SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership

In this special episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, I had the honor of hosting Dr. François Nader and Khalil Barrage, the visionary co-founders of BioLink. This New York–based nonprofit is on a mission to connect biosciences professionals of Lebanese origin around the world, while building a sustainable life sciences ecosystem in Lebanon. François shared his inspiring journey from physician in Lebanon to global biotech leader, including turning around NPS Pharma before its $5B acquisition by Shire. Khalil reflected on his path from Lebanon to becoming one of the most active biotech investors through The Invus Group, with landmark investments in companies such as Moderna. Both leaders opened up about the origins of BioLink, which were born out of tragedy but fueled by hope. In the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion, they witnessed the strength and generosity of the Lebanese diaspora in the life sciences community. This moment of crisis revealed an incredible network of Lebanese talent across the industry and sparked the idea to create a global platform. BioLink was established not only to bring these leaders together, but also to lay the foundation for a life sciences economy in Lebanon that can create opportunities for the next generation. Throughout our conversation, François and Khalil emphasized values of vision, resilience, and credibility in leadership. They reminded us that true leadership shines in times of crisis, and that success in biotech requires grit, integrity, and long-term commitment. Above all, they shared a dream: to harness the collective power of Lebanese professionals worldwide to contribute back to Lebanon and build something enduring. This episode is a testament to purpose-driven leadership, collaboration, and the belief that together, we can inspire change. "Leaders show the most leadership during a crisis." -François Nader "In biotech, there are no shortcuts — integrity and the right team matter.” - Khalil Barrage MEET OUR GUESTS Francois Nader chairman of GEn1E Lifesciences, and board director of Moderna and Ring Therapeutics. MEET OUR GUESTS Khalil Barrage Managing Director at The Invus Group. This is a special episode, the first of a series in partnership with Biosciences Lebanese International Network – BioLink. This New York-based non-profit is on a mission to build a global community of professionals in biosciences of Lebanese origin, like me, and it turns out, there’s quite a few of us. Most interestingly, it has set a bold vision, which is to catalyze a life sciences ecosystem in Lebanon by working with local talent and academic centers, with the support of the Lebanese diaspora community. This is an ambitious goal, but BioLink.org’s founders Dr. Francois Nader and Khalil Barrage are some of the most accomplished people in the industry, and if anyone can pull it off, they can. I’m thrilled to have them with me today! Francois is a pharma veteran who sits on the board of several biopharma companies. He is chairman of GEn1E Lifesciences, and a board director of Moderna and Ring Therapeutics, as well as a senior advisor to Blackstone Life Sciences. Francois became well known within the industry, when he took the helm of NPS Pharma in 2006. The company was then on the verge of insolvency. Francois turned it around and sold it less than a decade later for more than $5 billion to Shire.  Khalil is a managing director at The Invus Group, a New York-based global investment firm. He established the Public Equity Group which invests in emerging innovative biotech companies, and co-manages private biotech investments, making Invus one of the most active investors in biotech, according to PitchBook. Khalil also sits on the board of several biotech companies, including ElevateBio, Sensorion, Onxeo, Protagenic Therapeutics, and Orthobond.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan had the pleasure of hosting Catharine Smith, the inaugural Executive Director of the Termeer Institute. The Institute honors the legacy of former Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer by supporting biotech leaders who are driven by patient impact. Catherine shared her powerful journey, from growing up with limited access to healthcare, to leading initiatives at the Clinton Foundation and Harvard, and now shaping a movement that empowers early-stage biotech CEOs to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest challenges. Her personal story, rooted in seeing healthcare as a human right, set the stage for our inspiring conversation. Throughout our discussion, Catherine highlighted the importance of leadership as a catalyst for systemic change. Drawing from her experience in hospital medicine, primary care, and crisis response, she emphasized that effective leadership goes beyond technical expertise —it’s about training, mentoring, and empowering people to drive meaningful improvements in patient care. At the Tamir Foundation, this philosophy translates into supporting biotech founders not only with resources and technical skills, but also with values-aligned networks, mentorship, and leadership development tailored to their journeys. Catherine also shared her perspective on the future of biotech as a powerful lever for change in healthcare. From the promise of rare disease therapies to the growing energy in women’s health, she stressed how science and innovation must be matched with responsibility, equity, and human-centered leadership. For her, the “human variable” is the most crucial factor in whether breakthroughs succeed in transforming lives. As we closed, Catherine reminded healthcare leaders to hold onto their “why,” seek partnerships, and focus on solving big problems together. It was a conversation full of hope, responsibility, and a call to action for leaders across healthcare and biotech. "Biotech can be a lever to change healthcare." MEET OUR GUEST Catharine Smith, Executive Director of the Termeer Institute. Catharine Smith serves as inaugural Executive Director of the Termeer Institute (Former Termeer Foundation), which carries on the bold legacy of former Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer, who was committed to mentoring emerging leaders and whose dedication to patients resulted in groundbreaking treatments for rare diseases. The Termeer Foundation understands that bringing new treatments to patients is grueling work with a low probability of success and believes we can improve these odds by positively impacting the human variables in healthcare. By supporting biotech leaders, the Foundation seeks to increase the probability of creating cures and solving healthcare’s greatest challenges. Prior to the Termeer Foundation, Catharine served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative at the Clinton Foundation where she led a team focused on stigma reduction and overdose prevention related to the opioid epidemic. Before that role, Catharine was the Executive Director of the Harvard Center for Primary Care where she led business development, strategy, and operations for a think-tank focused on improving value-based, patient-centered care. Catharine holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a graduate degree in social science research from the University of Chicago.

In this episode, Naji Gehchan welcomes Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company using AI and data-driven solutions to expand access to cancer clinical trials. Selin shares her personal journey from a structured career in engineering and private equity to founding Massive Bio after her family’s experience with cancer. What started as a side project quickly became her full-time mission, as she realized the immense challenges and dedication required to drive change in healthcare. Since 2015, she has led Massive Bio to impact over 160,000 patients worldwide, with a focus on underserved communities and equitable access to clinical trials. Selin highlights the importance of applying engineering principles to clinical operations, particularly in solving the long-standing challenge of patient recruitment in oncology trials. By combining systematic problem-solving with regulatory knowledge, Massive Bio addresses inefficiencies across the patient enrollment journey—identification, pre-screening, and last-mile enrollment. She explains how AI enables scalability, reducing the time it takes to match patients with clinical trials from months to minutes. This approach not only empowers patients to advocate for themselves but also helps physicians and pharma companies accelerate drug development, creating both individual and population-level impact. Discussing leadership and growth, Selin emphasizes resilience, teamwork, and the importance of early adopters in driving healthcare innovation. She speaks candidly about the challenges women face in senior roles within health tech and the need for true meritocracy. At Massive Bio, she fosters a flat, mission-driven culture where every team member feels empowered and connected to the purpose of improving patients’ lives. Her closing advice to healthcare leaders is to remain resilient, embrace humility, and stay grounded—focusing on what truly matters: health, team, and impact. "I’m not seeking fairness in life, but success in the unfairness of life." MEET OUR GUEST Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions. Selin Kurnaz is the CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and brings over a decade of experience in life sciences strategy and operations. Inspired by her family’s cancer journey, Selin launched Massive Bio in 2015 to make cutting-edge treatments more accessible, particularly in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the company has onboarded over 160,000 patients and built a global network of sites, partners, and advocates. Selin is also a recognized voice for women in tech and digital health innovation. About Massive Bio: Massive Bio is a healthcare technology company using AI to match cancer and rare disease patients with clinical trials and optimize drug use for better outcomes. Founded to address the barriers patients face in accessing advanced treatments, the platform simplifies and personalizes the clinical trial journey. With over 160,000 patients onboarded and partnerships with top pharma companies across 17 countries, Massive Bio is transforming oncology care. Its solutions reduce inefficiencies, accelerate drug development, and improve treatment access globally. The company is now expanding beyond trial matching into broader oncology services to become a leading data-driven cancer care platform.