Clinical Trialblazers

From Physician to Biotech CEO: Building High-Impact Clinical Development with Dr. Allison Jeynes

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000

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 development, and what it takes to sustain excellence in a high-risk industry. 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 fundraising across market cycles, founder-friendly capital, strategic and government partnerships, and the science behind Locus’ bacteriophage-based platform aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant infections.

Capital, Courage, and Clinical Execution: Lessons from a Biotech Founder-CEO with Paul Garofolo

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 12:34:45 +0000

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 fundraising across market cycles, founder-friendly capital, strategic and government partnerships, and the science behind Locus’ bacteriophage-based platform aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant infections.

Season 2 is Coming Soon

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

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. Season 2 of Clinical Trialblazers is streaming soon wherever you listen to podcasts. 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 fundraising across market cycles, founder-friendly capital, strategic and government partnerships, and the science behind Locus’ bacteriophage-based platform aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant infections.

Leadership Lessons from Biotech Innovators

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 just a sampling of the many compelling stories and lessons shared in this remarkable first season.

We hope you enjoyed this season of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Building Biotech Success: Insights from Venture Capitalist Dr. Geeta Vemuri

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

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 efficiency in building sustainable companies, the value of board membership, and what excites her about the future of biopharma.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Breaking Barriers in Gene Therapy: Miquel Vila-Perello's Vision for Curing Untreatable Diseases

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 insights on balancing rationality and passion, the differences between academic and industry research, and the significance of building trust with investors.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Investing in Innovation: Lyla Bibi’s Perspective on Biotech Markets

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 a clear value proposition, the enduring power of trust in leadership, and the essential characteristics of successful biotech CEOs. Beyond the science and market trends, Lyla offers valuable insights on balancing a demanding career with a full personal life and her optimistic outlook on the future of scientific funding.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

The Finnish Formula: Finding Balance and Building Innovation with Dr. Antti Vuolanto

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 science, Dr. Vuolanto offers profound lessons on the importance of building trust with colleagues and investors, the importance of taking risks, and the importance of work-life balance (a Finnish secret to happiness!). This episode highlights the power of mentorship, honest communication, and a deep commitment to impacting patients’ lives. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of drug development, and the significance of building trust with investors.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Leading with Science and Heart: Dr. Ross Breckenridge on Building a Resilient Biotech

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 importance of chemistry manufacturing controls (CMC) in drug development. He also discusses the challenges of raising capital and the critical role of strong leadership to build and foster a resilient and reliable team.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Bedside to Biotech: Dr. Sam Blackman on Building Trust, Storytelling in Science, and Pediatric Cancer Innovation

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 13 May 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 biotech executive, and navigating the complexities of clinical trials, especially within pediatric oncology. He also discusses the critical need to connect the science, patients, and investment thesis together into a coherent story when fundraising in drug development.

2:37 - How he was pulled to pediatric medicine
6:00 - His decision to transition into drug development to impact exponentially more patients.
16:40 - The importance of connecting you vision to your company name
26:04 - How making those risky decisions in drug development can have profound impacts on patient outcomes
40:00 - The Power of Storytelling in Science and Business
47:57 - Advice for biotech entrepreneurs seeking capital

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

From Mentee to CEO, Board Member and Mentor: Insights from Kerrie Brady

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 global business. Kerrie also shares her insights on the complexities of board membership and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance in this fast-paced industry.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Leading Through Setbacks with Cytokinetics’ Robert Blum

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:30:00 +0000

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.

De-Risking Clinical Trials: Michael Bailey's Patient-First Approach

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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 take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.

Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.

Introducing: Clinical Trialblazers!

aceel.kibbi@acast.com (Parexel) — Tue, 4 Mar 2025 08:31:52 +0000

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 a Fellow of DIA will sit down with biotech visionaries throughout 10 episodes to talk about the challenges they have faced, the pivotal moments that have shaped their careers and the lessons they have learned along the way. 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 fundraising across market cycles, founder-friendly capital, strategic and government partnerships, and the science behind Locus’ bacteriophage-based platform aimed at tackling multidrug-resistant infections.