Biotech 2050 Podcast

Robert Plenge, Bristol Myers Squibb’s Chief Research Officer and a physician-scientist, explores how causal human biology and genetics could transform drug discovery. He discusses escaping “target herding,” BMS’s pursuit of first-in-class medicines, targeted protein degradation, immune resets for autoimmune disease, and AI’s practical role in R&D. He also shares lessons on mentorship, failure, and navigating a nonlinear career.

Nello Mainolfi, founder, president and CEO of Kymera Therapeutics and a former Novartis drug discovery leader, discusses turning targeted protein degradation from a fringe concept into a biotech platform. He explores Kymera’s shift from oncology to immunology, STAT6 and IRF5 degraders, oral alternatives to biologics, and the leadership, culture, and resilience needed to scale a public biotech.

Nick Myerberg, Partner and Head of AI and Technology at Braidwell, applies ML and systems design to speed drug discovery. He traces AI’s evolution in biology, explains why proprietary data and closed lab feedback loops matter, and contrasts AI-native discovery platforms with one-off ML add-ons. He also discusses autonomous labs, AI-designed medicines, and how scientists will collaborate with intelligent systems.

Robert Jacks, biotech executive and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals with ~25 years in pharma and startup leadership. He recounts his unusual shift from civil engineering and shares leadership lessons about influence and empathy. He discusses Sparrow’s pivot into cardiometabolic precision medicine, HSD1 and intracellular cortisol biology, trial design and how to complement the GLP-1 landscape.

Laura Williams, physician-scientist and Chief Patient Officer who moved from rural medicine to patient advocacy. Mike Raab, CEO with pharma, VC, and commercial leadership who steered Ardelyx through regulatory turmoil. They discuss embedding empathy in leadership, patient-driven trial design and diversity, surviving CRLs and layoffs, winning approval without new trials, and building durable, patient-centered biotech companies.

Synopsis: At the intersection of personal mission and biotech leadership, Rahul Chaturvedi sits down with Catherine Owen Adams, CEO of Acadia Pharmaceuticals, for a deeply personal and strategically rich conversation on leadership, commercialization, and the future of neuropsychiatry. From starting as a pharmacist in the UK to pivoting from R&D into commercial leadership at Johnson & Johnson, rising through Bristol Myers Squibb, and ultimately stepping into her first biotech CEO role at Acadia, Catherine shares how storytelling became the throughline of her career—transforming science into physician trust, investor conviction, and enterprise vision. In this episode, Catherine opens up about the personal family experiences with neurodegenerative disease that made Acadia’s focus on CNS and rare disease feel like her “Goldilocks opportunity.” She offers a candid look at the realities of being a first-time CEO, managing investor ecosystems, building the right C-suite, balancing billion-dollar commercial execution with high-risk R&D, and navigating the emotional stakes of developing therapies for Parkinson’s disease psychosis, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, Rett syndrome, and beyond. Rahul and Catherine also explore the seismic shifts reshaping biotech—from AI-powered commercialization and patient services to policy advocacy through BIO, FDA modernization, and the strategic pressures facing CNS innovation. This episode is both a masterclass in biotech leadership and a powerful reminder that the best CEOs don’t just run companies—they tell stories that move science, markets, and patients forward. Biography: Ms. Owen Adams joined Acadia as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors in September 2024. Ms. Owen Adams has over 25 years of executive level experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Acadia, Ms. Owen Adams served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, U.S., at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), where she led a $20 billion commercial business, overseeing a large and diverse portfolio of promoted brands across Oncology, Cardiovascular, and Immunology. Previously, Ms. Owen Adams held the position of Senior Vice President, Head of Major Markets at BMS, where she led commercial operations leading 6,000 employees across 19 countries in Europe, Japan, and Canada during BMS’s merger with Celgene. Prior to her tenure at BMS, Ms. Owen Adams spent 25 years at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), where she held leadership roles across global, U.S., and European business units, with her last position being President, Janssen Immunology U.S. Ms. Owen Adams began her career in R&D and manufacturing at AstraZeneca. Ms. Owen Adams currently serves on the board of directors of Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly held company, and AssistRx, a privately held company. Ms. Owen Adams was formerly on the board of directors and chair of the compensation committee for Optinose PLC, a public specialty pharmaceutical company, and was on the board of directors of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospitals, a non-profit organization. Ms. Owen Adams earned a BSc. in Pharmacy from the University of Manchester, becoming a qualified pharmacist and member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (MRPhS).

Synopsis: This episode is proudly sponsored by Quartzy. At a time when biotech innovation is being reshaped by science, capital, and global dynamics, Alok Tayi sits down with Barry Quart, CEO of Connect Biopharma, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of asthma and COPD treatment. With over 30 years in pharmaceutical R&D and nine FDA-approved drugs to his name, Barry shares a rare insider perspective on building and scaling biotech companies—from pioneering HIV therapies that reshaped the AIDS epidemic to leading next-generation biologics targeting acute asthma exacerbations. He unpacks Connect’s differentiated IL-4 receptor biology, the untapped opportunity in acute care settings, and why innovation has lagged for decades in treating exacerbations despite millions of ER visits annually. The conversation also explores the realities of running a publicly traded biotech in volatile markets, the evolving role of China in global drug discovery, and how leaders navigate geopolitical complexity while advancing science. As Connect approaches key clinical catalysts, this episode offers a compelling look at where biotech innovation, capital, and global strategy intersect. Biography: Dr. Barry Quart is the CEO of Connect Biopharma, (Nasdaq: CNTB), a clinical-stage company developing therapies for acute exacerbations of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and COPD. Barry is currently leading the company’s development of rademikibart, a best-in-class antibody that targets interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) and reduces severe flare-ups called “exacerbations” that can occur with asthma and COPD and can lead to hospitalization and even death. Connect is the first company to enter this space addressing acute exacerbations of inflammatory diseases. Dr. Quart is a recognized industry leader with over 30 years of leadership experience and nine FDA-approved drugs under his belt. Barry brings deep expertise in drug development, biotech strategy, and bringing breakthrough therapies to the market. He holds a PharmD from the University of California, San Francisco.

Cary Claiborne, biotech CEO who shifted from finance to addiction medicine after a personal loss. He discusses a genetically targeted, low-dose repurposed therapy to curb alcohol cravings. They cover a simple cheek‑swab diagnostic, AI-led trial design, market and reimbursement implications, and potential expansion into other impulse-driven disorders.

Sheila Gujrathi, MD, physician-scientist and biotech founder with 25 years across Genentech, BMS and multiple startups. She recounts moving from medicine into biotech, building and exiting companies, and navigating today's deal landscape. She explores the inspiration for The Mirror Effect, leadership frameworks for women, overcoming fear and imposter feelings, and building supportive networks like the CEO Sisterhood.

Fred Aslan, Artiva CEO and physician-entrepreneur with stints in VC and biotech leadership, shares his non-linear career and why curiosity guided him. He talks about CAR-T bottlenecks and how off-the-shelf NK cells could simplify and scale cell therapy. He explains why rheumatoid arthritis is the lead indication and previews registrational plans and an autoimmune basket approach.