In this episode, I talked with Dr. András Strassz, Chief Medical Officer at Heidelberg Pharma, to hear about his two decades of leadership in oncology drug development—and the often-overlooked realities behind building teams, designing clinical trials, and making biotech work.

András opens up about key moments in his career, including the personal crisis that almost forced him to leave the industry, the turning point when he stepped into his CMO role, and what it really takes to develop first-in-class ADCs with novel payloads.

We also dive deep into industry-wide mistakes—why promising clinical programs still fail because of poor design, how pressure and under-resourcing distort decision-making, and why senior leadership continues to overlook culture fit when hiring.

András also shares behind-the-scenes insights into Heidelberg’s development of amanitin-based ADCs, what makes their team culture unique, and why “good enough” just isn’t good enough when you’re trying to build something from scratch.

(Find out more in the episode.)

Here’s What You’re In For

• Why culture alignment should outweigh credentials when building teams
• How to spot red flags in hiring—even before the offer stage
• What good leadership looks like in biotech—and what it never forgets

Timestamps

02:18 – Why he left clinical practice and how he got his first pharma job at J&J

05:38 – Career highlights: relocating from Hungary and becoming CMO

09:09 – Career low point: near job loss during relocation and how he handled it

11:01 – Burnout in his first role and the health consequences of overwork

13:38 – Overview of Heidelberg Pharma’s ADC platform

15:58 – What defines the people and culture at Heidelberg

18:51 – Biggest industry mistakes: bad study design, rushed decisions, outdated models

26:00 – Hiring reflections: CV vs culture fit, and how interviews often mislead

About András

Dr. András Strassz is the Chief Medical Officer of Heidelberg Pharma, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer treatment. András specializes in early clinical development, focusing on oncology and hematological oncology. He has experience working in both Big Pharma, namely JnJ, Amgen, Novartis, and Biotechs - Polyphor, Affimed, and his current company, Heidelberg Pharma across three countries: Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland.

Outside his professional stint, his hobbies are DIY, hiking, and cooking. We have know each other for a while now, always appreciated András honesty, humour and insights and he is here to join me today - welcome.

Connect with András

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/András-strassz-md-mba-a03a1147/
• Heidelberg Pharma: https://heidelberg-pharma.com/en/

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:

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Steven Katz, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics, a biotech company pioneering off-the-shelf immune-evasive IPSC-derived cell therapies, and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. We get into why technical skills alone won’t cut it—and how the wrong hire, even if they look great on paper, can quietly derail an entire team. We talk about the pressure to stick with “proven” endpoints (even when they don’t fit the science), the temptation to play it safe, and how a quiet sense of nihilism can creep into teams when things aren’t going right. We also dig into what it’s really like managing a global biotech team, and how to make it work without losing your mind.

Steven is a trained surgical oncologist and associate professor at Brown University, Steven has spent his career helping patients with solid tumors—from removing liver and pancreatic cancers in the OR to pushing the limits of immunotherapy in biotech. He was previously CMO at Trius Life Sciences.

Here’s what you’re in for:

• What happens when you don’t clearly define what you’re hiring for
• How bad hires can quietly fracture entire clinical programs
• Why the “safe” development plan isn’t always the smartest—and when to take the risk anyway

TMI: Things You Didn’t Know About Steven

• Loves tennis, history, and TRX workouts
• Favorite thing in London? The West End theater scene (avoid: kids on Netflix!)

Timestamps:

04:06 – Lessons from surgery that shaped his biotech career

08:35 – Advice to surgeons and doctors considering a move to biotech

13:20 – Why IPSC is so promising for oncology and autoimmune disease

17:00 – Culture clash or culture strength? Japan–US dynamics at Shinobi

22:30 – When internal alignment falls apart

24:35 – Playing it safe vs. doing what’s right

26:19 – Common mistakes Steven still sees in biotech

30:15 – The problem with drug delivery in solid tumors

31:00 – Best and worst experiences with recruiters

33:08 – What happens when you hire the wrong person

34:46 – Final question: What is Steven most grateful for in his career

About Steven

Dr. Steven Katz is the CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics for Shinobi Therapeutics, a biotech developing off-the-shelf, immune-evasive, iPSC-derived cell therapies, and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. He has dedicated his career to helping patients with solid tumors in the operating room and developing novel immunotherapy solutions for those beyond the reach of current standard-of-care options.

Outside of his professional stint, he spends time with his children, doing TRX workouts, playing tennis, reading history and of course joining me on this podcast - welcome.

Connect with Steven:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katz-steve/
• Website: https://www.shinobitx.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...

In this episode, I talked with Christian Mueller, Chief Development Officer at Immutep. Christian’s path into biotech wasn’t exactly planned—from summarizing VC business plans during his studies to becoming a driving force behind the world’s first Claudin 18.2-directed antibody.

We talked about the wins and the setbacks: from finally securing Pembrolizumab supply after years of rejections, to those painful moments when you give your all to a project, and still feel unseen. Christian also opened up about hiring, leadership, and what makes a biotech team truly work (or fall apart). He shared why Immutep has gone all-in on LAG-3, what makes their international culture different from most, and why knowing your weaknesses might just be the most underrated leadership skill.

And to wrap things up, we threw in a few quickfire questions, from the book he’s reading (featuring octopuses!) to what he tries to do every single day to stay sharp.

