Inside Pharma Leadership

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Ayla Annac, CEO and Co-Founder of InvivoSciences, to explore how precision medicine, AI, and 3D heart tissue models could help advance heart failure drug development. We discuss why traditional approaches can fall short, the importance of matching treatments to specific patient populations, and how collaboration among pharma, researchers, and investors could help bring new treatment options to patients.

Ayla Annac is the CEO and Co-Founder of InvivoSciences, where she works to advance precision medicine and improve drug development for heart failure and cardiovascular disease. Driven by the personal loss of her father to heart failure, Ayla has dedicated her career to supporting new approaches that could help researchers identify more effective treatments for specific patient populations. Her work brings together innovative technologies, AI, and patient-specific disease models to support drug discovery and clinical development.

• Precision medicine can change drug development. Treatments designed for specific patient populations may offer a more targeted approach than the traditional “one drug for everyone” model.
• AI can help improve clinical trial design. Patient data and AI-based tools may help researchers identify groups most likely to benefit from a treatment.
• 3D heart tissue models offer new possibilities. These models could help researchers study disease and evaluate potential treatments using patient-specific information.
• Heart failure innovation needs greater investment. Funding and incentives play an important role in advancing research and bringing new treatments toward patients.
• Collaboration is essential. Progress depends on pharma companies, researchers, investors, healthcare leaders, and other partners working together.
• The goal goes beyond managing symptoms. Better treatment options could help improve patients’ quality of life and address an ongoing healthcare challenge.

• Website: www.invivosciences.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ayla-annac/ 

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Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachtoachieve/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Wanda Shoer, Chief Learning Officer at Sanofi, to explore how learning and development is evolving in a rapidly changing pharma environment. We discuss reskilling, AI, learning operating models, human connection, and how organizations can create space for people to think, learn, and innovate.   

Meet the Guest 
Wanda Shoer is the Chief Learning Officer at Sanofi. Her career spans HR transformation, R&D strategy, drug development, and learning and development. Her experience across different areas of the pharma business gives her a unique perspective on connecting people, learning, and business needs in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Takeaways

• Learning has to move at the speed of change: Organizations need to invest in reskilling and upskilling as AI and new ways of working reshape the industry.
• The CLO role is evolving: Learning leaders can help connect fragmented learning efforts, reduce redundancy, and better align learning with business priorities.
• AI ownership matters less than enablement: The bigger question is whether employees are being equipped to use AI productively and innovatively in their roles.
• Context is critical when working with AI: The more relevant context people provide, the more useful and personalized AI outputs can become.
• Human connection still matters: AI can support learning, but relationships, collaboration, and human connection remain important parts of development.
• AI could create space for deeper thinking: Automating routine work may give people more time to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, if organizations deliberately protect that time.
• Learning is becoming more experiential: Wanda shares how her perspective shifted from learning through deep study and certification toward applying frameworks, coaching, and learning what is needed in the moment.

Connect with Wanda Shoer:

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

Sanofi's Website: https://www.sanofi.com/en

_______________________________________________________________________

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachtoachieve/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Brian Russon, CEO of PhenoBiome, to explore the growing role of the microbiome in health and precision nutrition. We discuss the challenges of separating science from noise, the path toward clinical validation, personalized health solutions, and how AI is helping accelerate research and innovation in healthcare.

Brian Russon is the CEO of PhenoBiome, a company focused on microbiome-driven health through precision nutrition. With a background in digital health, health technology, telehealth, and patient navigation, Brian brings experience across healthcare innovation and commercialization. He is focused on advancing science-backed microbiome solutions and building partnerships that can bring those solutions to a broader market. 

• Separating science from the noise: The microbiome market has growing interest, but clinical validation remains critical to moving beyond anecdotal claims.
• Precision nutrition is evolving: Understanding an individual's microbiome could help create more customized nutrition and health solutions.
• Prebiotics and probiotics work together: A healthy environment may be just as important as introducing beneficial bacteria.
• AI is accelerating research: PhenoBiome uses AI to support research, genetic sequencing analysis, reporting, analytics, and education.
• Healthcare innovation takes time: Brian shares why meaningful healthcare innovation often moves slower than expected, particularly because of regulatory, reimbursement, and clinical considerations.
• The microbiome could become part of routine care: Brian discusses the potential for microbiome testing to become part of annual wellness visits and preventative care.

