A Dose of Reality with Charles Spence

Charles Spence
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Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys. Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field. So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter.  Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming global clinical leaders!

  1. Carl Deutsch, CSO at NBE Therapeutics in Non-Linear Careers, Age Bias, and Building Great Teams

    4D AGO

    Carl Deutsch, CSO at NBE Therapeutics in Non-Linear Careers, Age Bias, and Building Great Teams

    In this episode, I talked with Dr. Carl Deutsch, Chief Scientific Officer at NBE Therapeutics, where he shared about his path from chemistry into pharma and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Carl recalls how difficult it was to secure his first role when jobs were scarce, the pressure of multiple interview rounds, and how a non-linear career path led to both opportunities and doubts about fitting the expected mold. He discussed the differences between biotech and big pharma cultures, what it means to lead in a “cultural sandwich” role, and why accountability and agility look different depending on the environment. Carl also spoke about age bias in hiring, the importance of curiosity during interviews, and the kind of toxic hiring process that made him withdraw his application early in his career. He explained why he looks for “band members” instead of “rock stars” when building teams, how character matters more than buzzwords or tick-box credentials, and why blinded CVs often miss the real story behind a candidate. And, in a lighter moment, Carl answered a series of quick-fire questions—from his habit of quoting movies, to the kinds of conversations he avoids, to the advice he’d give to someone starting out in the industry. Here’s What You’re In For The benefits and challenges of a non-linear career pathWhy networking often matters more than a “tick-box” CVWhy blinded CVs fail to capture the real story behind a candidate Timestamps 02:20 – Scarcity and the First Job Hunt 05:10 – Non-Linear Careers and Self-Doubt 07:00 – The CV Tick-Box Trap 14:00 – Leading in a Cultural Sandwich 17:00 – What Biotech Culture Really Means 20:00 – Hiring for Accountability and Fit 23:00 – Age Bias in Pharma Hiring 30:00 – Band Members vs Rock Stars in Building a Team 32:00 – Why Blinded CVs Miss the Story 33:30 – Quick-Fire: Movie Quotes, Habits, and Career Advice About Carl Dr. Carl Deutsch, Chief Scientific Officer at NBE Therapeutics. A chemist by training, Carl earned his PhD in Dortmund, Germany, and went on to broaden his scientific horizons in the U.S. and Japan. He later added a business edge to his profile with an MBA from Mannheim Business School and ESSEC Paris. Carl played a key role in the development of Mercks first in-house antibody-drug conjugate, M9140, and also helped drive innovation as an intrapreneur, launching an award-winning project under Merck Life Science. Since 2022, he has been leading scientific strategy at NBE Therapeutics. Outside the lab, Carl has a creative side, he once took the stage as a member of an acting group and joining wild podcasts like mine. Connect with Carl: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-deutsch-phd-mba-82ba28168/ NBE Therapeutics: https://nbe-therapeutics.com/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment, I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: a...

    37 min
  2. Aleksandra Filipovic, Chief Medical Officer at Gallop Oncology on Perfectionism, Intuition, and the Risk of Building Unsafe Teams

    OCT 6

    Aleksandra Filipovic, Chief Medical Officer at Gallop Oncology on Perfectionism, Intuition, and the Risk of Building Unsafe Teams

