“I didn’t speak up when I felt that maybe there was something that, in positive intent, could have helped to improve the situation.”
In this episode, I talked with Volker Wacheck, SVP & Head of Clinical Development at Taiho Oncology, where he shared how a PI role in Vienna led him into industry, and why the hardest part wasn’t leaving academia, but learning the unseen sides of drug development: regulatory, compliance, and CMC.
Volker talked about the risks of hiring KOLs straight into VP or CMO roles, and why some thrive while others struggle. He also mentioned Taiho’s unique setup—anchored in Princeton, embedded in Otsuka’s Japanese holding—and how that cross-cultural mix shapes everything from decision-making speed to communication style.
He also shares his most personal leadership lessons: the regret of staying silent in work, the “ask, don’t accuse” method he uses now, and how to manage egos when science and careers collide. From Taiho’s pipeline to his views on hiring, recruiters, and why impact often starts only after 18–24 months, this was a candid look at the realities of building teams and drugs that last.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
- How a PI role and one conversation changed his path.
- The hard part no one glamorizes: learning reg, compliance, and CMC from scratch.
- KOLs jumping straight to VP/CMO—when it’s transformational vs. a risky mis‑fit.
- Inside Taiho’s model: Western oncology engine, Japanese stability, European expansion.
- Taiho’s people/accountability/collaboration/trust principles.
- The biomarker‑assay regret—and the question framework he uses now to surface truth.
- Over‑prepared vs. under‑prepared interviews: what signals actually predict success.
- Recruiters who stick the landing: investing time upfront and optimizing for tenure, not just speed.
Timestamps:
01:26 – Why he left academia and looked to industry
03:12 – Learning the “other side” of development: regulatory, compliance, CMC
05:00 – KOLs jumping to VP/CMO: when it works and why it’s risky
11:31 – Working US/EU/Japan: direct vs. indirect communication; shared principles
14:00 – Why candidates might love Taiho: “small enough to feel personal, big enough to win,” plus stability
16:20 – The biomarker‑assay story: when not speaking up backfired
23:22 – Hiring: over‑prepared vs under‑prepared—what Volker actually looks for
26:29 – Good vs excellent recruiters: the time they put in before the search
About Volker
Volker Wacheck is Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Taiho Oncology. A medical oncology background and now over two decades of industry experience its fair to say he knows a lot about cancer research.
Taiho is known for its cancer drug development including, Futi-Ba-tinib their FG-FR inhibitor and Zipa-Ler-tinib which targets EGFR Mutations.
Volker is also someone who comes highly recommended, Michael Lahn, Ilaria Conti and insert other great person in the field all know and respect Volker. We spoke a few weeks before ASCO, met at ASCO and now doing this - and of course its a pleasure to have him on here.
Connect with Volker:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/volker-wacheck-b173248/
- Website: https://www.taihooncology.com/us/
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.