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and a trailblazer in tech and health innovation. Christy shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity — designing a cereal dispenser to let her hardworking parents sleep in — to leading groundbreaking work at companies like Apple, Waymo, and Google. With a PhD from Duke and an MBA from MIT, Christy blends deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, always guided by a moral compass instilled by her family and a relentless curiosity about the world. Christy introduces her current venture, DaVinci Wearables, with the bold ambition of becoming the “body API for better health.” She describes a future where garments not only clothe us but also provide real-time biometric insights, especially focused on women’s health, a historically underserved field. With partnerships across universities and health systems, DaVinci is building a wearable ecosystem that tracks hydration, hormones, nutrition, and physical activity, empowering users through a smart companion app that educates and nudges healthier habits. Their unique platform blends data, personalized coaching, and community, aiming to democratize body intelligence for every stage of a woman’s life. Throughout the conversation, Christy speaks candidly about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, especially as a female founder in health tech. She emphasizes the importance of empathy — both toward others and oneself — and encourages founders to stay anchored in purpose by connecting directly with the people they serve. Christy’s reflections on leadership, equity in women’s health, and the role of love and service in organizations offer powerful inspiration for healthcare leaders seeking to drive meaningful change. "If you need to feel inspired, go directly to your customer… They’ll remind you why you started." MEET OUR GUEST Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft's Self-Driving Division. Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft's Self-Driving Division. She played a key role at Apple, contributing to autonomous systems and releasing the first LiDAR module in the 2020 iPad. Dr. Fernandez-Cull has experience in Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and consumer products at Apple. She advises VCs and startups in mobility, autonomous vehicles, and digital health, and serves on several boards. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University and an MBA from MIT and lectures at Columbia University and MIT. Longer Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is the CEO of DaVinci Wearables. Previously, she led the sensing and perception system’s teams at Waymo - formerly Google Self-Driving. She was also the Head of Sensors at Lyft Level 5 Self-Driving Division, leading sensor architecture for Lyft vehicle platforms — designing machine eyes to help transform transportation of the future. Prior to Lyft, she was a senior technologist at Apple spanning autonomous systems and the Camera and Depth Hardware team that released the first-of-kind Light Detection and Ranging module in the 2020 iPad. She has spanned both the development of Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and at-scale consumer-product technologies at Apple. She is a senior science advisor to multiple VCs and startups in the areas of sensors and systems for mobility applications, autonomous vehicles and digital health and wearables. She’s a Board member of Omnitron and a Venture Partner and Deep Tech Advisor at L’attitude Ventures and serves on a non-profit board. She received her MS and Ph.D. in Engineering from Duke University and MBA from MIT and enjoys mentoring in STEM/STEAM fields and serves as a adjunct/lecturer at Columbia University, guest lecture and AI practitioner at MIT-LL and MIT Media Lab.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, I had the pleasure of hosting Michael Pietrack, a seasoned recruiter in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly two decades of experience. Michael shared his fascinating journey, starting as a college baseball coach and transitioning into pharmaceutical recruiting by chance. Over the years, he has placed more than a thousand professionals, making a significant impact on the industry by connecting top talent with critical roles in medical affairs and beyond. Michael’s commitment to improving healthcare by enabling the success of industry leaders was evident as he discussed how recruiting for this field has become a purposeful mission for him. Michael offered invaluable advice for both hiring managers and job seekers. For hiring managers, he emphasized the importance of clarity in defining roles, avoiding the pitfall of hiring clones, and trusting one’s gut instinct when making decisions. For candidates, he highlighted the need to have a clear career strategy, prioritize the “people” factor when considering opportunities, and be willing to take risks for growth. Michael also shared insights from his podcast, The PharmaVerse, where he explores leadership across the pharmaceutical universe. One key takeaway from his interviews is the central role of genuine care in effective leadership—a value deeply aligned with our podcast’s focus on spreading love in organizations. "Leadership is leading from the front while ensuring no one is left behind." MEET OUR GUEST Michael Pietrack Practice Lead for Pharma and Biotech recruiting team at Kaye/ Bassman International Corp. Michael Pietrack has been recruiting in the Pharmaceutical Industry for nearly 20 years. He and his team have successfully placed more 1,000 Pharmaceutical professionals during that time, leaving a positive impact on the industry. Michael started his recruiting career with The Alpine Group, where he led the Medical Affairs Search Practice. In 2015, Michael co-founded TMAC Direct, an executive search firm exclusively devoted to Medical Affairs. Under Michael’s leadership, TMAC Direct was named one of the Top US Executive Search Firms by Forbes. In 2023, Michael joined Kaye/Bassman to lead the expansion of the already established and high-performing Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Search Practice. Aside from recruiting, Michael is also a speaker, recruiting trainer, and an accomplished author and was recognized as one of Pharma’s 100 Most Inspiring People by PharmaVoice. Michael is also a fellow podcast host on The Pharamaverse Podcast, where he engages in insightful conversations with industry leaders. 

