From Pharma to CRO entrepreneur

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with our host Raman Sehgal. Raman distils dozens of executive conversations across 2025 into three key insights you can take into 2026 for you and your organization.    Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and Charles River Laboratories, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Nick Fortin, Chief Executive Officer at Codis. Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Nick, covering: Nick’s desire to scratch that entrepreneurial itch, while recognising he was missing a key tool in his toolbox, which led him to pursue a midlife MBA. His turnaround role at Neopharma exposed him to major players in the pharma services space, ultimately paving the way to Particle Dynamics (now Codis). The major pillars Nick established when he joined Particle Dynamics as CEO, and the company’s transformational journey that led to further investment, a major international acquisition, and the creation of Codis. Key lessons on managing multiple investors around the board table — and the critical role of a Chairman. Why the bioavailability challenge for many molecules in the pipeline supports continued growth in spray drying. Nicolas joined Particle Dynamics as President and CEO in 2018. He has almost 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple leadership roles. Nicolas earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and holds an MBA from McGill and HEC Universities. Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma (boracdmo.com) and Charles River (criver.com), and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, share with your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value of the global life sciences outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Dr. Fozia Saleem, Chief Executive Officer at Magnitude Biosciences. Your host, Raman Sehgal, speaks with Fozia about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain, including: How her early roles shaped her focus on applying science and innovation in a practical way The contrast between working in tobacco and vape R&D and traditional pharma research How a post-COVID reckoning led her to a CEO role at a university spin-out The commercial potential of worms, the WormGazer® technology platform, and why Magnitude Biosciences is far from a cookie-cutter CRO Fundraising, tripling the team, doubling lab space, and navigating the life of a scrappy CRO How the company is helping clients with novel therapies get better insights earlier and faster amid a tough market environment Dr. Fozia Saleem is the CEO of Magnitude Biosciences, a leading contract research organisation serving the pharmaceutical, health, and nutrition sectors to better understand the effects of drugs and nutraceuticals on healthy ageing, longevity, and neurodegeneration. With more than 15 years of experience across the FMCG and pharmaceutical industries — including leadership roles at GSK, BAT, and Broughton — Fozia has led global product launches, driven high-growth commercial strategies, and delivered transformative organisational change. Beyond her role at Magnitude Biosciences, Fozia is a passionate advocate for women’s leadership and inclusive innovation. She previously co-chaired The Lifted Project – Newcastle Board, supporting high-growth female founders, and was named on the We Are Power Future List 2024 in recognition of her business leadership.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and Charles River Laboratories, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with: Andrew Gigax, Head of European Pharma Services M&A at William Blair Jennifer Chadwick, Founder and Principal at Jennifer Chadwick Consulting Sabina Ouimet Storrs, Principal at GHO Capital Partners Jason Foss, Head of Corporate Development at Bora Pharmaceuticals Your host, Raman Sehgal, speaks with his guests about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem, including: How market stabilisation has been overtaken by the need for adaptation in times of uncertainty Disciplined and deeper M&A, with heightened scrutiny, buyer and seller disconnect, and a sharper focus on operational efficiency The growing demand for bispecifics, radiopharma, isotopes, and other emerging segments Why the “picks and shovels” that serve multiple modalities are where opportunity lies in pharma services Why the US remains the hottest market, and how AI adoption has mainly focused on workflow so far The shifts and trends that could reshape pharma services in the years ahead Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma, Charles River and Lead Candidate, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, your host Raman Sehgal discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Jean-François Brepson, Chief Executive Officer at PathoQuest. The conversation covers: Navigating 20 years of global leadership roles at Ipsen before moving from the corporate world into an investor-led entrepreneurial adventure The tough decision to refocus PathoQuest from diagnostics into a pure play CRO and pharma services business How a major strategic partnership transformed the company’s trajectory and why Jean sees partnerships as a competitive weapon Riding the tailwind of the FDA’s move away from animal testing and offering something game-changing in the CMC and GMP space The opportunities ahead for CROs and CDMOs in helping unlock the next wave of innovation Jean-François Brepson is a dedicated leader with deep experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Since becoming CEO of PathoQuest in 2015, he has built the company into a leading global CRO specializing in quality control of biological drugs using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Over his career, he has advanced innovative technologies and solutions that bridge scientific progress with real-world application. Prior to joining PathoQuest, Jean was Senior Vice President at Ipsen, where he led the global GI-Oncology and Endocrinology franchise.