She Leads Biotech

This is She Leads Biotech, a podcast where we have real conversations with women leading the charge in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the bioscience space. Each episode offers a candid look at what it takes to succeed in a historically male-dominated field, and how to lean into your strengths to get where you want to go. We’re not just talking about the science; we’re getting to know the people behind the job titles!

She Leads Biotech is a business podcast hosted by Sharron Cox, with 88 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82.

Sharron Cox hosts She Leads Biotech, a business show with 88 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #4

  From Scientist to CEO

  Sep 25, 202638 minS5

  Amy Walker didn't set out to become a CEO. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Amy, CEO of 4basebio , to explore how a career that began in science evolved into leading a growing biotech company. We talk about growing alongside a business, stepping beyond your original expertise, building the right leadership team and culture, and the technology changing the future of DNA manufacturing and advanced therapies . It’s a conversation about science, leadership, career progression and being willing to take opportunities you never originally planned for. #SheLeadsBiotech #Biotech #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #DNAManufacturing #AdvancedTherapies

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  Episode #3

  Better Science Starts with Better Questions

  Sep 18, 202636 minS5

  What happens when you reach one of the most senior positions in global drug discovery — and decide the next step is to leave the security of Big Pharma behind? In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Karin Conde-Knape, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Valo Health , whose international career has taken her through leadership roles at Roche, Johnson & Johnson and Novo Nordisk. We talk about why Karin believes better drug discovery needs to start with human data , how asking the right questions earlier can prevent years of time and investment being committed to the wrong path, and where data, experience and intuition belong in scientific decision-making. We also explore Karin’s decision to move from Big Pharma to biotech — what she describes as an “easier choice, not a comfortable choice” — and why impact, people and purpose became increasingly important at this stage of her career. Our conversation moves beyond the science into leadership: creating psychological safety, challenging the thought process rather than the individual , developing resilient future leaders, embracing AI and new technologies, and building teams that genuinely want to follow you. A fascinating conversation about drug discovery, human data, innovation, career courage and the leadership required to turn better questions into better science.

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  Episode #2

  When Leadership Gets Real

  Sep 11, 202635 minS5

  What does it really take to lead a biotech company when the science is complex, the stakes are high and the answers aren’t always obvious? In this episode of She Leads Biotech , I’m joined by Iris Grossman, PhD, CEO of Zelig Therapeutics , for a candid conversation about the realities of biotech leadership and her journey from scientist to CEO. In When Leadership Gets Real: Ego, Accountability & the Decisions That Shape Biotech Companies , we talk about what happens when leadership moves beyond the title and you become the person ultimately accountable for the decisions. We explore why great leaders surround themselves with people who will challenge them, how founders and leadership teams need to evolve as companies grow, why strategy starts with knowing your values, and what Iris has learned about hiring beyond technical capability. Iris also talks openly about making decisions without perfect information, handling difficult performance conversations, keeping ego out of leadership — and why patient impact remains her North Star. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:17 A Patient-Centric North Star 05:46 The Scientist Inside the CEO 07:04 Turning Science into Patient Impact 10:14 The Reality of CEO Accountability 13:30 When Founders and Companies Need to Evolve 14:39 Why Independent Boards Matter 15:43 Strategy Starts with Values 17:17 Why Zelig Became a Call to Action 20:01 Making Decisions Through Uncertainty 23:28 Why Personality Matters in Hiring 26:24 The Difficult People Decisions Leaders Must Make 30:09 Why Biotech Is Ultimately About People Follow She Leads Biotech for more conversations with the people building, leading and shaping biotech. #SheLeadsBiotech #BiotechLeadership #Biotech #LifeSciences #WomenInBiotech #Leadership

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  Episode #1

  When the Plan Changes: Resilience, Reinvention & Finding Your Way in Biotech

  Sep 4, 202640 minS5

  What happens when the career plan you thought you had suddenly changes? In this episode of She Leads Biotech , I’m joined once again by Priya Baraniak, PhD, Chief Commercial & Development Officer at Pluristyx , who returns to the podcast after first joining me back in Season 1. In When the Plan Changes: Resilience, Reinvention & Finding Your Way in Biotech , we talk candidly about unexpected career change, resilience and what happens when you have to let go of the plan and find a different way forward. Priya shares what she learned following a professional setback, why personal branding and authentic relationships became so important, and how her own career has evolved from scientist to commercial biotech leader. We also explore the realities of biotech fundraising, what investors look for in leadership teams, the potential of iPSC technology and cell and gene therapy — and why, despite the challenges facing our industry, Priya remains incredibly excited about what the science can achieve for patients. Above all, it’s a conversation about becoming more comfortable with uncertainty, focusing on what you can control and continuing to do the next right thing. Chapters 01:23 When Everything Changes 05:25 Losing a Role: The First 72 Hours 10:05 Personal Branding & Getting Comfortable Being Visible 14:50 The Promise of iPSCs 18:00 From Scientist to Commercial Leader 21:31 What Fundraising Really Looks Like Today 23:29 Changing the Conversation About Inclusion 28:28 Why Cell & Gene Therapy Still Excites Her 31:28 What 13-Year-Old Priya Would Think Today 35:27 Just Keep Doing the Next Right Thing 37:02 Tough Times Didn't Break Us, They Made Us Follow She Leads Biotech for more conversations with the people building, leading and shaping biotech. #SheLeadsBiotech #Biotech #BiotechLeadership #CellAndGeneTherapy #WomenInBiotech #LifeSciences #BiotechCareers

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  Episode #25

  S4 E25, Dr. Nerissa Kreher - Chief Medical Officer of Alltrna

  Jun 26, 202632 minS4

  Reimagining Rare Disease Drug Development with Nerissa Kreher In this episode of She Leads Biotech , I’m joined by Nerissa Kreher, Chief Medical Officer of Alltrna, for a conversation about rare disease innovation, precision medicine, and the future of drug development. With more than 20 years of experience in rare diseases, Nerissa shares her journey from pediatric endocrinologist to biotech executive and explains how Alltrna is taking a novel approach to treating genetic diseases through mutation-defined therapies. A fascinating discussion about science, innovation, leadership, and hope for families living with rare diseases. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 From Medicine to Biotech 05:00 Falling in Love with Rare Disease Research 08:00 Understanding Rare Disease Communities 12:00 The Challenge of Clinical Trials in Rare Diseases 16:00 Mutation-Defined Therapies Explained 21:00 How Alltrna Is Rethinking Drug Development 26:00 Regulatory & Clinical Development Challenges 31:00 Public vs Private Company Leadership 35:00 What Makes a Great Biotech Executive 39:00 Leadership, Mentorship & Authenticity 43:00 The Role of Patients in Drug Development 47:00 The Future of Rare Disease Innovation 51:00 Bringing Hope to Patients & Families #SheLeadsBiotech #RareDisease #PrecisionMedicine #GeneTherapy #BiotechLeadership #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

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