In this episode, I talked with Peter Tummino, President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, where he discussed what it takes to build a successful biotech R&D engine. Peter shares his insights on company culture and its impact on drug discovery, the challenges of targeting difficult-to-drug proteins, and the lessons he’s learned from decades in pharma and biotech. He also reflects on leadership in R&D, the evolution of drug discovery strategies, and what excites him most about the future of the industry.

Here's what you are in for:

• How does company culture influence scientific innovation in biotech?
• What are the biggest challenges in drug discovery, and how can teams overcome them?
• What lessons has Peter learned from his time at GSK, AstraZeneca, and Nimbus?
• What does the future of small molecule drug development look like?

Timestamps:

01:09 Career Journey

05:15 Challenges and Lessons Learned

08:33 Overview of Nimbus Therapeutics

10:14 Exciting Clinical Trials at Nimbus

11:39 Culture at Nimbus Therapeutics

15:25 Industry Observations and AI

19:16 Recruitment Insights and Experiences

25:06 Quick Fire Questions

About Peter

Dr. Peter Tummino is the President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech that designs and develops novel small molecule medicines targeting difficult-to-drug proteins. He has been in small molecule drug discovery for over thirty years, including the past 6 with Nimbus.

While at GSK, he contributed to the discovery of the approved oncology drugs (Dabrafenib, Trametinib, and Daprodustat for chronic kidney disease).  At Nimbus, he led discovery during the development of Zaso-ci-tinib, which is currently in Phase 2 & 3 for psoriasis and other I&I clinical indications.

Connect with Peter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tummino-7496753/

Nimbus Therapeutics: https://www.nimbustx.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Abigail (Abbey) Jenkins, a pharmaceutical executive with 25+ years of experience, who shares her career journey, highlighting her entry into the industry, proud achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community, and learning from both successes and failures. Abbey also discusses common mistakes companies make in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly regarding commercial potential and leadership culture. Our conversation concludes with insights on the significance of networking and support systems for women in leadership roles.

Here's what you're in:

• How did she secure her first job in the industry? 
• What were some of the highest and lowest moments of her career? 
• About Biotech CEO Sisterhood.

Timestamps:

01:04 Early Career and Entry into Pharmaceuticals

02:42 Proud Moments and Achievements in the Industry

06:07 Challenges and Learnings from Difficult Time

14:23 Industry Insights: Common Mistakes Companies Make

19:43 Leadership Challenges: People and Culture Mistakes

23:49 Quickfire Round: Personal Insights and Preferences

26:31The Importance of Community: CEO Sisterhood

About Abigail

Abigail Jenkins is a pharmaceutical executive with 25+ years of experience, most recently as CEO of Gamida Cell, where she led the FDA approval and launch of the first "pharmaceutical-grade" stem cell transplant. Previously, she was Chief Commercial and Business Officer at Lyndra Therapeutics, developing an ultra long-acting oral drug delivery platform, and SVP, Vaccines Business Unit Head at Emergent BioSolutions, leading a global team of 600 employees. She currently serves on the boards of A-questive Therapeutics and (ZOR-TEX) XORTX Therapeutics.

She began her career on the commercial side of the business, working in roles across all domains of sales, marketing, market access, operations, before expanding into business development, corporate strategy, and general management roles.

Connect with Abigail

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-jenkins-a713147/ 

About Biotech CEO Sisterhood

The Biotech CEO Sisterhood is a vibrant community dedicated to championing the success of women leaders in the biopharma industry. Rooted in a culture of mutual support and authenticity, the Sisterhood aims to inspire and uplift women while driving meaningful conversations and impact across the industry. As part of our commitment to nurturing the current and future generations of biotech leaders, the Sisterhood hosts summits, local events, and educational sessions. These programs encourage dialogue about the challenges facing women in biotech, share best practices, and enhance leadership effectiveness.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biotech-ceo-sisterhood/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

Joseph (Joe) Birkett, Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Aura Biosciences, joined our podcast to share what he’s learned over two decades in oncology drug development, including the career-defining moments and the painful missteps that shaped his approach.

