Sylke Poehling didn’t set out to lead one of the world’s most advanced gene therapy companies - but a love for drug discovery and a career built on curiosity, courage and conviction brought her there.  Now CEO of Spark Therapeutics and SVP at Roche, Sylke joins us on Careers in Discovery to share her journey from academia into Biotech, how Spark pioneered the world’s first FDA-approved directly administered gene therapy, and what it means to build the next generation of treatments - and the company culture to deliver them.  She reflects on what it takes to lead through risk and uncertainty, how to balance scientific ambition with operational focus, and why authenticity and clarity are at the heart of impactful leadership.  An inspiring conversation with a scientist-turned-CEO who’s still pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible in genetic medicine. 

What does it take to build a Biotech from scratch - with no data, no academic spinout, and nothing but two founders and two laptops? In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Federico Paoletti, CEO & Co-founder of Exogene, to find out. Federico shares the story of how he went from a PhD in cancer biology to co-founding an Oxford-based immuno-oncology Biotech, working at the intersection of AI and protein engineering to develop personalised T-cell engager therapies. He talks about why he left academia despite loving science, what “high agency” really means in a Biotech startup, how to win partnerships, funding, and talent with no track record, and how curiosity - and trust - shaped Exogene’s culture from the very beginning. If you're thinking about the leap into Biotech entrepreneurship, or flexing your leadership muscle in a startup setting, Federico’s journey will inspire you to go after the bold ideas - and find the people who will build them with you.

We're bringing you something a little bit different this week... After 6 years and almost 200 episodes of Careers in Discovery, Singular CEO Tom Froggatt is passing the torch to a new host - and we're delighted to introduce Tyler Olding. In this episode, the tables have turned, and the transition begins with - for the first time - an interview with Tom himself. Listen in to learn more about the brilliant career that has been behind Careers in Discovery, and the exciting times ahead for Tom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To download your free eBook, click the link here: The Global Hiring Blueprint

From the moment he walked out of a cinema showing Jurassic Park aged 10, Samir Ounzain knew he wanted to work with DNA. That early obsession turned into a career dedicated to understanding the 98% of our genome that doesn’t code for proteins - what’s often referred to as the “dark genome.” In this episode, Samir shares the personal and scientific journey that led to founding HAYA Therapeutics, a Biotech trailblazing an entirely new approach to treating common and chronic diseases. He explains how HAYA builds backwards from unmet patient needs, and forwards with a first-principles view of biology - putting the cell, not the target, at the centre of drug discovery. This is a story about biology, yes - but it’s also about clarity, courage, and commitment to a new model of Biotech.

When it comes to brain health, few people have dedicated more of their career to pushing the field forward than Rafal Kaminski, Chief Scientific Officer at Angelini Pharma. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Rafal shares the journey that’s taken him from medical school in Poland to leading R&D efforts across UCB, Roche, and now Angelini. Along the way, we explore his deep commitment to neuroscience, the lessons of building research teams across academia, biotech, and pharma, and the transformation taking place at Angelini - from a 100-year-old company into a focused innovator in brain health. We dive into why Angelini is investing in both cutting-edge science and public awareness, how Rafal made the leap from academia to industry, and what he looks for in people when building high-performing teams. He also reflects on the value of ambition, cultural perspective, and scientific humility when navigating a career in life sciences.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio and one of Biotech’s most experienced R&D leaders. Martin shares his journey from pharmacologist to global R&D executive, with leadership roles at Pfenex, Recursion, AstraZeneca, and Stoke Therapeutics. Now at iBio, he leads a company developing gene therapies for rare diseases - while applying lessons from decades of drug development to a new generation of science. We talk about the power of simplicity in communication, why leaders need to create space for science to breathe, and how to build R&D teams that are lean, smart, and focused on what matters most.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Erica Barnell, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Geneoscopy. Erica shares how Geneoscopy is transforming gastrointestinal health with a platform that uses RNA biomarkers from stool samples to diagnose, monitor, and help prevent colorectal cancer and other GI diseases. She talks about the inspiration behind the company, building a patient-friendly alternative to colonoscopy, and why early detection is key to changing outcomes in colorectal cancer. We also dive into Erica’s journey from MD-PhD student to entrepreneur, the challenges of shifting from product development to commercialization, and how she navigates the balance of leadership, family, and growth in a dynamic start-up environment.  

