Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys.
Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field.
So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter.
Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming global clinical leaders!
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Données mises à jour le 04/07/2026
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Tobias Kampfenkel, MD, MHBA, Vice President of Early Clinical Development and Translational Research at Miltenyi Biomedicine, on Transformative Drugs in Oncology and Autoimmunity: It's Always the Team!
Épisode 69
lundi 15 juin 2026 • Durée 39:21
In this episode, I talked with Dr. Tobias Kampfenkel, Vice President of Early Clinical Development and Translational Research at Miltenyi Biomedicine. Tobias spent nearly a decade at Janssen building the daratumumab story from the German launch and HTA negotiations through global pivotal trials and regulatory submissions — and then did it again with two bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma. In early 2025, he made a deliberate move to Miltenyi Biomedicine, stepping into an executive committee role to lead a CAR-T program now being tested in autoimmune diseases — one of the most fascinating and fast-moving intersections in drug development right now.
We go deep on what it actually feels like when a late-stage program doesn't land, how to hold a team together after a major setback, and the real tension between hiring for hard skills versus hiring for cultural fit. We also explore what the CAR-T revolution in autoimmune disease could mean for patients who have been on lifelong immunosuppression — and why some people are beginning, very carefully, to use the word "cure." Outside the office, Tobias is a racket sports enthusiast, a recreational runner, an avid reader, and an occasional piano player — and someone who will happily trade a busy schedule for a quiet weekend on a small Dutch island with no traffic and nothing to do.
Here's What You're In For
Why leadership during failure is about being active, not assuming everyone is okay
Why some hard skills in drug development can only be built through repetition, not reading
What it's like to move intentionally from Big Pharma to a smaller, more entrepreneurial company
Timestamps
03:39 – Whether his MHBA at Erlangen-Nürnberg was coincidence or connected to the CASEL trial
04:54 – A decade with daratumumab and what deep team ownership really feels like
07:13 – When a major readout doesn't land and what that does to a team
12:49 – Miltenyi's core strengths in CAR-T manufacturing and the blind spots of a multi-business organization
15:55 – Bridging oncology and autoimmunity across zamtocell and zorpocell
19:59 – Balancing modality expertise, disease experience, seniority, and culture when building a team
23:44 – What moving deliberately from J&J to a smaller company actually teaches you
27:32 – Tobias's first time in autoimmune drug development and the learning curve that came with it
29:39 – The first ever CAR-T treatment in a patient with systemic lupus in 2021
32:52 – What early safety data from CAR-T in autoimmune patients is starting to show
34:13 – In vivo CAR-T, solid tumors, and where cell and gene therapy is heading in the next 10 years
38:19 – Why this is one of the most exciting times to be working in this space
About Tobias
Tobias Kampfenkel, MD, MHBA, is the Vice President of Early Clinical Development and Translational Research at Miltenyi Biomedicine, and a member of the company's executive committee. A board-certified internist and hematologist/oncologist, Tobias spent nearly a decade at Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), where he led clinical development across multiple myeloma programs including daratumumab (Darzalex) and bispecific antibodies teclistamab and talquetamab — spanning the German launch and HTA negotiations through to global pivotal trials and regulatory submissions. In early 2025, he joined Miltenyi Biomedicine to lead their CAR-T programs in autoimmune diseases, including studies in systemic lupus and systemic sclerosis. He also holds a Master's in Health Business Administration from the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Outside the office, Tobias is a racket sports enthusiast — tennis and badminton both — a recreational runner, an avid reader, and an occasional piano player. Above all, he values time with family and friends, which keeps him grounded amid a demanding professional life. Welcome, Tobias.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
Sofia Heigis, CEO of OncoPeptides, From Sales Rep to CEO, Being "Present", and Hiring for Self-Insight
Épisode 68
dimanche 31 mai 2026 • Durée 38:05
In this episode, I talked with Sofia Heigis, Chief Executive Officer of OncoPeptides, about a career path that did not start where she expected. Sofia originally wanted to move into clinical operations, but her first role in pharma ended up being in sales — a move that shaped everything that came after it. We talk about why early career detours can matter more than people think, what tough roles teach you about value and resilience, and why some of the best foundations are built in jobs people do not initially want.
