The Catalytic Site

Voices of Innovation - SEASON 2

Paolo Vigo - Investment Manager

Following Paolo Vigo’s unexpected path into biotech VC, from engineering cars to backing early-stage science at Claris Ventures.

👉 What VCs really look for in early-stage science, why understanding the science isn’t enough on its own, and why the US and Europe play two very different games.

👉 His advice for PhDs and postdocs who want to break into biotech VC, including a route many people overlook.

Wondering whether VC could be your next step? Start here.

Maneeze Jahangir and Elsie Cunliffe, founders

A first for the podcast: two guests at once. Maneeze Jahangir and Elsie Cunliffe are building Stat.o-sphere, a tool that brings more rigour to how investors evaluate biotech deals, while still in academia.

👉 What they’re solving, who their first customer really is, and why getting investors to change how they work is the hardest part.

👉 The reality of being co-founders: dividing the work, disagreeing well, and the support that got them started at Durham Venture Lab.

Building something new? Don't miss this episode

Ignacio Moraga - Chief Scientific Officer

In this episode, I speak with Ignacio Moraga, CSO and Co‑Founder of TECregen, about the early days of building a biotech startup. We discuss his transition from academic research to entrepreneurship, the mindset shift required when moving from the lab to a startup environment, the challenges of building a founding team, and the realities of pitching a scientific venture to investors.

Emma Plowman - Fractional Chief People Officer

In this episode, I speak with Emma Plowman—fractional Chief People Officer and former Talent Director at Start Codon—about what really happens as small teams begin to scale. We discuss the challenges scientists face when moving out of academia, how to think about motivation and fit in a startup environment, common mistakes founders make in early hiring, how culture starts to take shape in very small teams, and how roles evolve as companies grow.

Flavia Fico - Postdoctoral Researcher

In this episode of Voices of Innovation, I speak with Flavia Fico, a cancer biologist transitioning from academia to industry in Switzerland. We discuss the paradox many scientists face — being “overqualified” yet lacking industry experience — and how to bridge that gap by communicating transferable skills effectively.
We also talk about working with recruiters (including getting ghosted), navigating Switzerland’s networking culture and language expectations, and the types of bridge roles that let you stay close to science without remaining in R&D.

Francesca La Carpia - Translational and Clinical Research Leader - 2^ PART

In this second part of my conversation with Francesca La Carpia, we talk about the realities of job searching in today’s biotech market — from navigating competition and restructurings to understanding how recruitment and CV screening really work. Francesca also opens up about the emotional side of the process and how her idea of the “right” role has evolved as she explores paths beyond the bench, including clinical development and medical affairs.
A reminder from this episode: every career transition is personal and challenging, but you’re never alone — and it doesn’t define your worth.

Francesca La Carpia - Translational and Clinical Research Leader - 1^ PART

This is the first part of my conversation with Francesca La Carpia. We focus on her transition from academia to industry, drawing on her experience in academic research in the US and her time at Regeneron, and reflect on the key differences between these two worlds. We also discussed how career expectations shift, and why pausing to reassess can be an important part of building a scientific career.

Voices of Innovation - SEASON 1

Chris Przybyszewski - President & Board Director of US Biologic

Today I talk with Chris Przybyszewski, President of US Biologics, about what really changes when scientists move beyond academia.

👉 The shift into entrepreneurial biotech: what stays the same, what doesn’t, and how to adapt when decisions are faster and less certain.

👉 Why storytelling and relationships matter as much as technical expertise, startups vs larger organisations, and building a career with real-world impact, not just the next job title.

If you’re wondering whether a commercial role could be right for you, start here.

Mike Collins Ananiassen- Life Science Recruiter

BEHIND THE SCENES EDITION

In this episode, I sit down with Mike, Executive Recruiter in life sciences, to talk about how AI is changing biotech recruitment and what it means for scientists and startups. We discuss how AI is actually being used in recruitment and whether candidates should be concerned, what makes hiring for biotech startups different from big pharma, and how the rise of AI-driven biotech is changing the skills companies are looking for.

If you’re curious about how AI is reshaping both drug discovery and biotech careers, this one’s for you.

Massimo Mineo - Co-founder and CEO of Neurolieve Biosciences

In this episode I speak with Massimo Mineo, CEO of Neurolieve Biosciences, about moving from senior roles in pharma to leading early-stage biotech companies.

👉 We talk about his path, the project behind Neurolieve, the mindset shift from pharma to startups, how to tell when science is “company-ready”, and what it takes to raise funding and pitch a biotech today.

He also shares advice for anyone thinking of founding a biotech, and his view on where the sector is heading.

Ada Chalkidou, Life Science Recruiter

BEHIND THE SCENES EDITION

In this episode, I chat with Ada Chalkidou, Senior Associate at Cavenagh Health — a firm specialising in executive recruitment and venture building for biotech startups.

Even though I’ve worked in this space with Ada for years, I put myself in your shoes — coming into the conversation with fresh curiosity and asking the kinds of questions you might have. Like: how are hiring decisions really made? What do candidates often miss? And how can scientists talk about their work in a way that makes sense to industry?

Mark Chadwick, Life Science Startup Specialist

In this episode, I speak with Mark Chadwick – biotech CEO with a background in gene therapy – about his transition from academia to industry, and how he moved from R&D into commercial and leadership roles. We explore what it takes to go from scientist to startup CEO, lessons learned along the way, and the importance of self-awareness when navigating career choices.

Don’t miss it if you’re thinking about exploring more commercial roles beyond the bench – this one’s packed with insight and lived experience!

Søren Ottosen, VP of Research at Sixfold Bioscience

In the second episode of Voices of Innovation, I chat with Søren Ottosen, VP of Research at Sixfold Bioscience. We explore his journey across academia, pharma, and biotech, and what it takes to lead diverse international teams in RNA therapeutics. Søren also shares his insights on leadership, team culture, and motivating scientists in a startup environment.

Flavia Scialpi, Director Product R&D at AskBio

In this episode, I speak with Flavia Scialpi, Director of Product R&D at AskBio, about her journey from academia to biotech. From a PhD in Rome to postdoc life in the UK, Flavia shares what motivated her leap into industry via Synpromics, now part of AskBio. We discuss leaving academia, adapting to industry culture, leading scientific teams, and staying curious along the way – a candid chat for anyone weighing a move from lab to biotech.