Here’s what you’re in for:

• The red flag that made Christian walk away from a company
• Why great hiring is about cultural fit, not just perfect CVs
• What small biotechs misunderstand most about recruitment

Timestamps:

01:54 – From Economics to Biotech: How VC Summaries Led to Drug Development

07:41 – Career Lows: Feeling Undervalued and Facing a Regulatory Near-Shutdown

13:48 – Why LAG-3? The Science and Conviction Behind Immutep’s Strategy

14:34 – Inside Immutep: Low-Ego Culture, Fast Decisions, and Argument-Driven Thinking

17:00 – Hiring With Humility: The Culture Fit That Matters Most

22:47 – Cultural Fit Over Credentials: What Hiring Managers Really Want

33:44 – Quickfire Questions: Books, Octopuses, and Trying New Things

About Christian

Christian Mueller currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at Immutep, where he has been instrumental in advancing the company's lead compound, Efti, from Phase I through to Phase III clinical trials. ​Prior to his tenure at Immutep, Christian led the clinical development of Zolbetuximab, the first-ever CLDN18.2-directed antibody.

Christian brings a unique multidisciplinary mindset to his work, describing himself as a “translator” between different scientific and operational domains. Outside of work, he is a lifelong basketball fan and enjoys spending time in nature

Connect with Christian

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-mueller-05199481/
• Immutep: https://www.immutep.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...

In this episode, I talked with Kirsty Crame-van Nierop, Director of Shiaba Consulting, Specialist in Clinical Drug Development. Kirsty shares her career journey, including her transition from aspiring vascular surgeon to a leader in personalized targeted therapies. We went over her key career highlights, and the challenges faced during COVID, and she gave valuable career bits of advice.

Kirsty gave insights on the importance of hiring the right people in clinical development, the balance between using consultants and in-house expertise, the cultural fit in hiring, and her experiences in the job search process, highlighting the importance of communication and feedback in recruitment.

Here’s what you’re in for:

• The problem with "unicorn" hiring expectations.
• Why the best hiring decisions often begin three to six months too late.
• When outsourcing fails: why early-stage biotech still needs in-house decision-makers.

Timestamps

01:56 From Vascular Surgery Dreams to Unexpected Beginnings

04:41 The High of an IND Win, and the Low of Leading Through Lockdown

07:25 The Career Advice That Changed Her Trajectory

09:34 Why Early Decisions Make or Break Biotech

17:52 In-House vs. Outsourced Roles

19:15 “What Do We Actually Need?” – A Biotech Hiring Dilemma

28:22 The Harsh Reality Behind Biotech Applications

32:36 The Value of Long-Term Professional Relationships

About Kirsty

Kirsty Crame is a seasoned medical doctor of over 12 years of experience in drug development. She got her MD in Amsterdam and since then has worked across therapeutic areas, diabetes, cancer, et cetera. But most, if not all, of her clinical development career, has been using personalized targeted therapies to find new cures to cancer. Outside of her professional life, Kirsty is a dedicated mother of two boys. She brings the same energy and discipline from the clinic to the field. She's an avid field hockey player and embraces an active lifestyle that keeps her balanced and thriving. Kirsty and I know each other as she was a candidate and then client of mine at Medigene.

Connect with Kirsty:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-crame-van-nierop-418b0b38/

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. Bernhardt (Bernie) Zeiher, where he shares key lessons and personal insights from over 25 years in pharmaceutical drug development. Bernie discusses pivotal career moments, including the emotional impact of halting a promising Phase III trial for ARDS, as well as successes such as achieving six drug approvals at Astellas. He emphasizes the critical role of data-driven decision-making, thoughtful hiring, and proactive leadership in managing clinical programs.

Bernie also provides candid reflections on common organizational challenges, particularly the damaging effects of poorly executed reorganizations and layoffs. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the importance of fostering a strong, cohesive team culture, and the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation in pharma leadership.

Bernie also answers some quickfire personal questions: daily coffee habit? Unusual food did Bernie try for the first time recently? Who were the mentors that shaped Bernie’s career the most?

(Find out more in the episode.)

Here’s What You’re In For

• How data shapes tough go/no-go decisions in drug development.
• Understanding and avoiding common mistakes during organizational restructuring.
• Deciding the right moment to transition from part-time consultants to dedicated in-house expertise.

Timestamps

01:10 Career beginnings and transition from pulmonology to pharma

03:35 Emotional setbacks from clinical trial failures

09:00 Factors behind Astellas' multiple drug approvals

12:20 Common pitfalls organizations face during restructuring and reorganizations

16:10 Timing the shift from consultants to dedicated internal clinical leadership

19:40 How Bernie assesses culture fit and hiring red flags

26:00 Quick insights and personal reflections

About Bernie

Dr. Bernhardt Zeiher is a Member of the board of directors for Entrada Therapeutics, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, and Abeona Therapeutics. Dr. Zeiher is a physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine with over 25 years of experience in drug development. He played a key role in securing approval for CRESEMBA (isavuconazole) for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis.

As Head of Development and later Chief Medical Officer at Astellas, led the organization through one of its most productive periods, overseeing six late-phase development products.

Connect with Bernie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhardtzeiher/
• Entrada Therapeutics: https://www.entradatx.com/
• Amylyx Pharmaceuticals: https://www.amylyx.com/
• Abeona Therapeutics: https://www.abeonatherapeutics.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:

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.