Sofia also opens up about the more personal side of leadership: raising three children while building a senior career, dealing with the guilt that can come with travel and time away, and learning how to be fully present instead of constantly split between work and home. We also get into OncoPeptides’ journey through a difficult period, why she stepped into the CEO role internally, how she thinks about culture and hiring, what is next for the business in Europe and glioblastoma, and the reality of board roles and strategic decision-making. Toward the end, we also touch on more personal quick-fire reflections, including what she is most grateful for and the soft skill she most wants her children to develop.
Here’s What You’re In For
What “being present” really looks like at work and at home
Why self-insight matters more than polished interview answers
How she thinks about board roles, contribution, and strategic fit
Timestamps
02:59 – How Sofia got her first pharma role after aiming for clinical operations
05:03 – Why she believes sales can be one of the best starts in pharma
07:38 – Career, motherhood, and the myth that you have to choose one
11:30 – Dealing with guilt, travel, and being away from family
13:47 – What OncoPeptides does and why its peptide drug conjugates stand out
Jens Lindberg, CEO at Medivir, on The Biotech Rollercoaster - Medivir´s Previous Four Months (and Biotech Today in 2026)
Épisode 67
lundi 18 mai 2026 • Durée 33:30
In this episode, I talked with Jens Lindberg, CEO of Medivir AB, a Swedish biotech developing innovative therapies in liver cancer and rare disease. Jens brings over 30 years of late-stage development and commercialisation experience—including 25 years at AstraZeneca—where he worked on blockbuster drugs such as Tagrisso and Lynparza.
Jens opens up about the moment he was handed the global commercial lead role for what the company believed would be its next blockbuster—only to realise the asset was significantly overvalued. What followed was one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do professionally: telling senior leadership that the people who licensed the asset were wrong—without making them feel that way. We also get into Medivir's turbulent last few months: a forced pivot from a multi-country Phase 2b study, a round of layoffs, and then a dramatic reversal with new investors coming on board and two programs now moving forward at the same time.
For anyone trying to understand what fundraising truly looks like in today's biotech environment, Jens is direct about how completely his approach to investor relations has had to change since 2022. When he's not steering Medivir through the ups and downs of biotech, Jens is out on the cross-country ski trails—and has been for most of his life.
Here's What You're In For
How Jens landed his first job as a sales rep at Astra—without fully knowing what the role was—and ended up staying 25 years
The art of managing expectations upward when senior leadership doesn't want to hear the truth
Why Jens now starts building investor relationships two years before he needs the money—and what investors actually want to see before they commit
Timestamps
02:04 – First job in pharma: starting as a sales rep at Astra and staying 25 years
03:25 – Career highlight: joining AZ Investor Relations and defending against Pfizer's hostile takeover bid
08:07 – Career low: being promoted to global commercial lead for a late-stage asset—then realising it was overvalued
Hubert Truebel, Managing Director at DEBRA Research, on Creating Own Career Opportunities...and a Practical Approach to Longevity
Épisode 66
lundi 4 mai 2026 • Durée 28:25
In this episode, I talked with Hubert Truebel, Managing Director at DEBRA Research, to discover a career that wasn’t built traditionally—but through creating opportunities where none formally existed.
Hubert shares how his journey started as a physician in intensive care, before a simple conversation over dinner—pitching a research idea—turned into his first step into pharma. What stands out isn’t just the transition, but the mindset behind it: creating the conditions for “serendipity” to happen. We go through the key moments in his career, from leading translational work at Bayer to stepping into smaller biotech environments, and how each shift required a completely different way of thinking and operating.
We also explore his current role at DEBRA Research, where he now connects patients, biotech, and pharma to move treatments forward in rare diseases—often bringing together groups that wouldn’t naturally collaborate. And in the latter part, we talked about his book on longevity, where Hubert challenges the industry around supplements, breaks down what actually drives healthspan, and explains why most people focus on the wrong things when trying to live longer, healthier lives.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
How a simple conversation led to his first role in pharma
The hidden complexity of bringing a drug from idea to market
How to think about longevity using an “investment” mindset
Timestamps
02:45 – How a Dinner Conversation Led to His First Pharma Role
06:27 – What “Serendipity” Really Means in a Career
07:41 – The Emotional Turning Point in Pediatric Intensive Care
10:08 – What DEBRA Research Does Differently in Drug Development
13:52 – Moving from Big Pharma to Biotech: What Actually Changes
Sampreet Ramachandra, Head of Hematology Business Unit at Novartis Germany, on Launching Without a Playbook, Hiring Mistakes, and Leading with Equity
Épisode 65
lundi 30 mars 2026 • Durée 42:18
In this episode, I talked with Sampreet Ramachandra, Head of the Hematology Business Unit at Novartis Germany, about what it really takes to lead high-stakes launches — and what leadership looks like when things don’t go to plan.
