"They let go our full group of metabolic disease. We had a big collaboration with large pharma, we thought we were making a lot of progress… it really affected me."
In this episode, I talked with Peter Tummino, President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, where he discussed what it takes to build a successful biotech R&D engine. Peter shares his insights on company culture and its impact on drug discovery, the challenges of targeting difficult-to-drug proteins, and the lessons he’s learned from decades in pharma and biotech. He also reflects on leadership in R&D, the evolution of drug discovery strategies, and what excites him most about the future of the industry.
Here's what you are in for:
- How does company culture influence scientific innovation in biotech?
- What are the biggest challenges in drug discovery, and how can teams overcome them?
- What lessons has Peter learned from his time at GSK, AstraZeneca, and Nimbus?
- What does the future of small molecule drug development look like?
- How do you build a high-performing R&D team, and what qualities make a great leader?
- What are some of the biggest shifts in drug discovery strategies over the past 20 years?
- Why are difficult-to-drug proteins such a major focus, and how can biotech tackle them?
- What role does cross-functional collaboration play in accelerating drug development?
- How does Peter approach risk-taking and decision-making in biotech R&D?
- What are the most exciting developments in the industry today?
Timestamps:
01:09 Career Journey
05:15 Challenges and Lessons Learned
08:33 Overview of Nimbus Therapeutics
10:14 Exciting Clinical Trials at Nimbus
11:39 Culture at Nimbus Therapeutics
15:25 Industry Observations and AI
19:16 Recruitment Insights and Experiences
25:06 Quick Fire Questions
About Peter
- Dr. Peter Tummino is the President of Research and Development at Nimbus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech that designs and develops novel small molecule medicines targeting difficult-to-drug proteins.
- He has been in small molecule drug discovery for over thirty years, including the past 6 with Nimbus.
- While at GSK, he contributed to the discovery of the approved oncology drugs (Dabrafenib, Trametinib, and Daprodustat for chronic kidney disease).
- At Nimbus, he led discovery during the development of Zaso-ci-tinib, which is currently in Phase 2 & 3 for psoriasis and other I&I clinical indications.
Connect with Peter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tummino-7496753/
About Nimbus Therapeutics
- A clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing breakthrough medicines through computational drug discovery.
- The company designs and develops novel small molecule medicines targeting difficult-to-drug proteins implicated in various diseases.
- Nimbus utilizes a powerful computational drug discovery engine, combining leading-edge technologies with machine learning-based predictive modeling approaches.
- Nimbus has a clinical-stage HPK1 inhibitor (NDI-101150) in Phase 1/2 trials for the treatment of solid tumors.
Nimbus Therapeutics: https://www.nimbustx.com/
Pipeline: https://www.nimbustx.com/pipeline-targets/
About me
My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.
In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/
Website: https://www.discera-search.com/
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