This week’s guest on Careers in Discovery is Michael Lutz, CEO of Iota Sciences and Osteolabs. Michael leads two innovative companies - one pioneering single-cell and stem cell handling technologies, the other developing early diagnostics for osteoporosis and bone metastasis. He shares his journey from chemist to Biotech entrepreneur, what he learns building capital-efficient businesses, and why staying close to the science keeps leadership challenging and rewarding. We talk about the realities of being a hands-on CEO in small companies, the importance of speed and execution in a crowded market, and how Michael uses communication to build trust and alignment within his teams. He also reflects on the evolving Biotech funding landscape, lessons from scaling multiple ventures, and why embracing the unknown is key to turning breakthrough ideas into successful products.

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we're joined by Paulo Fontoura, Chief Medical Officer at Xaira Therapeutics. Paulo shares his journey from neurology and academia into big pharma and now Biotech, reflecting on what he learns along the way. He talks about Xaira’s bold mission to use AI not just to speed up drug development, but to rethink how we do it entirely - overcoming human limitations in how we explore biology. We also discuss why he leaves a successful career in pharma for the high-risk world of startups, how he stays optimistic in the face of failure, and what it really takes to build a company that’s aiming to change the game. A thoughtful conversation with a leader bringing deep experience - and fresh perspective - to the future of drug discovery.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we're joined by Tim Sparey, Executive Chair at Tay Therapeutics and Non-Executive Chair at Concr. Tim shares his journey from early days as a medicinal chemist at Merck to a career spanning business development, CEO roles, and now chairing multiple early-stage Biotech companies. He talks about the shift from operator to portfolio leader, how he evaluates new opportunities, and why capital efficiency is a critical part of Biotech success - especially in the current market. We also dive into Tay’s approach to doing more with less, how Concr is applying AI to reshape precision oncology, and what Tim looks for in founding teams. Along the way, he reflects on the value of learning from setbacks, building trust with investors, and why simplicity, storytelling, and timing make all the difference.

Ashley Zehnder is the CEO & Co-founder of Fauna Bio, a company that uses comparative genomics and evolutionary biology to identify novel drug targets by studying how other species resist and recover from disease. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Ashley shares her journey from exotic animal vet to cancer biology PhD, and how that unique background leads her to explore biology through a completely different lens. She talks about the science behind Fauna’s work - how hibernating squirrels, among other species, reveal new insights into heart failure, obesity, and more - and how the company translates those discoveries into real therapeutic programs. Ashley also reflects on what it means to build a platform company as a non-traditional founder, the challenges of raising capital for a truly novel idea, and why she believes in running a company built on trust, focus, and adaptability.

Søren Melsing is the CEO of EXOCURE, a company harnessing the therapeutic and delivery potential of exosomes across oncology, inflammation, and beyond. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Søren shares his journey from chemical engineer to Biotech CEO, including leadership roles in R&D, commercial strategy, and company-building across Europe. He talks about learning by doing, transitioning from large pharma to start-up environments, and what it really takes to turn a scientific platform into a viable business. We also explore the promise of exosomes as a new therapeutic modality, the realities of raising investment in a tough market, and why surrounding yourself with the right people - and staying curious - makes all the difference.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Remi-Martin Laberge, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Arda Therapeutics. Remi shares his journey from academic research to building companies, the lessons he learned at Unity Biotechnology, and how Arda is using single-cell sequencing and targeted antibodies to eliminate disease-driving cells in chronic conditions. We talked about the leap from scientist to founder, applying oncology tools beyond cancer, and why curiosity and risk-taking go hand in hand in Biotech.  

