From AI to the Clinic: The Tough Decisions Behind Biotech Growth

What does it really take to turn an exciting scientific platform into a biotech company capable of delivering treatments to patients? In this episode of *She Leads Biotech*, I'm joined by **Beverley Carr, Chief Business and Operating Officer at CHARM Therapeutics**, for a fascinating conversation about the decisions, challenges and leadership required to build a successful biotech business. Beverley shares her journey from chemistry into consulting, business development and biotech leadership, and the experiences that shaped her approach to making difficult decisions. We explore: 🔹 *From AI to the clinic:* Why promising technology must ultimately demonstrate its value through clinical development. 🔹 *Making difficult decisions:* How CHARM transitioned from a broad AI drug discovery platform to focusing on a lead oncology programme, and what that meant for the business. 🔹 *Building the right team:* Why the skills needed to develop a technology platform aren't necessarily those required to become a clinical-stage biotech. 🔹 *Leadership under pressure:* The importance of recognising when a business needs to change direction, even when those decisions are uncomfortable. 🔹 *Career progression:* Why curiosity, adaptability and embracing unexpected opportunities can open doors you never anticipated. We also discuss women in leadership, board representation and why defining success on your own terms matters. One of Beverley's observations particularly stayed with me: *“The difficult decisions that need to be made are often obvious, but they're not taken quickly enough.”* It's a powerful reminder that leadership isn't simply about having a vision. It's about knowing when to act. Whether you're building a biotech company, leading a team or navigating your own career, I hope this conversation gives you something to think about. 🎧 *Subscribe to She Leads Biotech* for more conversations with the women shaping the future of life sciences. #SheLeadsBiotech #BeverleyCarr #CHARMTherapeutics #BiotechLeadership #DrugDiscovery #AIinBiotech #WomenInBiotech #LifeSciences #ExecutiveLeadership