    In this episode, I talked with Dr. Aleksandra Filipovic, CMO at Gallop Oncology, a biotech developing first-in-class galectin-9 antibodies for solid tumors and blood cancers. We talked about how perfectionism shaped her early leadership, and what it took to undo it. She shared her take on hiring by “gut feel,” why that can quietly reinforce bias, and what she looks for instead. Aleksandra also opened up about her childhood—growing up with two cancer-researcher parents, skipping school to attend medical conferences—and how that path eventually led her to leave Serbia with a six-month visa and no real plan. That risk turned into a 20-year career in the UK, and a leadership journey she never could have mapped out. She once brought a pipette to school for show and tell. These days, she reads nervous systems before resumes, believes leadership is about repair—not perfection—and says her job is to “love a drug into existence.” Later this year, Aleksandra will be leading a workshop at the Society of Integrative Oncology Annual Meeting in Boston on October 27, 2025, alongside her colleagues Dr. Anna Yusim and Dr. Steve Bierman. The session, “Creating a New Kind of Intelligence in Oncology Practice” will explore neuro-somatic intelligence, noetic medicine, and mental health in oncology and biotech. CME credits and a full training curriculum will be provided. More information below. Here’s what you’re in for: Why she’s grateful her career didn’t go according to planWhy hiring based on “gut feeling” can lead to prejudice if you’re not carefulHow perfectionism quietly seeps into leadership Timestamps: 02:00 Childhood in a Cancer-Obsessed Family 06:30 Why She Left Serbia With No Job and No Plan 09:00 When Your Career Goes “Wrong”, and It’s the Best Thing That Happens 16:45 Interview Advice: “Don’t Perform—Be Honest” 21:30 What Falls Apart When Hiring Goes Wrong 23:30 The Danger of “Gut Feel” in Leadership Hiring 33:00 What It Feels Like When Your Childhood Perfectionism Takes Over at Work 36:00 How She Regulates Herself as a Leader—and Teaches Her Team To Do the Same 39:00 The Workshop: Neurosomatic Tools for Oncology Professionals About Aleksandra: Dr. Aleksandra Filipovic is the Chief Medical Officer at Gallop Oncology, where she leads oncology asset sourcing and preclinical to clinical development strategy. With a background as a clinical oncologist and a PhD in Cancer cell biology its safe to say she knows a lot about this area.   Prior to joining Gallop, Aleks still acts as the head of oncology for PureTech health and prior to this she was with BMS and also consulted for Astrazeneca. She is a practicing clinician from Imperial College London, sits on the board of a global oncology educational platform sharing progress in cancer care and hosts a podcast “Into the Body” with Dr. Alex for OncoDaily. She practices applied neuro-somatic-intelligence with cancer patients and applies these same principles in biotech leadership.  Connect with Aleksandra: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-filipovic-md-ph-d-0b63441b/  From Our Guest — Upcoming Workshop for Oncology Professionals Are you in the oncology field, feeling the weight of burnout and seeking ways to enhance your patient care within the limited time you have in clinic? Reconnect to the core of your work with our upcoming workshop. Join Dr. Anna Yusim, @SteveBierman from Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and myself for an impactful session in Boston on October 27th from 8-9:45AM. This workshop is a part of the Society for Integrative Oncology...

    35 min
  3. Heidi Wang, CEO at OBI Pharma & Chairwoman at OBIGEN Pharma on Losing Her Father to Cancer, Hiring Without Humility, and Building a Culture That Lasts

    SEP 21

    Heidi Wang, CEO at OBI Pharma & Chairwoman at OBIGEN Pharma on Losing Her Father to Cancer, Hiring Without Humility, and Building a Culture That Lasts

    In this episode, I talked with Heidi Wang, CEO of OBI Pharma and Chair of OBIGEN, who shares her powerful story, from losing her father to cancer while raising two children, to leading oncology drug approvals at BMS, and now, building out a bold ADC pipeline in biotech. Heidi opens up about the pressures of leading during personal tragedy, how BMS supported her through it, and why she now builds teams around values like authenticity and innovation. This episode is equal parts personal and professional, offering rare insight into what true leadership looks like, especially in biotech. Here’s what you’re in for: Why staying at BMS for 30 years wasn’t plannedA behind-the-scenes look at OBI’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platformWhat authenticity looks like in interviews (with stories from Stanford PhDs to Shanghai branding workshops) TMI Segment: Coffee intake? Hint: Usual number for a regular coffee drinkerHidden gem in Taiwan? Hint: You see it every day, do not think too much.Favorite book? Hint: It has something to do with “Hidden”Most grateful for? Hint: POV of a good leader Can’t guess the answer? Listen to the episode to find out. Timestamps: 01:56 – How Losing Her Father to Cancer Shaped Her Life's Work 04:53 – “It Was Only Chemotherapy Back Then”—Facing the Limits of Treatment 06:34 – What 10,000 Stomach Cancer Patients Meant to Her 08:45 – Would She Have Quit BMS If They Didn’t Support Her?  10:21 – Why She Joined OBI and Her Vision for ADC Innovation 13:34 – What She Really Looks For When Hiring 15:34 – The Arrogance Trap in Interviews 17:16 – Humility vs. Branding: Hiring Across US and Asian Cultures 20:20 – The Worst Outcome of Rushed Hiring 22:50 – When You Don’t Need a Hire 25:40 – Quickfire Questions About Heidi Dr. Heidi Wang is the CEO of O-B-I Pharma and Chairman of OBIGen, a biotech specializing in oncology. With nearly 30 years of experience in drug development and regulatory affairs, Heidi has led approvals for immuno-oncology and antiviral drugs globally.  O-B-I Pharma has a unique pipeline of ADCs and cancer immunotherapies of which we will learn during the episode. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and completed postdoctoral training in cancer biology. She also mentors and teaches extensively - rarely accepting payment personally and always donating to charity instead, love that. She has kindly donated her time here, welcome. ​ Connect with Heidi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiwang/ OBI Pharma: https://www.obipharma.com/ OBIGEN: https://www.obigenpharma.com/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    28 min
  4. András Strassz, MD, MBA, CMO at Heidelberg Pharma – Career Crossroads, Recruiting, and Culture Fit Over CVs

