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In this episode of Clinical Trial Blazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Neil Warma, President and CEO of Promise Neurosciences. Neil has more than 25 years of leadership experience across North America, Europe, and Asia, and shares how his unconventional career path—from neuroscience and Novartis to founding and leading multiple biotech companies—shaped his approach to leadership. Neil shares his perspective on Promise Neurosciences' Alzheimer's program, including the thinking behind its comprehensive Phase 1b study and the company's expectations for its next major data milestone, the future of AI in biotech and more. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trial Blazers, host Alberto Grignolo speaks with veteran biotech executive, investor, and board member Jay Roberts about his journey from CFO to CEO and the leadership lessons that shaped his career. Jay explains how a foundation in finance prepared him to lead biotech companies through clinical uncertainty, capital challenges, and high-stakes decision-making, while emphasizing the importance of building strong teams, making fact-based decisions, and knowing when to pivot, partner, or stop a program. He also shares his perspective on investor expectations, board governance, the evolving role of AI and data in drug development, and the qualities tomorrow's biotech leaders will need to successfully bring innovative therapies to patients. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Dr. Briggs Morrison, CEO of Crossbow Therapeutics and former Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medicines Development at AstraZeneca. Briggs shares lessons from a career spanning academia, Big Pharma, and biotech entrepreneurship—including leadership roles at Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, and now Crossbow. The conversation explores how small biotech companies drive innovation, why constraints can improve execution, and how leaders build teams capable of navigating scientific, clinical, and financial uncertainty. Briggs also discusses Crossbow's recent $77 million Series B financing, the promise of TCR mimetic antibody therapies, and the realities of raising capital in today's biotech environment. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Reenie McCarthy, the CEO of Mighty Therapeutics, formerly known as Stealth BioTherapeutics. Reenie shares her path from venture investor to biotech CEO and the years-long effort to develop and secure approval for a first-in-class therapy targeting mitochondrial dysfunction. She discusses the scientific, regulatory, and funding challenges of advancing a novel treatment through clinical development, as well as the critical role of patient advocacy and the lessons learned from setbacks that ultimately helped shape the company's success. The conversation also explores the future of mitochondrial medicine and Mighty Therapeutics' mission to bring innovative treatments to patients with serious unmet needs.   We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Joe von Rickenbach, co-founder of Parexel and a pioneer of the modern clinical research organization (CRO) industry, to discuss his journey from launching a two-person regulatory consulting firm in 1982 to building a global CRO that helped redefine drug development worldwide. Joe reflects on the evolution of clinical trials, the rise of outsourcing and digitization in pharma, and the leadership lessons learned from scaling Parexel over 35 years. He also shares insights on entrepreneurship, navigating major business decisions and the future of AI-enabled clinical research, and why trust, relationships, and adaptability remain essential for success in biotech and healthcare innovation. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

How do you go from lawyer to biotech CEO? In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Heather Turner, CEO of LB Pharmaceuticals, shares her journey from legal counsel to leading a late-stage biotech company. She discusses the mindset shifts required to step into the CEO role, making high-stakes decisions with incomplete data, and balancing risk versus benefit. Heather brings more than 25 years of experience across biotech and life sciences, with a career that uniquely spans legal, operational, and executive leadership. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Dr. Allison Jeynes, CEO of Nefro Avillion Clinical Development, to explore her remarkable journey from clinician to biotech leader. With over 30 years of experience and a track record that includes the development and approval of nearly 20 drugs, Allison shares how she built a 100% success-rate model in clinical development, and what it takes to sustain excellence in a high-risk industry. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Clinical Trialblazers is back for Season Two. Host Alberto Grignolo speaks with Paul Garofolo, Co-Founder and CEO of Locus Biosciences, about the leadership mindset behind capital efficiency, resource prioritization, and disciplined execution. Drawing on Paul’s journey from global leadership roles at Patheon to founding a next-generation precision medicine company, this episode explores fundraising across market cycles, founder-friendly capital, strategic and government partnerships, and the science behind Locus’ bacteriophage-based platform aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant infections. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Clinical Trialblazers will be back soon! Season 2 will bring together a dynamic mix of biotech innovators, executives, and industry leaders to reveal the strategy and teamwork fueling the next wave of clinical breakthroughs. Across 10 new episodes, host Alberto Grignolo will explore high-stakes decisions, unexpected hurdles, and the defining moments that shape both careers and clinical milestones. Season 2 of Clinical Trialblazers is streaming soon wherever you listen to podcasts. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this season finale of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo reflects on key insights and themes from conversations with biotech leaders over the past year. From researchers to entrepreneurs to investors, Alberto spoke with a wide range of leaders in the biotech industry, each with a unique perspective on the evolving biotech landscape and advice for aspiring innovators. This episode is just a sampling of the many compelling stories and lessons shared in this remarkable first season.  We hope you enjoyed this season of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.  We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Alberto sits down with Dr. Geeta Vemuri, Founder and Managing Partner of Agent Capital. They discuss Dr. Vemuri’s journey into venture capital, offering valuable insights on what makes successful biotech companies and CEOs stand out. She also speaks about the critical balance between scientific innovation and strong management teams, the role of capital efficiency in building sustainable companies, the value of board membership, and what excites her about the future of biopharma.   We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Miquel Vila-Perello, Ph.D. co-founder and CEO of SpliceBio, a gene therapy company focused on treating Stargardt disease. They discuss Miquel's journey from academia to biotech, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of passion and resilience in drug development, and the future of gene therapy. Miquel shares insights on balancing rationality and passion, the differences between academic and industry research, and the significance of building trust with investors. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Lyla Bibi, Partner at Goldman Sachs and Head of Healthcare Equity Capital Markets, shares her impactful career journey focused on helping bring cutting-edge therapies to life by bridging capital and science. Tune in as she offers a behind-the-scenes look into the nuances of biotech investment in today’s competitive landscape, emphasizing the importance of a clear value proposition, the enduring power of trust in leadership, and the essential characteristics of successful biotech CEOs. Beyond the science and market trends, Lyla offers valuable insights on balancing a demanding career with a full personal life and her optimistic outlook on the future of scientific funding. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Dr. Antti Vuolanto, CEO of Herantis Pharma Plc, shares his unconventional journey into the biotech industry, from bioengineering to leading a company focused on central nervous system (CNS) diseases. He discusses the scientific innovation behind HER096, a potential game-changer for Parkinson's disease, and the challenges of drug development. Beyond the science, Dr. Vuolanto offers profound lessons on the importance of building trust with colleagues and investors, the importance of taking risks, and the importance of work-life balance (a Finnish secret to happiness!). This episode highlights the power of mentorship, honest communication, and a deep commitment to impacting patients’ lives. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of drug development, and the significance of building trust with investors.  We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo speaks with Dr. Ross Breckenridge, CEO of Arjuna Therapeutics, a company pioneering a novel approach to precision oncology through therapeutic molecular clusters. Dr. Breckenridge shares insights on the cultural differences between academia and industry, the benefits of conducting clinical trials in Europe over the U.S., and the importance of chemistry manufacturing controls (CMC) in drug development.  He also discusses the challenges of raising capital and the critical role of strong leadership to build and foster a resilient and reliable team.  We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen. Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.