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Scientific innovation happens every day and has the power to create lasting change in the world. However, change only happens when that knowledge is applied to a real-world problem. There are a lot of daunting problems that face us, many of which require audacious and ambitious solutions. What prevents scientific leaders from delivering our most-needed solutions? What about a great story compels us to solve our most demanding challenges? Explore the importance of storytelling as a leadership tool to power scientific innovation and drive transformative change. Join two entrepreneurs – Dani Stoltzfus and Will Riedl – as we interview innovators, trailblazers, and rulebreakers who seek to transform the world through scientific advancement. Powered by Mighty Spark Communications.

Mighty Spark Communications


    • May 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Spark Time!

    Ep. 25 Javier Tordable Saw Biotech's Blind Spot. Then Built a Company to Fix It.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 54:31


    What does a former Google leader see when he looks at the drug discovery process? A broken system and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild it with AI. Javier Tordable spent 16 years at Google leading technical teams, and helping global pharma companies modernize through AI in his role as Technical Director in the CTO office. Now he's the founder and CEO of Pauling AI, an early-stage startup using molecular simulation to radically accelerate how new medicines are found. In this episode, Javier breaks down what biotech gets fundamentally wrong about AI and the cost of those misconceptions. We explore the bold bets he's making to reshape the industry, what biotech teams get wrong when explaining cutting-edge science, and how hosting his own podcast, The Pauling Perspective, has sharpened his lens on what truly resonates. Also on the table: Linus Pauling, investor mind games, and the one prediction about drug development that might make traditionalists sweat. This one's for the engineers, the skeptics, and anyone daring to rethink what's possible.

    Ep. 24 AI vs. Clinical Trial Chaos: Maree Beare Isn't Waiting Around

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 40:04


    We sit down with Maree Beare, the visionary CEO and founder of Clinials. Maree shares her journey in transforming clinical trials through AI-driven solutions, that streamline processes, enhance operational efficiency, and make research more accessible to diverse populations.She breaks down the long-standing bottlenecks in clinical trials, and shares why and how she built a platform to tackle the complexity and inefficiencies head-on.We explore how Clinials is redefining communication, simplifying protocols, automating workflows, and accelerating decision-making to drive faster, more cost-effective, and inclusive trials globally. Maree also discusses the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research, and how technology can play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.Tune in to discover why she's becoming one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of AI, clinical trials, and patient-centric care.

    Ep. 23 Jason Foster on Scaling Indivior, Leading Ori Biotech, and Solving the Real-World Bottlenecks Holding Back Cell and Gene Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 56:34


    This week we are joined by Jason Foster, CEO of Ori Biotech to talk about the future of CGT and why scalable strategic manufacturing is in a make or break moment, his experience scaling Indivior from 5 to 1,100 people culminating in a £3B exit and the powerful culture behind that growth, the Bluebird Bio acquisition and what it means for CGT investment today, and why he is deeply optimistic about Ori Biotech's automated, closed platform. A must-listen for anyone building, investing in, or scaling the next era of biotech.

    Ep. 22 Audrey Greenberg on Strategically Enabling Cell & Gene Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 39:12


    In this episode, we sit down with Audrey Greenberg, Founder and CEO of AG Capital Advisors, to explore her journey building and scaling the Center for Breakthrough Medicines into one of the largest advanced therapies CDMOs. Audrey shares how she fosters a strong culture in her ventures, her insights on the critical need for more women in capital allocation roles, and where she sees the cell and gene therapy field heading next – including what it will take to get there.

    Ep. 21 Emily Fang on Authentically Understanding a Global Audience

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 30:34


    We sit down with Emily Fang, CEO of InFocus Therapeutics, to discuss her global BD career, partnerships in biotech, and the state of RNA-targeting small molecules. Emily describes the deep understanding she builds with partners and investors around the world.

    Ep. 20 Martin Brenner on Intersecting AI and Biology for Obesity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 33:04


    Martin Brenner is the CEO of iBio, a company advancing antibody therapeutics for obesity using multiple AI engines – but the company started in a very different place. Listen to Martin describe the company's transformation, how leaders in AI and biology can refocus their narrative on reality, and what kind of team he builds for success.

    Ep. 19 Kate Beebe DeVarney on Channeling Cancer Challenges into Biotech Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 43:42


    Kate Beebe Devarney is a neuroscientist and biotech executive focused on bringing relief to cancer patients through Moxie Therapeutics. Listen in as she speaks candidly about the lessons she has taken from her own experiences with cancer as well as, in many cases, being the only woman in the room.

    Ep. 18 Jessica Owens on the Art of the Stealth Biotech

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 43:42


    This week we're joined by Jessica Owens, co-founder and GP at Initiate Ventures, who have just announced their launch of Fund I. A co-founder of GRAIL, Jessica shares her experiences in both raising and deploying capital, what she gets excited about in working with founders, and how communication strategies have changed dramatically in the last few years.

