In this episode, I talked with Dr. Ilya Gipp, Chief Medical Officer at GE Healthcare, where he shares lessons from a career spent at the intersection of clinical medicine and medtech leadership. He talks about his journey from practicing radiologist to leading GE’s oncology strategy, the emotional highs of building impactful programs, and the frustrations of pushing forward ideas when teams aren't aligned. Ilya also reflects on the evolving role of imaging in cancer care, and why true innovation means making technology not just better, but more accessible.

He also discussed hiring and leadership: how to time a hire before it’s too late, the danger of relying on org charts, and why horizontal communication matters more than hierarchy. Ilya opens up about culture, team building, and what it really means to feel valued at work. He closes with a look ahead, sharing his excitement for global initiatives aimed at expanding cancer care in underserved regions.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why being both a doctor and an innovator became Ilya’s calling.
• A candid story of hiring too late—and what it costs him.
• Why “escalation” is a sign something’s already broken.

Timestamps:

00:54 Travel and Work-Life Balance

02:08 Career Journey and Passion for Technology

04:22 Highs and Lows in the Medical Field

08:38 The Role of GE Healthcare in Oncology

16:46 Company Culture, Hiring Insights, and Strategies

30:40 Quickfire Questions

About Ilya

Dr. Ilya Gipp is a distinguished medical professional with over two decades of experience in diagnostic imaging and oncology. As the Oncology Chief Medical Officer at GE HealthCare, he has helped shaped the company's cancer care strategy, fostering partnerships with health systems worldwide. Ilya’s academic journey began with a Doctor of Medicine with a PhD in diagnostic radiology and diagnostic imaging.

Prior to his tenure at GE HealthCare, Dr. Gipp held multiple roles at Royal Philips, culminating as Chief Medical Officer for Imaging and Oncology until 2023. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading health systems and governmental bodies globally to advance medicine and improve access to quality care.

Connect with Ilya:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyagipp/
• Website: https://www.gehealthcare.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 fully their own.

In this conversation, I talked with Michael Lahn, Chief Medical Officer of Ionctura, a clinical-stage biotech focusing on therapies for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers,

where he shared his insights on drug development, leadership, and the importance of listening in building a successful team culture. He talked about his journey in the biotech industry, discussing the highs and lows of drug development, the lessons learned from his experiences with Osimertinib, and the common mistakes companies make. Michael emphasizes the significance of curiosity, collaboration, and a strong team dynamic in achieving success in the field of oncology.

Here's what you're in:

• How did Michael get into drug development and what were some of the drivers that still push him today?
• What were some of the highest or proudest moments of his career?
• What are the key traits for success according to Michael?

Timestamps:

01:25 Michael's Journey into Drug Development

03:28 Highest and Lowest Moments in Michael’s Career

05:50 Lessons from Osimertinib Development

07:50 Mistakes Companies Are Still Making Today

10:26 The Importance of Listening in Leadership

13:02 Ionctura's Mission and Achievements

22:51 Recruitment and Working with Recruiters

29:37 Final Reflections and Gratitude

About Michael

Michael Lahn, the current Chief Medical Officer of iOnctura, a clinical-stage biotech focusing on therapies for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers.

Michael completed training in Hematology-Oncology at the University of Freiburg in Germany and served as an Instructor in Immunology at the National Jewish Department of Immunology. He spent 14 years at Eli Lilly, became part of AstraZeneca's Osi-mertinib registration team, and later joined Incyte as the Head of the Geneva Office.

Connect with Michael

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-l-4a06519/
• Company Website: https://www.ionctura.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 fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Johan Baeck, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Promontory Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing novel small molecule immunogenic anti-cancer therapies.

Johan shares insights from a career spanning large pharma (Novartis, Abbott) and biotech startups, with contributions to therapies like Vidaza, Kisqali, Zykadia, and PT-112. He also discusses why cultural fit is non-negotiable in hiring, how small molecules can trigger anti-tumor immune responses, and the personal journey of shifting from commercial to clinical focus.

In this episode, we cover:

• How small molecules like PT-112 can trigger immune responses against cancer, and why this approach stands apart from traditional immunotherapies.
• Why cultural fit is a critical success factor for biotech hiring, and how the wrong hire can break a small company's momentum.
• How CMOs in biotech balance hands-on clinical work with C-suite leadership and constant fundraising challenges.