On this episode, I had the privilege of hosting Afarin Bellisario, a mentor at MIT Sandbox, author, and tech entrepreneur with an extraordinary life story. Afarin began by sharing her journey from her childhood in Iran to becoming a prominent figure in high-tech and entrepreneurship in the U.S. Growing up in a family that straddled traditional and modern Iran, she had a unique perspective on navigating the contrasting worlds of South and North Tehran. Her education, initially rooted in mathematics, became her ticket to freedom and opportunity, culminating in her studies at NYU and MIT. The tumultuous events of the Revolution profoundly shaped her, compelling her to forge a new path in America. She eloquently described how curiosity, resilience, and adaptability fueled her career, whether in corporate America or mentoring young entrepreneurs. We also delved into her debut novel, Silence Whispers, which tells the story of a young woman navigating transformative changes in her life and country. Afarin explained how this fictional character, Gohar, was inspired by both her own experiences and the rich stories of her heritage, blending historical and personal elements. Through extensive research and creative writing, she captured the complex dualities of Iranian society and the broader universal struggles of identity, resilience, and transformation. Afarin emphasized that while Gohar shares some traits with her, the character stands apart as a vehicle for exploring the broader human experience. The novel serves as both a personal exploration and a reflection on the cultural and societal shifts of her homeland. Finally, Afarin shared her philosophy on the intersection of history and technology, emphasizing how understanding the past can inform and guide our technological future. Drawing on examples from her work with startups and historical case studies, she highlighted the recurring patterns in how society reacts to radical new technologies. From the advent of radio to the rise of artificial intelligence, Afarin underscored the importance of maintaining human agency and using technology as a tool for good. Her reflections offered profound insights into leadership, innovation, and the enduring need to balance progress with humanity. "Change is inevitable; embracing it with curiosity turns challenges into opportunities." MEET OUR GUEST Afarin Bellisario Consultant, Advisor at MIT, and Author. Afarin Bellisario bridges East and West, technology and the human condition, and past and present. Born and raised in Tehran in a family with its feet in the past and its head in the future, she led a successful career in high-tech and international business in the US after earning her PhD (from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). But writing had always been her passion. Having written professionally in pre-revolutionary Iran, she has published op-eds in major papers, including the Boston Globe and an essay, Movies with my Aunt, as part of the anthology Love & Pomegranates.  Today, she mentors startups, teaches, and writes about the clash between tradition and modernity and how the past can shed light on our technology-fueled future. A music lover, she is a Cambridge Chamber Ensemble board member and writes for their newsletter as well as on Medium. Afarin continues to discover new destinations globally.

