How does a cancer diagnosis completely rewire your leadership style?

Why is maintaining your mindset a core responsibility of a CEO?

And what is the question every leader should ask themselves before they make a decision?

Today I’m joined by Danuta Jeziorska, the former CEO and co-founder of Nucleome and current CEO and co-founder of Uncover Therapeutics based in Oxford. Uncover is an immuno-oncology company turning cancer’s immunoshield into an immunobeacon.

And we’ll get more into the science of that towards the end of the episode.

About LifeScience ORG

It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare.

The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms.

Chapters

0:58 — Fascination With the Code of Life

5:06 — The CV in the Suitcase

12:54 — From the Lab to the Boardroom

17:20 — A Pandemic, a Diagnosis and a Company to Run

21:03 — Leading From Purpose Not Fear

25:26 — The CEO's Most Underrated Responsibility

30:48 — Why She Said Yes to Oncology

32:34 — What Europe Must Do Differently

What happens when the science you built a company on becomes the science you desperately wish could save someone close?

How do you transform as a leader as your company evolves?

And why should you actively seek out friction when building your company?

Today I’m joined by Stephanie Flueckiger, co-founder and CEO of TOLREMO Therapeutics based in Basel, Switzerland. TOLREMO is developing small molecules to reprogram cancer for longer patient benefit.

As usual, we’ll talk a bit more about the science at the end of the episode.

About LifeScience ORG

It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare.

The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms.

Chapters

0:00 — From Science to Purpose

1:17 — A Founder's Call to Action

5:52 — Tragedy at the Start

9:27 — Evolving as a Leader

14:41 — Leading Calmly Under Pressure

17:54 — The Swiss and European Ecosystem

21:30 — Communicating Across Cultures

24:42 — The Science of Drug Resistance

29:49 — Embracing Friction

Why is self-awareness the secret ingredient to good leadership?

How do you let go of a critical early team member?

And what does it take to found a company during your PhD?

Today I’m joined by Marc Gitzinger, CEO of BioVersys, a biotech based in Basel, Switzerland. BioVersys is a leader in the anti-infective space, developing new antibiotics for very highly drug-resistant infections.

About LifeScience ORG

It’s no secret that Europe is a global leader in generating translational science. We’re grateful at LifeScience ORG to have a community of over 400 life science CEOs – leaders driving change in biotech, medtech, techBio and healthcare.

The conversations inside our community – stories of conviction, navigating challenges, and making bold decisions – inspire us every week. To hear the stories, lessons, and experiences of our life science leaders, listen to A Call to Lead @ LifeScience ORG, available on all good podcasting platforms.

Chapters

01:16 — From the Lab to the Boardroom

02:51 — The Naivety That Gets You Started

04:08 — When the Board Asks the Impossible

09:12 — Managing Up: Working With Your Board

11:42 — Try Before You Buy: Choosing Independent Directors

15:25 — Three Experts, One Decision

17:05 — A Culture of Calculated Risk

19:05 — A Hub Unlike Any Other

20:40 — The Antibiotic Paradox

25:14 — Stigma, Silence, and Resistant Infections

35:15 — The Mirror Test