Timestamps:

01:26 Johan’s Journey: From practicing physician to entering pharma

04:38 Lessons from a difficult career moment

04:49 PT-112 and a novel approach to cancer treatment

08:43 A culture of curiosity, openness, and diverse backgrounds

10:15 Hiring the right fit: why technical skill isn’t enough

18:46 Challenges facing CMOs in biotech

23:46 What defines a high-performing clinical team

26:03 Best and worst practices in recruitment

About Johan

Johan Baeck is EVP and Chief Medical Officer at Promontory Therapeutics. His experience spans clinical development, medical affairs, and commercial operations across large pharma and biotech. He has contributed to the development of therapies like Vidaza, Kisqali, Zykadia, and PT-112, and has lived and worked across three continents, bringing a global perspective to clinical innovation.

Connect with Johan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanbaeck/
• Website: https://promontorytx.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 fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Peter Tummino, President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, where he discussed what it takes to build a successful biotech R&D engine. Peter shares his insights on company culture and its impact on drug discovery, the challenges of targeting difficult-to-drug proteins, and the lessons he’s learned from decades in pharma and biotech. He also reflects on leadership in R&D, the evolution of drug discovery strategies, and what excites him most about the future of the industry.

Here's what you are in for:

• How does company culture influence scientific innovation in biotech?
• What are the biggest challenges in drug discovery, and how can teams overcome them?
• What lessons has Peter learned from his time at GSK, AstraZeneca, and Nimbus?
• What does the future of small molecule drug development look like?

Timestamps:

01:09 Career Journey

05:15 Challenges and Lessons Learned

08:33 Overview of Nimbus Therapeutics

10:14 Exciting Clinical Trials at Nimbus

11:39 Culture at Nimbus Therapeutics

15:25 Industry Observations and AI

19:16 Recruitment Insights and Experiences

25:06 Quick Fire Questions

About Peter

Dr. Peter Tummino is the President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech that designs and develops novel small molecule medicines targeting difficult-to-drug proteins. He has been in small molecule drug discovery for over thirty years, including the past 6 with Nimbus.

While at GSK, he contributed to the discovery of the approved oncology drugs (Dabrafenib, Trametinib, and Daprodustat for chronic kidney disease). At Nimbus, he led discovery during the development of Zaso-ci-tinib, which is currently in Phase 2 & 3 for psoriasis and other I&I clinical indications.

Connect with Peter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tummino-7496753/

Nimbus Therapeutics: https://www.nimbustx.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 fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Abigail (Abbey) Jenkins, a pharmaceutical executive with 25+ years of experience, who shares her career journey, highlighting her entry into the industry, proud achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community, and learning from both successes and failures. Abbey also discusses common mistakes companies make in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly regarding commercial potential and leadership culture. Our conversation concludes with insights on the significance of networking and support systems for women in leadership roles.

Here's what you're in:

• How did she secure her first job in the industry?
• What were some of the highest and lowest moments of her career?
• About Biotech CEO Sisterhood.

Timestamps:

01:04 Early Career and Entry into Pharmaceuticals

02:42 Proud Moments and Achievements in the Industry

06:07 Challenges and Learnings from Difficult Time

14:23 Industry Insights: Common Mistakes Companies Make

19:43 Leadership Challenges: People and Culture Mistakes

23:49 Quickfire Round: Personal Insights and Preferences

26:31The Importance of Community: CEO Sisterhood

About Abigail

Abigail Jenkins is a pharmaceutical executive with 25+ years of experience, most recently as CEO of Gamida Cell, where she led the FDA approval and launch of the first "pharmaceutical-grade" stem cell transplant. Previously, she was Chief Commercial and Business Officer at Lyndra Therapeutics, developing an ultra long-acting oral drug delivery platform, and SVP, Vaccines Business Unit Head at Emergent BioSolutions, leading a global team of 600 employees. She currently serves on the boards of A-questive Therapeutics and (ZOR-TEX) XORTX Therapeutics.

She began her career on the commercial side of the business, working in roles across all domains of sales, marketing, market access, operations, before expanding into business development, corporate strategy, and general management roles.

Connect with Abigail

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-jenkins-a713147/

About Biotech CEO Sisterhood

The Biotech CEO Sisterhood is a vibrant community dedicated to championing the success of women leaders in the biopharma industry. Rooted in a culture of mutual support and authenticity, the Sisterhood aims to inspire and uplift women while driving meaningful conversations and impact across the industry. As part of our commitment to nurturing the current and future generations of biotech leaders, the Sisterhood hosts summits, local events, and educational sessions. These programs encourage dialogue about the challenges facing women in biotech, share best practices, and enhance leadership effectiveness.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biotech-ceo-sisterhood/

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...

