x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Emerging Biotech Leader

Biotech—it"s complicated. A successful product launch requires grit, determination, and clear direction. But let’s be real, the path to launch isn’t a straight one. There are curves, hard turns, and dead ends. Here’s the good news, you don’t have to navigate the complexities alone. Welcome to The Emerging Biotech Leader, where we help biotech leaders maximize the value of their therapeutics from clinical development to product launch.

business life sciences

All Episodes

36:28

50 Episodes in: Lessons from The Emerging Biotech Leader

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/11/10

Kim and Ramin celebrate the anniversary of The Emerging Biotech Leader, marking three years, 50 episodes, and listeners across 50 countries. Unlike past episodes with guests, this milestone is a reflective conversation between the two hosts, weaving together the themes and lessons that have emerged across the series. Lesson 1: Leading Without Certainty Biotech is defined by ambiguity, and success requires clarity of direction rather than certainty of outcomes. Teams and stakeholders respond

en

24:03

Biotech Leadership: The CEO–CMO Dynamic

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/11/06

In this conversation, Kim Kushner and Adriana Valenciano, Head of Client Delivery at SSI Strategy, take a closer look at what truly drives progress in early-stage biotechs. Picking up on themes first raised by Dr. Ed Tucker, they explore how leadership partnership, the structure of a Target Product Profile, and the intentional use of AI all shape how young organizations grow. In biotech’s earliest stages, the relationship between the CEO and Chief Medical Officer often determines whether a

en

38:32

From TPP to Teamwork: Creating Structure as a Biotech...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/10/09

Being a Chief Medical Officer looks very different on the inside than it does from the outside. In this episode, Dr. Ed Tucker talks openly about what he’s learned after serving as CMO in companies big and small. He traces his path from large pharma training grounds to the unpredictable world of startups, and what that shift taught him about adaptability, trust, and resilience. Along the way, Ed talks about: Carrying the pressure of being “the voice of the science” in front of investors and

en

25:29

Adapting Biotech Leadership Across Development and...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/09/11

Biotech leaders are asked to do a lot; move fast, manage limited resources, and guide teams through very different stages of development. In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, host Kim Kushner talks with Dr. Benit Maru, Senior Vice President at SSI Strategy, about what it really looks like to lead in that environment. They cover: The contrasts between early and late development leadership, and why those transitions can feel like two different roles How scenario planning and

en

46:28

The CMO’s Role in Building a Scalable Biotech Strategy

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/08/28

In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, Kim Kushner speaks with Dr. Michael Goldstein, ophthalmologist and multi-time Chief Medical Officer, about the realities of biotech leadership across modalities and development stages. Dr. Goldstein reflects on lessons learned from leading clinical programs in small molecules, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies, and drug-device combinations. The discussion highlights what remains consistent across modalities such as the need for

en

16:35

Designing Patient-Centric Trials That Work

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/07/24

What does it take to bring patient-focused values into the real decisions that shape drug development, especially when you're moving fast, working lean, and under pressure to deliver? In this episode, host Kim Kushner speaks with Victoria Oswald, Vice President at SSI Strategy, about how biotech teams can start small but think deliberately when embedding patient input and cultural intent into early-stage development. Together they explore: Why even basic decisions in Phase I, like

en

31:37

Build the Company You Say You Are: How culture shapes...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/07/08

In this episode, Kim speaks with Jill Milne, Ph.D., CEO of Astria Therapeutics, about what it really takes to build a biotech company around patient needs, not just in mission statements, but in everyday decisions. Drawing on her 25+ years in pharma and biotech, Jill shares how Astria is redefining what it means to be patient-first, why culture is more than a slogan, and how leaders can align boards and investors behind values that also deliver business results. They talk

en

23:26

From Vision to Viability: The Decisions That Define a...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/06/26

What does it really take to launch a biotech company that lasts? In this episode, host Kim Kushner sits down with Dr. Marcia de Souza Lima, a physician-executive whose journey spans clinical care, global pharma, investment, and startup leadership. Together, they explore the earliest days of company formation—where every decision, from team design to product development, can shape the long-term path of the organization. The conversation begins with a familiar framework—the “Five P’s” of

en

36:23

Five Fundamentals for Building a Biotech That Lasts

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/06/13

In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, host Kim Kushner speaks with Al Beardsley, CEO of Cirius Therapeutics, about the foundational principles that guide sustainable biotech company building. A seasoned operator with experience across early discovery and late-stage development, Al introduces his “Five P’s” framework—a practical, clear-eyed guide for leaders responsible for turning science into durable enterprise value. The discussion covers: Product – How to ensure scientific

en

15:36

The Many Shapes of a CMO

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/05/30

In this episode, Chief Business Officer Kim Kushner talks with Dr. Carrie Brownstein, SVP Medical at SSI Strategy, about how to think through the fit between a biotech leader and their company’s stage of development. Carrie shares lessons from her own path from large pharma to biotech and how different kinds of experience shape what a CMO can offer at different points in a company’s growth. They talk about building the right kind of support team, knowing your own limits, and making space

