia to venture capital and company building, the science behind Quanta, the realities of building a biotech company, and how the team is thinking about growth and fundraising in today's market.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Geert Kersten, Chairman and CEO of CEL-SCI Corporation.Geert has led CEL-SCI for nearly three decades, overseeing the development of the company's lead immunotherapy candidate, Multikine, and navigating one of the longest and most challenging journeys in biotech.In this conversation, we discuss the realities of building a biotech company over the long term, the persistence required to advance innovative therapies, and Geert's perspective on today's biotech market.We also explore CEL-SCI's recent clinical progress, the company's long-term vision, and the lessons Geert has learned from spending almost 30 years at the helm of a public biotech company.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharmaceuticals.Leonard is a seasoned entrepreneur and pharmaceutical executive who has spent decades building, scaling, and commercializing healthcare companies. Throughout his career, he has founded multiple successful businesses, led major transactions, and helped bring innovative therapies to patients across a range of therapeutic areas.In this conversation, we discuss Leonard's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the lessons he's learned from building companies from the ground up, and the importance of combining strong science with commercial strategy.We also explore the evolution of Citius Pharmaceuticals, the company's recent milestones, the challenges of navigating today's biotech market, and Leonard's advice for the next generation of biotech founders and leaders.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Derek Small, Founder and Managing Director of Luson Bioventures.Over the past two decades, Derek has built a reputation as one of biotech's leading venture creators, founding and leading multiple companies across neuroscience and CNS drug development. Through Luson, he has helped launch, finance, and scale businesses from inception, raising more than $1 billion in capital along the way.In this conversation, we discuss the differences between venture creation and traditional venture capital, why neuroscience remains one of the most exciting areas in biotech, and what it takes to build successful companies through changing market cycles.We also explore capital efficiency, company building in today's environment, and the lessons Derek has learned from founding and leading biotech companies over the last twenty years.

Today's guest is Edward Ahn, CEO of MEDIPOST Inc., a biotechnology company at the forefront of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapeutics. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MEDIPOST is leading the global development of innovative cell therapies designed to address inflammation-driven degenerative diseases, with a mission to move beyond symptom management and toward true disease modification.Edward leads MEDIPOST's U.S. operations and global expansion efforts for CARTISTEM®, the world's first approved allogeneic stem cell therapy derived from umbilical cord blood. Since its approval in South Korea, CARTISTEM has been used to treat more than 30,000 patients, and under Edward's leadership the company is now advancing late-stage clinical development in the United States, with one of the most ambitious regenerative medicine programs in orthopedics today.What makes Edward's perspective particularly interesting is his focus on the practical realities of turning breakthrough science into scalable healthcare solutions. He has championed a strategy that combines clinical development, manufacturing infrastructure, regulatory execution, and long-term commercialization planning from day one. That vision has included building a North American presence, forming strategic manufacturing partnerships, and creating the operational foundation required to bring advanced cell therapies to patients around the world.As regenerative medicine moves from promise to reality, Edward has become a leading voice on how biotechnology companies can successfully navigate the path from scientific innovation to global commercialization. His work sits at the intersection of stem cell science, healthcare innovation, manufacturing strategy, and venture-backed growth—areas that will define the next generation of medicine.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Randy Teel, President and CEO of Arvinas.Randy joined Arvinas in 2018 as Vice President of Corporate Development and has since helped guide the company through a period of significant growth, ultimately stepping into the CEO role. Today, Arvinas is one of the pioneers in targeted protein degradation, using its PROTAC platform to develop therapies designed to eliminate disease-causing proteins.In this conversation, we discuss Randy’s journey from strategy and corporate development into the CEO seat, the evolution of Arvinas from an emerging platform company to an industry leader, and the challenges of building and scaling a biotech company.We also explore the future of targeted protein degradation, the company’s unique partnership approach, and what’s next for Arvinas and its pipeline.

Matt Erick, Chief Commercial Officer for Advanced Markets at Biocon Biologics, joins Max on The BioHub Podcast.With more than two decades of experience across pharma, biologics, distribution, and healthcare services, Matt has helped shape commercial strategy across some of the industry's most complex and competitive markets.In this conversation, we discuss Biocon's expansion into the U.S., the integration of its generics and biosimilars businesses, the evolution of the biosimilars market, and the role these medicines play in improving patient access worldwide.We also explore the challenges of navigating policy and regulatory change, building long-term commercial strategies, and driving growth in a challenging market environment.