In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji hosted Jason Bhardwaj, a seasoned life science executive and CEO of Nova Anchora. Jason shared his journey from growing up in a science-oriented household to leading biotech startups. He described how his passion for healthcare and business developed through his studies in biomedical engineering at Duke and a decade-long career in consulting. His transition from consulting to entrepreneurship reflects his drive to build impactful solutions in heatlthcare. Jason highlighted key lessons from his experience building and leading biotech teams. He emphasized the importance of finding personal gratification in the startup ecosystem, where milestones - like moving a project from concept to clinic - feel profoundly rewarding. He discussed the critical role of people decisions in virtual biotech models, stressing the importance of rigorous hiring processes and selecting the right partners to ensure a cohesive and capable core team. Jason's philosophy centers on creating an environment where each team member's unique skills contribute to breakthrough innovations. Beyond biotech, Jason shared his commitment to community and education. With two young children, he recently announced his candidacy for the Newton, Massachusetts public school committee. Inspired by a family legacy in teaching, he aims to contribute to educational development and support local families. This passion underscores his belief that learning is a lifelong journey, whether in science, business, or public service. "Find the way you want to make a difference" MEET OUR GUEST Jason Bhardwaj CEO of Nova Anchora. Jason Bhardwaj is an experienced life sciences executive with a broad background leading in startups and ~20 years working in healthcare. Currently, Jason is the CEO of Nova Anchora, developing a recombinant protein-based treatment for DEB (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa). Prior to this, Jason served for 6 years as CEO of another dermatology-focused biotech (Follica, a drug-device combination product for alopecia). Jason has led or advised across a wide range of technologies (drugs, devices, combinations), as well as indications (e.g., Dermatology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Ophthalmology). Prior to life science startups, Jason studied biomedical engineering (Duke), received a masters degree in business (Harvard), and developed a decade of foundational experience in consulting (Bain) working with some of the largest healthcare innovators on a full functional suite of critical challenges (e.g., growth strategy, pricing, M&A diligence, organizational and operating model alignment). Jason and his family live in Newton, MA, where he is involved in the community as a soccer coach, marathon runner, and most recently via a bid for the school committee. Find more and support Jason's mission: www.jason4newton.com

In this episode, Naji engages in a deep conversation with Angela Justice, an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and neuroscientist. Angela shares her journey from consultant to Chief People Officer and founder of Justice Group Advisors, providing unique insights from her extensive experience in healthcare, biotech, and nonprofits. Angela’s curiosity about human behavior, which began with her passion for dance, has driven her to explore the concept of potential in individuals and teams. She discusses how her lifelong fascination with understanding people’s motives and capacities fueled her career in executive coaching, where she helps leaders identify and maximize their strengths while fostering strategic alignment in organizations. Angela emphasizes the power of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals to cultivate high-performing teams. She shares that one of the most vital aspects of leadership is focusing on a larger purpose, especially in healthcare, where the mission centers on improving patient lives. In her view, humility is essential for leaders, allowing them to embrace diverse ideas and remain open to learning from their teams. Angela believes that fostering an environment of collaboration and unity around shared goals can significantly enhance both individual and team performance, driving sustainable success in organizations. Angela also speaks about her journey in embracing her unique strengths, or “edge,” which she describes as critical to thriving in one’s career. She encourages leaders and professionals to discover what makes them unique and leverage that distinctiveness as a strategic advantage. "Move up in your life, not just in your career. Think bigger about the legacy you want to leave, and you’ll bring more impact to the world." MEET OUR GUEST Angela Justice Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor. Angela Justice is an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor to top executives. A neuroscientist by training, Angela began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company before holding senior leadership positions in Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Human Resources. Most recently, she was the Chief People Officer and Head of Medical Affairs at TCRTherapeutics. Angela's diverse background and hands-on experience in the C-suites and boardrooms of healthcare, biotech, and nonprofit sectors provide her with a unique and informed perspective. Her deep understanding of human and organizational behavior enables her to drive sustainable change, helping leaders establish strategic alignment, address blind spots, and leverage strengths for exceptional results. As the Founder and Managing Director of Justice Group Advisors, Angela is dedicated to helping leaders earn and embrace their seat at the table. You can download here the workbook to find your edge! Thank you Angela for this gift! Learn more about Angela's work here.