en

35:01

Expanding the CMO Role: The Value of Difference

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2025/05/15

In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, Chief Business Officer Kim Kushner and Dr. Carrie Brownstein, SVP Medical at SSI Strategy are joined by Dr. Chrystal Louis, Chief Medical Officer at TScan Therapeutics, to discuss how different professional experiences shape leadership approaches in the biotechnology sector. Dr. Louis brings extensive experience across clinical development and medical affairs, with a career spanning pediatric oncology, industry leadership roles, and the

en

36:35

The Road Ahead: Biotech in 2025

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/12/18

As biotech innovation accelerates across therapeutic areas organizations face complex strategic decisions about their future. In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, former EMA Director Dr. Thomas Lönngren offers insights into the market dynamics and organizational requirements that will define success in 2025. Several key themes emerged from our discussion that will shape the industry's trajectory in the coming year. A Fight for Funding The funding environment remains challenging,

en

24:37

Conducting the Medical Office

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/12/03

When does a biotech need a Chief Medical Officer? "If you're asking, you probably needed one yesterday," suggests Dr. Benit Maru in this straight-talking episode of Emerging Biotech Leader. The SSI Strategy medical lead breaks from convention, arguing that early-stage organizations - particularly those in rare disease or novel modalities - can't afford to postpone medical leadership. His analysis cuts through traditional timing metrics to focus on strategic impact and organizational

en

32:22

Right Time, Right Team: How to Optimize Medical...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/11/18

Have you ever wondered what makes a great biotech CMO? In this episode of the Emerging Biotech Leader, Dr. Steven Zelenkofske shares the practical, hard-earned insights he’s gained from his five CMO positions and multiple board roles, offering straightforward advice on how CMOs can step in early, build strong executive relationships, and drive clinical programs to successful outcomes. This episode is your behind-the-scenes look at the evolving role of biotech’s top medical leaders. Steven

en

16:43

The New Board Game: Strategic Moves in Biotech

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/11/04

The relationship between biotech leadership and their boards is evolving, particularly as private equity takes a larger role in the industry. In this episode of the Emerging Biotech Leader, Nick Amigone from Amulet Capital Partners offers a unique perspective on building effective board relationships from the private equity vantage point. The conversation explores three distinct board structures that shape company governance: Public Company Boards: Diverse shareholders acting as fiduciary

en

35:24

Supercharging Biotechs: The Power of Strategic Board...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/10/22

How can biotech CEOs and their boards foster strong, trusting relationships that drive effective decision-making and long-term success? In this episode of Emerging Biotech Leader, host Kim Kushner explores this critical question together with Don de Bethizy. Don is a seasoned life sciences executive with over 30 years of experience, having served as a founder and CEO as well as board member and advisor. The episode highlights key strategies for building trust, setting clear objectives, and

en

25:50

How Smart Risk Management Safeguards Your Biotech...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/10/07

In this episode of "The Emerging Biotech Leader" podcast, host Ramin Frahood speaks with Helen Kargaryani, VP Global Head of Quality/Quality Services at SSI Strategy. With over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Helen shares her expertise on quality and risk management. Risk management in these industries is a critical process that helps companies identify, prioritize, and mitigate potential issues affecting their operations, compliance, and financial

en

44:57

Where Risk Meets Opportunity: Strategies for MedTech...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/09/24

This episode offers critical insights on leveraging risk management as a strategic advantage in medical device development. In a conversation with Ramin Farhood, Bijan Elahi, with over 30 years of experience, provides a roadmap for integrating safety considerations into innovation pipelines, potentially accelerating time-to-market and enhancing competitive positioning. Key Strategic Takeaways: Early integration of risk management, starting at the concept stage, can significantly reduce

en

24:25

Patients as Partners: A Winning Strategy for Drug...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/08/29

The latest Emerging Biotech Leader podcast tackles the important topic of patient-focused drug development, offering valuable insights for the biotech industry. Our host Kim Kushner engages in an insightful dialogue with Dr. Laurie Smaldone-Alsup, SVP Regulatory Science at SSI Strategy, who brings years of hands-on regulatory experience to the conversation.Laurie’s career, spanning from pioneering HIV/AIDS treatments to her current work in rare diseases, underscores a powerful message:

en

26:42

Rare Diseases, Real Lives: Bridging Patient Needs and...

The Emerging Biotech Leader ·

2024/08/16

On this episode of Emerging Biotech Leader, Kim Kushner sits down with Edward M Kaye, M.D., CEO and director of Stoke Therapeutics, to talk about his work in rare disease drug development.Throughout their conversation, Ed describes the challenges of first-in-class drug development. He explains the importance of understanding diseases thoroughly and the value of natural history studies. He also discusses making the case for long-term research to investors and the lack of established

en

57 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...