After treating thousands of complex diabetic foot wounds and performing more amputations than he could count, Dr. Christopher Otiko returned to his biochemistry roots to solve a brutal clinical reality: systemic drugs often don’t reach the foot with enough efficacy, and the skin is an exceptional barrier to localized treatment. That bedside frustration became SkinPass, ViaDerma’s patented topical delivery platform designed to move actives through the skin using FDA-approved inactive ingredients.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Dr. Otiko, Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, to unpack his 16-year journey to a patent, the hard lessons about mentors and partners, and the ‘engineering, not medicine’ breakthrough that reframed the problem as building a bridge.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize when a clinical problem is actually a business opportunity
• The FDA monograph pathway as a strategic shortcut for biotech founders
• How Dr. Otiko has maintained motivation through 16 years of setbacks, including a $40M patent lawsuit
• Why distribution partnerships with major retailers require giving up margin

Dr. Christopher Otiko is a physician, medical entrepreneur, and founder of ViaDerma, a biotechnology company focused on transforming how medicines are delivered through the skin. Dr. Otiko’s work began at the bedside, treating complex wounds, burns, and infections, where he saw firsthand the limitations of traditional drug delivery. That clinical insight led to the creation of ViaDerma’s patented SkinPass topical delivery platform, which is now being applied across wound care, dermatology, sexual wellness, general medicine, and beyond.
Disclaimer: Pharma Sessions is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Guest opinions are their own and do not reflect the views of the host or sponsors. Use of any information provided is at the listener’s own risk and does not imply endorsement of specific products or strategies.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [02:40] From 500 Amputations to a Breakthrough in Drug Delivery
• [04:54] The Core Problem with Systemic Antibiotics
• [07:48] The Cost of the Wrong Partners
• [09:27] Advice to Innovators
• [10:08] The Christmas Eve Turning Point
• [14:13] Mid-Roll Ad
• [15:01] The FDA Monograph Pathway Explained
• [16:55] Scaling Through Distribution Partners
• [19:03] Mission Over Margin
• [19:58] What’s Next

Episode Resources:

• ViaDerma Website: https://viaderma.com/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/

 
Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.com

Disclaimer: Any reference to specific products, companies, regulatory pathways, or commercial strategies is provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or validation by the podcast, host, or sponsors.Pharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Drug launches don’t succeed at the finish line. They succeed or fail years earlier, when teams decide what evidence they’ll generate, how they’ll publish it, and which assumptions they’ll pressure-test before it’s too late. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Ana Bozas, Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, to dive into what launch readiness really means from the medical side.

What You’ll Learn:

• What medical affairs and scientific communications must do years before launch
• How publication planning determines whether launch data actually exists in the market
• What changes and what doesn’t across different diseases, patient populations, and audiences
• How to map all stakeholders involved in a patient’s journey
• Why payers evaluate drugs based on population impact and proven outcomes
  
  

Ana Bozas is a Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications leader with vast experience across rare diseases and biopharma. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, supporting clinical strategy in kidney disease as the organization prepares for a pivotal regulatory moment. Previously, Ana led scientific publications and medical communications at Ipsen, with roles at Pear Therapeutics, Ionis, Sanofi, and Akebia, giving her a unique perspective across startups and established organizations during high-stakes launch periods.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [03:20] Why Are Careers in Pharma Rarely Linear?
• [04:26] How Ana Adapts Launch Strategy From Company to Company
• [06:45] What Changes and What Never Does in Healthcare Communication
• [10:18] How Payers Decide What Gets Funded
• [11:38] Why Is Unpublished Data Invisible to the Market?
• [12:53] The Productive Tension Between Marketing and Medicine
• [14:09] How Meeting Forecasts Defines Successful Launches
• [18:13] Medical Planning Starts 5+ Years Before Launch
• [21:54] Why Publication Timelines Must Be Built Into Launch Plans
• [23:39] What Medical Can and Cannot Fix at the Eleventh Hour
• [26:32] Engaging Clinicians and Patients Early
• [31:04] One Practical Launch Action You Can Take Tomorrow

Episode Resources:

• Ana Bozas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abozas/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/ 