We were delighted to be joined by Dr. David Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of Thalia Therapeutics, onto The BioHub!David brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors, having led multiple publicly listed and private biotech companies throughout Europe and the United States. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in advancing innovative therapies, scaling organisations, securing major strategic partnerships, and delivering significant shareholder value.Prior to joining Thalia Therapeutics, David served as CEO of companies including Zealand Pharma, where he led the business through its IPO and the global approval of its lead GLP-1 therapy, and Silence Therapeutics, helping position the company as a leading player in the RNA therapeutics space. He has also held numerous board positions and remains a highly respected figure across the global biotech ecosystem.At Thalia Therapeutics, David is leading the company’s strategic focus on next-generation RNA therapeutics and novel delivery technologies, with ambitions to address major unmet needs across cardiovascular disease, oncology, and beyond.

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Peter Smith, co-founder and CEO of — a company pioneering a new frontier in RNA-processing therapeutics.Peter has spent more than two decades at the forefront of oncology and drug discovery, with leadership roles spanning Takeda, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and H3 Biomedicine before launching Remix to tackle diseases through precision RNA modulation.Remix is working to transform patient's lives through modulation of RNA processing and addressing drug targets in diseases of high unmet medical need. They're a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapies designed to reprogram RNA processing and address disease drivers at their origin. Remix's REMaster™ technology platform leverages cutting-edge data science, biomolecular sciences and chemistry approaches to identify orally administered compounds that modulate gene expression. Remix's innovative therapeutic approach led to the discovery of REM-422, a first-in-class RNA processing modulator in oncology, now being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical studies to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Ben Zimmer, CEO of Priovant Therapeutics.Ben was among the first ten employees at Roivant, helping incubate and launch multiple biotech companies before going on to found Priovant in 2021.Priovant is a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing therapies for severe autoimmune diseases — one of the most active and fast-moving areas in biotech today.In this conversation, we talk about the early days of Roivant, the inspiration behind building Priovant, why autoimmune disease has become such a major focus across the industry, and what it takes to build teams and companies in high-stakes therapeutic areas.We also discuss leadership, decision-making, and what’s next for Priovant.

Tosh joins the podcast to talk through Navigator Medicines' bispecific approach to Hidradenitis Suppurativa.Giving us the full picture, from NAV-240's Korean-origins & the 2024 $100million Series A lead by RA Capital & Forbion, to the work that went into their half-life extended next-gen molecule NAV-242 & the speedy clinical development plan that could lead to a step change in HS patient outcomes.We also discuss Tosh's learnings from a career in big pharma across the likes of GSK & AZ, why he had to 'scratch' his biotech 'itch' & the career learnings he's taking into his role at Navigator.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Kevin Finney, President and CEO of Autobahn Therapeutics, for a conversation on biotech leadership, CNS drug development, and what it takes to build companies around difficult but high-impact areas of medicine.Kevin brings deep experience across company formation, financing, business development, and exits, including leadership roles at Abide Therapeutics, which was acquired by Lundbeck, and Zavante Therapeutics, which was later acquired by Nabriva.We discussed his career journey, the lessons learned from building and selling biotech companies, and why CNS remains one of the most challenging but important areas for therapeutic innovation.The conversation also explores Autobahn’s work in neuropsychiatry, including its focus on developing differentiated treatments for depression and related CNS disorders, as well as the strategic decisions that shape clinical development, team building, and long-term value creation.A thoughtful discussion on leadership, translational science, and the realities of advancing new medicines in neuroscience.

Today we’re joined by Shane Hegarty, a neuroscientist turned biotech operator who’s spent his career at the intersection of cutting-edge brain science and therapeutic innovation. From award-winning Parkinson’s research to helping shape the mission at Axonis Therapeutics, Shane has a front-row seat to one of the most exciting areas in medicine: repairing the nervous system. We talk about the science, the startup journey, and where neuroscience is headed next.