Episode 48

full
Published on:

9th Jun 2025

Osimertinib Success, TGF-Beta Lessons, Building Curious Teams, and More

In this conversation, I talked with Michael Lahn, Chief Medical Officer of Ionctura, a clinical-stage biotech focusing on therapies for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, 

where he shared his insights on drug development, leadership, and the importance of listening in building a successful team culture. He talked about his journey in the biotech industry, discussing the highs and lows of drug development, the lessons learned from his experiences with Osimertinib, and the common mistakes companies make. Michael emphasizes the significance of curiosity, collaboration, and a strong team dynamic in achieving success in the field of oncology.

Here's what you're in:

  • How did Michael get into drug development and what were some of the drivers that still push him today? 
  • What were some of the highest or proudest moments of his career? 
  • What are the key traits for success according to Michael?


Timestamps:

01:25 Michael's Journey into Drug Development

03:28 Highest and Lowest Moments in Michael’s Career

05:50 Lessons from Osimertinib Development

07:50 Mistakes Companies Are Still Making Today

10:26 The Importance of Listening in Leadership

13:02 Ionctura's Mission and Achievements

22:51 Recruitment and Working with Recruiters

29:37 Final Reflections and Gratitude


About Michael

Michael Lahn, the current Chief Medical Officer of iOnctura,  a clinical-stage biotech focusing on therapies for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers. 

Michael completed training in Hematology-Oncology at the University of Freiburg in Germany and served as an Instructor in Immunology at the National Jewish Department of Immunology. He spent 14 years at Eli Lilly, became part of AstraZeneca's Osi-mertinib registration team, and later joined Incyte as the Head of the Geneva Office.


Connect with Michael


About me

My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.


Connect with me:



Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.



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About the Podcast

A Dose of Reality with Charles Spence
Hidden Truths of Clinical Leadership
Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys.

Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field.

So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter. 

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Charles Spence