Life Science Success Don Davis PhD, MBA

In this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Rafael G.
Amado, an esteemed leader in oncology research and development, currently serving as
the President and Head of Global Oncology at Zai Lab. With a distinguished career
spanning multiple leading biotech firms, Dr. Amado brings a wealth of experience in
gene-engineered cell therapies and innovative cancer treatments.
 
Professional Background: Dr. Rafael G. Amado is currently the president and head of global oncology at Zai Lab. He has a rich background in medicine, starting with his education in Spain, followed by a move to the U.S. where he specialized in Internal Medicine and later Hematology Oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Passion for Oncology: Dr. Amado's interest in oncology stems from its complex nature and the multifaceted approach it requires, combining diagnostics, therapeutics, and a detective-like inquiry into patient cases. His career shift towards oncology was influenced by its holistic approach to patient care and his personal drive to solve complex medical puzzles.
Research and Development Focus: At Zai Lab, Dr. Amado oversees oncology research and development, focusing on gene-engineered cell therapies among other innovative treatments. He has been involved in significant breakthroughs, such as determining drug inefficacies in patients with certain genetic mutations, which has influenced global regulatory changes in cancer treatment.
Corporate and Global Strategy: Under Dr. Amado’s leadership, Zai Lab has approved six drugs in China, with a strong emphasis on addressing grievous illnesses through open innovation. He is instrumental in expanding the company's global reach, aiming to impact a broad patient base internationally by aligning clinical trials and regulatory strategies across diverse geographic locations.
Vision and Future Goals: Dr. Amado is committed to advancing drug development that significantly outweighs potential risks with therapeutic benefits. He is driven by a mission to impact oncology treatment on a global scale, with ambitious goals to reach approximately a million patients by 2030 through continuous innovation and strategic drug development.

This week on the Life Science Success Podcast my guest is Dan Lunz. Dan Lunz is the CEO and Co-founder of Previse, a pioneering company based in Baltimore, Maryland, that specializes in offering tests for the prediction and earlier detection of upper-GI cancers.




 
Background of Dan Lunz: Dan Lunz, CEO and co-founder of Previse, shares his journey from growing up in Baltimore, serving in the Marine Corps, experiencing healthcare firsthand as a patient in the VA system, to studying at Johns Hopkins and working in clinical research. His career path was significantly influenced by his desire to serve others, leading him to the life sciences sector.
Formation of Previse: Lunz's collaboration with Dr. Steven Meltzer, a professor at Johns Hopkins, sparked the founding of Previse. They focused on developing diagnostic tools for early detection of upper GI cancers based on Meltzer's research on biomarkers. Their shared mission was to improve patient outcomes through innovative medical technologies.
Previse's Diagnostic Innovations: Previse specializes in detecting and predicting upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The company offers a commercial test called ESO Predict, which assesses the risk of esophageal cancer in patients with conditions like Barrett's esophagus, helping physicians strategize patient management and surveillance intervals.
Challenges and Leadership Insights: Throughout the interview, Lunz discusses the entrepreneurial challenges of securing funding and navigating regulatory landscapes. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and humility in leadership, learning from rejections, and the critical role of assembling a talented team to overcome complex challenges.
Future Goals and Impact: Looking forward, Previse aims to expand access to its existing diagnostics across the U.S. and continue developing non-endoscopic tools and medical devices to enhance GI cancer detection. Lunz is driven by the potential impact of their technology in preventing cancer and improving patient care, underscoring his dedication to service and innovation in life sciences.

In this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast our guest is Leonard Mazur, CEO and Co-Founder of Citius Pharmaceuticals. With over 50 years of experience in the biopharma industry, Leonard has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.
 
Background and Entry into Biopharmaceuticals: Leonard Mazur, CEO and co-founder of Citius Pharmaceuticals, began his career through an unexpected newspaper ad, leading him to pharmaceutical sales. His liberal arts background as a psychology major did not initially suggest a career in biopharma, highlighting the unpredictability of career paths.
Early Career Development: Mazur's rapid career advancement occurred within Cooper Laboratories, an entrepreneurial company where he transitioned from sales to marketing and strategic planning. This period involved substantial growth through acquisitions, providing him with a broad range of experiences in the pharmaceutical sector.
Entrepreneurial Ventures: Throughout his career, Leonard Mazur has initiated multiple entrepreneurial efforts, ultimately leading to the founding of Citius Pharmaceuticals. His story is marked by significant risk-taking, including personal financial stakes in business initiatives, reflecting his deep commitment to his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Focus of Citius Pharmaceuticals: Citius Pharmaceuticals, which Mazur co-founded, is dedicated to developing innovative treatments for critical care. A key product from Citius is an antibiotic lock solution for treating infections in central venous catheters, illustrating the company's commitment to addressing complex medical needs.
Views on Industry and Innovation: Mazur discusses the critical role of the biopharmaceutical industry in global drug development, emphasizing the potential risks to innovation from policy changes such as the implementation of socialized medicine. His insights reflect on the industry's dynamics and the importance of sustaining an environment conducive to pharmaceutical innovation.

