Cures & Capital

In this episode, we speak with Jan Lundberg – former President of Lilly Research Laboratories and Head of R&D at Eli Lilly and Company.

With a career spanning academia, biotech, and big pharma, Jan has contributed to the development of more than 30 approved medicines, including Brilinta, Iressa, Nexium, Taltz, Trulicity, Verzenio, and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro). He also played a central role in one of the most remarkable growth stories in the industry.

We explore what it really takes to turn around an R&D organization – from inheriting late-stage failures and pipeline setbacks to rebuilding decision-making, culture, and scientific rigor. We dive into the core levers behind this transformation, with a particular focus on culture – from empowering teams and simplifying decision-making to fostering true cross-functional collaboration across the value chain.

We also discuss decision-making under uncertainty in pharma – how experienced leaders balance data with judgment, and what it really means to make high-stakes portfolio decisions. Along the way, Jan shares candid insights on competition with Novo Nordisk, the evolution of the GLP-1 space, and why long-term success ultimately comes down to people, culture, and scientific courage.

If you want to connect with us:

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

You can find this podcast on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts - just search for Cures & Capital.

If you want to connect with Jan Lundberg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-m-lundberg-77729a95/

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 investors really value biotech? Former hedge fund investor and biotech analyst Hartaj Singh explains how Wall Street thinks about risk, biology, clinical trials, and uncertainty - and why biotech valuation is both art and formula.

Hartaj Singh on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartaj-s-35614670/

Check out Hartaj's newsletter:

The Biotech Capital Compass - https://hartajsingh1.substack.com/

Subscribe to the Cures & Capital podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!

Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/cures-capital-podcast

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 Jeff Holder and Adam Siebert, Partners and Managing Directors at L.E.K. Consulting, about the rapidly evolving world of advanced drug modalities. 

With years of experience advising clients across the life sciences industry, Jeff and Adam sit at the intersection of cutting-edge science and the real-world constraints of getting medicines to patients. Together, we unpack the past, present and future of advanced drug modalities, the science and the strategic implications behind them, and explore what it really takes to bring these breakthroughs to market.

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 Jeff Holder:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-holder-ph-d-7a391087/

If you want to connect with Adam Siebert:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-siebert-8772b327/

If you want to read more about/from L.E.K. Consulting:
Website: https://www.lek.com/

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 of Cures & Capital, Dr. Sheila Gujrathi — biotech entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Gossamer Bio — shares her perspective on how to elevate female leaders and underrepresented voices in biopharma.

She discusses lessons from her 25+ years leading companies and investments, and why inclusive leadership is key to innovation and value creation.

We also dive into her book, The Mirror Effect, and her mission to inspire the next generation of women in biotech.

Check out Sheila's book (released Nov. 4, 2025) on her website:

https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/ 

🎙️ Hosted by Martin Slezak and Simon Birksø Cures & Capital — the podcast about value creation in biotech and pharma.

We are also on YouTube ---> SUBSCRIBE and be part of the conversation!

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 Scott Berry, President and Senior Statistical Scientist at Berry Consultants - a pioneer in adaptive and Bayesian clinical trial design. With more than 25 years of experience designing trials for pharma, biotech, and government agencies, Scott has helped reshape how we think about learning in drug development.

We explore what it really means to “learn as you go” in clinical trials - from the limitations of the traditional frequentist model to the promise of adaptive and Bayesian designs that evolve with the data. Scott breaks down why these methods can de-risk programs, optimize capital use, and accelerate decision-making, while still maintaining scientific and regulatory rigor.

We also discuss adoption barriers, cultural inertia in big pharma and the evolving stance of regulators. Along the way, Scott shares insights on trial efficiency, Bayesian thinking in investment committees, and why he expects future of drug development to look much more Bayesian than it is today.

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

If you prefer to get the episodes in an audio form, you can get the podcast from Spotify and Apple Podcasts, just search for Cures & Capital.

If you want to connect with Scott or follow up on some of his work:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-berry-52b8025b/
Berry Consultants: https://www.berryconsultants.com/
In the Interim: https: https://www.berryconsultants.com/podcast

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 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.