Share
Leading Beyond The Lab
I Built A Billion-Dollar Company, Lost It All... Then Built Another 5 - Robert Wessman
Ep. 32
•
What does it take to build not just one billion-dollar company, but seven and start again after losing it all? In this episode, Robert Wessman shares the mindset, discipline and foresight behind building one of the world’s most ambitious biosimilars platforms.
This week on Leading Beyond The Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Robert Wessman, Founder and Executive Chairman, with over 25 years of experience spanning global pharmaceuticals, generics, biosimilars and serial entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Robert Wessman covers:
(01:12) Why biologics dominate the future of pharmaceuticals and the urgent need to expand access through biosimilars, with treatment costs reaching up to $100,000 per patient annually
(04:10) Building seven companies including six unicorns, and scaling a global generics business across 80+ countries with over 16,500 employees
(12:32) The seven-pillar framework behind building high-performance culture, including vision setting, team alignment and execution discipline
(18:14) The importance of timing in biotech, and how starting too early or too late in biosimilars can determine success or failure
(38:16) Strategic foresight in action, from anticipating regulatory changes to building one of the largest biosimilars pipelines with over 30 products
This conversation offers a clear, experience-backed perspective on scaling in life sciences, building resilient organisations and making high-impact decisions in complex markets. If you are working in biotech, pharma or leadership, this episode provides practical insights worth applying.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
Robert Wessman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-wessman/
Lawrence Rose
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:46 The global cost challenge of biologics
01:12 Market dynamics and future of biosimilars
03:11 Origins of building multiple pharma companies
04:10 Scaling Actavis into a global leader
05:22 Repeatable frameworks for building companies
06:53 Execution, culture and operational excellence
10:01 Building Alvotech in Iceland
11:10 Hiring globally and building culture
12:32 The seven pillars of high-performance culture
15:28 Execution and accountability at scale
17:03 Scaling rapidly while maintaining culture
18:14 Timing the biosimilars market
19:27 Fundraising and early-stage selling
22:07 Building partnerships and licensing strategy
24:21 Manufacturing strategy and infrastructure
25:49 Business development and commercial model
27:11 Building global supply chains
28:23 Transitioning leadership roles
30:29 Evolution of CEO skillsets
32:03 AI and the future of work in pharma
34:03 Hiring for high-performance teams
36:33 Managing risk and operational challenges
37:07 Reducing development costs through foresight
38:16 Scaling pipeline strategy
40:25 Patent challenges and market barriers
42:19 Anticipating market shifts in biologics
44:11 Navigating setbacks and industry challenges
45:26 Market dynamics and global pricing pressures
47:08 Why Iceland as a strategic base
50:47 Attracting global talent to Iceland
53:09 Capital markets and disciplined growth
54:40 Risks of overfunding
55:04 Personal story and adversity
58:19 Near-death cycling accident
01:00:30 Recovery and resilience
01:05:55 Impact on mindset and life perspective
#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotech #Pharmaceuticals #Biosimilars #LifeSciences #Leadership
More episodes
View all episodes
33. AI Is About to Simulate Human Biology - Bioptimus
56:29||Ep. 3395% of our viewers aren’t subscribed. If you’re watching and not yet subscribed, please subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss future episodes.Can AI become a universal simulator of biology, helping predict disease, improve drug success rates, and reshape how medicine is developed?This week on Leading Beyond The Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Jean-Philippe Vert, Co-Founder and CEO of Bioptimus, with decades of experience spanning artificial intelligence, computational biology, academia and big tech, including leadership roles at Google, and work influenced by breakthroughs such as DeepMind’s AlphaFold.In this episode, Jean-Philippe covers:• Why Bioptimus is focused on understanding patient biology, not simply designing molecules, and why that could change drug development.• How AI-powered decision systems could improve translational research, clinical trial design, patient recruitment and disease prediction.• Why Jean-Philippe left Google to build Bioptimus, and why foundation models for biology may represent a major shift in medicine.• How partnerships across healthcare systems, pharma and research institutions are helping build the data infrastructure behind biological foundation models, with perspectives shaped alongside leaders including Sarah Teichmann (Professor at Cambridge University) and Caroline Uhler (Professor at MIT)• What makes AI in biology defensible, from proprietary data partnerships and elite interdisciplinary teams, to support from investors including Edward Kliphuis (Sofinnova Partners), Bpifrance, Cathay Investments.A thoughtful conversation on AI, biology, and the future of medicine. From lessons learned in big tech to what it takes to build enduring platforms in TechBio, this is a considered discussion for anyone interested in where scientific discovery is heading.Be sure to check out the full episode.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talentTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalentApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575Website: https://arto-talent.