Joe speaks openly about his proudest contribution—helping lead Obinutuzumab to regulatory approval—and contrasts it with one of his lowest points: watching leadership ignore safety concerns around a CDK9 inhibitor that ultimately failed in the clinic.

Here's what you're in:

• How Joe helped lead Obinutuzumab to Phase III and approval.
• The fallout of pushing a CDK9 inhibitor with flawed preclinical data.
• His experience as a CEO and the lessons he carries forward.

Timestamps:

02:22 Working on Obinutuzumab and its approval

04:51 Dealing with toxic leadership and moving on

07:18 Introducing Aura Biosciences 

15:01 What Joe looks for when hiring at Aura

19:32 Why companies rely too much on CROs

24:44 The problem with safe bets and risk-averse R&D

29:47 Quickfire round 

About Joe

Joseph Birkett is the Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Aura Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs) to treat cancers such as uveal melanoma. Joe has 25 years of oncology drug development experience, contributing to the approval of seven oncology drugs across multiple disease areas.

Prior to joining Aura Biosciences, he served as CEO of a stealth-mode EU biotech and is the founder of Crest Pharma. He holds a PhD in Psychiatric Medicine from King’s College London, and his passion extends beyond drug development to longevity, health, and wellness.

Connect with Joe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-birkett-14572410/ 

Company Website: https://www.aurabiosciences.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ 

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/ 

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Bruce Dezube, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development of Xilio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies. Here he shares his extensive career in oncology and drug development, discussing his journey from academia to industry, the challenges he faced, and the importance of patient care. He reflects on his experiences with HIV patients, the role of executive coaching in his career transition, and the vibrant culture at Xilio Therapeutics. 

Bruce emphasizes the significance of staying committed to a company for growth and contribution, and he offers valuable insights on leadership and teamwork.

Here's what you're in:

• What is the specific moment in his life or career that helped drive him to where he is today?
• The benefits of having an executive coach.
• What did he learn from his career transition during his 60s?

Timestamps:

01:30 Career Beginnings in Medicine and Oncology

04:45 Transition to HIV Treatment and Impactful Moments

10:17 The Benefits of Having an Executive Coach 

16:24 Career Transition at 60s

20:05 About Xilio Therapeutics and its Culture

28:12 Final Advice

About Bruce

Bruce Dezube is the current Senior Vice President,  Clinical Development of Xilio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies. He has worked in drug development, both in oncology and in HIV, for most of his 40 year career. He is proud to have led and contributed to teams that brought life-changing medicines to patients. He considers these patients on early treatment to be pioneers. Although he has not explored seas like Columbus or Magellan, he views his efforts as those of a modern-day explorer.

Connect with Bruce:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-dezube/  

Company Website: https://xiliotx.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano, where he discusses his career journey in the medical technology field, particularly focusing on the production of medical radioisotopes. He shares insights on leadership, the importance of building a talented team, and the societal responsibilities of his company. Chris also highlights common mistakes in drug development and reflects on a case study from his past. Our conversation emphasizes the significance of patient-centric approaches in the industry.

Here's what you're in:

• The highest and lowest career points of Chris’ career. 
• Why medical radioisotopes production is so important and how Nusano is approaching this. 
• Exploring mistakes that companies are still making today.  

Timestamps:

04:51 Proudest Moment of Chris in his Career and Leadership Philosophy

07:41 Nusano: Innovations in Medical Radioisotope Production

13:55 Building a Talented Team at Nusano

17:57 Company Culture and Societal Responsibility

19:48 Common Mistakes Companies Are Still Making Today

22:40 Case Study: The Francis Trial

30:24 Final Thoughts on Patient-Centric Drug Development

About Chris

Chris Lowe is the CEO of Nusano, a privately-held medical technology company that specializes in the production of medical radioisotopes used for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer. Chris has led 5 IPOs as a C-level executive, all focused on supporting therapeutic development, while efficiently building and scaling operations.

