Careers in Discovery

Kenny Duncan, Accent Therapeutics

This week on Careers in Discovery, we're delighted to be joined by Kenny Duncan, SVP of Chemistry at Accent Therapeutics, where we explore the evolving landscape of drug discovery and the critical role chemistry plays in advancing new therapies.

Kenny takes us through his incredible career journey, from his early passion for chemistry to becoming a leader in Boston’s thriving biotech industry. We discuss his work on RNA-modifying proteins and how his team is tackling the challenges of targeting complex biology with innovative chemistry.

In this episode, Kenny and I discuss the strategic thinking required to drive success in biotech, the importance of building strong, multidisciplinary teams, and the lessons he’s learned on his path from scientist to executive. He also shares valuable advice on following your passions and the importance of staying adaptable in a fast-changing industry.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Kenny Duncan, where we unpack the future of drug discovery and the crucial role chemistry continues to play in shaping the industry.

Richard Law, Exscientia

Could AI be the key to reducing the high failure rate in drug discovery? This week on Careers in Discovery, we explore this critical question with Richard Law, Chief Business Officer at Exscientia, who has been at the forefront of integrating AI into the Biotech industry for decades.

Richard shares his fascinating career journey, from his early days as a Computational Chemist to his current role leading Business Development in one of the most innovative companies in drug discovery. He offers unique insights into how AI is not only accelerating the process but also increasing the likelihood of success in developing new therapies.

In this episode, Rich and I discuss the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery, explaining how these technologies are changing the game by improving the quality of molecules and enhancing the precision of clinical trials. He also reflects on the challenges of adapting to a rapidly evolving industry and the importance of staying open to new ideas and learning from those around you.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Richard Law, where we delve into the future of drug discovery and the revolutionary role AI is set to play.

Hazel Jones, Enhanc3d Genomics

This week I’m joined by Hazel Jones, CEO of Enhanc3d Genomics. Hazel shares her journey from her early days in Biotech to leading a company at the cutting edge of 3D genomics.

We explored Hazel's career path, her transition into a CEO role and her insights on leadership, the significance of networking, and balancing professional and personal life.

Jose Munoz-Olaya, Valink Therapeutics

"Science and technology have always fascinated me, and I've always been one to challenge the status quo."

This week on Careers in Discovery, we welcome Jose Munoz-Olaya, Chief Scientific Officer of Valink Therapeutics.

Jose shares his journey from an eager intern to a leader in biotechnology, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the power of teamwork. He discusses his role at Valink, where he's spearheading the development of next-generation Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for oncology using their innovative high-throughput screening platform.

Join us as Jose discusses:

• His early inspiration from a high school science teacher and his diverse family background
• The critical milestones of his career, including his influential roles at Cambridge Antibody Technology, F-star, and Adaptate
• Lessons learned about the importance of building strong teams and fostering a culture of continuous learning
• His advice for aspiring scientists: trust your mentors, be patient, and remain open to learning

Tune in for all this, and much more....

Mike Stubbington, CS Genetics

Mike Stubbington and CS Genetics are on a mission to democratise single cell genomics. We caught up with Mike recently and discussed what being kind really looks like as a scientist, why you should move on when the time is right, and a whole lot more.

Ben Cross, PhoreMost

We first interviewed Ben Cross five years ago, when he was the Head of Functional Genomics at Horizon Discovery, and we're delighted to welcome him back to the podcast as CTO of PhoreMost, an innovative target discovery company focused on drugging the undruggable.

Ben caught us up on what he's learned over the last five years, including why failing fast isn't a viable strategy in drug discovery, and introduced us to PhoreMost's brand new molecular glue platform, GlueSeeker.

Shane Hegarty, Axonis Therapeutics

Shane Hegarty is the Chief Scientific Officer of Axonis Therapeutics, a Boston-based Biotech targeting KCC2 to revive neurons and treat people suffering from neurological disorders.

Shane shared with us the story of his transition from academic to Biotech entrepreneur, why communication, persistence, collaboration and focus are critical skills for success, his amazing track record of securing grant funding, and much more.

Maude Tessier, Seismic Therapeutic

Maude Tessier is the Chief Business Officer at Seismic Therapeutic, the machine learning immunology company building a discovery platform centred on parallel drug development.

Maude joined us on Careers in Discovery to talk about the impact of machine learning on drug development, taking control of her career by literally knocking on doors, balancing humility and confidence, and much more.