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Lab Rats to UnicornsLRTU Author: John Flavin
Lab Rats to Unicorns is a podcast that aims to demystify the process of creating a great company in life sciences. Under the guidance of our host, John Flavin, you will hear personal stories of creation, be able to understand how great companies are created, and get insights into the many ways that you as an individual can engage in the creation of tomorrows life science companies. From the lab rat, signifying the process of invention and discovery, to the unicorn, signifying market success, there are a thousand players and ways in which people can contribute to the creation of great companies. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Life Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Putting Your Neck on the Line with Jeremy Levin_e.092
Episode 92
Wednesday, 16 September, 2026
In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin sits down with Dr. Jeremy Levin, a physician, scientist, biotech executive, and longtime leader in the pharmaceutical industry. Jeremy has held senior roles across Genzyme, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Teva, and today serves as Executive Chairman of Ovid Therapeutics. Throughout his career, he has helped shape major advances in biotechnology, from the industry’s early days to the rise of immuno-oncology and new approaches to neurological disease. Jeremy traces his journey from growing up on a farm in South Africa and moving between countries as a refugee to studying at Oxford and Cambridge and eventually entering the emerging U.S. biotech industry. He explains how his training as a physician and scientist has remained central to his career and why he sees companies, capital, and strategy ultimately as tools for getting better medicines to more patients. The conversation explores defining moments in Jeremy’s career, including learning the business of biotech at Genzyme and developing the “String of Pearls” strategy at Bristol-Myers Squibb. That approach helped Bristol build new capabilities in biologics and make a bold bet on immuno-oncology at a time when much of the industry remained skeptical. Jeremy also discusses returning to entrepreneurship with Ovid Therapeutics to pursue neurological diseases that much of pharma had abandoned. He reflects on clinical failure, the importance of patient organizations, and why progress often requires being willing to “put your neck on the line.” The episode closes with his perspective on the future of American biotechnology and the need to support science, innovation, and public trust to keep the next generation of breakthroughs moving forward.