Sampreet shares how graduating into the 2008 financial crisis forced him to rethink his career from day one. What was meant to be a short stop in oncology turned into an 18-year commitment to the industry. We talk about leading the commercialization of CAR-T in Germany, writing a launch playbook from scratch, and why excellence in launch is rare.
We also discussed hiring mistakes — from overselling a role to ignoring a gut feeling — and why culture isn’t what you write on slides, but what you accept, celebrate, and tolerate, gender equity, the motherhood penalty, and what leadership responsibility truly means when it’s personal.
Outside his professional work, Sampreet is someone who intentionally steps into discomfort — whether that’s learning tennis from scratch, snowboarding, practicing yoga, or picking up a camera as a hobby photographer. For him, growth isn’t just professional — it’s personal, physical, and ongoing.
Here’s What You’re In For
Building teams that can handle stress, scrutiny, and speed
The moment he hired someone “perfect on paper” — but ignored his gut
The real meaning of gender equity — and the career fear he witnessed at home
Timestamps
02:17 – Graduating into the 2008 crash and taking an oncology role by necessity
02:32 – From tech in India to committing to pharma
09:11 – Commercializing CAR-T and pioneering a new launch model
10:18 – Writing a playbook from scratch for cell & gene therapy
13:03 – What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in launches
Volker Wacheck, SVP at Taiho Oncology in Speaking Up, Asking vs. Accusing and Why Culture is So Important
Épisode 64
lundi 9 mars 2026 • Durée 29:34
In this episode, I talked with Volker Wacheck, SVP & Head of Clinical Development at Taiho Oncology, where he shared how a PI role in Vienna led him into industry, and why the hardest part wasn’t leaving academia, but learning the unseen sides of drug development: regulatory, compliance, and CMC.
Volker talked about the risks of hiring KOLs straight into VP or CMO roles, and why some thrive while others struggle. He also mentioned Taiho’s unique setup—anchored in Princeton, embedded in Otsuka’s Japanese holding—and how that cross-cultural mix shapes everything from decision-making speed to communication style.
He also shares his most personal leadership lessons: the regret of staying silent in work, the “ask, don’t accuse” method he uses now, and how to manage egos when science and careers collide. From Taiho’s pipeline to his views on hiring, recruiters, and why impact often starts only after 18–24 months, this was a candid look at the realities of building teams and drugs that last.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
KOLs jumping straight to VP/CMO—when it’s transformational vs. a risky mis‑fit.
Over‑prepared vs. under‑prepared interviews: what signals actually predict success.
Recruiters who stick the landing: investing time upfront and optimizing for tenure, not just speed.
Timestamps:
01:26 – Why he left academia and looked to industry
03:12 – Learning the “other side” of development: regulatory, compliance, CMC
05:00 – KOLs jumping to VP/CMO: when it works and why it’s risky
11:31 – Working US/EU/Japan: direct vs. indirect communication; shared principles
14:00 – Why candidates might love Taiho: “small enough to feel personal, big enough to win,” plus stability
16:20 – The biomarker‑assay story: when not speaking up backfired
Dena Grayson, MD, PhD, SVP Clinical Development & Medical Affairs at Kyverna Therapeutics on Media Training, Communication within Biotech, and Dealing with Fake CVs
Épisode 63
mardi 24 février 2026 • Durée 31:33
In this episode, I talked with Dr. Dena Grayson, a physician–scientist with over two decades in biotech drug development. At the time of this recording, she was SVP and Head of Clinical Development at Keros Therapeutics, leading programs in rare bone marrow disorders, and she has since become SVP of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Kyverna Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, she helped advance Repatha at Amgen, and her path has also included running for Congress and serving as a national media voice during COVID.
Dena shares what it was like being the only MD–PhD in Amgen’s business development group, how she transitioned into clinical development, and the lessons she carried forward from her time in both politics and national media, where she became a trusted voice during the COVID pandemic. We dive into the real difference between presenting “the what” and explaining “the so what,” and why communication often makes or breaks careers in biotech.
