Careers in Discovery

Ulrika Norin, Serendo Therapeutics

From a childhood hospital bed to the founding of her own Biotech company, Ulrika Norin’s journey into drug discovery has been anything but conventional. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we speak with the founder and CEO of Serendo Therapeutics about her mission to transform treatment for autoimmune disease - starting with a breakthrough she made during her PhD.

Ulrika shares how a long-standing fascination with the immune system led her to discover Endothelin A2 as a key regulator of autoimmunity, and how that science laid the foundation for Serendo. She talks openly about the leap from scientist to CEO, the pressures of leadership, and what it really means to build something from scratch.

We also explore her time at Karolinska and Omnio, the importance of mentorship and networks, and why the best advice is to follow your gut - even if the path isn’t linear.

If you're curious about what it takes to spin out an idea into a company, balance passion with pressure, and lead with authenticity, this is one for you.

 

Manuela Zonca, NeoVac

What happens when a scientist trained in immunology finds herself leading biology at a cutting-edge mRNA Biotech? In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we sit down with Manuela Zonca, VP of Biology at NeoVac, to find out.

Manuela shares her fascinating career journey across Europe - from academia in Spain and France to Biotech leadership in the UK - and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She talks about the importance of following your gut, learning through mistakes, and why adaptability, teamwork, and mentorship are central to scientific success.

We explore Manuela’s role at NeoVac, a clinical-stage company pioneering mRNA delivery for vaccines, autoimmune disease, and more, and how she’s helping expand the platform into new therapeutic areas.

Whether you're thinking about transitioning from academia to industry, building a leadership career in science, or just curious about where mRNA is headed next, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

Jostein Dahle, Blue Wave Therapeutics

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jostein Dahle, Chief Technology Officer at Blue Wave Therapeutics.

Jostein has spent over two decades in radionuclide therapy, taking discoveries from the lab to patients. Now, he's developing a new treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and challenging brain cancers, using targeted radionuclide therapy derived from Norwegian seaweed.

We talk about his journey from academia to Biotech, the hard lessons of building and scaling a company, and why following the science, staying agile, and knowing when to walk away are critical in drug discovery.

Jostein also shares his experience of entrepreneurship in Biotech, the challenges of funding innovative treatments, and what’s next for Blue Wave as they move towards the clinic.

Karin Conde-Knape, Novo Nordisk

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Karin Conde-Knape, Senior Vice President of Global Drug Discovery at Novo Nordisk.

Karin’s career has taken her from a PhD in cardiovascular science to leadership roles in big pharma, business development, and drug discovery. Now, she oversees early-stage research, external innovation, and portfolio strategy at one of the world’s most successful pharmaceutical companies.

We discuss how Novo Nordisk has transformed over the past seven years, the importance of human-centric drug discovery, and why AI, external partnerships, and a more holistic approach to disease biology are shaping the future of the industry.

Tune in for brilliant insights on navigating an international career, the power of cross-disciplinary thinking, and why leadership in science requires both vision and adaptability.

Dave Hallett, Recursion

This week on Careers in Discovery, we welcome back Dave Hallett, now Chief Scientific Officer at Recursion, following the recent merger with Exscientia.

The last five years have been transformative for Dave, from leading AI-driven drug discovery at Exscientia to navigating one of Biotech’s biggest IPOs and stepping into the CEO role in a challenging market. Now, he’s focused on proving that AI-designed medicines can deliver real impact, with clinical results beginning to emerge.

We discuss the evolution of AI in drug discovery, the lessons Dave has learned leading a publicly listed company, and why the industry must focus on reducing drug development failure rates to make new medicines more accessible.

A fascinating conversation with a leader at the forefront of Biotech innovation.

 

Mikko Turunen, RNatives

This week on Careers in Discovery, Emma sits down with Mikko Turunen, founder and CSO of RNatives, a company pioneering RNA activation for therapeutic use.

Mikko’s journey has taken him from academia to Biotech entrepreneurship, with more than 25 years in gene therapy. He shares the story behind RNatives, the challenges of launching a company in a tough funding climate, and the resilience required to keep going when setbacks arise.

Emma and Mikko talk about navigating the transition from scientist to entrepreneur, building a startup from the ground up, and the importance of networking, persistence, and adaptability in the Biotech world.

This episode offers a candid look at what it takes to turn breakthrough science into a thriving business.

Josef Christensen, ImmuneAGE Bio

This week on Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Josef Christensen, Chief Operating Officer at ImmuneAGE Bio.

Josef started out in academia, completing a PhD at Harvard Stem Cell Institute, before moving into consulting, venture capital, pharma, and Biotech startups. Now, he’s leading efforts to rejuvenate the immune system and combat age-related disease.

He shares his journey from scientist to business leader, the challenges of fundraising in today’s climate, and why mentorship, sponsorship, and big pharma experience can be game changers for those looking to enter Biotech.

Josef’s insights are essential listening for scientists, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating career transitions in drug discovery.

 

Dominique Verhelle, NextRNA Therapeutics

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Tom sits down with Dominique Verhelle, Co-Founder, President and CEO of NextRNA Therapeutics, a company pioneering the use of long non-coding RNAs in drug discovery.

Dominique takes us through her unconventional journey - from aspiring flight attendant to Biotech entrepreneur - sharing the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She talks about the challenges of leading a startup through uncertainty, balancing science and business as both CSO and CEO, and why strategic timing is key in career growth.

We also discuss the evolution of the dark genome field, NextRNA’s recent partnership with Bayer, and what’s next for this exciting company as it moves towards the clinic.

A fascinating conversation on leadership, resilience, and pushing the boundaries of biology.