How to succeed in biotech: thoughts from our CEO
by Mark Smythe
After 30 years in the industry and building 5 companies, I’ve been reflecting on what truly drives success in the biotech industry. While good ideas are the spark, they cannot fuel the journey. Success in this high-risk, high-reward field demands a potent blend of visionary thinking, flawless execution, adaptability and unwavering conviction. In my experience, these pillars are essential:
Forge a Transformative Vision
Biotech isn’t about incremental progress; it’s about revolutionising healthcare. At Infensa Bioscience, we’ve set our sights on conquering two of the world’s leading causes of death: heart attack and stroke. Our mission also extends to expanding the pool of donor hearts for transplantation. Together, these goals are a testament to our commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs with potentially life-changing therapies.
Let Data Drive Your Decisions
A bold vision must be anchored in rigorous science. While biotech is inherently risky, that risk can be mitigated through disciplined, data-driven decision-making. At Infensa, we prioritise generating robust preclinical data to de-risk development, ensuring every step forward is backed by evidence. Progress isn’t about endless experimentation; it’s about focused efforts that drive meaningful outcomes.
Assemble a World-Class Team
The best science is only as impactful as the team executing it. Success demands a synergy of world-class scientists, experienced drug developers, and savvy business leaders united by a shared passion for the mission. At Infensa, we’ve brought together a diverse team of experts—ranging from venom chemistry pioneers to cardiac physiologists—supported by seasoned professionals in project management, CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls), and clinical operations. This multidisciplinary expertise empowers us to navigate complexity with confidence.
In addition to myself, our original team includes:
• Professor Glenn King, a world leader in venom chemistry who won the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for founding an agricultural biotech company that harnessed molecules from spider venom peptide to create environmentally-friendly insecticides;
• Professor Nathan Palpant, a cardiac physiologist who has received national and international awards and holds patents for his work on using stem cells to regenerate heart muscle;
• Ananth Siva, CEO of fintech company Movius who has 40 years’ leadership experience in companies including IBM and Trimble Navigation
• Professor Bob Graham AO, one of Australia’s most renowned cardiologists who was Executive Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute for 26 years.
This formidable team has attracted top-tier talent, drawn by our compelling data and mission to make a real difference in the world.
We rounded out the management team with three key hires:
• Michael Ankersen, Head of Project Management, who brings 30 years of experience shepherding different molecules from a range of therapeutic areas through clinical trials at companies including Novo Nordisk, Mylan and Genentech.
• Ming Chong, Director of CMC, who boasts two decades of experience in China and at CSL in Australia.
• Louisa Carey, Chief Operating Officer, is a lawyer with Masters degrees in public health and international relations, who brings prior experience as a COO at a not-for-profit, a think-tank and a financial firm – and recognition as the 2011 Australian Young Lawyer of the Year.
I am incredibly proud of the team we have assembled, including rising young stars in lead scientist roles: Aline Dantas de Araujo, Han Chiu, Han Siean Lee and Natalie Saez.
Embrace Adaptability in a Dynamic Landscape
Biotech discovery and development is not a linear path; it’s a journey of twists and turns. The biotech landscape evolves rapidly—whether it’s new scientific data, market shifts, or unforeseen drug development challenges. Setbacks are inevitable; resilience, adaptability and agility are the cornerstones of long-term success. By maintaining flexibility while staying focused on our long-term vision, we can navigate challenges and pivot when necessary, continually delivering value for investors while advancing life-saving therapies.
Solving Problems That Matter
Successful biotech ventures address clear unmet needs with significant market potential. Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s biggest killer, claiming over 20 million deaths annually from heart attacks and strokes. Survivors often face lasting disabilities or progressive conditions like heart failure. At Infensa Bioscience, our groundbreaking preclinical studies demonstrate our molecule’s ability to prevent damage caused by oxygen deprivation during these events—a potential game-changer in a market lacking preventative therapies. Importantly, this is not a one-off: it has been shown in multiple ischemic diseases in multiple different in vivo models. This innovation has the potential to save lives globally while tapping into a multi-billion-dollar market.
Cultivate Unwavering Conviction: The Ingredient That Ties It All Together
Reflecting on my 30 years in biotech, I’ve learned that conviction is the glue that binds vision and execution. It is often said: “Good ideas are important, but ideas are a commodity.” A brilliant vision, without the focus to execute it and the backing of strong scientific data, is ultimately meaningless. Real success demands passionate, resilient action, particularly when facing inevitable obstacles. Translating discovery into clinical impact is a long journey that requires unwavering belief in your mission. This philosophy guided my work at Protagonist Therapeutics, where we successfully advanced six compounds into clinical trials and completed Phase III studies for an oral psoriasis treatment. Now, we are applying the same formula for success at Infensa Bioscience.
A Roadmap for Success
While there are no guarantees in biotech, I’ve found that by combining visionary thinking, data-driven execution, world-class talent, adaptability, and unwavering conviction, we can significantly enhance our success while maximising our potential impact. As Infensa Bioscience forges ahead towards clinical trials, we remain committed to our ultimate mission to transform lives on a global scale.