In this episode of Life Science Success, we sit down with Marc, an entrepreneur, certified coach, and a beacon of leadership in the life sciences and business coaching sectors. Marc shares his journey from the entrepreneurial services group at EY to founding and leading companies in the life sciences field, and how he leverages his vast experience to mentor and inspire others towards professional excellence and personal growth. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of business acumen and scientific innovation, and discover Marc's unique approach to fostering success in the competitive world of life sciences.
 
Marc Cote's background includes a transition from being a CPA at Ernst & Young to becoming an entrepreneur and certified coach, focusing on leadership within the life sciences. He credits his father, a second-generation business owner, for influencing his career path and emphasizing the importance of a strong business foundation. During his career, Cote identified a gap in leadership and soft skills training among highly technically trained professionals in the life sciences. He aims to help these individuals realize their potential not only as scientists but also as visionary leaders and effective managers. Cote discusses his journey from consulting at Ernst & Young to launching his own companies that supported biotech and small pharmaceutical companies. He emphasizes the value of leadership coaching to enhance emotional intelligence (EQ), crucial for effective leadership. The podcast conversation covers Cote's approach to coaching, focusing on understanding and leveraging one's strengths and appreciating different leadership styles. He highlights the importance of continuous personal development and adaptability in achieving career advancement within the life sciences.

In this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Darwin Shurig, founder and CEO of Shurig Solutions.  Darwin brings strategic value to medical device, life science, and pharma companies. Darwin is responsible for most, if not all, business processes, including project management, recruitment, sales, operations, quality, and regulatory affairs, to mention a few.
 
Guest Introduction: Darwin Shurig, the guest, is introduced as the founder and president of a company involved in the recruitment industry, particularly within the life sciences sector. Darwin shares his journey of starting the business, highlighting his prior experience in clinical respiratory therapy and his transition to entrepreneurship nearly nine years ago.
Business Challenges and Insights: Darwin discusses the challenges he faced as a newcomer to the business and recruitment industries. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, learning from failures, and the critical role of understanding market needs and analytics to sustain a business in a competitive environment.
Recruitment Philosophy and Strategies: Throughout the interview, Darwin explains his approach to recruitment, focusing on the importance of specialization, understanding client needs, and delivering value without having to return fees. He stresses a high client acceptance rate and successful placement track record as indicators of his company's effectiveness.
Industry Perspective and Future Outlook: Closing the conversation, Darwin reflects on the broader industry trends, including the impact of technology like AI on recruitment and other business processes. He is optimistic about the potential of new technologies to enhance business efficiency and expresses curiosity about future developments in life sciences and AI.

In this episode of Life Science Success, host Don Davis has a conversation with Dr. Mohit Jain, a physician scientist with extensive experience in physiology, biomedicine, and mass spectrometry. Dr. Jain shares his unique journey from clinical training to leading breakthroughs in mass spectrometry and computational biology.
He discusses the inception of Sapient Bio, a company that leverages mass spectrometry to unlock new horizons in drug discovery and patient diagnosis by analyzing thousands of molecules in the human body. They explore the future of medicine, emphasizing personalized therapy and the potential to diagnose diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's years in advance.
Dr. Jain also sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in biotech, the impact of computational biology, and the pivotal role of Sapient Bio in pioneering the field of drug discovery. The conversation concludes with Dr. Jain's reflections on leadership, inspiration, concerns, and what excites him about his work, offering deep insights into the promising future of life sciences.
 
Key Highlights: 
01:23 Introducing Dr. Mohit Jain: A Multifaceted Scientist
02:04 The Journey to Sapient Bio: Unraveling Dr. Jain's Career Path
03:39 The Evolution of Mass Spectrometry and Its Impact on Health
06:45 Sapient Bio: Democratizing Access to Advanced Technologies
13:33 Challenges and Opportunities in Leading a Biotech Company
16:54 The Future of Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine
23:47 Sapient Bio's Differentiation and Future Prospects
29:24 Leadership Insights and Personal Reflections from Dr. Jain