Prior to this, he spent 3 years with Cortexyme as COO and CFO. He has over 15 years of C-Suite experience in various private and public life sciences, medical technology, and technology companies.

Connect with Chris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislowe7/ 

Company Website: https://nusano.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this podcast episode, I talked with Kevin Lynch, co-founder of Populus Bio, where he shares his experience in drug development, particularly in oncology and hematology. He discusses his journey from medicine to the pharmaceutical industry, the cultural insights gained from working globally, and the challenges faced in both personal and professional aspects. Kevin elaborates on the innovative management approach at Populus Bio, the common mistakes made in clinical trials, and the importance of understanding biology in drug development. He also provides valuable lessons on hiring and leading teams, as well as insights into improving the recruitment process in the biotech industry.

Here's what you're in:

• How  cultural differences significantly impact on global operations of companies?
• How important is understanding the science behind drug development?
• What are big mistakes companies are still making today?

Timestamps:

01:38 Kevin's Early Career and Medical Journey

05:05 Transition to the Pharmaceutical Industry

10:37 Building and Leading Biotech Companies

12:16 Challenges and Learnings in Drug Development

15:32 Populus Bio's Unique Approach

22:01 Industry Observations and Mistakes

31:44 Hiring and Leading People in Biotech

36:07 Career Advice and Mentorship

About Kevin

Dr. Kevin Lynch is the  co-Founder, Populus Bio, a company focused on accelerating the development of therapies for debilitating diseases. He is a physician with more than 30 years experience in drug development, mainly oncology and haematology. He has worked across multiple geographies in senior roles for large, multi-nationals as well as smaller, start up companies. Previous to this he worked at Immodulon Therapeutics and as the CMO for Antengene for almost 2 years. When I asked Kevin about a proud career moment it was “Development of imatinib and facilitating one country's (Australia) role in helping define a standard of care.” He is here today on the podcast to share his career and insights from the industry. 

Connect with Kevin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lynch-6910742b/ 

Company Website: https://populusbio.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Victor Paulus, Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs at ARTBIO, where he shares his journey in the life sciences industry, discussing his career journey, challenges faced in regulatory affairs, and the unique culture at ARTBIO. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and understanding the regulatory landscape to achieve success in drug development. Victor also provides valuable insights into industry observations and offers career advice for those starting in the field.

Here's what you're in:

• What made Victor get into life science and what attracted him to regulatory affairs?
• The challenges faced and approval of Lutathera.
• Why regulatory professionals should be involved early in the development process?

Timestamps:

01:40 Victor's Early Career Journey

06:04 Career Highlights: The Approval of Lutathera

10:25 Challenges in Regulatory Affairs: The CMC Vaccine Program

18:58 The Culture and Vision at ARTBIO

25:07 Industry Observations and Common Mistakes

30:56 Career Advice for New Professionals

About Victor

Victor Paulus is the Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs of ARTBIO, a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical biotechnology. Prior to ARTBIO, he served as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for two years at Fusion Pharmaceuticals and also worked at AAA during the Lutathera approval. He has also worked on approvals including FluZone, Ze-mere-ra ,Pedia-rix, Anthim, Annovera, and Lutathera. Outside of his professional life, he has been passionate about environmental pursuits and enjoys activities such as birding, hiking, and spending time in the woods.

Connect with Victor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-paulus-25994a3/ 

Company Website: https://artbio.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Chris Leamon, Chief Scientific Officer at Fusion Pharmaceuticals, where he shares his journey in the biotech industry, discussing his early influences, the founding of Endocyte, and . He also discusses the challenges faced in drug development, the importance of leadership during workforce reductions, and the lessons learned from trial failures. Chris emphasizes the significance of execution, continuous learning, and building a strong team in the biotech field.

Here's what you're in:

• What made Chris pursue a career in oncology?
• Why did Chris join Fusion Pharmaceuticals?
• What are big mistakes companies are still making today? 

