Join us for an insightful discussion with Michael Bailey, CEO of AVEO Oncology. Michael and Jasmeet delve into the realities of career growth, exploring both the triumphs and setbacks. Michael, a strong advocate for active listening, shares how this skill empowers leaders. He'll discuss the common pitfalls of aspiring leaders feeling pressure to climb the ladder quickly, which leads to taking shortcuts or neglecting a solid foundation, ultimately hindering long-term success. Michael also introduces his concept of the five E's of life and career. Don't miss this valuable episode packed with leadership insights!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:02] Michael provides an overview of his professional journey

• [6:30] Michael outlines some setbacks and failures he has experienced

• [11:29] Discussion on mergers and acquisitions

• [15:21] Michael describes the goals he has for the company and the importance of being reputable

• [19:35] Michael discusses the future he sees in biotech and the value of mentors

• [26:10] Michael gives advice to up-and-coming leaders and describes how he continues to learn

• [29:50] Michael shares how he balances his personal and professional lives

• [33:11] Jasmeet asks Michael rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [7:53] The FDA is in place to bring patients the best and safest therapies. It’s essential to listen to them when conducting and designing studies.

• [11:14] During an acquisition, it must be a strategic fit. There should be a common goal and mission.

• [16:45] Your company's reputation is essential to establish it in the marketplace for long-term success.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Michael Bailey - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHIES:

YOUR HOST: JASMEET SAWHNEY

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in life sciences and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

Michael P. Bailey serves as president and chief executive officer for AVEO Oncology (an LG Chem company) and is a member of AVEO’s board of directors. Michael brings more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry to the company. Before LG Chem acquired AVEO in January of 2023, Mr. Bailey was named president and chief executive officer of AVEO Oncology in January 2015. Before that appointment, Mr. Bailey served as AVEO’s chief business officer from 2013 to 2015 and its chief commercial officer from 2010 to 2013. Mr. Bailey joined AVEO from Synta (now Madrigal Pharmaceuticals), serving as senior vice president, business development, and chief commercial officer since 2008. Before joining Synta, Mr. Bailey led ImClone Systems’ (now Eli Lilly) Worldwide Commercial Organization. During his nine-year tenure at ImClone Systems, he was responsible for commercial aspects of the planning and launch of ERBITUX® (cetuximab) across multiple oncology indications, as well as new product planning for the ImClone Systems development portfolio, which included CYRAMZA® (ramucirumab) and necitumumab. In addition, Mr. Bailey was a key member of the strategic leadership committees for ImClone and its North American and worldwide partnerships. Before joining ImClone Systems, Mr. Bailey managed the cardiovascular development portfolio at Genentech, Inc., and was a key member of their global commercial partnership teams. Mr. Bailey started his career in the pharmaceutical industry as part of SmithKline Beecham’s Executive MBA Marketing Development Program, where he held various commercial roles, including sales, strategic planning, and product management. Mr. Bailey received a B.S. in psychology from St. Lawrence University and an M.B.A. in international marketing from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

Today, we have the privilege of hosting Ramona Sequeira, the President of Takeda's Global Portfolio Division. She will delve into Takeda's involvement in the Life Science sector, shedding light on leadership, employee oversight, and recruitment. Ramona emphasizes three essential qualities for those aspiring to join her team: curiosity, humility, and courage. Additionally, she delves into the importance of making decisions as close to the patient as possible, tailoring strategies to the needs of specific healthcare systems and markets.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [03:56] Ramona provides a background of her professional journey into her current position

• [08:17] What are the major shifts in the industry

• [10:43] Ramona discusses key decisions she has made during her career

• [15:21] Ramona shares attributes she looks for in employees

• [17:39] Keeping abreast of continuing education is critical for Ramona, and she discusses how she prioritizes her career and personal life

• [23:32] Jasmeet asks Ramona a series of rapid-fire questions
  

KEY TAKEAWAY:

• Strategies must be tailored to the needs of specific healthcare systems and countries in order to best meet the needs of patients globally.

• When stepping into a new role, it's crucial to ensure that you bring employees along with you by communicating the why and being clear on your vision.

• Curiosity, humility and courage are essential to lead in a rapidly changing environment.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Takeda - Website

Ramona Sequeira - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Ramona Sequeira is a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, currently serving as President of Takeda's Global Portfolio Division (GPD) and as a member of Takeda's Executive Team. With a career spanning multiple markets, cultures, and healthcare systems, Ramona has launched brands and built and grown businesses for Takeda and prior to that Eli Lilly, always with an unwavering dedication to building solutions based on a deep understanding of patient needs.