    AUG 13

    András Strassz, MD, MBA, CMO at Heidelberg Pharma – Career Crossroads, Recruiting, and Culture Fit Over CVs

    In this episode, I talked with Dr. András Strassz, Chief Medical Officer at Heidelberg Pharma, to hear about his two decades of leadership in oncology drug development—and the often-overlooked realities behind building teams, designing clinical trials, and making biotech work. András opens up about key moments in his career, including the personal crisis that almost forced him to leave the industry, the turning point when he stepped into his CMO role, and what it really takes to develop first-in-class ADCs with novel payloads. We also dive deep into industry-wide mistakes—why promising clinical programs still fail because of poor design, how pressure and under-resourcing distort decision-making, and why senior leadership continues to overlook culture fit when hiring. András also shares behind-the-scenes insights into Heidelberg’s development of amanitin-based ADCs, what makes their team culture unique, and why “good enough” just isn’t good enough when you’re trying to build something from scratch. (Find out more in the episode.) Here’s What You’re In For Why culture alignment should outweigh credentials when building teamsHow to spot red flags in hiring—even before the offer stageWhat good leadership looks like in biotech—and what it never forgets Timestamps 02:18 – Why he left clinical practice and how he got his first pharma job at J&J 05:38 – Career highlights: relocating from Hungary and becoming CMO 09:09 – Career low point: near job loss during relocation and how he handled it 11:01 – Burnout in his first role and the health consequences of overwork 13:38 – Overview of Heidelberg Pharma’s ADC platform  15:58 – What defines the people and culture at Heidelberg 18:51 – Biggest industry mistakes: bad study design, rushed decisions, outdated models 26:00 – Hiring reflections: CV vs culture fit, and how interviews often mislead About András Dr. András Strassz is the Chief Medical Officer of Heidelberg Pharma, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer treatment. András specializes in early clinical development, focusing on oncology and hematological oncology. He has experience working in both Big Pharma, namely JnJ, Amgen, Novartis, and Biotechs - Polyphor, Affimed, and his current company, Heidelberg Pharma across three countries: Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland.  Outside his professional stint, his hobbies are DIY, hiking, and cooking. We have know each other for a while now, always appreciated András honesty, humour and insights and he is here to join me today - welcome. Connect with András LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/András-strassz-md-mba-a03a1147/ Heidelberg Pharma: https://heidelberg-pharma.com/en/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: a...

    38 min
  5. Steven Katz, MD, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics & Professor of Surgery at Brown University - Hiring Without Regret, Team Mismatches, and the Cost of Playing It Safe in Biotech

    AUG 4

    Steven Katz, MD, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics & Professor of Surgery at Brown University - Hiring Without Regret, Team Mismatches, and the Cost of Playing It Safe in Biotech