Timestamps:

02:41 Early Influences and Career Beginnings

06:43 Transitioning into Radiotherapeutics Field

13:36 The Process of Pivoting Trials

16:50 Dealing with Workforce Reduction

20:53 Joining Fusion Pharmaceuticals and Future Aspirations

24:36 Insights on Trial Failures and Learning Experiences

29:17 Hiring Practices and Building a Strong Team

34:11 Advice for Aspiring Biotech Professionals 

About Chris

Dr. Chris Leamon is the Chief Scientific Officer at Fusion Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing targeted alpha therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. He is also a scientific co-founder of Endocyte, the company that developed Pluvicto, and he has been an executive associated with two biotech acquisitions over the past six years: Endocyte (purchased by Novartis in Dec. 2018) and Fusion Pharmaceuticals (purchased by Astra Zeneca in June, 2024). Dr. Leamon earned his PhD in Biochemistry at Purdue University.

Connect with Chris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-leamon-393639b/ 

Company Website: https://fusionpharma.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Dawn Rubel, President of R&D at NexEos Bio, where she shares her career journey from a scientific technical writer to a leadership role in biotech. She discusses her experiences at Immunomedics, the development of Trodelvy, and her transition to NexEos Bio, where she focuses on eosinophilic inflammation. Dawn emphasizes the importance of teamwork, hiring the right people, and learning from failures in clinical trials. She also provides valuable advice for aspiring leaders and highlights the significance of passion in one's work.

Here's what you're in:

• Why did Dawn move into quality, regulatory, and leadership instead of staying in technical writing?
• What is the biggest lesson she learned from her career journey?
• Who does Nexeos Bio aim to help, and what is the company’s approach?

Timestamps

01:52 Dawn's Career Journey

05:20 Immunomedics and Troldevy

08:05 Joining Nexeos Bio 

11:47 Challenges and Opportunities at NexEos Bio

15:09 Failures and Lessons in Clinical Trials

22:10 Insights About Hiring and Leadership 

31:25 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

About Dawn

Dawn Rubel is the President of Research and Development at NexEos Bio, a privately held medical diagnostics and therapeutics company focused on developing innovative technologies for eosinophil-mediated diseases. Dawn has successful leadership experience in Biotech, Pharma, Medical Device from global multibillion-dollar corporations (Pfizer, Arthrex) to small biotechs (Immunomedics, NexEos Bio). She held leadership roles in safety, quality, & regulatory in her previous companies. She earned an MBA in Fairleigh Dickinson University and she did her Graduate Studies in Industrial Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics and Drug Design in Long Island University.

Connect with Dawn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rubel/ 

Company Website: https://www.nexeosbio.com/ 

About Me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Orn Almarsson, co-founder of Axelyf, where he shared his journey from Iceland to becoming a prominent figure in the biotechnology industry. He discussed his experiences at Moderna and the development of the mRNA COVID vaccine, Spikevax. He reflects on the challenges faced in drug development, the importance of mentorship, and the founding of his own company, Axelyf, which focuses on anti-inflammatory solutions. Orn emphasizes the significance of hiring passionate individuals, the need for feedback in recruitment, and the value of networking and mentorship for career success.

Here's what you're in:

• What success has he worked on Spikevax mRNA COVID vaccine, and what has he learned from it?
• What is Axelyf and its mission?
• What qualities of an individual is important when it comes to hiring?

Timestamps:

02:06 From Iceland to California

05:55 Joining Merck and Early Experiences

07:44 The Moderna Journey and Spikevax

15:26 Founding Axelyf and Its Mission

22:39 Industry Observations and Hiring Insights

32:14 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

About Orn

Orn Almarsson, co-founder of Axelyf, an Icelandic biotechnology start-up focusing on designing and developing medicines for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Orn is a pharmaceutical scientist turned executive with 30 years in the industry and has worked with multiple products including the Covid vaccine, Spikevax at Moderna. He has a PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry from UC Santa Barbara, originally from Iceland but now lives in Massachusetts.

Connect with Orn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%B6rn-almarsson-9511b86/ 

Company Website: https://www.axelyf.com/ 

About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.