Normunity's Breakthrough Cancer Drug the World Hasn't Seen Before
Two of the most influential minds in immuno-oncology walk into a biotech… and build something that could change everything.Dr. Rachel Humphrey (CEO) and Dr. Melinda Merchant (CMO) of Normunity are two of the most seasoned and respected leaders in oncology drug development, with a combined 45+ years of experience across big pharma, biotech, and translational science. Rachel led the development of Yervoy® (ipilimumab) at BMS, Imfinzi® (durvalumab) at AstraZeneca, and Nexavar® (sorafenib) at Bayer, before holding CMO roles at Black Diamond, Mirati, and CytomX. Melinda, an immunologist and dual board-certified pediatric oncologist, spent a decade leading clinical studies at NIH and Memorial Sloan Kettering, running early trials of ipilimumab, nivolumab, and novel cell therapies before moving to industry and leading clinical development efforts of multiple investigational new drugs. Together, they now lead Normunity, where they’re pioneering a bold new therapeutic category: immune normalizers - designed to unlock immune resistance and open up new frontiers in cancer treatment.In this episode, we cover:- How Normunity is redefining immuno-oncology with its first-in-class T-cell engager- What it takes to build scientific teams that challenge each other - and still move fast- Lessons from launching Yervoy, Imfinzi, Tazverik, and other breakthrough therapies- Why biotech culture needs both humility and ego to succeed- What’s next as Normunity prepares to enter the clinic with NRM-823If you're a life sciences leader, founder, or investor - this conversation is essential listening. Tap in to hear what it really takes to build, lead, and scale science that matters.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575Website: https://arto-talent.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciencesRachel HumphreyCEO at NormunityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-w-humphrey-md-116b211b/Melinda MerchantCMO at NormunityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-merchant-7b496a/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Career Beginnings16:58 Traits of a Drug Developer19:53 Leadership in Biotech27:28 Story Behind Normunity30:23 Normunity Culture32:28 Mindsets in Translational Science36:33 Personal Life#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotechnology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Maxion’s KnotBody® Platform Is Changing the Way We Treat the ‘Undruggable’
Dr. Arndt Schottelius, CEO of Maxion Therapeutics, is a physician-scientist with a standout career across Genentech, MorphoSys, Kymab, and now at one of the UK’s most promising biotech companies. At Maxion, he leads a team pioneering KnotBody technology - an innovative approach to targeting ion channels and GPCRs, long considered “undruggable” with biologics. Arndt brings more than 25 years of experience across translational science, drug development and leadership in global R&D. His conviction, clarity, and track record - including developing molecules that have become partnered, acquired and approved - makes this conversation a must-listen for anyone in life sciences leadership.In this episode, we cover:How Maxion is building a new therapeutic modality using KnotBody technology to tackle autoimmune and inflammatory diseasesWhy conviction, speed, and storytelling are non-negotiable in translational drug developmentLessons from Genentech, MorphoSys, and Kymab on building pipelines, teams, and partnershipsWhat investors really look for - and how Maxion secured a competitive Series A in a tough marketHow to hire and scale for scientific excellence without losing agility or collaborationTune in for a dynamic, insightful conversation with one of biotech’s most experienced and thoughtful leaders.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: Leading Beyond The LabInstagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)TikTok: artotalent on TikTokApple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The LabWebsite: HomeYoutube: ARTO RecruitmentArndt SchotteliusCEO at Maxion TherapruticsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arndt-schottelius-md-ph/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Career Beginnings06:46 Translational Science08:55 Lessons in Biotech Leadership25:23 Maxion - Culture and Roundup#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotechnology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Clinic to Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs: Christopher Morabito’s Journey in Biotech
If you want to understand what it really takes to build and lead a successful biotech, this episode is for you.Dr. Christopher Morabito, Chief Medical Officer at Astria Therapeutics, joins us to share hard-won lessons from 25 years in rare disease, oncology, and immunology. But this isn’t a career retrospective - it’s a deep dive into the mindset, strategies, and leadership habits that drive biotech success.In this episode, Chris reveals:How to make tough go/no-go decisions when the data isn’t clear.The leadership traits that keep teams aligned, motivated, and resilient in high-pressure environments.Why clarity of purpose matters more than anything else in a biotech’s mission.How to navigate the tension between scientific ambition and commercial reality.The patterns he’s seen across programs that make it from idea to approval.Chris distills decades of experience into practical, actionable advice for founders, executives, and investors - making this one of the most insightful conversations we’ve had yet.