The Many Paths To Biotech CEO

There is no single path toward becoming a CEO. The job requires many different skills, often concurrently: sharp analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, clear communication with multiple audiences, curiosity and perseverance. It demands strong leadership but also humility, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes and knowledge gaps.

CEOs emerge from a variety of backgrounds. In biotech, science training is clearly very helpful. But for later-stage companies – in development and beyond – a science degree or PhD is not necessary. Being too involved in the science can even be a disadvantage. What is important for the top-job in biotech, according to CEO-turned-investor Christian Schetter, entrepreneur-in-residence at Arix Bioscience, is having experienced “lots of different kinds of challenge across your career.” Whether these challenges were in development, manufacturing, marketing or IT, what matters is appreciating the significance of each, and learning from them.

“You don’t need to be experienced in everything. You just need to know enough to ask dangerous, critical questions; to be the one who can step out of, and see...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from C-Suite Speaks

How Vir Bio CEO Marianne De Backer Is Rebuilding Commercial Momentum

 
• By 

From billion-dollar COVID antibody to a strategic reset, Marianne De Backer is navigating Vir's comeback through pipeline focus and disciplined leadership.

The pre|CISION Approach: How Avacta Is Making Toxic Cancer Drugs Safe And More Effective

 
• By 

Avacta's approach to drug delivery is showing how 'masked' chemotherapy can dramatically improve safety profiles while maintaining or enhancing efficacy where it matters most.

UCB’s Alistair Henry On How AI Is Reshaping Biopharma Talent

 
• By 

Artificial intelligence is shaping many facets of the drug development and commercialization continuum. The need for computational skills within drug R&D is also changing what companies are looking for in young talent that is capable of both bridge biological expertise with computational literacy.

Rising Leaders 2025: Stefan König On The Joy Of Watching Talent Grow

 

While there might be different recipes for success in leadership, continuous learning and wide-ranging experiences have made Stefan König ready to lead Merz Therapeutics as CEO.

More from Leadership

How Vir Bio CEO Marianne De Backer Is Rebuilding Commercial Momentum

 
• By 

From billion-dollar COVID antibody to a strategic reset, Marianne De Backer is navigating Vir's comeback through pipeline focus and disciplined leadership.

Execs On The Move: April 2025

 
• By 

An interactive look at recent executive-level company changes and promotions in the biopharma, medical device and diagnostics industries.

AI In Drug Discovery: The Patent Implications

 
• By 

A Q&A with DeAnn Smith, partner and co-chair of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Proceedings Practice Group at law firm Foley Hoag.