The BioHub - by Avetix

In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Michael Engsig, CEO of Nykode Therapeutics, and Agnete Fredriksen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer.

Michael and Agnete share the story behind Nykode, how the company’s technology has evolved, and what they’ve learned from building a biotech around a novel approach to immunotherapy.

We also discuss the balance between scientific ambition and commercial execution, the challenges of developing new cancer treatments, how the CEO and CSO roles work together, and where they see the future of cancer immunotherapy heading.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast by Avetix, Ben sits down with Dr. David Crean, Chief Business Officer at MediciNova, to explore a career spanning biotechnology, investment, M&A and strategic partnering.
The conversation explores David’s journey into biotech, how he evaluates opportunities and partnerships, and the decisions that shape the development of emerging therapeutics. We also discuss MediciNova’s work in neurological disease, including the development of MN-166 (ibudilast), and the challenges of advancing therapies in areas such as ALS and other complex CNS disorders.
David also shares his perspective on business development in today’s biotech market, what makes an asset attractive to potential partners, how smaller companies can position themselves effectively, and how the relationship between science, financing and deal-making has evolved throughout his career.

We were delighted to be joined by Kathleen Gallagher, CEO of Atrium Therapeutics.
Kathleen has built a fascinating career across the biotech industry, with experience spanning corporate communications, investor relations, clinical development and executive leadership. Before founding Atrium, she spent time at companies including Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Akcea Therapeutics, before joining Avidity Biosciences, where she ultimately became Chief Program Officer.
At Avidity, Kathleen was closely involved in the company’s evolution and the development of its RNA therapeutics platform, including its work in myotonic dystrophy. The company’s journey ultimately culminated in its landmark acquisition by Novartis for up to $12 billion, one of the largest transactions in the biotech sector.
Following that experience, Kathleen took on the CEO of Atrium Therapeutics. Atrium is developing targeted RNA therapies for genetically driven cardiovascular diseases, with the ambition of addressing serious rare diseases where patients currently have limited treatment options.
Today, we’re going to talk about Kathleen’s journey through biotech, how her career evolved from communications and investor relations into drug development and ultimately the CEO role, what she learned from helping build Avidity, and what it was like to go through such a significant company transaction.
We’ll also explore the opportunity in RNA therapeutics, the decision to start Atrium, what it takes to build a biotech from the ground up, and Kathleen’s perspective on leadership, culture and what makes an early-stage biotech successful.

In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Fred Aslan, President and CEO of Artiva Biotherapeutics.

Fred shares his journey across venture capital, business development and biotech leadership, including his time at Venrock and Vividion, and how those experiences shaped the way he now leads Artiva.

We discuss what it takes to build and scale a biotech, how investor experience changes the way you make decisions as a CEO, the opportunity for off-the-shelf cell therapies, and where Fred sees the future of the cell therapy space heading.

In this episode of The BioHub by Avetix, I’m joined by Luis Peña, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Evommune.

Luis shares his journey from scientist to biotech founder, including the story behind building Dermira and the lessons he took from its acquisition by Eli Lilly. We discuss why he decided to start again with Evommune and the company’s ambition to develop new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases.

We also explore what it takes to build and finance a biotech, the transition into the CEO role, how Luis approaches leadership, and what he believes separates companies that successfully turn strong science into meaningful medicines.