Clinical Trialblazers

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...

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 tr...

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 ex...

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 develop...

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 fundraisin...

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....

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 j...

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 ef...

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 ins...

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...

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 sci...

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 impor...

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Dr. Sam Blackman, co-founder and former Chief Medical Officer of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, board member of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Bonum Therapeutics and CureSearch for Children's Cancer, and the new Entrepreneur in Residence at Google Ventures. Sam talks about his career journey from physician to biotec...

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo speaks with Kerrie Brady, Chairperson of Neurocentrx Pharmaceuticals and an Independent Board Member at Asklepion Pharmaceuticals and Invea Therapeutics. Kerrie reflects on her extensive career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, highlighting the importance of mentorship, leadership style, and navigating cultural transitions...

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo speaks with Robert Blum, president and CEO of Cytokinetics, about his journey from the biology classroom to leading a biopharmaceutical company focused on muscle biology. Robert shares the values that guide his leadership style and how to move forward after failing. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Ple...

In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Michael Bailey, President and CEO of Aveo Oncology, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of oncology trials and their impact on patient care. Join host Alberto Grignolo for a thoughtful conversation on the challenges and innovations shaping the future of clinical development. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please...

Step inside the world of biotech leaders as they share the untold stories behind their journeys to bring breakthrough innovations to patients. Each episode uncovers the heart, grit, and ingenuity of the people shaping the future of scientific innovation—with Parexel as their trusted partner every step of the way. Host Alberto Grignolo – Editor-in-Chief of DIA Global Forum, a DIA podcast host, and...