Careers in Discovery

Lars van der Veen, iOnctura

After nearly two decades in big pharma, Lars van der Veen made the leap to entrepreneurship, co-founding iOnctura, a clinical-stage Biotech developing low-disruption therapies that target the tumour-stroma crosstalk to improve patient outcomes in cancer.

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Lars shares his journey from medicinal chemist to Biotech CSO, the lessons he learned building a company from scratch, and why taking the leap into Biotech offered him the chance to have real impact. He also talks about the science behind iOnctura’s approach, how focusing on quality of life - not just survival - is shaping the future of oncology, and why every founder needs a plan B.

 

Juozas Gordevicius, VUGENE

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Juozas Gordevicius, founder of VUGENE, a bioinformatics company making complex multi-omics data analysis accessible to scientists across academia and industry.

Juozas joined us to talk about his unconventional journey from computer science into the world of life sciences, how a chance meeting with an epigenetics professor changed his career path, and the story behind founding VUGENE.

We also discussed the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on omics data, the realities of building a company from scratch, and why hiring that first team member is one of the scariest - but most rewarding - moments for any founder.

This is a conversation about creativity, resilience, and building bridges between technology and biology.

Mirko Buchholz, PerioTrap

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Mirko Buchholz, Co-founder and Managing Director at PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals, a Biotech company on a mission to revolutionize oral health by tackling one of the most widespread and underestimated diseases in the world - periodontitis.

Mirko shares how a passion for chemistry and biology sparked his journey into drug discovery, and how his training in pharmacy gave him the unique ability to translate across scientific disciplines. He takes us through the ups and downs of building PerioTrap, from the science behind their microbiome-preserving approach to gum disease, to winning funding competitions, to a chance investor encounter that doubled their seed round.

We also talk about resilience in Biotech, the realities of raising money for an overlooked therapeutic area, and why Mirko believes patience, curiosity, and adaptability are the essential traits for any scientist considering the leap into entrepreneurship.

 

Annelise Vuidepot, Immunocore

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Tom meets with Annelise Vuidepot, Chief Technology Officer and UK Site Head at Immunocore, one of the UK’s most successful Biotech companies.

Annelise was there on day one in 2000, when Immunocore spun out from Oxford University, and she’s been at the heart of the company’s pioneering work in T-cell receptor-based therapies ever since. She shares her story of building a new technology from scratch, the long road to Immunocore’s first approved drug, and how the company continues to evolve and innovate across oncology, infectious disease, and now autoimmunity.

We explore what it takes to lead through 25 years of change, how Immunocore maintained a unified culture through hypergrowth, and why curiosity, resilience, and purpose are the keys to a fulfilling scientific career.

 

Robert Fletcher, Nanolyx

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma is joined by Robert Fletcher, co-founder and CEO of Nanolyx, a company developing sustainable antimicrobial technologies that could help solve one of the world’s biggest challenges: antimicrobial resistance.

Robert shares his unconventional path into Biotech - from working every entry-level job under the sun to returning to school in his thirties to study Biochemistry. Now leading a start-up while also working full-time in the lab at an early-stage Flagship Pioneering company, he reflects on the mindset needed to navigate entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and why curiosity is more important than technical skills.

We also dive into the science behind Nanolyx’s unique nanoparticle-based technology, why they pivoted from FDA to EPA approval, and how the company is aiming to tackle everything from hospital infections to sustainability in surface disinfection.

 

Søren Bregenholt, Alligator Bioscience

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Søren Bregenholt, CEO of Alligator Bioscience, a company developing tumour-directed immunotherapies to treat aggressive cancers such as pancreatic cancer.

Søren shares his journey from academic immunologist to biotech CEO, including pivotal moments in his career - from his experiences at the Pasteur Institute, to building his Biotech education at Symphogen, to navigating the corporate world at Novo Nordisk. He reflects on lessons learned from leadership, fundraising, and decision-making at the top, and the importance of humility, structure, and courage in the face of uncertainty.

We also explore what it really means to be a CEO, why "solving problems is your job," and how to strike the balance between hierarchy and creativity in growing Biotech companies.

A compelling conversation about resilience, reinvention, and leading with clarity in an ever-evolving industry.

Chelsea Trengrove, Neoclease

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Emma meets with Chelsea Trengrove, CEO & co-founder of Neoclease, a start-up pioneering AI-designed, gene-specific editors that aim to overcome the safety, specificity, and scalability challenges of CRISPR-based therapies.

Chelsea shares how her lifelong fascination with the brain and a PhD in neuroscience evolved into a career at the intersection of deep tech, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. From clinical trials and digital health to strategic partnerships and building a company from the ground up, her journey is a masterclass in adaptability, curiosity, and courage.

She also opens up about the mindset shifts required to become a first-time CEO, the importance of saying yes (even when you’re scared), and why meditation, martial arts, and mentorship have all shaped her leadership style.

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.