    Ep. 17 John Montgomery on How Branding Unlocks Funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 37:13


    John Montgomery of Goodlab joins us for a lively conversation about the visual side of biotech – how a good (or bad!) brand shapes the entire organization, and what elements are necessary at different stages of business. We also discuss how “safe” branding isn't always the safest option.

    Ep. 16 Hugh Alsop on Spinning Out Success Across Therapeutic Landscapes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 44:04


    Join us for a fascinating discussion with Hugh Alsop, CEO of Kinoxis Therapeutics, a spin-out of The University of Sydney. We discuss communicating hard science through emotional impact, and their programs in substance use disorders and neurodegeneration.

    Ep. 15 Jonathan Steckbeck on What Biotech Can Learn from Poker

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 37:12


    Jonathan Steckbeck is CEO of Peptilogics, where he is charting a path to therapeutic and commercial success in antimicrobials. Listen in as he describes how AI is impacting their work, and how he draws inspiration from games like poker.

    Ep. 14 Jeff Baker and Competitive Advantages in FDA Discussions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 52:08


    Jeff Baker, biotech veteran and former FDA Deputy Director, describes how the ability to tell a story is a competitive advantage, even in discussions with the FDA. We also dive deep into the COVID response and advanced manufacturing

    Ep. 13 Simon Goldman on Transforming Hard Science into Global Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 40:40


    Simon Goldman manages the UCL Tech Fund's life sciences team through Albion VC – he's especially interested in cell and gene therapies, and shares with us his perspectives on translating science out of academia and into the clinic, as well as what selling means in the US versus the UK. Finally, another Australian joins the podcast!

    Ep 12 Roy Baynes - Reflections on Cancer Therapy in Celebration of the 10-Year Anniversary of Keytruda

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 30:42


    Roy Baynes M.D., Ph.D, has been instrumental in developing some of the most impactful drugs, including Keytruda. Listen in as he shares his learnings from decades of innovation in cancer treatment across pharma, biopharma and biotech.

    Ep. 11 Chris Hoyt on Pitching and Raising – Perspectives from Tech and Biotech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 34:30


    Chris Hoyt is a biotech exec focused on advancing cures for neurodegenerative disease, but he comes from a tech background. Listen in as he speaks candidly about what the field has been through, and how he relishes the opportunity to progress treatments for patients who need them.

    Ep. 10 Dillan Dinardo on Communicating the Breakthroughs in Psychedelic Medicine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 33:03


    Dillan Dinardo is a seasoned healthcare investor turned psychedelic medicine leader. Join us as he discusses how psychedelic medicine is the next frontier of mental health care, and how the field is driving scientific innovation to transformative change.

    Ep. 9 Translating Scientific Innovation from the Lab to the Clinic with John Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 34:22


    Explore the entrepreneurial path of John Lewis with us – from Canadian income tax consultant to biotech exec, John has carried a passion for building teams and putting innovation to work to solve some big problems in drug delivery.

    Ep. 8 David Lucchino On Solving Serious Problems In Biotech

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 35:48


    David Lucchino, former Chairman of Mass Bio and CEO of Frequency, has seen every situation from the helm. Join us as we discuss his strategies for communication, and how teamwork and relationship building fuels his successes.

    Ep. 7 Josh Schimmer: Science And Development Is A Business – A Relationship Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 31:43


    Josh Schimmer is the preeminent equity analyst in the biotech industry; he's seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Join us as we dive deep into his experiences reviewing corporate decks, the consequence of a deck falling short and the missed opportunity for a relationship.

    Ep. 6 Colin Sanford Building a Rewarding Relationship With Your Comms Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 28:17


    Colin Sanford is a biotech PR expert, join us as he discusses the importance of on-boarding a comms team early and growing that relationship to ensure your well-executed communication strategy can drive scientific innovation to transformative change.

    Ep. 5 Melissa Moore On Why We Need Compelling Stories In Science Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 27:35


    Melissa Moore is a pioneering scientist and an engaging storyteller. Join us as she discusses how compelling storytelling in science communication can drive scientific innovation to transformative change.

    Ep. 4 Garrett Vygantas On Forging Relationships With Investors Who Build Alongside You

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 32:42


    Join us as we discuss with Garrett Vygantas the essential elements of messaging from a biotech VC investor's perspective.

    Ep. 3 Hartaj Singh Shares His Optimism for Early-Stage Biotech Companies From a Public Market Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 40:16


    Join us as we discuss with Hartaj Singh the essential elements of messaging in the public biotech arena, and his advice to management teams of early-stage companies.

    Ep. 2 Pitch Perfect: Investor Intel Edition with Dan Ferry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 30:24


    Join us as we discuss with Dan Ferry how he has witnessed the importance of a well-executed communication strategy to drive scientific innovation to transformative change.

    Ep.1 The Importance of Storytelling in Early Stage Biotech Fundraising with Dr. Dietrich Stephan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 38:48


    Join us as we discuss with Dr. Dietrich Stephan how he has used compelling storytelling in his investment pitches to drive scientific innovation to transformative change.

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