    In this episode, I talked with Dr. Steven Katz, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics, a biotech company pioneering off-the-shelf immune-evasive IPSC-derived cell therapies, and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. We get into why technical skills alone won’t cut it—and how the wrong hire, even if they look great on paper, can quietly derail an entire team. We talk about the pressure to stick with “proven” endpoints (even when they don’t fit the science), the temptation to play it safe, and how a quiet sense of nihilism can creep into teams when things aren’t going right. We also dig into what it’s really like managing a global biotech team, and how to make it work without losing your mind. Steven is a trained surgical oncologist and associate professor at Brown University, Steven has spent his career helping patients with solid tumors—from removing liver and pancreatic cancers in the OR to pushing the limits of immunotherapy in biotech. He was previously CMO at Trius Life Sciences. Here’s what you’re in for: What happens when you don’t clearly define what you’re hiring forHow bad hires can quietly fracture entire clinical programsWhy the “safe” development plan isn’t always the smartest—and when to take the risk anyway TMI: Things You Didn’t Know About Steven Loves tennis, history, and TRX workoutsFavorite thing in London? The West End theater scene (avoid: kids on Netflix!) Timestamps: 04:06 – Lessons from surgery that shaped his biotech career 08:35 – Advice to surgeons and doctors considering a move to biotech 13:20 – Why IPSC is so promising for oncology and autoimmune disease 17:00 – Culture clash or culture strength? Japan–US dynamics at Shinobi 22:30 – When internal alignment falls apart 24:35 – Playing it safe vs. doing what’s right 26:19 – Common mistakes Steven still sees in biotech 30:15 – The problem with drug delivery in solid tumors 31:00 – Best and worst experiences with recruiters 33:08 – What happens when you hire the wrong person 34:46 – Final question: What is Steven most grateful for in his career About Steven Dr. Steven Katz is the CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics for Shinobi Therapeutics, a biotech developing off-the-shelf, immune-evasive, iPSC-derived cell therapies, and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. He has dedicated his career to helping patients with solid tumors in the operating room and developing novel immunotherapy solutions for those beyond the reach of current standard-of-care options. Outside of his professional stint, he spends time with his children, doing TRX workouts, playing tennis, reading history and of course joining me on this podcast - welcome. Connect with Steven: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katz-steve/ Website: https://www.shinobitx.com/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and...

    36 min
  6. Christian Mueller, CDO at Immutep on Career Crossroads, Culture Missteps, and the Recruitment Disconnect in Biotech

    JUL 28

    Christian Mueller, CDO at Immutep on Career Crossroads, Culture Missteps, and the Recruitment Disconnect in Biotech

    In this episode, I talked with Christian Mueller, Chief Development Officer at Immutep. Christian’s path into biotech wasn’t exactly planned—from summarizing VC business plans during his studies to becoming a driving force behind the world’s first Claudin 18.2-directed antibody. We talked about the wins and the setbacks: from finally securing Pembrolizumab supply after years of rejections, to those painful moments when you give your all to a project, and still feel unseen. Christian also opened up about hiring, leadership, and what makes a biotech team truly work (or fall apart). He shared why Immutep has gone all-in on LAG-3, what makes their international culture different from most, and why knowing your weaknesses might just be the most underrated leadership skill. And to wrap things up, we threw in a few quickfire questions, from the book he’s reading (featuring octopuses!) to what he tries to do every single day to stay sharp. Here’s what you’re in for: The red flag that made Christian walk away from a companyWhy great hiring is about cultural fit, not just perfect CVsWhat small biotechs misunderstand most about recruitment Timestamps: 01:54 – From Economics to Biotech: How VC Summaries Led to Drug Development 07:41 – Career Lows: Feeling Undervalued and Facing a Regulatory Near-Shutdown 13:48 – Why LAG-3? The Science and Conviction Behind Immutep’s Strategy 14:34 – Inside Immutep: Low-Ego Culture, Fast Decisions, and Argument-Driven Thinking 17:00 – Hiring With Humility: The Culture Fit That Matters Most 22:47 – Cultural Fit Over Credentials: What Hiring Managers Really Want 33:44 – Quickfire Questions: Books, Octopuses, and Trying New Things About Christian Christian Mueller currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at Immutep, where he has been instrumental in advancing the company's lead compound, Efti, from Phase I through to Phase III clinical trials. ​Prior to his tenure at Immutep, Christian led the clinical development of Zolbetuximab, the first-ever CLDN18.2-directed antibody.  Christian brings a unique multidisciplinary mindset to his work, describing himself as a “translator” between different scientific and operational domains. Outside of work, he is a lifelong basketball fan and enjoys spending time in nature Connect with Christian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-mueller-05199481/ Immutep: https://www.immutep.com/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/  Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are...