Alongside her professional journey, Dena opens up about the wildest recruitment experience she’s ever had, her approach to building strong teams, and why patience in hiring beats rushing a decision. And in our quick-fire round, she shares stories from her days as a state champion soccer player, her love of surfing, and how she unwinds outside biotech.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
How a political campaign loss led to a media career during COVID
How to handle interviews when you’re introverted
The kinds of questions that truly impress hiring managers
Timestamps
01:10 – Landing her first industry role at Amgen
03:24 – Repatha and investigational therapies at Keros
04:49 – Surfing, soccer, and state championships
07:08 – From political spouse to running for Congress
Richard Nkulikiyinka, Chief Medical Officer at Antag Therapeutics, on Career Pivots, Trust and Why Leadership Is Never Linear
Épisode 62
lundi 26 janvier 2026 • Durée 35:20
In this episode, I talked with Richard Nkulikiyinka, Chief Medical Officer at Antag Therapeutics, a Copenhagen-based biotech developing GIPR antagonists in the obesity space.
Richard’s career began in the NHS, where he spent five years practicing acute medicine and intensive care—until the moment he realized he couldn’t picture himself doing the same thing for the next 30 years. That realization sparked a pivot that many physicians quietly wrestle with: leaving behind the security of the ward for the uncertainty of industry.
Richard also shares what it was like to walk away from a stable VP role at Bayer during a restructuring, take an intentional career break, and use those months to reflect on what really mattered before joining Antag Therapeutics. We talk about the shift from big pharma to biotech, what he learned from leading through severe stakeholder misalignment, and why authentic communication matters more than management theory when things get messy.
And yes—there’s a light-hearted detour into Berlin life, bad currywurst, and how to tell when it’s time to make serious changes in your team.
Here’s What You’re In For
What makes Antag Therapeutics’ culture unique
The hardest leadership call: deciding when the problem is you vs them
The recruitment ghosting story that every hiring manager should hear
Timestamps
02:08 – Leaving the NHS: deciding what he could be “happily bored with”
04:00 – Landing his first pharma job at Bayer in drug safety
09:33 – Overview of Antag Therapeutics and GIPR vs GLP-1
13:20 – Leaving Bayer and taking a sabbatical to reset
17:08 – What it’s like to work at Antag Therapeutics—and what he looks for in candidates
Prof. Dr. med. Markus Kosch, Head of Oncology Europe & Canada at Daiichi Sankyo on Perseverance, Patient-Centricity Beyond Slogans, and Leadership within Oncology
Épisode 63
lundi 19 janvier 2026 • Durée 35:31
In this episode, I talked with Prof. Dr. med. Markus Kosch, Head of Oncology Europe and Canada at Daiichi Sankyo Europe, about what it really means to lead with empathy, perseverance, and purpose in today’s biopharma world. Markus shared how losing his father to cancer at 21 shaped his commitment to oncology — and why that experience still guides his decisions decades later.
After ten years in the hospital system, he faced a turning point: realizing that to help more patients, he’d have to step outside the clinic. That leap led him into industry at a time when ADCs were still an emerging idea — and he’s since built a career around transforming long-term scientific perseverance into patient impact.
Markus opened up about layoffs and restructuring, learning to lead through influence rather than authority, and why “patient-centricity” has to be more than a corporate phrase. He also shared how Daiichi Sankyo invests in nurses, why he values authenticity above experience in hiring, and how he handles tough conversations — including a live role-play on what to do when an employee asks for a promotion that isn’t possible.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
How to lead through influence, not authority
What patient-centricity really looks like inside Daiichi Sankyo
How perseverance and ikigai fuel innovation
Timestamps
03:00 – From hospital to industry — how his first pharma role came about
07:15 – Leading through influence instead of authority
08:10 – Guiding teams through restructuring
09:45 – How empathy and transparency define good leadership
12:10 – Patient-centric culture at Daiichi Sankyo
Myriam Cherif, Founder of Kalyx Medical, on The Future of MSLs, Adapting to AI, and Why Curiosity Keeps You Moving Forward
Épisode 61
lundi 5 janvier 2026 • Durée 33:52
In this episode, I talked with Myriam Cherif, former Regional Medical Lead for Oncology & Emerging Markets at GSK and founder of Kalyx Medical—a consultancy focused on Medical Affairs strategy, mentoring, and AI training.
I invited Myriam to join me here because she posts some of the most insightful and practical content about what life is really like as a Medical Affairs professional. She shares her journey from academia to pharma, and what it really takes to succeed in Medical Affairs without losing your sense of purpose. She opens up about the early days at Novartis, the steep transition from the lab to corporate life, and the practical lessons she learned through trial and error—most especially the KOL meeting that didn’t go as planned.