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma, Charles River, and Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Jason Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Ensera.   Your host, Raman Sehgal, speaks with Jason about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain, covering: Why he chose BASF over law school, and why McKinsey ultimately was not for him Moving from corporate life into a venture-backed polymer technology start-up before a major exit The search for a PE-backed specialty manufacturing role that led him to Ensera (formerly SteriPack) The importance of appreciating local knowledge when entering new markets Similarities and differences between outsourced services in pharma and medical devices How today’s changes, pain, and uncertainty in the markets are creating opportunity Jason Anderson is CEO of Ensera (formerly SteriPack), a global contract design and manufacturing organization serving the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He has led the company through a period of significant growth and change, including the integration of new design and product development capabilities with Ensera’s core manufacturing services, and the launch of the new Ensera trading name.   Prior to Ensera, Jason held global business unit leadership roles at DJO/Enovis and at Saint-Gobain, overseeing businesses ranging from finished medical devices to customized, high-value components for biopharma and medical device industries. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at pre-revenue polymer technology start-up Novomer, at McKinsey and Company, and at BASF.   Jason has lived and worked in North America, Asia, and Europe. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard Business School.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma, Charles River, and Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with our host Raman Sehgal, who discusses the themes and vibe of CPHI 2025 in Frankfurt.     Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharma and Charles River, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll hear wily old wisdom, golden nuggets and invaluable insider tips about CPHI. The nuanced stuff from Veterans of CPHIs gone by you’ll never find in a generic AI-written playbook. The show features: James West, Managing Director, Bourne Partners Arul Ramadurai, CCO at Axplora Christine Fuerst, Director Key Account Management Europe, Vetter Pharma International GmbH Dan Stanton, leading pharma/biopharma industry journalist  Jeremy Drummond PhD, retired VP Sales and Marketing Exec.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma, Charles River, and Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Gil Roth, President, at Pharma & Biopharma Outsourcing Association (PBOA). Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Gil, covering: How planned FDA budget cuts and the ongoing US government shutdown are impacting the industry. And the potential outlook if those issues remain unresolved... Why positive early-phase clinical trial activity could signal a stronger year ahead Real-life applications of AI and machine learning for GMP in CDMOs through signal and pattern recognition Why Gil is feeling more optimism across the CDMO community And yes… you can also see Gil and Raman together on stage at the industry’s very own “Super Bowl” of conferences Gil Roth is the Founder and President of the Pharma & Biopharma Outsourcing Association (PBOA), a nonprofit trade group that advocates for the regulatory, legislative and general business interests of the CMO/CDMO sector. In this role, he brings CDMO perspectives and education to FDA, the US Congress, and other bodies, and brings CDMOs together to share best practices, develop policy positions, and provide briefings on government positions that impact that sector. He also organizes and hosts PBOA's annual members-only Meeting & Conference. Previously, he was the Founding Editor of Contract Pharma magazine. In his alleged free time, he produces a weekly cultural conversation podcast called The Virtual Memories Show (https://chimeraobscura.com/vm).   Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharma (boracdmo.com) and Charles River (www.criver.com), and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with JB Agnus, Chief Commercial Officer at Bora Pharmaceuticals. Your host, Raman Sehgal, speaks with JB about the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain, including: How his global roles taught him the importance of bridging cultures What attracted him to Bora Pharmaceuticals and the company’s remarkable trajectory The value of intentionality, taking charge of your own career, and prioritising physical and mental wellness What it really looks and feels like to be a CDMO CCO, and the realities of stepping up into the role Why it matters not to conform to the norm and instead stay true to yourself Prior to joining Bora, JB held senior leadership roles in business development at AGC Biologics, Ajinomoto Bio Pharma Services, Novasep, and Isochem. He holds a bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry from Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III in Toulouse, France, and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Centrale Méditerranée in Marseille, France.   Molecule to Market is sponsored by Bora Pharma, Charles River, and Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and help us celebrate the value of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!