Pharma Sessions

Drug launches don’t succeed at the finish line. They succeed or fail years earlier, when teams decide what evidence they’ll generate, how they’ll publish it, and which assumptions they’ll pressure-test before it’s too late. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Ana Bozas, Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific Communications at Vera Therapeutics, to dive into what launch readiness really means from the medical side.

Generative AI is changing analytics in pharma, but not in the way most people fear. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Adam Mico, Principal Data and Analytics Strategist at Moderna, to dive into what future-proofing really looks like when AI lowers the barrier to building dashboards, writing code, and generating insights.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Jeremy Zhang, Senior Director and Head of Data Science Solutions at Otsuka, to discuss why AI initiatives succeed or fail in pharma and why it has almost nothing to do with the technology itself.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Sean Sheffler-Collins, Director of Scientific Communications and Content at Astellas Pharma, to discuss how Medical Affairs is evolving to meet HCPs' needs through omnichannel communication strategies, accessible and engaging scientific data, and technology-enabled solutions like digital microsites and AI analysis.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Trevor Landry, the Executive Director of CNS Sales at Otsuka, to unpack how commercial leaders can use data and AI without losing the on-the-ground realities that drive great selling and sustainable revenue growth.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Matthew Krzywosz, Director of Scientific Communications & Content at Astellas, to explore how Medical Affairs teams can create differentiated scientific narratives, use omnichannel strategy to amplify impact, and help brands stand out in highly competitive markets.\

In this special episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey steps behind the mic solo to share the evolving vision for the podcast and the personal career shift that inspired it. What began as a show centered on medical affairs is now broadening to reflect the realities of modern pharma: commercial strategy, analytics, AI, organizational change, and the people navigating it all. Jonathan shares the story behind his move to XSUNT and why building something meaningful again became the driving force behind his next chapter. Along the way, he reflects on what AI should be doing in pharma, why niche, domain-specific tools outperform generic platforms, and how teams can move beyond manual reporting toward real strategic impact.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Martin McLaughlin, former Head of Launch and Business Excellence at Takeda, to share the frameworks and lessons that help pharma organizations align people, processes, performance, and technology for success.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Jens Øllgaard, Head of Customer Experience at Novo Nordisk, to discuss how forward-thinking pharma leaders are dismantling silos between medical and commercial teams, leveraging AI-driven insights, and fundamentally reimagining how field teams create value in an era of declining physician access.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Anindita (Ani) Sinha, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Shionogi, to unpack practical approaches to drive market success, from translating complex data into actionable field strategies to building effective cross-functional partnerships between commercial and medical teams.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Caitlyn Krebs, Co-Founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, to share insights about AI-driven drug development, specifically targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS) for therapeutic development in pain management, inflammation, and women’s health.

This episode of Pharma Sessions is much like a pharmacy - it has something for everyone. Tune in as we reflect on critical conversations hosted by Jonathan Kaskey, so far in the series. Whether it’s critical pathways into pharma careers, the opioid crisis, and work-life balance in the modern pharmaceutical industry, this recap explores it all. From transitioning into MSL roles to building diverse medical teams, guests share practical strategies for career advancement and cross-functional collaboration, offering valuable insights on medical affairs leadership, risk mitigation in pain management, and creating boundaries while working remotely. Think of this as the playbook for pharmaceutical professionals looking to navigate industry challenges and advance their careers.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Hetal Patel, VP of Medical Affairs at Celltrion USA, about building a medical affairs function from the ground up while launching multiple drugs. Sounds like a hot pot of pressure, decision-making and sleepless nights, doesn't it? Well, don’t let this intimidate you just yet. From transitioning out of big pharma to scaling systems with limited resources, Hetal shares practical strategies for thriving in high-pressure launch environments and how to do so without burning out.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey interviews Dr. Adam Laitman about his unconventional path to becoming a medical director in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Laitman shares insights from his career transition from medical school to industry, highlighting the impact of his background in marketing and editorial work. The discussion covers the various career opportunities within medical affairs, the importance of diverse educational backgrounds, and the potential be...

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey discusses career transitions into the pharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on roles like Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). The guest, Emet Anceaume is the Director of Field Medical Affairs at Immunovant. Emet is a pharmacist by training. She shares her insights on the importance of transferable skills, the challenges and strategies for breaking into pharma, and the distinction between working for big pharma and small biot...

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, hosted by Jonathan Kaskey, Vince Turner shares his insights on integrating creativity into operational environments. The discussion covers Vince's career journey from financial services to pharma, and his operational strategies at Kite. Emphasis is placed on the importance of creativity in solving challenges, the value of building strong relationships, and empowering team members. And stay to the end for the buttermilk pancakes recipe (courtesy of Mel...

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Paul Howe, COO at Protega Pharmaceuticals, about the current and evolving landscape of prescription opioids, abuse deterrent technologies, and the role of technology in public health. They discuss new strategies to improve outcomes for chronic pain patients while reducing addiction risks. Introduction and startling data on prescription abuse Welcome and guest introduction Paul Howe's breakfast routine&nb...

Bursting the Medical Affairs Bubble: A Conversation on Cross-Functional Collaboration In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Dr. Samin Saeed, a pharmaceutical medical affairs leader with 17 years of industry experience currently at GSK. They discuss the need for medical affairs to move beyond speaking only to themselves and to engage more openly with other functions within pharmaceutical organizations. Dr. Saeed advocates for a collaborative approach and shares h...

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Steve Cirillo-Thompson, a seasoned Chief of Staff in the pharmaceutical industry, to delve deep into the unique and often misunderstood role of a Chief of Staff. Steve shares his unconventional journey into the medical affairs space, transitioning from political science to consulting, and eventually stepping into various Chief of Staff roles at some of the leading pharmaceutical companies like Shire, Takeda, Abbvie and Ki...

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey speaks with Jen Mohawk, Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Apogee Therapeutics. They discuss the pressing issue of burnout, its financial implications, and how companies benefit from retaining employees rather than constantly seeking new hires. Jen shares her journey from academia to the biopharma industry, driven by her pursuit of a sustainable work-life balance. They delve into practical strategies for integrat...