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artotalentJean-Philippe VertCEO at BioptimusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-philippe-vert/Lawrence RoseTalent Solutions Director at ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and vision for AI as a universal simulator of biology01:41 Introducing Jean-Philippe Vert and @Bioptimus02:27 What Bioptimus is doing differently in AI biology07:46 AI decision systems and improving clinical development12:52 Early disease detection and predictive healthcare15:28 Why Jean-Philippe left @Google19:21 Building and sourcing biological data at scale22:19 Partnerships and foundation models28:04 Lessons from big tech33:23 Defensibility in AI biology37:09 Building interdisciplinary teams and culture39:28 AI in healthcare, hype versus infrastructure41:20 What AI means for doctors43:10 What may define lasting AI-biology companies45:05 Challenges of building Bioptimus48:13 Prioritisation and deciding where to focus51:33 Mentorship, leadership and building teams53:02 Communicating vision to boards and investors55:33 What success looks like in ten years#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #TechBio #ArtificialIntelligence #DrugDiscovery #ComputationalBiology #PrecisionMedicine
31. AI Discovering Medicines Humans Could Never Find: James Field - LabGenius Therapeutics
47:02||Ep. 31AI is beginning to uncover medicines that humans alone could never design.This week on another episode of Leading Beyond the Lab, we host James Field, CEO and Founder of LabGenius Therapeutics, a company pioneering the use of machine learning, robotics, and synthetic biology to engineer the next generation of therapeutic antibodies.With over a decade of experience spanning AI-driven drug discovery, protein engineering, and synthetic biology, James founded LabGenius Therapeutics to rethink how biologic medicines are discovered. In this episode, James discusses:- The founding story of LabGenius Therapeutics and how its AI-guided experimentation platform is transforming antibody engineering.- The companies backing by leading investors including Kindred Capital (Leila Zegna), Lux Capital, Obvious Ventures, M Ventures, and Octopus Ventures, and is guided by industry leaders such as Edwin Moses, the company’s Chairman and a veteran biotech executive.- LabGenius Therapeutics' collaboration with Sanofi, and how partnerships between biotech startups and global pharma companies are helping translate AI-designed antibodies into real therapeutic pipelines.- The importance of global scientific conferences such as European Society for Medical Oncology, where breakthroughs in oncology and biologics are shaping the future of therapeutic development.- The mentors and inspirations that shaped his journey into biotech, from his university lecturers at Imperial College London to industry leaders like Edwin Moses, who now serves as Chairman of LabGenius Therapeutics and has played a key role in guiding the company’s growth.If you're interested in AI-driven drug discovery, biotech entrepreneurship, and the future of medicine, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575Website: https://arto-talent.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artotalentDr. James FieldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-field-7518a05b/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:02:40 Rewriting the Rules of Drug Discovery16:21 Scaling Innovation37:29 AI, Motivation & Purpose
30. Will the Drug Work? Engineering a New Future for Oncology - BioCortex
57:44||Ep. 3090% of our listeners don't realise they aren't subscribed - please check!What if we could predict whether a drug will work, before it ever reaches a patient?This week, in another episode of Leading Beyond the Lab, we host a co-guest episode featuring Nik Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder of BioCortex, a trained neurologist with years of experience spanning clinical medicine, ALS research, academia (Cambridge, NIH) and more. And Muhannad Alomari, CTO & Co-Founder, with over a decade of experience spanning aerospace engineering, AI leadership and physics-based systems modelling.In this episode, the duo covers:Why bacteria inside tumours may explain clinical trial variability, how “in silico bridge trials” could reshape oncology development, and how BioCortex plans to translate that science into commercial inflection points, global licensing models, and long-term value creation without taking traditional pipeline risk.From partnerships with CD BioPharma, they explain how global clinical strategy, particularly leveraging innovation and trial infrastructure emerging from China, is reshaping how oncology assets are advanced and positioned for global success.They also discuss investor backing from Edward Kliphuis from Sofinnova, Hussein Kanji from Hoxton Ventures and Draper Associates, and how capital discipline combined with deep-tech engineering principles (inspired by Rolls-Royce and even NASA) is shaping a new model for oncology drug development.They also reflect on visiting leading oncology centres in China alongside HSBC and AstraZeneca, highlighting the sheer scale and speed of patient recruitment, momentum that was clearly visible in multiple back-to-back presentations at ASCO, signalling a structural shift in global cancer innovation.This is a conversation about speed, probability, biology, engineering, and ultimately, time. Because for patients, time is everything.To listen to (or watch) the full episode, search “Leading Beyond the Lab BioCorteX” on wherever you get your podcasts, or click on the first link in the comments below.