YOUR HOST: JASMEET SAWHNEY 

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences domain and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

Jaswinder (Jassi) Chadha, President and CEO of Axtria, which is one of the life sciences' most prominent global leaders, joins us today to discuss how innovation has transformed the global healthcare system. He is regarded as one of the top data scientists and influential thought leaders in the life sciences industry. Jaswinder will share his perspective on the fast-growing and ever-changing life sciences industry, including how Covid created a recognition in pharma of the human-centric aspects of healthcare.  In addition, Jassi shares how he balances his busy work schedule with family and friends. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [03:50] Jassi shares his journey through university to his current position as an entrepreneur

• [07:42] His current focus is working in an industry that saves lives, and his goal is to ensure that the pharma industry serves the patient better

• [09:20] The significant shifts in the industry are decoding the human genome and being able to treat patients globally through innovation 

• [13:33] Jassi talks about what he has learned through his professional journey and how he defines a great leader

• [19:24] As an entrepreneur, you need to continue to seek out learning no matter how busy your schedule is. Jassi shares how he balances the personal and professional aspects of his life

• [26:08] Jassi responds to Jasmeets rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAY:

• A great leader has a vision and inspires their team to excel in whatever the mission is.

• The healthcare sector gained valuable insights during the Covid-19 pandemic and emerged from it significantly improved.

• Knowledge is like a video game. When you think you’ve reached the top, there is another level.
  

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jaswinder Chadha - LinkedIn

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

JASWINDER CHADHA, President and CEO, Axtria

Currently serves as President & CEO of Axtria. Since its founding in 2010, Axtria has gone on to become one of the biggest global leaders in the industry with customers in over 120 countries. Previously, Jassi was co-founder and CEO of marketRx, which was acquired by Cognizant Technology Solutions. Jassi and his companies have been featured in some of the most aspirational lists - INC 500, Deloitte FAST 50, NJBiz FAST 50, SmartCEO Future 50, Red Herring, and several other growth, product, culture, and technology awards.

YOUR HOST, JASMEET SAWHNEY

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences domain and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

Dr. Devyn Smith, the CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies, one the leading CRISPR gene editing companies today, joins us to discuss cutting and rewriting sections of DNA so that you can replace mutations. This industry is changing daily, and it’s exciting to think that a small molecule and antibody can treat a disease. However, with cell and gene therapies, the industry is moving beyond treatment to thinking about curative approaches. The focus is on curing or treating genetic diseases ALS or Huntington's. Listen in to learn about these revolutionary therapies.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [03:08] Devyn shares his childhood and educational background and what motivated him toward gene therapy 

• [07:34] Devyn discusses what role he has at Arbor Biotechnologies and gene editing

• [09:25] How has the industry evolved, and what events or people shaped Devyn’s career path

• [14:14] Devyn recommends key leadership skills he has found effective and also how to achieve your dreams

• [20:33] How Devyn continues to invest in his career growth and learning

• [23:19] How does Devyn balance his personal life with his professional life

• [25:22] Devyn responds to Jasmeets rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAY:

• Historically, the industry's been focused on identifying molecules, small molecules or antibodies, that can treat a disease. More recently, they've shifted their focus with cell and gene therapies, moving beyond treatment to thinking about curative approaches like cell therapies that can enable treating cancer and curing cancer patients.

• A learning journey isn’t just regarding your career; it is community focused by serving people.

• A good leader is one who also serves his employees.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Arbor Biotechnologies - Website

Devyn Smith - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Devyn Smith brings significant cell and gene therapy development and platform expertise from his 20+ year career. Devyn joined Arbor Biotechnologies as Chief Executive Officer on April 27, 2021, after concluding his role as Chief Operating Officer of Sigilon Therapeutics. Before Sigilon, Dr. Smith worked in various roles at Pfizer Inc., including COO of the UK-based Neusentis Unit, focused on discovering and developing cell therapies. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard Medical School. He is an inventor with multiple patents and has published in leading scientific journals throughout his career. Dr. Smith is a board member and officer for ARM (Alliance for Regenerative Medicine), the cell and gene therapy industry group.