She also shares the turning point that came when her role at GSK was made redundant, how that moment became the spark behind founding Kalyx Medical, and why she now helps MSLs and Medical Leads use AI with intention, and not as a gimmick. Along the way, she reflects on mentorship, resilience, and how to stand out in an industry that tests both your patience and adaptability.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
Why mentorship can make or break your first MSL year
The “so what” factor that makes a CV stand out
How AI can help MSLs read smarter, not harder
Timestamps
01:15 – From PhD in molecular biology to Medical Affairs
03:07 – The reality behind the MSL role
05:30 – Starting at Novartis and feeling out of depth
06:52 – Her first KOL meeting—and what went wrong
08:08 – Why mentorship changes everything
10:17 – How long it took to land her first MSL role
15:34 – Turning objections into opportunities
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15:44 – Why she stepped into the CEO role and what she wanted to stabilize
19:28 – The culture she wants at OncoPeptides and how she hires for it
24:42 – What 2026 and 2027 look like for OncoPeptides across Europe, glioblastoma, and Japan
28:42 – What a board really does and how people can position themselves for board roles
37:43 – What she is most grateful for and the soft skill she wants her children to develop
About Sofia
Sofia Heigis is the Chief Executive Officer of Oncopeptides, a Swedish biotech listed on Nasdaq Stockholm that focuses on targeted therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Sofia started her career at Astrazeneca, first as a Sales Rep in 2006, then into Clinical Operations, then Medical Affairs and then eventually into VP positive leading the Medical and Regulatory teams across the entire Nordic + Baltic regions.
And similarly at Onco she joined to lead their Global Medical Affairs and then moved into CCO and GM positions and now the CEO. Outside of this she is a mother of 3, and loves nature.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
10:29 – The challenge of managing senior leaders who in-licensed the asset themselves
13:07 – What Medivir is: history, liver cancer program, and osteogenesis imperfecta
14:45 – Medivir's recent rollercoaster: funding challenges, the pivot from Phase 2b, and layoffs
20:30 – How Jens describes Medivir's culture: agile, transparent, and built on helping each other
23:05 – How Jens integrates consultants into the company's culture as if they were permanent employees
26:32 – How Jens's approach to investor relations changed dramatically since joining in January 2022
32:34 – Perseverance in biotech: herd mentality in capital markets and why doing the right thing eventually pays off
About Jens
Jens Lindberg is the CEO of Medivir AB, a Swedish biotech focused on development of drugs in rare and orphan diseases with high unmet medical need. Jens brings over 30 years of late-stage development and commercialisation experience in pharma and biotech, including 25 years at AstraZeneca where he held roles spanning sales, commercial leadership, investor relations, and global brand strategy—working on blockbuster drugs including Tagrisso and Lynparza. He has also held roles at Sedana Medical.
Outside of work, Jens is an enthusiastic cross-country skier with over 30 years on the trails—which, given the pace he keeps professionally, is probably the only time he slows down.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
15:46 – Acting as the Connector Between Patients, Biotech, and Pharma
19:29 – Why He Wrote a Book on Longevity
21:00 – The Reality About Supplements: “Almost Zero Data”
22:00 – The 10-Year Healthspan Loss Most People Ignore
24:00 – Why Exercise Outperforms Medication in Longevity
About Hubert
Hubert Truebel has built his career across medicine, pharma, and biotech. After starting as a physician in intensive care, he spent nearly 15 years at Bayer, ultimately as SVP Translational Medicine, working on major drug programs and clinical trials. He later moved into biotech as CMO at AiCuris, helping advance Pritelivir through late-stage development, shortly before the company was acquired for just under $1 billion.
Today, Hubert works with DEBRA Research, focusing on ultra-rare skin diseases like epidermolysis bullosa through a patient-driven drug development model. Alongside this, he is a strong advocate for health and longevity, and recently published his book “Longevity – Die Anti-Bullshit-Formel.”
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.
36:56 – Ending up in the emergency room — and rethinking ambition
About Sampreet
Sampreet Ramachandra is Head of the Hematology Business Unit at Novartis Germany, with over 18 years of experience across global, regional, and country leadership roles. He has led multiple best-in-class and first-in-class launches, including pioneering the commercialization of CAR-T in Germany.