29. A Single Injection set to Eliminate Cancer? CEO of Candel Therapeutics - Paul Peter Tak
01:01:01||Ep. 29What if a single injection could teach the immune system to eliminate cancer, and keep it away?This week, in another episode of Leading Beyond the Lab, Lawrence Rose sits down with Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, President & CEO of Candel Therapeutics, one of the most quietly compelling stories in cancer immunotherapy today.With over 30 years of experience spanning academic medicine, clinical immunology, rheumatology, oncology, and global pharmaceutical leadership, Paul Peter brings a rare clinician-scientist perspective to biotech leadership. Prior to Candel, he served as Chief Immunology Officer and Global Head of Development at GSK (led by Luke Miels) , where he helped shape immunology and oncology strategy at scale. Paul Peter is also founder and previous chair of the dept of clinical immunology and rheumatology at Amsterdam UMC.In this episode, Paul Peter covers:- The mission behind Candel Therapeutics and why viral immunotherapy represents a fundamentally new modality, shifting the goal from helping patients live longer with cancer to helping them live without cancer.- Why Candel’s lead programs (including CAN-2409) are gaining serious scientific credibility, supported by leaders such as Nobel laureate James P. Allison and the "father of CAR-T cell therapy" Carl June, and how this external validation is changing industry and investor perception.- Lessons from past paradigm shifts in medicine, drawing on his early academic work at Leiden University, where once-dismissed antibody therapies later became standard of care, a parallel to today’s scepticism around viral immunotherapy.- How leadership, culture, and decision-making drive biotech success, shaped by his experience building teams in academia, transforming R&D at GSK, and learning large-scale leadership from mentors like Lord Patrick Vallance.- Why flexible operating models matter in biotech, including Candel’s approach to commercialisation through partners such as IDEA Pharma (led by Mike Rea) and Globe Life Sciences (Jonathon Mitchell), and cautionary lessons from companies like Oncorus and Replimune.Be sure to check out this episode to hear how Paul-Peter Tak is helping redefine what’s possible in cancer immunotherapy - and what it takes to lead beyond the lab.Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciencesWebsite: https://arto-talent.comPaul Peter TakCEO at Candel TherapeuticsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-peter-tak-md-phd-fmedsci-1b44749/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:01:50 Candel's Mission19:51 The US Promising Future for Candel35:44 Culture at Candel40:44 Paul Peter's Motivations as CEO
28. Is AI About to Collapse the Cost of Healthcare — Or Is This Another Tech Bubble? | Edward Kliphuis
41:05||Ep. 28If AI is collapsing the cost of healthcare — are we on the brink of a historic breakthrough… or another bubble?This week on Leading Beyond the Lab, we sit down with @Edward Kliphuis, Partner at @Sofinnova Partners, one of Europe’s leading life-sciences venture capital firms.With over 20 years of experience spanning venture capital, digital health, tech-bio investing, and global life-sciences strategy, Edward has been at the forefront of investing where biology, computation, and healthcare collide.In this episode, Edward covers:- What’s genuinely different about AI in drug discovery and digital medicine today, and how collapsing healthcare costs could unlock a $10 trillion opportunity by reshaping long-term global supply–demand dynamics.- Edward explains how @Excelsior, backed by Sofinnova Partners, @Khosla Ventures and @Deerfield Management, and led by @Mike Foley, is using an AI-driven, modular chemistry platform, originating from @Marty Burke at the @University of Illinois, to create entirely new, de novo small-molecule drugs.- Why the US pharma & tech landscape may resemble a bubble, or a once-in-a-generation inflection point- He talks about @Latent Labs, (led by @Simon Kohl) a Sofinnova-backed company designing entirely new proteins that do not exist in nature, unlocking new therapeutic possibilities.- Edward outlines Sofinnova’s investment in @Bioptimus and discusses @Moon Surgical, exploring how AI and robotics are improving drug discovery and augmenting clinicians in complex procedures.