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Markus Gruell, Senior Vice President of Corporate Quality at Autolus, one of the UK’s leading CAR-T therapy pioneers. Markus takes us behind the scenes of Autolus’ journey from a UCL spinout to a commercial-stage Biopharma company, offering a rare look at how quality underpins every part of the drug development lifecycle. From working across GMP and GCP to collaborating with regulators on novel therapies, Markus shares what it means to lead quality in a fast-moving, high-growth Biotech business. We also explore Markus’ personal journey - from pharmacist to QP, and from the NHS to senior leadership - guided by a passion for learning, a commitment to patient safety, and a belief in empowering his team through empathy and integrity. If you're curious about CAR-T, what quality looks like in a next-gen therapy company, or how to build a meaningful leadership career without a traditional plan, this episode is not to be missed.  

Our guest this week, Lara Campana is SVP of Research & Translational Science and a co-founder of Resolution Therapeutics, a company developing regenerative macrophage therapies for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Lara shares her journey from medical Biotechnology student in Milan to Biotech executive in the UK, and why she’s been fascinated by macrophages ever since a single line in a university lecture hinted at their regenerative potential.We talk about the origins of Resolution, how the company grew from a trio of postdocs in a university lab to a clinical-stage Biotech, and the challenges of leading teams, building culture, and letting go as a founder. Lara also reflects on the mindset shift from academic research to pragmatic, patient-focused drug development - and the lessons she’s learned along the way about influence, resilience, and finding space to think.

After nearly two decades at GSK, Pascal Lestrate took a leap into Biotech, joining Vicebio as Chief Preclinical Science Officer. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Pascal shares how the shift from big pharma to early-stage Biotech gave him a chance to return to hands-on science - and start with a blank page. We explore the pioneering work Vicebio is doing on multi-pathogen respiratory vaccines using molecular clamp technology, including how their approach could reduce the number of injections needed while improving vaccine stability and access in low-resource settings. Pascal also reflects on his rich and varied career, from molecular biology and immunology to regulatory affairs, quality systems, and digital transformation. Along the way, he shares lessons on navigating major career transitions, leading without deep technical expertise, and how curiosity, values, and a willingness to take up space have shaped his path.

From New Delhi to Kentucky to Biotech founder, Lalit Sharma’s journey into drug discovery has been one of relentless learning and ambition. In this episode, Lalit shares how his love for chemistry led him from a PhD in organic synthesis to leading cutting-edge drug discovery programs that reached clinical trials. Now the founder and CEO of a stealth-mode company tackling the data gap in AI-driven drug design, he reflects on the lessons of building small, high-impact teams, the importance of lifelong learning, and why good storytelling is as essential as good science. We also dive into the realities of building a Biotech from scratch, the role of luck (and preparation), and the power of collaboration across disciplines.  

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jelena Aleksic, a serial entrepreneur, business coach, and director at SparkBio. Jelena shares her fascinating journey from genetics researcher to founder and start-up builder, including the lessons she learned from creating seven businesses across life sciences, tech, and even live entertainment. She opens up about her transition from academia to entrepreneurship, the importance of testing ideas early with customers, and why stepping away from a company can sometimes be the right choice. We also talk about embracing curiosity, building businesses that align with your passions and strengths, and how finding the right personal fit is key to both success and happiness.

After nearly two decades in big pharma, Lars van der Veen made the leap to entrepreneurship, co-founding iOnctura, a clinical-stage Biotech developing low-disruption therapies that target the tumour-stroma crosstalk to improve patient outcomes in cancer. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Lars shares his journey from medicinal chemist to Biotech CSO, the lessons he learned building a company from scratch, and why taking the leap into Biotech offered him the chance to have real impact. He also talks about the science behind iOnctura’s approach, how focusing on quality of life - not just survival - is shaping the future of oncology, and why every founder needs a plan B.  

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Juozas Gordevicius, founder of VUGENE, a bioinformatics company making complex multi-omics data analysis accessible to scientists across academia and industry. Juozas joined us to talk about his unconventional journey from computer science into the world of life sciences, how a chance meeting with an epigenetics professor changed his career path, and the story behind founding VUGENE. We also discussed the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on omics data, the realities of building a company from scratch, and why hiring that first team member is one of the scariest - but most rewarding - moments for any founder. This is a conversation about creativity, resilience, and building bridges between technology and biology.