In this episode, we talk to Deborah Dunsire, board chair at Neurvati Neurosciences, multiple times board member, and a former CEO of Lundbeck. With more than 3 decades of experience, Deborah has navigated organizations of every size through change, uncertainty, and opportunity.

We explore what it takes to lead in today’s biopharma landscape - from rolling up your sleeves in biotech to streamlining decisions in big pharma, and from balancing short-term survival in a capital-constrained environment to laying the groundwork for long-term innovation. Deborah also shares insights on the interplay between boards and executive teams, the pitfalls of wishful thinking in drug development, and why engaging beyond the four walls of a company is essential for shaping the future of the industry.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - Guest introduction: Deborah Dunsire
01:51 - Growth experiences
03:40 - Lessons big pharma and biotech can learn from each other
12:51 - Behind the strategy table - strategic leadership in biopharma
23:22 - Navigating the biotech “winter” - prioritization & survival strategies
32:22 - Beyond the company - ecosystem engagement and policy influence
43:27 - Diversity, leadership and women in pharma
53:54 - Final reflections and book recommendations
56:07 - Reflections and takeaways

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to watch the episode in video format, you can also get the podcast on YouTube, just search for Cures & Capital.

If you want to connect with Deborah Dunsire:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahdunsire/

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Andrée Bates, founder and CEO of Eularis, a company helping clients accelerate pharma business results through Artificial Intelligence.

We explore how the biopharma industry can move beyond scattered pilots toward strategic, enterprise-wide AI integration. Drawing on decades at the forefront of AI in pharma, Dr. Bates shares practical insights on building the foundations for long-term value creation and turning AI into a true competitive advantage. We also dig into how to calculate ROI on AI, avoid the “spray and pray” trap, and why the future of pharma might look more like science fiction than we think.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

You can also watch this episode on YouTube, just search for Cures & Capital.

If you want to connect withDr. Andrée Bates:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-andree-bates/

Or get in touch with Eularis:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eularis/

Website: https://eularis.com

If you would like to read Romy & Roby:

Website: https://romyandroby.ai

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

How did China become a serious force in global biotech in just over a decade?

This is the insider story of China's biotech boom!

Dr. Leon 'Jun' Tang, founding partner of InScienceWeTrust BioAdvisory, joins Cures & Capital to unpack the rise of Chinese biopharma.

From talent migration and government planning to innovation in ADCs and the challenges of commercialization.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & Leon’s global background

01:13 - Guest introduction - Leon 'Jun' Tang

05:35 - Impact of Chinese biotech innovation at biomedical conferences

14:30 - The wave of China-to-West licensing deals

18:00 - Understanding the rise of China's biotech industry

22:00 - Push & pull: why Chinese scientists leave the West

24:40 - Government strategy & capital markets as biotech catalysts

34:30 - Could India, Africa, or the Middle East replicate China’s path?

37:25 - How do Chinese biotech industry parks look in practice?

46:46 - How fast and cost-effective are Chinese biotech companies?

52:05 - Impact of Chinese biotech on the US and EU

59:26 - When will China have its own Pfizer or Eli Lilly?

01:05:30 - Closing reflections by Martin & Simon

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to get the episodes as just audio, you can also get the podcast from Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you want to connect with Leon:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leontangbiotech/

Here's a link to Leon's article in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery:

Analysis of China-to-West pharmaceutical licensing deals in 2024

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 24, 411-412 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41573-025-00068-0

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, we talk to Jason O’Neill, former CEO of Dendreon and Iridium Therapeutics, and author of The Secrets of Successful Drug Launches.

This conversation is a practical guide to new drug launches, packed with Jason's hard-won insights. We explore why so many launches fail, the psychology behind adoption resistance, what meaningful relative advantage really means, how to plan for a successful launch, and when you actually need to start thinking about commercialization.

This episode will shift how you think about launching new drugs, and what it truly takes to do it successfully.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to watch the episode as a video, you can also get the podcast from YouTube, just search for "Cures & Capital".

If you want to connect with Jason:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-o-neill-1b8a2349/

You can get his new book "The secrets of successful drug launches" from:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Successful-Drug-Launches/dp/B0DZ6RFTCN

This book is packed with insights and practical tips, and all proceeds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in memory of Jason’s father. Buying it is truly a win-win, you gain valuable knowledge while supporting a meaningful cause. 

Links to some of the articles and books that we discussed in this episode:

McKinsey's analysis on "Pharma’s first-to-market advantage" 
Link: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/pharmas-first-to-market-advantage#/

Paper: "Pharmaceutical forecasting: throwing darts?"
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd4127

HBR articles:
"Eager Sellers and Stony Buyers: Understanding the Psychology of New-Product Adoption"
Link: https://hbr.org/2006/06/eager-sellers-and-stony-buyers-understanding-the-psychology-of-new-product-adoption

"Marketing Malpractice: The Cause and the Cure"
Link: https://hbr.org/2005/12/marketing-malpractice-the-cause-and-the-cure

"What is Strategy?"
Link: https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy

"The Hidden Traps in Decision Making"
Link: https://hbr.org/1998/09/the-hidden-traps-in-decision-making-2

Books:
"Diffusion of Innovation"
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75599989-diffusion-of-innovations-5th-edition?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HrX5m6p9k8&rank=2

"Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger"
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/944652.Poor_Charlie_s_Almanack

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, we talk to Jason O’Neill, former CEO of Dendreon and Iridium Therapeutics, and author of The Secrets of Successful Drug Launches.