- Edward reflects on the broader AI landscape, referencing an @HSBC investment banking report questioning the long-term economics underpinning large AI models such as @OpenAI, before highlighting comments from @Geoffrey Hinton on the scalability limits of current AI architectures.From AI-driven drug discovery and robotics in surgery, to healthcare economics, venture capital philosophy, and Europe vs the US innovation gap, this is a deep, unfiltered look at where life sciences is heading next.To listen to (or watch) the full episode, search "Leading Beyond The Lab Edward Kliphuis" on your preferred streaming platform, or click on the first link in the comments below!Follow ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalentSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciencesWebsite: https://arto-talent.comEdward KliphuisPartner at Sofinnova PartnersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekliphuis/Lawrence RoseCo-Founder + Talent Solutions Director At ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Sofinnovas Partner's Investments17:41 The US Pharma "Bubble" & AI28:02 Investing in the Right CEO / Company
27. Parkinson’s Breakthrough Could Be Just Around the Corner | BlueRock Therapeutics
28:30||Ep. 27From science fiction to clinical reality. What happens when cell therapy moves from promise to proof in patients who have run out of options?This week on Leading Beyond the Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Amit Rakhit, Chief Medical Officer at BlueRock Therapeutics, to explore how regenerative medicine, leadership, and culture intersect at the most pivotal stages of biotech development.A physician by training, Amit has built his career across large pharma and early stage biotech, including experience at Bristol Myers Squibb and Biogen, working on programmes ranging from rare disease to neurodegeneration. He is also a visible advocate for authenticity and inclusion within the life sciences industry.In this episode, Amit covers:• How BlueRock Therapeutics is translating the promise of cell therapy into real clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease, and why this moment is so significant for patients who have exhausted existing treatments (01:09)• What it takes to balance bold scientific vision with realism, credibility, and execution when leading clinical programmes at a pivotal stage (03:29)• The real differences between CEO and CMO roles, why leadership is not about hierarchy, and how self-awareness shapes long-term career impact (04:58)• Why authenticity, diversity of thought, and culture consistently separate successful biotechs from those that struggle, more than metrics alone (06:37)• Lessons from a career spanning programmes such as Plavix and Spinraza at Biogen, and what physician scientists should consider when transitioning into industry roles (12:00)If you want to understand how science, leadership, and empathy come together to shape medicines that can truly change lives, this is an episode worth your time.Check out the full conversation and hear directly from one of the industry’s most thoughtful clinical leaders.Follow ARTO: https://linktr.ee/arto_talentAmit RakhitLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-rakhit/Lawrence RoseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and background01:09 Cell therapy and BlueRock Therapeutics’ mission03:29 Leadership, credibility, and execution04:58 CEO vs CMO roles in biotech06:37 Authenticity, inclusion, and culture09:24 What separates successful biotechs12:00 Physician scientists transitioning into industry18:34 Career-defining moments and resilience22:38 The future of cell therapy and emerging modalities24:32 AI in drug discovery and clinical development26:26 Closing thoughts and where to connect#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #CellTherapy #BiotechLeadership #RegenerativeMedicine #LifeSciences #ClinicalDevelopment
26. How Smart Capital Is Shaping the Future of Biotech - Jonathan Tobin