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.com

Disclaimer: The interviewer’s opinions are their own and do not represent those of their current or past employers. Pharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Generative AI is changing analytics in pharma, but not in the way most people fear. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Adam Mico, Principal Data and Analytics Strategist at Moderna, to dive into what future-proofing really looks like when AI lowers the barrier to building dashboards, writing code, and generating insights.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to future-proof your analytics career by developing a plus-one skill set
• Why being a multi-tool generalist matters in pharma specifically
• The strategic shift from building reports to delivering strategic insights
• How to leverage custom GPTs as practical tools inside enterprise workflows
• Why visualization, text-based insights, and conversational interfaces each have distinct roles
  
  

Adam Mico is a Principal Data and Analytics Strategist at Moderna, recognized as a hands-on practitioner who integrates generative AI into real enterprise workflows. With an unconventional career journey, transitioning from unemployment insurance law and fraud investigation to data analytics, Adam brings a unique systems-first thinking approach to solving complex problems. His expertise spans data visualization, custom GPT development, and AI-enabled analytics, with a particular focus on democratizing these tools across organizations.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [02:57] A Non-Traditional Analytics Career
• [05:25] The Plus-One Skillset to Stay Relevant
• [06:57] Why Pharma Analysts Can’t Live in One BI Tool
• [08:53] Building Custom GPTs Internally and Publicly
• [11:04] Crowdsourcing Feedback Loops
• [12:28] From Novelty GPTs to Product-Grade Systems
• [17:05] Low-Code Wireframes
• [20:26] Visual vs. Text Insights
• [23:28] GPTs for Visualization Critique, Learning Paths, and Gamified Enablement
• [30:08] Stop Fighting AI, Start Extending Your Curiosity

Episode Resources:

• Adam Mico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammico/ 
• Moderna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderna/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/ 

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Drug launches don’t succeed at the finish line. They succeed or fail years earlier, when teams decide what evidence they’ll generate, how they’ll publish it, and which assumptions they’ll pressure-test before it’s too late. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Ana Bozas, Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, to dive into what launch readiness really means from the medical side.

What You’ll Learn:

• What medical affairs and scientific communications must do years before launch
• How publication planning determines whether launch data actually exists in the market
• What changes and what doesn’t across different diseases, patient populations, and audiences
• How to map all stakeholders involved in a patient’s journey
• Why payers evaluate drugs based on population impact and proven outcomes
  
  

Ana Bozas is a Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications leader with vast experience across rare diseases and biopharma. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, supporting clinical strategy in kidney disease as the organization prepares for a pivotal regulatory moment. Previously, Ana led scientific publications and medical communications at Ipsen, with roles at Pear Therapeutics, Ionis, Sanofi, and Akebia, giving her a unique perspective across startups and established organizations during high-stakes launch periods.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [03:20] Why Are Careers in Pharma Rarely Linear?
• [04:26] How Ana Adapts Launch Strategy From Company to Company
• [06:45] What Changes and What Never Does in Healthcare Communication
• [10:18] How Payers Decide What Gets Funded
• [11:38] Why Is Unpublished Data Invisible to the Market?
• [12:53] The Productive Tension Between Marketing and Medicine
• [14:09] How Meeting Forecasts Defines Successful Launches
• [18:13] Medical Planning Starts 5+ Years Before Launch
• [21:54] Why Publication Timelines Must Be Built Into Launch Plans
• [23:39] What Medical Can and Cannot Fix at the Eleventh Hour
• [26:32] Engaging Clinicians and Patients Early
• [31:04] One Practical Launch Action You Can Take Tomorrow

Episode Resources:

• Ana Bozas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abozas/ 
• Vera Therapeutics Website: https://veratx.com/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/ 

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Jeremy Zhang, Senior Director and Head of Data Science Solutions at Otsuka, to discuss why AI initiatives succeed or fail in pharma and why it has almost nothing to do with the technology itself.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why business alignment beats technology performance
• How to avoid the vendor demo trap
• The mandatory change management framework for GenAI
• Why incremental gains beat transformational claims
• How to build trustworthy AI in a regulated environment
  
  

