September Focus: Precision Medicine Progress, Key Roles in France & Berlin, and Leadership Transition in Biotech
James Trott
Executive Director & Senior Recruitment Leader to the Global Life Sciences sector. Offices located in: United Kingdom & United Arab Emirates
As we leave the slumber of summer behind us, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the biotech companies that have really caught my attention over this period. In particular, Mirador Therapeutics and Metsera are doing some great work, backed by substantial funding. Their efforts in precision medicine and next-generation treatments are worth keeping an eye on as they progress through the clinical trial stages.
On the recruitment front, we’re currently working on a number roles with TechBio clients with key roles that I think you’ll find interesting. There are opportunities for Senior Computational Chemist's in France and Senior Data Analyst's requirements in Berlin & London. These roles reflect the innovative and critical work being done across the life sciences sector.
I’ve also written a blog this month focusing on the transition from 'Lab to Leadership". As you can imagine I am often asked questions around this subject, and this blog offers some of my thoughts and general advice that could contribute to making that journey more successfully.
In company news, I have shared some one-pager insights on our team that detail their areas of focus, the roles they specialise in, and the types of companies they support across various regions. These one-pagers give you a clear view of our team’s expertise and how we can assist.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up with me and Aspire Life Sciences. I hope you find the insights and opportunities in this edition useful.
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"...why am I sharing this with you? Well.. as a search director navigating the biotech landscape for my clients, I spend a great deal of my time in research mode. So each month, I will share those companies that really stood out, maybe because they show great potential, are making significant strides forward, or simply because they seem pretty cool :)"
My top 3 Biotechs of the Month..
Mirador Therapeutics recently made headlines with $400 million in funding, supported by ARCH Venture Partners and Sanofi . Their focus is on developing precision therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, a space that continues to see significant advancements.
Chairman and CEO Mark McKenna , former CEO of Prometheus Biosciences, Mirador’s leadership team brings extensive experience to the table. Their work centres around the Mirador360 platform, which uses human genetics and data science to identify genetic associations with immune-fibrotic diseases. McKenna highlighted the potential of combining advances in genetics with machine learning to drive progress in precision medicine.
With strong backing and a clear direction, Mirador is positioning itself as a key player in the biotech field, though details on their specific therapeutic targets remain under wraps for now.
As for the second biotech for this month, Metsera has officially launched with an impressive $290 million in funding. Led by ARCH Venture Partners , Metsera is stepping into the spotlight with a focus on advancing next-generation treatments for obesity and metabolic diseases. The company, founded by Population Health Partners and ARCH Venture Partners , is led by former executives of The Medicines Company , bringing with them a strong track record in the industry.
Metsera’s development pipeline is ambitious, combining oral and injectable incretin and non-incretin therapies sourced from their proprietary library of over 20,000 gut hormone peptides and peptide/antibody conjugates. CEO Clive Meanwell emphasized the company’s mission to stay ahead of the innovation curve in this rapidly evolving field, positioning Metsera to address the full spectrum of future weight loss therapeutic needs.
With its strong financial backing, cutting-edge pipeline, and experienced leadership, Metsera is well on its way to shaping the future of obesity and metabolic disease treatment.
To round off this month's edition, AltruBio Inc. has captured attention with its strategic pivot from oncology to immunology, securing nearly $300 million in funding under the leadership of former 拜耳 and 辉瑞 executive Judy Chou. AltruBio’s transition comes at a time when interest in inflammatory disease research is surging, with 2023 seeing more acquisitions in immune disease drug development than even oncology. AltruBio’s lead candidate, ALTB-268, is a promising therapy aimed at restoring balance to the immune systems of patients with autoimmune conditions like ulcerative colitis.
AltruBio's progress highlights the continued momentum in the immune drug development space, where precision therapies are becoming increasingly important. With a mid-stage clinical trial underway and plans for a Phase 2b study, AltruBio is positioning itself as a key player in this rapidly evolving field. As CEO Dr. Judy Chou noted, having a drug in mid-stage testing has given the company an edge in these challenging capital markets, and they are poised to deliver meaningful advancements in immune disease treatment.
With these innovative biotechs leading the way, it’s clear that the future of biotech is full of promise and potential. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track their progress.
Top Jobs of the Month
This month, I'm excited to share some standout opportunities we're working on that highlight the diversity and innovation within the life sciences sector. Here's a look at the roles currently on offer:
We’re partnered with a leading biotechnology company in Central France that’s rapidly advancing the drug discovery pipeline. Their mission is to design innovative drug candidates faster for a range of critical diseases, leveraging cutting-edge technology that combines physics, statistics, and AI. As a Computational Chemist, you’ll play a crucial role in this mission, working with a multidisciplinary team to select molecules for synthesis and oversee projects from early stages to pre-clinical phases. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a Ph.D., strong computational techniques, and a desire to push the boundaries of drug discovery.Erin Blank
Another exciting role is for a Free Energy Team Lead with the same innovative biotechnology company. This role involves managing a team dedicated to free energy calculations, with a focus on developing cutting-edge methods and leading the team through all phases of drug discovery. The position requires a deep background in atomistic simulations, physical chemistry, and statistical mechanics, as well as experience managing teams of PhDs and postdocs. If you’re a strong communicator with a can-do attitude and a passion for collaborative, interdisciplinary work, this could be a great fit. For more details, please reach out to Erin Blank .
Another exciting role we have is for a Senior Data Analytics Expert with a globally recognised manufacturer of cardio- and endovascular implants based in Berlin. This position involves developing powerful data platform solutions, connecting new data sources, and creating high-performance data pipelines on cloud platforms like AWS and Snowflake. If you have a strong background in BI & Analytics, data engineering, and cloud computing, and you're proficient in both German and English, this could be a fantastic fit. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please reach out to Julien Funes for more information.
If any of these roles resonate with you or someone you know, feel free to reach out to myself or apply on our website.
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This month, I’m exploring the journey that many life sciences professionals take when transitioning from the lab to the executive suite. In the blog titled "From Lab to Leadership: Navigating the Transition in Life Sciences," I delve into how scientists - whether chemists, biologists, or from other disciplines—can successfully move into leadership roles like CSO.
This transition is about applying your deep scientific expertise in a broader context, developing the necessary leadership skills, and embracing the business side of the industry. The blog covers how to leverage the skills you've honed in the lab, the importance of continuous learning, and why networking is crucial in this shift.
If you're contemplating this move, the blog provides practical advice and insights to help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with stepping into an executive role in the life sciences.
In this section, I’d like to introduce some of the team at Aspire Life Sciences Search . Each team member has put together a one-pager presentation that outlines their focus areas, the roles they specialise in, and the types of companies they support across different locations.
These one-pagers give you a clear picture of their expertise, including the roles they’ve successfully placed, the industries they work in, and the regions they cover. Whether it’s supporting biotech companies in Europe, placing talent in pharmaceutical firms, or addressing the needs of the Middle Eastern market, our team is ready to assist.
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Wishing you a month filled with discoveries and progress.
Best regards,
James
"Thanks for coming, you could of been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me, I appreciate that"