43:46||Ep. 2697% of our viewers don't realise they aren't followed, please double check, thank you!What does it really take to back and build world-class biotech companies from idea to FDA approval?This week on Leading Beyond the Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Jonathan Tobin, Partner at Brandon Capital, to explore what truly drives success in life-science venture capital.With over 20 years' experience spanning biotech investment, company creation, board leadership, and early-stage venture building, Jonathan has played a key role in building and scaling biotech companies across Europe, Australia and the US.In this episode Jonathan covers:- How Brandon Capital was co-founded in Australia by Chris Nave and Stephen Thompson, who grew it into a globally respected life sciences VC firm spanning company creation, long-term funding, and expansion in the US and UK.- Jonathan reflects on how Brandon Capital has helped shape the Australian biotech ecosystem over the last almost 2 decades.- Investments like AstronauTx, AdvanCell, Myricx Bio, and the stories from the frontline, including strategic pivots, tough decisions, successful exits, and the high-conviction bets that shaped portfolio outcomes.- Practical, investor-led advice for founders raising venture capital; covering readiness, storytelling, common mistakes, and how to stand out in competitive funding rounds.- How CatalYm has progressed deep into the clinic, and why Brandon Capital has supported the company through multiple funding rounds.- Jonathan’s outlook on the future of biotech, from neuroscience and radiopharmaceuticals, to overlooked white-space opportunities shaping the next innovation cycle.Be sure to check out the full episode of Leading Beyond the Lab, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with anyone building in biotech.To listen to (or watch) the full episode, search "Leading Beyond The Lab Jonathan Tobin" on your preferred streaming platform.
25. Nikhil Thatte On Investing In Best In Class Biotech and Medtech Companies
45:03||Ep. 25This episode is a masterclass in how world-class life sciences investors think about risk, conviction, and real patient impact.This week on Leading Beyond The Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Nikhil Thatte, Partner at Lumira Ventures, a leading Canadian life sciences venture capital firm, with over a decade of experience backing transformative biotech and medtech companies across North America.In this conversation, Nikhil shares how Lumira Ventures has built a top-quartile VC track record over multiple market cycles, investing across therapeutic areas including oncology, gene editing, gene therapy, immunology, cardiometabolic disease, and medical devices. He also reflects on his journey helping scale globally impactful healthcare companies while staying grounded in patient outcomes.In this episode, Nikhil covers:• How Lumira Ventures evaluates investment opportunities in today’s biotech market, including why clinical data, valuation discipline, and a clear path to liquidity now matter more than ever (08:38)• Lessons from Lumira’s major exit successes, including Histosonics and Endotronix, and what made these companies stand out from an investor perspective, with insights into leadership, timing, and execution alongside Mike Blue at Histosonics (02:33)• What truly differentiates exceptional founders and management teams, with real examples of conviction moments backing leaders such as Joanna Stanicka at Axonis and Jade Doucet-Martineau at Puzzle Med (22:08)• Why Canada punches above its weight in life sciences innovation, the structural challenges holding the ecosystem back, and what must change to retain value domestically, including reflections on Canadian success stories discussed throughout the episode (17:40)• The vision behind the Cancer Breakthrough Fund, Lumira’s partnership with the Terry Fox Foundation, and how this model brings new capital, clinical expertise, and impact-driven investors into oncology innovation (31:08)If you want a rare, honest look inside how top life sciences VCs assess opportunity, leadership, and long-term value creation, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Follow ARTO: https://linktr.ee/arto_talentNikhil ThatteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhil-thatte-72372333/Lawrence RoseDirector at ARTOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Nikhil Thatte and Lumira Ventures02:33 Major exits including Histosonics and Endotronix05:30 Fund V and what drives LP conviction today08:38 How Lumira evaluates deals in the current biotech market17:40 Canada’s competitive advantages and ecosystem challenges22:08 Backing exceptional founders and leadership teams31:08 The Cancer Breakthrough Fund and Terry Fox Foundation partnership37:00 Technologies and trends shaping the next 5–10 years41:16 Patient impact and what ultimately motivates long-term investing#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #LifeSciences #BiotechVC #Medtech #VentureCapital #CanadianInnovation