Originally starting his career in tech in India before graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, Sampreet built his path in pharma through purpose-driven decisions and continuous learning — holding degrees from Harvard, LSE, and India. Beyond commercial leadership, he is a strong advocate for gender equity and a supporter of youth education initiatives in India.
Outside work, he’s a hobby photographer, snowboarder, yoga enthusiast, and is currently learning tennis
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
23:22 – Hiring: over‑prepared vs under‑prepared—what Volker actually looks for
26:29 – Good vs excellent recruiters: the time they put in before the search
About Volker
Volker Wacheck is Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Taiho Oncology. A medical oncology background and now over two decades of industry experience its fair to say he knows a lot about cancer research.
Taiho is known for its cancer drug development including, Futi-Ba-tinib their FG-FR inhibitor and Zipa-Ler-tinib which targets EGFR Mutations.
Volker is also someone who comes highly recommended, Michael Lahn, Ilaria Conti and insert other great person in the field all know and respect Volker. We spoke a few weeks before ASCO, met at ASCO and now doing this - and of course its a pleasure to have him on here.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
08:42 – Becoming a media commentator during COVID
10:41 – Communication lessons: from “what” to “so what”
15:14 – Advice for introverts in interviews and early career roles
17:37 – How thoughtful questions can change the dynamic in an interview
21:02 – Nearly 20 years as a hiring manager: what’s changed and what hasn’t
23:11 – Advice for junior hiring managers and why patience matters
25:37 – A candidate with a completely fabricated CV—the wildest recruitment story
About Dena
Dr. Dena Grayson is a physician–scientist (MD, PhD) with over 20 years in biotech drug development. At the time of this recording, she was SVP and Head of Clinical Development at Keros Therapeutics, leading programs in rare bone marrow disorders, and she has since become SVP of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Kyverna Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, she helped advance Repatha at Amgen, and her path has also included running for Congress and serving as a national media voice during COVID, experiences that shaped her belief that communication is as critical as science in driving biotech forward.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
18:46 – The toughest chapter: extreme stakeholder misalignment in dermatology
25:16 – Leadership lessons: firing, feedback, and the “benefit of the doubt”
29:00 – Why managers struggle to act fast—and how structure slows decisions
31:48 – Richard’s worst recruitment experience: being ghosted by agencies
About Richard
Richard Nkulikiyinka, is the Chief Medical Officer of Antag Therapeutics, a biotech developing GIPR antagonists within the Obesity space. A UK-trained physician, he spent five years practicing in acute medicine and intensive care within the NHS - this is also where he developed his dry sense of humour - and now he transitioned into the biopharmaceutical industry, where he has built over 17 years of experience.
Prior to joining Antag, Richard served as Vice President in Clinical Development at Bayer Pharma, where he played a central role in advancing four drugs to approval. He is now ein Berliner - where we often meet for clubbing and currywurst.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
17:45 – Japanese lessons in ikigai
20:40 – Hiring authenticity
25:00 – Role-play: handling promotion requests and career plateaus
About Markus
Prof. Dr. med. Markus Kosch is Head of Oncology Europe & Canada at Daiichi Sankyo, with extensive leadership experience in oncology and global pharma. Before joining Daiichi Sankyo, he spent 16.5 years at Wyeth and Pfizer in senior roles. Trained as a physician, Markus worked for a decade treating cancer patients before moving into the pharmaceutical industry.
His early personal experience with cancer — losing his father at age 21 — shaped his commitment to patient-centric innovation. Known for connecting scientific excellence with responsibility and perseverance, he focuses on advancing breakthrough oncology therapies, particularly Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). He is passionate about leadership, collaboration, and embedding patient needs at the center of every decision.
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.
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
22:42 – From GSK restructure to starting Kalyx Medical
25:26 – Two big mistakes companies make with AI
28:37 – How AI gives MSLs a competitive edge
About Myriam
Dr. Myriam Cherif is the former Regional Medical Lead – Oncology, Emerging Markets at GSK and the Founder of Kalyx Medical, a consultancy focused on medical affairs strategy and AI training. With over 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Myriam has worked across a wide range of therapy areas, including cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology, and held leadership roles spanning the UK and emerging markets.
At GSK, she led medical strategy and scientific engagement across diverse regions, ensuring compliance and excellence in oncology communication. Through Kalyx Medical, Myriam also supports biotech and pharma companies by enhancing their medical affairs capabilities and preparing teams for the evolving landscape of AI-driven drug development and engagement.
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.
