Biotech CEO Sisterhood

Interviewed by Sisterhood Editorial Board Member Erika Smith, Paul Soteropoulos describes her experiences working for companies across a variety of modalities. Plus, she highlights the new women's health book she and her daughter co-authored: Restoring Balance.

Interviewed by Sisterhood Editorial Board Member Erika Smith, Rachel King reflects on her time at NEA and 18 years as the Co-Founder & CEO at GlycoMimetics, as well as stepping into the role of BIO's CEO on an interim basis. She offers leadership advice, and describes the ways she still says active in biotech today.

She describes how the mission of getting the company on stable ground through financial discipline and a sharper focus on strategy has enabled it to thrive and deliver on its mission for patients. Plus, her advice to others having gone through it as a first time CEO.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Amy Burroughs discusses joining Terns when it was not obvious and at a time when the company was going through a sad moment, and how the momentum started to turn as data for TERN-701 started becoming apparent. She describes her career, which included stops at large and small companies, and on the investing side at 5AM Ventures, and prov...

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Lyn Baranowski highlights the company's $345 million IPO, which enables it to further develop its inhaled medicines. She describes why they believe this delivery method provides a more direct and efficient way to treat fibrotic lung conditions like IPF.

They describe the Sisterhood's modest beginnings, its impact already, and plans for the future. It now has a 501c3 charity structure and more formal leadership, and there are new efforts to reach other c-suite level women in biotech.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Daphne Zohar, Kate Haviland talks about the numerous programs that Blueprint created, the rationale behind key go/no-go and partnering decisions, and how she feels about the biotech sector today.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Nina Tandon describes what it has taken to get a startup through the recent difficult times for the biotech sector, including applying for military funding and making the product available in international markets where compassionate use is an option.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, Dr. Gujrathi discusses a three pillar framework for success she has learned during her career in life sciences: know thyself, understand your environment, and set yourself up for success.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Reenie McCarthy discusses how working with the Barth Syndrome Community, an ultra rare disease, helped the company better understand outcomes that are important to daily life for these patients. She also highlights the role that mitochondria play in biology, and the future of treatments for diseases of mitochondrial dysfunction.

She describes the process of how the company's computing platform sorts through proteins that are secreted by stem cells and screens them for therapeutic potential. Plus, the lead clinical program for muscle conditions and also a partnership with Lilly in the obesity space.

She discusses the approach and the company's lead program, which targets PI3Kδ. Plus, and autotaxin program for cancer and TGF-β.

Dr. Gujrathi describes the beginning of the Sisterhood, discusses her new book, "The Mirror Effect," and shares her take on biotech and what types of companies and teams she likes to work with.

She describes the unmet need for patients who no longer respond to the large CDK4/6 class of medicines, and the decades of work she has put into solving the problem of adding CDK2 inhibition into the equation.

She describes the work the company is doing, which has a lead program targeting PIP4K2C and is scheduled to be in the clinic later this year.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw describes her beginnings in designing enzymes, and eventually pioneering biologics and biosimilars after an initial success in making recombinant human insulin for the India market. She discusses her emphasis on affordable innovation and shares business learnings from her career.

Interviewed by Xilio Therapeutics President & CEO René Russo, Dr. Liebisch describes her start in the industry as a patent attorney, discusses why having a champion in a larger partner is key, and explains why she even once threw a party when Vigil discontinued a candidate. Vigil Neuroscience was acquired by Sanofi earlier this year for an equity value representing approximately $470 million,...

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Jennifer Good describes the factors that have led to Trevi's success in an otherwise difficult biotech market. She highlights the importance of speaking clearly and honestly with investors and the company's board. Plus, Erika and Jennifer reflect on Life-Science SPRINTS, an internship program they stood up in the New Haven, Connecticut...

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Daphne Zohar, Sophie Kornowski shares her keys to creating great assets, commercialization, partnerships, and, ultimately, executing a successful deal if the right opportunity comes along. Plus, her thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and being a successful CEO.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, she describes the unmet need for developing evidence based products for women's heath, and women's sexual health specifically. Plus, how Daré has thought outside the box regarding its path to market, including utilizing compounding, her experience running a public company, thoughts on mitigating potential FDA delays, and advice...

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Julia Owens, Catherine Owen Adams shares her career journey, and discusses the perceived and real differences between pharma and biotech. She introduces us to Acadia Pharmaceuticals and talks about what it has been like in the job so far.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Paula Ragan shares her career path and things she has learned along the way. She describes what it is like managing a company during these volatile times for the sector, and previews a big readout X4 will have next year.

Interviewed by Normunity CEO Rachel Humphrey at MassBio's 2025 State of Possible Conference, Luba explains how the Sisterhood arms members with important information, she shares the impression of the Massachusetts ecosystem she has gained as a MassBio board member, and also describes the effort against cancer at Gallop that motivates her each day.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Yvonne Greenstreet describes her upbringing and early career as a physician in the UK, her decision to get an MBA, and the mentors who have impacted her path. She describes joining Alnylam in 2016, and the growth that has happened there since then. Plus, how being CEO has been different, and the values she prioritizes as a leader.

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Grace Colón, Marianne De Backer advocates for the importance of getting experience in a diverse set of roles, she describes joining Vir at a time when it had experienced its first setbacks, and how a deal for a T-cell engager program has been transformational.