Jeremy Zhang is the Senior Director and Head of Data Science Solutions at Otsuka, where  he leads enterprise-wide AI and advanced analytics initiatives across R&D, clinical development, and corporate functions, helping translate complex data science into practical, decision-driving value. With prior experience at Gilead Sciences scaling AI for clinical trial optimization and real-world data integration, Jeremy brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective on what it really takes to move AI from hype to impact in pharma.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:40] The #1 Reason AI Rollouts Fail
• [02:56] How Jeremy Got Into Data Science
• [05:10] Why AI Fails When It’s Treated Like Software
• [07:02] Content Generation Pitfall
• [08:48] Why Pharma AI Fails in the Real World and How to Fix It
• [12:40] Balancing Executive Pressure for Value with Real-World Limitations
• [15:37] What Success Looks Like
• [18:09] Mandatory Roles for GenAI in Clinical
• [20:26] Why Real Change Comes From Stacked 10-50% Wins
• [23:59] The Trust Gap After ChatGPT
• [28:19] Regaining Trust with Boundaries
• [29:36] Jeremy’s Career Advice

Episode Resources:

• Jeremy Zhang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-zhang-b1256233/ 
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) Website: https://www.otsuka-us.com/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/ 

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Sean Sheffler-Collins, Director of Scientific Communications and Content at Astellas Pharma, to discuss how Medical Affairs is evolving to meet HCPs' needs through omnichannel communication strategies, accessible and engaging scientific data, and technology-enabled solutions like digital microsites and AI analysis.

What You’ll Learn:

• How MSLs earn longer, more trusted conversations with HCPs
• What clinicians actually want from pharma companies
• How curiosity-led questions outperform information-heavy opening pitches in Medical Affairs interactions
• What Medical Affairs teams can learn by systematically capturing and analyzing HCP questions and feedback
• How AI can help standardize and summarize global insights, and where human judgment is still essential
  
  

Sean Sheffler-Collins is the Director of Scientific Communications and Content at Astellas Pharma. With over 13 years of experience in Medical Affairs, Sean has helped cross-functional teams deliver impactful scientific content across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, cardiovascular, and women’s health.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [02:45] From Neuroscience to Scientific Storytelling
• [04:34] You Only Get 1-2 Minutes of Real Attention
• [07:15] Curiosity as the Real Engagement Strategy
• [09:49] Why MSL Conversations Matter More Than Commercial Touchpoints
• [13:22] Turning MSL Questions Into Strategic Insight
• [18:15] Agency vs. Pharma
• [22:24] How Innovation Gets Approved in a Regulated Environment
• [24:25] Microsites as an Omnichannels Force Multiplier
• [26:57] Metrics That Matter
• [29:49] Avoiding Firewall Chaos with Compliant Coordination

Episode Resources:

• Sean Sheffler-Collins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanshefflercollins/
• Astellas Pharma Website: http://www.astellas.com/
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.com

Pharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Trevor Landry, the Executive Director of CNS Sales at Otsuka, to unpack how commercial leaders can use data and AI without losing the on-the-ground realities that drive great selling and sustainable revenue growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to position AI as a co-pilot, not gospel
• Why transparency about AI logic is your fastest path to rep buy-in
• The precision-targeting evolution from competitor-based to insight-driven segmentation
• How to measure strategy agility without creating organizational whiplash
• The leadership multiplier effect when managing leaders versus individual contributors
  
  

Trevor Landry is the Executive Director of CNS Sales at Otsuka, leading a national field team focused on treating agitation associated with dementia. With over 25 years of experience driving product launches and revenue growth across the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Trevor brings deep expertise in sales leadership, data-driven strategy, and change management.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:54] From Sports Media to Pharma Sales
• [03:22] What Changed Over 25 Years
• [04:44] The Leadership Non-Negotiables
• [05:39] Five Dysfunctions of a Team
• [09:00] Trevor’s 3 Rules for Using AI in the Field
• [10:36] How to Win Buy-In When Data Conflicts With Instinct
• [12:46] The New Targeting Reality
• [16:05] Where AI Shows Up Today
• [21:07] Agility vs. Patience: When to Adjust Strategy
• [27:10] Leading Leaders vs. Leading Doers
  
  

Episode Resources:
Trevor Landry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlandry/
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) Website: http://www.otsuka-us.com/
Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/
XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/
Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.com

Pharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Matthew Krzywosz, Director of Scientific Communications & Content at Astellas, to explore how Medical Affairs teams can create differentiated scientific narratives, use omnichannel strategy to amplify impact, and help brands stand out in highly competitive markets.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Medical Affairs teams can build differentiated scientific narratives in crowded markets
• Why simplification strengthens scientific credibility rather than diluting it
• How omnichannel strategy supports relevance, reach, and engagement with HCPs
• What an effective global-to-local medical content model looks like in practice
• How MSLs can move from data delivery to two-way scientific exchange
• Where personalization, analytics, and emerging technology fit into the future of Medical Affairs
  