Joseph (Joe) Birkett, Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Aura Biosciences, joined our podcast to share what he’s learned over two decades in oncology drug development, including the career-defining moments and the painful missteps that shaped his approach.

Joe speaks openly about his proudest contribution—helping lead Obinutuzumab to regulatory approval—and contrasts it with one of his lowest points: watching leadership ignore safety concerns around a CDK9 inhibitor that ultimately failed in the clinic.

Here's what you're in:

• How Joe helped lead Obinutuzumab to Phase III and approval.
• The fallout of pushing a CDK9 inhibitor with flawed preclinical data.
• His experience as a CEO and the lessons he carries forward.

Timestamps:

02:22 Working on Obinutuzumab and its approval

04:51 Dealing with toxic leadership and moving on

07:18 Introducing Aura Biosciences

15:01 What Joe looks for when hiring at Aura

19:32 Why companies rely too much on CROs

24:44 The problem with safe bets and risk-averse R&D

29:47 Quickfire round

About Joe

Joseph Birkett is the Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Aura Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs) to treat cancers such as uveal melanoma. Joe has 25 years of oncology drug development experience, contributing to the approval of seven oncology drugs across multiple disease areas.

Prior to joining Aura Biosciences, he served as CEO of a stealth-mode EU biotech and is the founder of Crest Pharma. He holds a PhD in Psychiatric Medicine from King’s College London, and his passion extends beyond drug development to longevity, health, and wellness.

Connect with Joe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-birkett-14572410/

Company Website: https://www.aurabiosciences.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 fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Bruce Dezube, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development of Xilio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies. Here he shares his extensive career in oncology and drug development, discussing his journey from academia to industry, the challenges he faced, and the importance of patient care. He reflects on his experiences with HIV patients, the role of executive coaching in his career transition, and the vibrant culture at Xilio Therapeutics.

Bruce emphasizes the significance of staying committed to a company for growth and contribution, and he offers valuable insights on leadership and teamwork.

Here's what you're in:

• What is the specific moment in his life or career that helped drive him to where he is today?
• The benefits of having an executive coach.
• What did he learn from his career transition during his 60s?

Timestamps:

01:30 Career Beginnings in Medicine and Oncology

04:45 Transition to HIV Treatment and Impactful Moments

10:17 The Benefits of Having an Executive Coach

16:24 Career Transition at 60s

20:05 About Xilio Therapeutics and its Culture

28:12 Final Advice

About Bruce

Bruce Dezube is the current Senior Vice President, Clinical Development of Xilio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies. He has worked in drug development, both in oncology and in HIV, for most of his 40 year career. He is proud to have led and contributed to teams that brought life-changing medicines to patients. He considers these patients on early treatment to be pioneers. Although he has not explored seas like Columbus or Magellan, he views his efforts as those of a modern-day explorer.

Connect with Bruce:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-dezube/

Company Website: https://xiliotx.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 fully their own.

In this episode, I talked with Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano, where he discusses his career journey in the medical technology field, particularly focusing on the production of medical radioisotopes. He shares insights on leadership, the importance of building a talented team, and the societal responsibilities of his company. Chris also highlights common mistakes in drug development and reflects on a case study from his past. Our conversation emphasizes the significance of patient-centric approaches in the industry.

Here's what you're in:

• The highest and lowest career points of Chris’ career.
• Why medical radioisotopes production is so important and how Nusano is approaching this.
• Exploring mistakes that companies are still making today.

Timestamps:

04:51 Proudest Moment of Chris in his Career and Leadership Philosophy

07:41 Nusano: Innovations in Medical Radioisotope Production

13:55 Building a Talented Team at Nusano

17:57 Company Culture and Societal Responsibility

19:48 Common Mistakes Companies Are Still Making Today

22:40 Case Study: The Francis Trial

30:24 Final Thoughts on Patient-Centric Drug Development

About Chris

Chris Lowe is the CEO of Nusano, a privately-held medical technology company that specializes in the production of medical radioisotopes used for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer. Chris has led 5 IPOs as a C-level executive, all focused on supporting therapeutic development, while efficiently building and scaling operations.

Prior to this, he spent 3 years with Cortexyme as COO and CFO. He has over 15 years of C-Suite experience in various private and public life sciences, medical technology, and technology companies.

Connect with Chris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislowe7/

Company Website: https://nusano.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 fully their own.