Connect with Brian Russon and learn more about PhenoBiome:

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

PhenoBiome: phenobiome.com

Email: [email protected]

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Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachtoachieve/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Ken Sher to explore what authentic leadership really looks like. We discuss the difference between being authentic and being effective, how leaders build trust, and why helping others succeed is at the heart of meaningful leadership.

Ken Sher is a pharmaceutical industry leader with extensive experience in commercial leadership, team development, and building high-performing organizations. He brings a practical perspective on leadership, authenticity, and the responsibility leaders have to help their teams grow.

• Authenticity alone isn't enough. Being your authentic self does not automatically make you an effective or admirable leader.
• Leadership is about serving others. Great leaders focus on helping their people succeed, not simply on their own performance.
• Trust starts with authenticity. Teams are more likely to connect with leaders who are genuine and consistent in how they show up.
• Leadership requires self-awareness. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others is essential to becoming a better leader.
• People matter. The strongest leadership approach puts the development and success of the team at the center.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensher/
Website: https://shercoaching.com/

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachtoachieve/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

AI is changing how pharma professionals learn, work, and make decisions. In this episode, I sit down with Darshan Kulkarni to explore what it means to train with AI rather than simply train on AI, and how professionals can use these tools to become more effective.

Darshan Kulkarni is a lawyer, pharmacist, educator, and life sciences professional who brings a unique perspective to the intersection of law, healthcare, compliance, and AI. He teaches at Drexel University’s Thomas Kline School of Law and has extensive experience working across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

In this conversation, Darshan shares his perspective on how AI is changing the way professionals learn and work, why we should think about training with AI rather than simply training on AI, and how legal, ethical, and human considerations need to remain part of the conversation as AI continues to evolve.

• Why we need to shift from training on AI to training with AI
• How AI can become a partner in learning and decision-making
• Why AI literacy matters for pharma professionals
• The importance of human judgment and critical thinking when using AI
• How educators and leaders can prepare teams for an AI-enabled future
• Why the biggest opportunity may be learning how to work alongside AI, not simply learning how AI works

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

Website: www.kulkarnilawfirm.com

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachtoachieve/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]
  

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Keith Dodson to explore how AI is reshaping sales, expanding what sales professionals can accomplish, and changing the skills leaders need to develop for the future.

Keith Dodson brings deep experience in sales and leadership, with a focus on how technology and AI can help sales professionals become more effective while expanding their capabilities.

• AI can expand a salesperson’s territory and functional capabilities.
• The future of sales is about amplifying people, not simply replacing them.
• Sales professionals may be able to support more products, customers, and markets with AI.
• Leaders need to prepare their teams for how roles and expectations are changing.
• Human judgment, relationships, and leadership remain critical as AI becomes more integrated into sales.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithdodson/
Company/Website: http://insta-pill.com

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]
  

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Shahid Rashid, Head of Product at Oncoustics, to explore how AI is transforming diagnostics and helping clinicians detect disease earlier. We discuss the journey from startup innovation to commercialization, the realities of bringing AI-enabled medical devices to market, and why customer-centered product development is essential for scaling healthcare innovation.

Shahid Rashid is the Head of Product at Oncoustics with more than 20 years of experience in engineering, healthcare technology, product strategy, and business development. After contributing to the NIH RADx initiative during COVID-19, Shahid now leads the development of AI-powered diagnostic solutions designed to improve early disease detection and expand access to quality healthcare worldwide.

• How AI is making affordable diagnostic devices perform like high-end medical equipment.
• Why the best AI is often "invisible" to clinicians by fitting seamlessly into existing workflows.
• The challenges of scaling a healthcare startup from R&D to commercialization.
• Why customer feedback should guide every stage of product development.
• The importance of balancing innovation with safety, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Lessons for startup founders on raising capital, building the right team, and staying focused on customer needs.
• Why ethical, transparent, and scalable AI is critical for the future of healthcare.

Connect with Shahid Rashid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahidrashidsf/

Learn more about Oncoustics: www.oncoustics.com

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/video

What does it take to successfully scale AI across life sciences—and why are so many AI initiatives falling short?