🎧 Tune in for a rare, candid look at biotech leadership from someone who’s been on the front lines of game-changing therapies.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: Leading Beyond The LabInstagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)TikTok: artotalent on TikTokApple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The LabWebsite: HomeYoutube: ARTO RecruitmentChristopher MorabitoCMO at Astria TherapeuticsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismorabito/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Career Beginnings13:40 Moving Into Biotech23:34 Leading in Biotech28:41 Patients First38:23 Lessons & Legacy#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotechnology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Needle in a Haystack Antibody Unlocking A Fundamental Pathway in Disease Biology: Bhaskar Srivastava
If you're in biotech, immunology, or drug development - this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.We’re joined by Dr. Bhaskar Srivastava, Chief Medical Officer at Triveni Bio, whose career has spanned over 10 years across J&J, Nimbus, and now Triveni Bio, one of the most ambitious autoimmune biotech startups on the scene.In this episode, Bhaskar dives deep into:· How Triveni is building a first-in-class pipeline targeting the kallikrein system - a bold bet to treat severe skin and inflammatory conditions by tackling novel biology.· What it means to be a founder’s CMO, and how great science needs the right development strategy to make a difference.· Candid stories from his past roles at Nimbus (which sold its TYK2 program to Takeda for $4B) and Janssen, where he helped guide first-in-class therapies from Phase 1 to pivotal trials.· Why bispecifics may be risky but worth it, and how Triveni is using novel biologics to crack tough diseases like atopic dermatitis.· Advice for executives: how to balance ambition and discipline, when to say no, and why choosing the right team members matters as much as the science.🎙 Bhaskar doesn’t just talk science - he connects molecular biology to patient need, clinical strategy, and company vision with clarity and purpose.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: Leading Beyond The LabInstagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)TikTok: artotalent on TikTokApple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The LabWebsite: HomeYoutube: ARTO RecruitmentBhaskar Srivastava CMO at Triveni BioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhaskar-srivastava-355a9ab1/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Career Beginnings15:44 Success & Growth in Biotech28:43 Investing in Biotech34:23 The Future of Dermatology & Triveni Bio#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotechnology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mara Aspinall: The Former CEO Now Funding the Genomics Revolution
If you care about the future of genomics, diagnostics, and biotech investing, you can’t miss this episode.We’re joined by Mara Aspinall, Partner at Illumina Ventures, a trailblazer with over 30 years of leadership in diagnostics and eight years in venture capital funding groundbreaking genomics companies.In this episode, Mara reveals:The next wave of diagnostics, from liquid biopsies to home testing and new AI-driven tools.Hard-won lessons from leading Genzyme Genetics, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, and building her own startup.Insider tips for founders on pitching, choosing the right investors, and building winning teams.A glimpse into where genomics is heading in the next decade - from neurodegenerative disease detection to early metabolic disease diagnostics.With her unmatched experience as an operator, educator, and investor, Mara brings clarity, energy, and vision to a fast-changing field. This conversation is packed with takeaways for founders, investors, and anyone fascinated by the future of healthcare.🎧 Tune in now for a masterclass in diagnostics, genomics, and venture capital from one of the industry’s most influential voices.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: Leading Beyond The LabInstagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)TikTok: artotalent on TikTokApple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The LabWebsite: HomeYoutube: ARTO RecruitmentMara AspinallPartner At Illumina VenturesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-aspinall-6688142/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Career Beginnings04:10 Current Diagnostic Trends20:48 The Founder Investor Fit25:37 Genetics & Genomics29:06 Mara Aspinall39:31 Neurodegenerative Disease#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotechnology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Leading Beyond The Lab Podcast is hosted by Lawrence Rose, one of the Directors at ARTO, a talent solutions agency specialising in leadership roles within the Life Sciences sector globally.This podcast provides insightful discussions with industry experts, leaders and innovators, shaping the future in drug development and clinical devices. We talk with biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical executives, and find out from them their stories, personal career development and analyse their opinion on how to become successful in this space. We talk on a range of topics including soft skills, oncology, leadership, micromanagement, investment, cardiology, AI, dementia, addiction, hematology, dermatology, and much more.This podcast applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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