The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Robert Plenge, EVP & Chief Research Officer, BMS: Reinventing Drug Discovery

   Synopsis: The drug discovery industry faces a persistent challenge: 9 out of 10 drugs entering the clinic fail, underscoring the need for a better path from biological insight to transformative medicine. Host Rahul Chaturvedi speaks with Robert Plenge, Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, about how causal human biology, genetics, novel targets, and emerging technologies are reshaping drug discovery. Robert traces his unconventional journey from aspiring orthopedic surgeon to physician-scientist, human geneticist, and R&D leader, sharing how treating patients with autoimmune disease exposed the gap between controlling symptoms and creating medicines capable of fundamentally changing the course of disease. He explains why understanding causal human biology is critical to improving clinical success rates—and why an industry-wide concentration on the same validated targets risks limiting true innovation. The conversation explores BMS's approach to target diversity and first-in-class innovation, the promise of immune reset and functional cures in autoimmune disease, and how targeted protein degradation is creating new possibilities for patients. Robert also offers a measured view of AI in R&D—from designing higher-quality molecules faster to modeling early clinical data—while emphasizing that technology still depends on understanding the underlying biology. Robert and Rahul also examine the rise of “blended innovation,” where academia, biotech, pharma, and technology partners increasingly work through interconnected ecosystems rather than a traditional linear handoff. Beyond science, Robert shares candid lessons on mentorship, failure, uncertainty, and navigating the “jagged line” of a career—ending with a memorable principle: hold your why tightly and your how loosely. Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on what it will take to move beyond incremental drug development and build the next generation of medicines. Biography: Robert Plenge, MD, PhD is Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he leads scientific activities across nine research sites around the world, all focused on transforming patients’ lives through science. Prior to his current role, Robert served as head of Discovery & Translational Sciences at BMS, a role that spanned all therapeutic areas at the company. Robert joined BMS as part of the Celgene acquisition in November 2019. At Celgene, he served as vice president, Immunology & Inflammation portfolio, Research & Early Development. Prior to joining Celgene, Robert was vice president and Head of Translational Medicine at Merck. Robert received his MD and PhD from Case Western Reserve University and holds a BS from the University of California, San Diego. He completed his internal medicine residency as a molecular medicine fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. He served as rheumatology fellow at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and postdoctoral research fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. He was an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate member of the Broad Institute while practicing clinical rheumatology and running a research laboratory at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Robert is an author of more than 125 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, and frequently posts updates to his personal blog, Plenge Gen, commenting on critical discovery moments with a focus on the resulting patient impact. He is a recipient of several academic and corporate awards and currently serves on the Board of Directors for BioMarin, Alltrna and the PhRMA Foundation.

   September 24, 2026·46min
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   Number 2: Nello Mainolfi, Founder, President & CEO, Kymera: Pioneering Targeted Protein Degradation

   Synopsis: What does it take to turn a once-fringe scientific idea into a new approach to drug discovery—and build a biotech company around it for the long haul? In this episode of Biotech 2050, host Rahul Chaturvedi sits down with Nello Mainolfi, Founder, President & CEO of Kymera Therapeutics, to explore his journey from chemist and drug hunter to biotech founder, and the decade-long evolution of Kymera into a leader in targeted protein degradation. Nello shares how scientific curiosity first drew him to protein degradation when the modality was barely known across the industry, why he believes biotech companies must “earn the right to grow,” and how Kymera made the pivotal decision to move away from oncology and concentrate its resources on immunology. He also discusses Kymera’s clinical progress, including its STAT6 and IRF5 degrader programs, and the potential for oral medicines to address pathways historically targeted by injectable biologics. Beyond the science, Nello offers lessons from his evolution as a first-time founder CEO—from hiring and retaining the right people to building trust, preserving culture as an organization scales, knowing when to go deep and when to delegate, and maintaining resilience amid the constant demands of leading a public biotech company. Tune in for a conversation about scientific conviction, disciplined company building, targeted protein degradation, and why people and culture can ultimately matter as much as the technology itself. Biography: Nello is Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Kymera Therapeutics. Under his leadership, Kymera has advanced a novel modality and built a pipeline of multiple clinical stage, first-in-class degrader programs across a variety of indications; developed a best-in-class drug discovery platform; raised close to $3 billion in capital and formed strategic collaborations with major biopharmaceutical companies. Nello began his career at Novartis, leading cross-functional teams that identified several novel investigational medicines including the first-in-class, FDA approved, factor B inhibitor iptacopan. Nello studied at Imperial College, University of London and The Scripps Research Institute in California and has authored more than 100 publications and patents. He is passionate about helping teams achieve what has not been done before and scaling Kymera into a leading global biopharma company.