  

Matthew Krzywosz is Director of Scientific Communications & Content at Astellas Pharma, where he leads global medical content and communication strategies across multiple therapeutic areas. He brings deep experience in scientific storytelling, omnichannel engagement, and global Medical Affairs strategy, with prior roles at AbbVie and ZS Associates. Matthew is recognized for translating complex clinical data into clear, differentiated narratives that support healthcare professionals and elevate scientific exchange.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [03:02] Finding a Path Into Medical Affairs
• [05:58] Why Differentiation Starts With Clarity
• [08:33] Global Narratives and Local Realities
• [11:48] Evolving the MSL Role Beyond Data Delivery
• [13:49] Preparing for Better Scientific Conversations
• [15:45] Personalizing Scientific Exchange in Practice
• [17:11] Capturing HCP Preferences and Insights
• [19:51] Omnichannel Strategy and the Limits of Personalization
• [21:52] Staying Organized and Agile as a Leader
• [24:12] Final Advice for Medical Affairs Professionals
  
  

Episode Resources:

• Matthew Krzywosz on LinkedIn
• Astellas Pharma Website
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn
• XSUNT Corporation Website

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this special episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey steps behind the mic solo to share the evolving vision for the podcast and the personal career shift that inspired it. What began as a show centered on medical affairs is now broadening to reflect the realities of modern pharma: commercial strategy, analytics, AI, organizational change, and the people navigating it all.

Jonathan shares the story behind his move to XSUNT and why building something meaningful again became the driving force behind his next chapter. Along the way, he reflects on what AI should be doing in pharma, why niche, domain-specific tools outperform generic platforms, and how teams can move beyond manual reporting toward real strategic impact.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to evaluate a career move beyond compensation
• Why niche-specific AI beats generic tools in pharma
• The conversational AI opportunity in field operations
• Why building beats inheriting in career progression
• How to broaden your industry network while staying specialized
  
  

Jonathan Kaskey is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at XSUNT and the Host of Pharma Sessions, bringing deep expertise in pharmaceutical commercial strategy, data visualization, and AI applications in life sciences. With a proven track record of building organizations from the ground up, Jonathan combines strategic vision with hands-on execution across medical affairs, commercial field teams, and business intelligence.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:34] A Career Inflection Point
• [02:58] What XSUNT Actually Does
• [05:26] Why Deep, Pharma-Specific AI Beats Generic BI Tools
• [09:45] Mid-Roll Ad
• [10:35] Keeping Pharma Strategy Human in an AI-Obsessed World
• [12:59] Conversations That Shape the Future of Pharma

Episode Resources:

• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn
• XSUNT Corporation Website

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Martin McLaughlin, former Head of Launch and Business Excellence at Takeda, to share the frameworks and lessons that help pharma organizations align people, processes, performance, and technology for success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to break down the launch silo mentality plaguing 77% of pharma organizations
• Martin’s four-pillar launch playbook
• Why Launch Performance Indicators (LPIs) matter more than traditional KPIs
• How to operationalize scenario planning and pivot without losing momentum
• Where the real pharma AI wins actually happen
  
  

Martin McLaughlin is the former Head of Launch and Business Excellence at Takeda, bringing 25 years of industry experience spanning clinical development, sales, marketing, and launch strategy. With a background in science and industrial microbiology, he has built and led high-performing cross-functional teams through complex product launches across multiple therapeutic areas, including rare disease and competitive markets. Currently, Martin is Chief of Staff and Head of Commercial Excellence at Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:30] The Journey to Launch Excellence
• [04:02] The Four-Pillar Playbook
• [06:03] Building True Cross-Functional Teams
• [07:22] Launch Performance Indicators (LPIs)
• [08:46] The Six-Month Window That Defines Success
• [10:17] When the Market Fights Back
• [12:38] Institutional Memory for Global Teams
• [16:37] Where Tech Fits in Pharma Launches
• [20:02] Change Management and Building Capacity
• [25:00] Leading with Trust and EQ
• [26:06] Final Advice for Pharma Leaders

Episode Resources:

• Martin McLaughlin on LinkedIn
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Website
• Takeda Website
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn
• XSUNT Corporation Website

Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack:
www.pharmasessions.substack.comPharma Sessions is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so