In this episode, Kim speaks with Jill Milne, Ph.D., CEO of Astria Therapeutics, about what it really takes to build a biotech company around patient needs, not just in mission statements, but in everyday decisions. Drawing on her 25+ years in pharma and biotech, Jill shares how Astria is redefining what it means to be patient-first, why culture is more than a slogan, and how leaders can align boards and investors behind values that also deliver business results.

They talk about:

• Patient-Centricity as Strategy: Jill details how Astria embeds patient insight across every phase of development; from target product profile to clinical design to commercialization. This is not just about listening sessions or checkbox advocacy, it’s about consistently translating lived experiences into decisions that accelerate development, improve retention, and drive value.

• Culture being a Strategic Asset: With the motto “Patients first. People always,” Jill emphasizes how every function, from finance to CMC, is connected to patient impact. The culture extends beyond Astria’s walls to CROs and partners, creating a shared mindset that scales.

• Board & Business Alignment: Jill outlines a compelling case for why patient-centered and culture-led approaches aren't just feel-good strategies but force multipliers that enhance clinical development, commercial positioning, investor confidence, and regulatory credibility.

For biotech leaders building companies with long-term impact in mind, this episode offers a grounded look at how values like culture and patient focus can be turned into consistent, daily execution.

What does it really take to launch a biotech company that lasts? In this episode, host Kim Kushner sits down with Dr. Marcia de Souza Lima, a physician-executive whose journey spans clinical care, global pharma, investment, and startup leadership. Together, they explore the earliest days of company formation—where every decision, from team design to product development, can shape the long-term path of the organization.

The conversation begins with a familiar framework—the “Five P’s” of early biotech building: Product, People, Patents, Pennies, and Place. But Marcia challenges the idea that these alone are enough. She offers a fresh perspective on what leaders often overlook in the rush to build: the patient voice, the real-world context, and the flexibility to adapt as markets, teams, and therapies evolve.

This Conversation Highlights:

• Why scientific novelty isn’t enough—your product must be positioned to matter.
• How to think about the patient perspective even before your first clinical milestone.
• Ways to balance scientific rigor with entrepreneurial speed in a resource-constrained environment.
• The talent trade-offs of hybrid vs. in-person teams—and how agility may be your biggest asset.
• The role of mentorship, curiosity, and asking the right questions—especially when you're doing this for the first time.

Rather than presenting a checklist, this episode invites biotech leaders to think more holistically: How do you build something both scientifically sound and human-centered? How do you grow fast—without missing the fundamentals?

If you're leading (or planning to lead) in biotech, this is a conversation that helps you zoom out, refocus, and reconsider what should come first.

In this episode of The Emerging Biotech Leader, host Kim Kushner speaks with Al Beardsley, CEO of Cirius Therapeutics, about the foundational principles that guide sustainable biotech company building. A seasoned operator with experience across early discovery and late-stage development, Al introduces his “Five P’s” framework—a practical, clear-eyed guide for leaders responsible for turning science into durable enterprise value.

The discussion covers:

• Product – How to ensure scientific innovation aligns with clinical relevance, provider expectations, and payer value frameworks—starting from day one.
• People – Why successful teams prioritize adaptability, strategic clarity, and trust over pedigree alone—and how CEOs can foster cohesion across lean or hybrid structures.
• Patents – The critical timing decisions that shape long-term market viability, particularly in light of small molecule vs. biologic exclusivity windows.
• Pennies – Why overcapitalization is rarely the problem, and how disciplined resource allocation—not just headcount—defines a company’s survival window.
• Place – Rethinking organizational design in a post-geography world, and how cultural alignment can outperform location-based hiring.

Al also shares reflections on leadership at different stages of company maturity, the evolving role of the CEO as “Chief Everything Officer,” and how early-stage biotech leaders can structure their organizations to move deliberately, avoid unforced errors, and keep teams focused in uncertain conditions.

This episode offers grounded, experience-based insight for biotech executives who are building with limited resources, high stakes, and longtime horizons.