   September 16, 2026·39min
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   Number 3: Nick Myerberg, Partner & Head of AI at Braidwell on AI's Next Era in Drug Discovery

   Synopsis: The guest on today's podcast is a representative of Braidwell LP, a registered investment adviser. Braidwell invests on behalf of its clients and either holds, or may in the future hold, positions in the securities discussed. His statements are not intended to provide investment advice, discuss comprehensive investment risks, or constitute an offer to transact in any security. The information presented is for general information purposes only and will not be updated. For years, AI has promised to transform drug discovery—but why hasn't that promise translated into more approved medicines? In this episode of Biotech 2050, host Rahul Chaturvedi sits down with Nick Myerberg, Partner and Head of Artificial Intelligence and Technology at Braidwell, for an in-depth discussion on where AI in biotech has succeeded, where it has fallen short, and why the next generation of AI-native drug discovery may finally deliver breakthrough therapies. Nick traces the evolution of computational biology—from early mathematical models to AlphaFold and today's emerging agentic AI systems—and explains why proprietary data, scientific judgment, and tightly integrated laboratory feedback loops are becoming the real competitive advantage. He shares how Braidwell evaluates AI-first biotech companies, what separates lasting platforms from hype, and why the future belongs to organizations that redesign discovery around AI rather than simply adding AI to existing workflows. The conversation also explores autonomous laboratories, AI-designed medicines, the changing economics of biotech, and the evolving role of scientists in an era where human expertise and machine intelligence increasingly work side by side. Whether you're an investor, biotech founder, researcher, or AI enthusiast, this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of drug discovery. Biography: Nick Myerberg, Partner and Head of Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Braidwell Nick Myerberg is a Partner and Head of Artificial Intelligence and Technology at Braidwell, a life sciences investment firm dedicated to building and backing companies that transform human health. Working at the intersection of computation, biology, and capital allocation, Nick engineers systems that shape investment decisions and scientific discovery, and he invests in the scientists and founders forging AI-native approaches to biology. Before joining Braidwell, Nick built machine learning systems at Bridgewater Associates and at S&P Global’s Kensho Technologies. He was also a founding volunteer at NeighborShare, a nonprofit that connects families in need with local donors. Nick was selected as a member of the inaugural 2026 cohort of the Aspen Institute's Technology Leaders Initiative, a fellowship within the Aspen Global Leadership Network bringing together senior leaders shaping the future of artificial intelligence and frontier technologies. Nick is broadly interested in how advances in computation reshape the pace and structure of scientific discovery, and in building the discovery infrastructure required to increase the world’s scientific bandwidth. Nick earned a B.A. from Wesleyan University and later studied history and philosophy of science at the University of Cambridge.

   August 03, 2026·48min
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   Number 4: Fred Aslan, Artiva CEO, on Cell Therapy’s Next Wave, RA Trials & Scalable NK Platforms