In Part 2 of this conversation, I am joined once again by Parth Khanna, CEO and Co-Founder of ACTO, to explore how AI agents are transforming Learning & Development, commercial teams, and the future of work. Together, they discuss why trust, governance, and human judgment are the missing ingredients in enterprise AI adoption—and how L&D has an opportunity to become a strategic driver of AI success.

Parth Khanna is the CEO and Co-Founder of ACTO, an AI-powered Intelligent Field Excellence platform trusted by leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations. Passionate about the future of work, Parth helps life sciences companies leverage AI, agentic systems, and learning innovation to empower frontline teams, improve performance, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

• Why AI adoption is less about technology and more about trust.
• The difference between building AI workflows and empowering an AI-enabled workforce.
• How role-based AI agents improve compliance, knowledge retrieval, and field performance.
• Why Learning & Development is uniquely positioned to lead AI governance and agent certification.
• The importance of balancing AI capabilities with human judgment, empathy, and accountability.
• Practical strategies for building AI systems that people actually trust and use.

Connect with Parth Khanna

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parth-khanna/

📞 Phone: 289-800-1600

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

AI is reshaping the future of work, but success depends on more than technology. In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Parth Khanna, CEO and Co-Founder of ACTO, to explore how AI, agents, and augmented intelligence are transforming learning & development, frontline leadership, and commercial excellence in life sciences. They discuss the evolving role of L&D, why frontline managers are at the center of AI adoption, and how organizations can move beyond experimentation to create real business impact.

Parth Khanna is the CEO and Co-Founder of ACTO, an AI-powered platform trusted by leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations to improve field force effectiveness and accelerate therapy adoption. With over 50,000 field professionals using ACTO across many of the world's top life sciences companies, Parth is a recognized thought leader in AI, learning & development, and the future of work.

✅ Why AI should be viewed as Augmented Intelligence, not Artificial Intelligence

✅ How L&D teams can move from tactical support functions to strategic business partners

✅ The difference between Generative AI, AI Assistants, Agents, and Agentic AI

✅ Why frontline managers will be the key drivers of successful AI adoption

✅ How context and empathy improve AI performance and user trust

✅ The role of confidence, coaching, and personalized learning in AI-powered development

✅ Why job descriptions may be the blueprint for identifying AI opportunities

✅ How organizations can balance human connection, strategy, and judgment with AI automation

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parth-khanna/

📞 Phone: 289-800-1600

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FREHTkAhT3VdZDdFa3jCV?si=85102c378a05412f

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@coremanagementtraining86/videos

In Episode 10 of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with David White to explore the journey from scientific discovery to real-world patient impact. From drug development and commercialization to venture capital and biotech innovation, this episode dives into the business and science behind bringing life-changing therapies to market.

Meet the Guest
David White is a biopharma executive with more than 20 years of experience in drug discovery, strategic partnerships, and platform development. As SVP of Drug Discovery at ProteinQure, David has helped bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and commercially viable therapies across biotech, pharma, and venture-backed organizations.

Key Takeaways

• Value creation and resource management in biopharma
• Decision-making based on unmet medical needs and landscape analysis
• The black box of early drug discovery and its excitement
• Transition from early discovery to commercialization with Target Product Profiles
• Drug repurposing and repositioning strategies
• Remote work and technology in drug discovery
• Challenges of raising capital in biotech
• Building a strong scientific advisory board for investment
• Balancing scientific innovation with business strategy
• Time as a critical resource in drug development

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Biopharma Leadership
• 01:13 The Journey of a Biopharma Leader
• 02:22 Value Creation in Drug Development
• 04:05 The Shift in Drug Discovery Dynamics
• 06:16 The Excitement of Early Drug Development
• 08:34 Transitioning from Discovery to Commercialization
• 12:15 The Process of Drug Repurposing
• 17:54 Business Aspects of Drug Development
• 21:24 Challenges in Raising Capital
• 26:14 Navigating Capital and Time Constraints
• 27:59 Closing Thoughts on Drug Discovery

Connect with David White

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-white-pharmaceuticals-biopharmaceuticals/
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Keith Willis & Inside Pharma Leadership

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-pharma-leadership/id1882373713