YOUR HOST: 

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences domain and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

Amar Sawhney is one of the most accomplished individuals in the realm of Medical Technology. His achievements and professional journey are unparalleled. In a conversation with Jasmeet, he recounts the path that led him to his current position. He imparts insight into effective leadership, emphasizing a life devoted to service and a keen focus on improving the healthcare system for patients. Keep a pen and paper handy to jot down his advice.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [04:11] Amar shares his journey from childhood through university to his current position as an entrepreneur
• [09:17] Amar discusses what started his entrepreneurial path
• [12:33] Learning from the challenges and benefiting from roadblocks
• [18:39] The background of a holding company and intellectual property
• [23:49] Amar talks about balancing his professional life with his personal life and what brings contentment 
• [30:54] Amar shares innovations that are happening in the field of MedTech
• [36.47] Mentorship has been helpful to Amar and his response to the rapid-fire segment

KEY TAKEAWAY:

• If your business model is a holding company, you can maintain control. When you have stockholders, you can quickly lose control.
• If a leader hires good people and gives them autonomy, he can spend time building other ventures.
• Make sure that the people you partner with have the same goals and life values you do.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Amar Sawhney - Facebook

Amar Sawhney - Linkedin

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Amarpreet Sawhney is the CEO of Instylla, a company focused on embolic therapies for hypervascular tumors and control of hemorrhage, of Rejoni, a company developing products for preventing intrauterine scar formation; and of Pramand LLC, a company focused on developing biosurgery products. He was previously the Founder and CEO of Ocular Therapeutix, Augmenix, Confluent Surgical, and the technology founder of Focal and Access Closure. Amar’s innovations are the subject of over 120 issued and pending patents in biomaterials and bio-surgery. His inventions include several “first of a kind” surgical sealants, spacers, and drugs to be approved by the FDA, including ReSure Sealant and Dextenza for ophthalmology, DuraSeal for neurosurgery, FocalSeal for Lung surgery, Mynx for femoral puncture sealing, and SpaceOAR for prostate cancer radiotherapy. Amar and his partner Fred Khosravi have created Incept LLC, which provides a platform to support other healthcare entrepreneurs.

YOUR HOST: 

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences domain and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

Gregory Rubert, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at Bausch Health Companies, joins us today. Gregory is responsible for leading a large cross-disciplinary team across various commercial analytics and operational functions and leads a team of roughly 70 employees. Today, he will share great advice on leading that team. Gregory has challenged himself to take on roles that took him out of his comfort zone. However, those roles brought him to the position he holds today. Hear his perspective on leading a team successfully and insights on how Covid has affected the workplace. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:38] Gregory Rubert describes his curious career journey and how moving out of his comfort zone ultimately led to professional growth

• [07:37] He discusses his role at Bausch Health and how collaboration has been the key to supporting the businesses they serve

• [09:26] The impact of Covid has spurred dynamic changes in the workplace, and the success of your organization depends on how you adapt 

• [12:47] A lack of connection will spark a disconnect between a leader and his employees. Treating people with respect and care enables employees to trust their leadership. He says when you are the manager, all eyes are on you

• [21:14] Gregory feels that balancing family and a career comes down to making deliberate choices 

• [25:08] Gregory answers Jasmeet’s rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAY:

• Vital workplaces are predicated on respecting staff, trustworthiness, and integrity. Employees thrive when these conditions are present. 

• Covid created a situation where employees worked remotely. That experience made them appreciate a better balance between work and personal time. Employers should adopt this evolving trend.

• Team members engage and perform at their highest level when the leader fosters a culture of empowerment and truly values his employees. 

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Facebook - Michael McBreen

LinkedIn - Gregory Rubert

BIOGRAPHY:

Gregory Rubert:

Greg is a Senior Vice President and head of US commercial operations at Bausch Health. He is responsible for the overall strategic direction and leadership across a broad scope of commercial functions supporting 5 U.S. Commercial Business Units and driving over $3B in annual revenue. In his role, he is the go-to consulting partner for Commercial BU Heads, Marketing, Sales, and Market Access leadership. Prior to this role, he was head of the US Insights and Analytics, where he was responsible for building a centralized Insights & Analytics practice after the company’s reorganization into a central support model.

Before Bausch Health, he held roles of increasing responsibilities within the Commercial, Finance, and Accounting teams at Sanofi, where among other things, he led the integration of the systems, processes and people for Sanofi after its acquisition of Genzyme.

He started his career in Accounting and has a Bachelor of science in accounting, and an MBA from Marist college.

HOST:

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences domain and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.