This conversation is a practical guide to new drug launches, packed with Jason's hard-won insights. We explore why so many launches fail, the psychology behind adoption resistance, what meaningful relative advantage really means, how to plan for a successful launch, and when you actually need to start thinking about commercialization.

This episode will shift how you think about launching new drugs, and what it truly takes to do it successfully.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to watch the episode as a video, you can also get the podcast from YouTube, just search for "Cures & Capital".

If you want to connect with Jason:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-o-neill-1b8a2349/

You can get his new book "The secrets of successful drug launches" from:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Successful-Drug-Launches/dp/B0DZ6RFTCN

This book is packed with insights and practical tips, and all proceeds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in memory of Jason’s father. Buying it is truly a win-win, you gain valuable knowledge while supporting a meaningful cause. 

Links to some of the articles and books that we discussed in this episode:

McKinsey's analysis on "Pharma’s first-to-market advantage" 
Link: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/pharmas-first-to-market-advantage#/

Paper: "Pharmaceutical forecasting: throwing darts?"
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd4127

HBR articles:
"Eager Sellers and Stony Buyers: Understanding the Psychology of New-Product Adoption"
Link: https://hbr.org/2006/06/eager-sellers-and-stony-buyers-understanding-the-psychology-of-new-product-adoption

"Marketing Malpractice: The Cause and the Cure"
Link: https://hbr.org/2005/12/marketing-malpractice-the-cause-and-the-cure

"What is Strategy?"
Link: https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy

"The Hidden Traps in Decision Making"
Link: https://hbr.org/1998/09/the-hidden-traps-in-decision-making-2

Books:
"Diffusion of Innovation"
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75599989-diffusion-of-innovations-5th-edition?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HrX5m6p9k8&rank=2

"Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger"
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/944652.Poor_Charlie_s_Almanack

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

Over the past few months, we’ve had the chance to speak with some of the sharpest minds in the industry—thinkers and practitioners who have shaped how we understand drug innovation, R&D productivity, portfolio strategy, and other critical topics.

In this episode, we bring together the major insights and lessons, highlighting patterns that emerged across the different conversations.

We also spotlight the unique takeaways from each guest to help ensure these key learnings really stick. Whether you're an R&D leader, investor, innovator, or strategist, these insights will help you rethink how to create real, lasting value in an industry undergoing rapid change.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to get the episodes as just audio, you can also get the podcast from Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, we talk to Aaron Schact, the CEO and Board Director at BiomEdit and former R&D leader at Eli Lilly and Elanco. 

We discuss how to improve biopharma's R&D productivity and the industry's "grand challenge", why R&D productivity is the mental model for managing R&D at scale, practical advice on how to approach and work with R&D productivity, and much more!

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to watch the episode as a video, you can also get the podcast from YouTube, just search for "Cures & Capital".

If you want to connect with Aaron or read about BiomEdit:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronlschacht/
BiomEdit: https://www.biomedit.com

Research paper: "How to improve R&D productivity: the pharmaceutical industry's grand challenge"
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd3078

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Matthias Krings - a senior partner at Catenion, a biopharma strategy consulting firm.

Matthias is a seasoned veteran in biopharma strategy.

In this conversation, he shares his playbook for achieving success as a biopharma company.

As critical pillars for biopharma success, we dive into strategy processes, decision-making, and effective R&D risk management.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

You can also watch the full episode on our YouTube channel.

Get in touch with Catenion: www.catenion.com

You can get in touch with Matthias through the Catenion website or via LinkedIn. 

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

How do venture capitalists think? And how do they define and create value in the life science industry?

In this episode, we talk to Stephan Christgau, founding partner of Eir Ventures, about the VC mindset, investment decision-making and portfolio strategy. We dive into how VCs assess risk, balance high-stakes opportunities, and what could pharma and biotech companies learn from the VC way of doing things.

If you want to connect with us - we would love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to get the episodes as a video, you can watch our talking heads on YouTube.

If you want to connect with Stephan or read about Eir Ventures:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephan-christgau-6464392/
Eir Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eir-ventures/

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.

In this episode, we sit down with Murray Aitken, Executive Director of the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, to discuss the trends shaping the life sciences industry in 2025 and beyond.

How do we navigate the life sciences industry in times of great uncertainty?

Murray has observed the life sciences industry for decades and lays out his balanced perspective of the state of the industry and the underlying uncertainties, challenges and opportunities. This episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to know what is going on in the industry. 

If you want to connect with us - we'd love to hear from you:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

If you prefer to watch the episode, check our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@CuresCapital

If you want to connect with Murray or follow up on the latest insights from IQVIA:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murray-aitken-iqviainstitute/
IQVIA: https://www.iqvia.com/

Report: 2025 Indicators of Progress for Advancing Health Globally
Link: https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/2025-indicators-of-progress-for-advancing-health-globally

Report: Global Trends in R&D 2024: Activity, productivity, and enablers
Link: https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/global-trends-in-r-and-d-2024-activity-productivity-and-enablers

Disclaimer: This podcast and activities related to it are completely independent from our day jobs. All the views and opinions expressed through this channel are solely our own and do not represent or in any way reflect the views and opinions of the companies we work for.