    36 min
  7. Kirsty Crame-van Nierop, Director of Shiaba Consulting, Specialist on Clinical Drug Development, in Broken Hiring Cycles, IND Wins, and Surviving Biotech Burnout

    JUL 14

    Kirsty Crame-van Nierop, Director of Shiaba Consulting, Specialist on Clinical Drug Development, in Broken Hiring Cycles, IND Wins, and Surviving Biotech Burnout

    In this episode, I talked with Kirsty Crame-van Nierop, Director of Shiaba Consulting, Specialist in Clinical Drug Development. Kirsty shares her career journey, including her transition from aspiring vascular surgeon to a leader in personalized targeted therapies. We went over her key career highlights, and the challenges faced during COVID, and she gave valuable career bits of advice.  Kirsty gave insights on the importance of hiring the right people in clinical development, the balance between using consultants and in-house expertise, the cultural fit in hiring, and her experiences in the job search process, highlighting the importance of communication and feedback in recruitment. Here’s what you’re in for: The problem with "unicorn" hiring expectations.Why the best hiring decisions often begin three to six months too late.When outsourcing fails: why early-stage biotech still needs in-house decision-makers. Timestamps 01:56 From Vascular Surgery Dreams to Unexpected Beginnings 04:41 The High of an IND Win, and the Low of Leading Through Lockdown 07:25 The Career Advice That Changed Her Trajectory 09:34 Why Early Decisions Make or Break Biotech 17:52 In-House vs. Outsourced Roles 19:15 “What Do We Actually Need?” – A Biotech Hiring Dilemma 28:22 The Harsh Reality Behind Biotech Applications 32:36 The Value of Long-Term Professional Relationships About Kirsty Kirsty Crame is a seasoned medical doctor of over 12 years of experience in drug development. She got her MD in Amsterdam and since then has worked across therapeutic areas, diabetes, cancer, et cetera. But most, if not all, of her clinical development career, has been using personalized targeted therapies to find new cures to cancer. Outside of her professional life, Kirsty is a dedicated mother of two boys. She brings the same energy and discipline from the clinic to the field. She's an avid field hockey player and embraces an active lifestyle that keeps her balanced and thriving. Kirsty and I know each other as she was a candidate and then client of mine at Medigene. Connect with Kirsty: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-crame-van-nierop-418b0b38/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/  Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.

    34 min
  8. Bernhardt Zeiher, M.D. Member of the board of directors for Entrada Therapeutics, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, and Abeona Therapeutics on Lessons from Leading a Global Development Organization

    JUN 30

    Bernhardt Zeiher, M.D. Member of the board of directors for Entrada Therapeutics, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, and Abeona Therapeutics on Lessons from Leading a Global Development Organization

    In this episode, I talked with Dr. Bernhardt (Bernie) Zeiher, where he shares key lessons and personal insights from over 25 years in pharmaceutical drug development. Bernie discusses pivotal career moments, including the emotional impact of halting a promising Phase III trial for ARDS, as well as successes such as achieving six drug approvals at Astellas. He emphasizes the critical role of data-driven decision-making, thoughtful hiring, and proactive leadership in managing clinical programs.  Bernie also provides candid reflections on common organizational challenges, particularly the damaging effects of poorly executed reorganizations and layoffs. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the importance of fostering a strong, cohesive team culture, and the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation in pharma leadership. Bernie also answers some quickfire personal questions: daily coffee habit? Unusual food did Bernie try for the first time recently? Who were the mentors that shaped Bernie’s career the most? (Find out more in the episode.) Here’s What You’re In For How data shapes tough go/no-go decisions in drug development.Understanding and avoiding common mistakes during organizational restructuring.Deciding the right moment to transition from part-time consultants to dedicated in-house expertise. Timestamps 01:10 Career beginnings and transition from pulmonology to pharma 03:35 Emotional setbacks from clinical trial failures 09:00 Factors behind Astellas' multiple drug approvals 12:20 Common pitfalls organizations face during restructuring and reorganizations 16:10 Timing the shift from consultants to dedicated internal clinical leadership 19:40 How Bernie assesses culture fit and hiring red flags 26:00 Quick insights and personal reflections About Bernie Dr. Bernhardt Zeiher is a Member of the board of directors for Entrada Therapeutics, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, and Abeona Therapeutics. Dr. Zeiher is a physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine with over 25 years of experience in drug development. He played a key role in securing approval for CRESEMBA (isavuconazole) for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis.  As Head of Development and later Chief Medical Officer at Astellas, led the organization through one of its most productive periods, overseeing six late-phase development products. Connect with Bernie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhardtzeiher/ Entrada Therapeutics: https://www.entradatx.com/  Amylyx Pharmaceuticals: https://www.amylyx.com/   Abeona Therapeutics: https://www.abeonatherapeutics.com/  About me My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with me: LinkedIn: a...

    34 min
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Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys. Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field. So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter.  Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming global clinical leaders!

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