   Synopsis: At the heart of JPM 2026’s biotech buzz, Alok Tayi sits down with Fred Aslan, CEO of Artiva, to explore how bold platform bets, scalable cell therapies, and autoimmune breakthroughs could reshape medicine. Fred traces his journey from medical school in Brazil to consulting at BCG, venture capital, and ultimately founding multiple companies—sharing why following curiosity, not rigid career ladders, shaped his path. Fred dives deep into the bottlenecks holding back traditional CAR-T therapies—manufacturing complexity, cost, hospitalization, and toxicity—and explains how Artiva’s off-the-shelf NK-cell platform aims to change the paradigm. The discussion explores why rheumatoid arthritis became Artiva’s lead indication, how immune “resets” could redefine autoimmune care, and what’s ahead in 2026 as the company prepares registrational trials and expands its basket studies across lupus, myositis, scleroderma, and more. The episode closes with rapid-fire takes on AI in drug development, China’s accelerating biotech engine, rare disease trial models, and the strategic principles founders should follow when choosing indications and building durable platforms. Biography: Fred Aslan, M.D., has a 20-year track record as an executive and investor in the life sciences industry. He was most recently President and CBO at Vividion Therapeutics, where he was responsible for business development, finance, alliance and project management, and operations. Dr. Aslan had the opportunity to lead Vividion’s Series B financing and $135M-upfront collaboration with Roche. Prior to Vividion, Dr. Aslan had a 12-year affiliation with Venrock. Initially he was an investor from 2006 to 2013, when he cofounded and served as a board member of Receptos Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene for more than $7 billion). Dr. Aslan led Venrock’s investment in Zeltiq (acquired by Allergan for more than $2 billion) and was involved in the early formation of Fate Therapeutics. Subsequently as an entrepreneur from 2013 to 2018, he was CEO of Adavium Medical, a Brazilian medical device company, which he grew from zero to 350 employees, sales of over US$40 million, and fully integrated R&D, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities. Prior to Venrock, Dr. Aslan was Director of Business Development and Head of Investor Relations for CuraGen, a Nasdaq-listed oncology-focused biotech company. Prior to CuraGen, he was a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Dr. Aslan holds a B.S. in biology from Duke University, an M.D. from Yale School of Medicine, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

   February 11, 2026·26min
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   Number 5: Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna, on tRNA Platforms, Rare Disease & Drug Innovation

   Synopsis: At JPM 2026 in San Francisco, Alok Tayi welcomes Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna, to Biotech 2050 for a powerful conversation at the intersection of personal mission, platform biology, and rare-disease drug development. Michelle traces her two-decade career across Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, and Novartis—and the moment everything changed when her child was diagnosed with a rare disease. That experience led her to Alltrna and its pioneering engineered tRNA platform, designed to correct nonsense mutations across hundreds—potentially thousands—of genetic disorders with a single therapeutic approach. Together, Alok and Michelle explore how tRNAs work, why “stop-codon disease” could redefine rare-disease classification, and how basket trials borrowed from oncology may accelerate development. They dive into delivery strategy, portfolio expansion into CNS and muscle disorders, regulatory innovation, and how AI is reshaping molecular design—offering a rare look at what it takes to build a first-in-class modality from the ground up. Biography: Michelle is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years in the industry spanning commercial and research & development (R&D) responsibilities. Prior to Alltrna, Michelle served as Worldwide Franchise Head, Solid Tumors at Novartis Oncology, where she was responsible for delivering the disease area strategies across multiple tumors and led business development efforts resulting in a doubling of long-term portfolio value for the franchise. Previous to Novartis, Michelle was a senior leader at AstraZeneca and as Global Franchise Head in Hematology, she was critical in launching multiple indications worldwide for CALQUENCE®. Prior to this, Michelle was Head of US Oncology, where she led the business through dramatic growth in both team and revenue through eight-plus product launches. Previous to AstraZeneca, Michelle was with Bristol-Myers Squibb for 10 years in various positions of increasing responsibility including roles in sales, marketing, and market access in the US and UK, and above market in Europe (based in France) and global almost exclusively in oncology. Michelle started her professional career in R&D, working hands-on with patients at the Oncology Clinical Trials Unit at Harvard Medical School before moving into industry in clinical operations. Outside of her corporate responsibilities, Michelle is a wife and mother to three children and is a member of the rare disease community. She is currently serving a Board appointment for the non-profit organization Rare Disease Renegades, a purpose that fuels her passions both personally and professionally.

   February 10, 2026·27min
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