In this episode, Naji talks with Rebecca Yeung, an accomplished leader who shares her journey and the wisdom encapsulated in her book, "What Rules?". The conversation starts with Rebecca recounting a pivotal choice during a challenging period in her life: accept misery or fight for change. This philosophy underpins her book, which challenges conventional expectations and societal "rules" that often guide people's lives and careers. Rebecca explains the inspiration behind the book's title, crediting her executive coach Gayle Grader, who helped her recognize that by not adhering to typical "rules," she was able to break through barriers like the "bamboo ceiling." This led to the exploration of six key rules in her book: the goals rule, strengths rule, opportunity rule, limits rule, either-or rule, and happiness rule. These rules prompt deeper reflection on what drives us, encourage embracing one's strengths, and challenge traditional success metrics. Throughout the episode, Rebecca discusses the importance of finding fulfillment and celebrating small wins along life's journey. She emphasizes that success is not solely defined by titles or wealth but by meaningful progress and continuous improvement. She also shares practical tips for leaders to help their teams grow by applying these principles in the workplace, fostering environments where individuals can thrive, develop, and find true joy in their work. Rebecca's insights offer a fresh perspective on redefining success, encouraging listeners to live authentically and find happiness in the present, rather than constantly pursuing elusive future goals. "Life is too short to live by someone else’s rules." MEET OUR GUEST Rebecca Yeung Corporate Vice President at FedEx Corporation. Rebecca Yeung is a Corporate Vice President at FedEx Corporation and leads Operations Science and Advanced Technology. In her role, she is responsible for driving critical aspects of FedEx’s innovation and transformation strategy including scaling up robotics and automation technology, autonomous vehicles, decision science, and electromobility. She sits on the FedEx Strategic Management Committee, a C-suite leadership group that sets the strategic direction for the enterprise. As an expert in both advanced technology and logistics operations, she frequently speaks at high profile industry forums including Fortune, World 50, Reuters Momentum, CES, The AI Summit-Silicon Valley, TechCrunch Mobility, HBS Tech Conference and MIT The Engine Tough Tech Summit. In March 2024, Rebecca was recognized by Reuters Events as one of the top 20 Trailblazing Women in Enterprise AI who are demonstrating real influence, impact, and leadership in large-scale enterprise AI deployment. Rebecca joined two public boards in 2023 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO), bringing to both her technology and innovation expertise and strategic perspective. She has also previously served as a Board of Director for the Mid-South Food Bank between 2013 and 2022.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karim Benhadji, Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. With nearly 20 years of experience in oncology drug development, Karim shared his journey from medical school in Algeria to his leadership roles in the biotech industry. He recounted how his passion for science and technology initially led him to medicine and eventually to oncology, a field that has seen transformative advancements over the past two decades. Karim’s experience spans various stages of drug development, including his pivotal role in the approval of key oncology drugs while serving at companies like Eli Lilly and Taiho Oncology. Karim emphasized the value of taking risks and embracing opportunities, which propelled his transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry. He recounted how a recruiter’s unexpected call introduced him to clinical research at Eli Lilly, where he gained significant expertise in oncology drug development. Over the years, he led teams in both big pharma and smaller biotech environments, learning the importance of diversity, culture, and team collaboration. He shared his leadership philosophy of authenticity, humility, and empowering others, which has been integral to his success in building high-performing teams to develop life-saving therapies for cancer patients. As the conversation progressed, Karim highlighted the rapid advancements in oncology, especially the promise of precision medicine and cell-based therapies. He expressed optimism for the future, acknowledging the challenges but also celebrating the scientific progress that has given patients more treatment options. He also touched on the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug discovery and clinical trial processes, reinforcing his belief that while 90% of drug development efforts may not lead to immediate breakthroughs, they contribute invaluable knowledge to the field and ultimately drive innovation for patients. "It's all for the patients—they can't wait, and every day lost in bureaucracy or indecision impacts their lives." MEET OUR GUEST Karim Benhadji Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. Karim Benhadji is currently Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. He has nearly 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical oncology drug development, and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of GV20 Therapeutics. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Operations at Taiho Oncology where he oversaw the development of early and late phase portfolio assets, including the FDA approval of LYTGOBI® (futibatinib) in cholangiocarcinoma and the Phase 3 SUNLIGHT that led to the FDA approval of LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) in combination with bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Prior to joining Taiho Oncology, Karim spent 13 years with Eli Lilly and Company in oncology development roles of increasing responsibility, including overseeing several immuno-oncology programs. Dr. Benhadji received his M.D. from the University of Oran, and completed his Oncology fellowship in the universities of Oran and Paris. He also received a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Oncology from the University of Paris.