Pharma Sessions

Hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

Business Health Fitness ScienceInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Navigating pharmaceutical launch excellence through strategy, technology and career stories. (And sharing fun moments too!)

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 4, 2026Episode 436 min

Built to Move: Candel Therapeutics' Agile Path from Trial Results to Launch Readiness

Dr. Paul Peter Tak, President and CEO of Candel Therapeutics, sits down with Jonathan to discuss the company's sprint from positive Phase III results to commercial launch. They explore how Candel is redefining the biotech playbook — using an externalized, dynamic model to build commercial capabilities with speed and agility, without the burden of premature fixed costs. Topics include Candel's viral immunotherapy CAN-2409 for localized prostate cancer, the overnight financing triggered by Phase III success, the "one team" approach to culture and external partners, and how a lean 80-person organization is delivering the output of a mid-sized pharma company. 0:00 — Introduction: Dr. Paul Peter Tak and Candel Therapeutics 1:19 — What CAN-2409 does differently for prostate cancer patients 3:19 — Integrating a viral immunotherapy into existing radiation workflows 4:48 — The day after Phase III: shifting from R&D to launch readiness 6:10 — Overnight financing and pressing the button with Merck Millipore 9:16 — Starting with the patient journey, not "medical affairs vs. commercial" 12:10 — Speed without fixed costs: the advantage of externalization 15:51 — The "one team" approach: culture over credentials 21:14 — The Halloween party: building trust through fun 23:21 — Six years without missing a single catalyst 26:06 — What success looks like after approval 29:07 — Leading remotely from Portugal: the hybrid model 33:24 — 80 people, mid-sized pharma output: freedom and accountability 34:41 — AI with RI: real intelligence Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

September 24, 2026Episode 317 min

Data, AI, and the Future of Field Training with Annel Duckels from BMS

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Annel Duckels, who leads worldwide commercialization learning at Bristol Myers Squibb, to talk about modernizing pharma training through data and AI. Annel's unconventional path into pharma L&D after a career in mining and heavy engineering — and what that industry taught her about listening to frontline workers Why pharma lagged decades behind other industries in training technology, and what that reveals about corporate priorities Moving past "check-the-box" training: building programs from the bottom up instead of top down Designing individualized learning experiences instead of one-size-fits-all content How AI creates a "safe space" for reps to practice and get anonymous, judgment-free feedback Why clean CRM and call-note data is the invisible foundation of every AI training strategy How AI is changing HCP engagement as physicians increasingly self-serve medical literature Using AI to scale and personalize learning content development Giving reps granular, per-conversation performance feedback — beyond what any manager could deliver manually A look ahead: what pharma L&D and field enablement could look like a year from now Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

July 31, 2026Episode 338 min

Hallway Interviews with Pharma Learning Leaders

Pharma Sessions — ACTO Client Summit: Hallway Interviews At ACTO's 2026 client summit in Boston, we pulled some incredible minds out of the hallway for quick, candid conversations about where field excellence, AI, and learning & development are headed. No scripts, no slides — just honest takes from the people doing the work. In this episode, you'll hear from six pharma L&D leaders on how AI is changing their roles, what they're doing differently at national sales meetings, the adoption challenges they're navigating, and why L&D may be the most strategically important function in any AI rollout. Timestamps: 1:43 — Andrea Penn, Senior Director of Field Training & Customer Training, Autolus Therapeutics 7:38 — Sarah Barrett, Associate Director of Medical Affairs Training, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals 13:10 — Brian McCann, Dupixent Market Access Training, Regeneron 18:49 — Nicole Payne, Director of Global Commercial L&D, BioMarin 23:08 — Erin Gigliello, Senior Product Owner & Project Manager in L&D, Accord Biopharma 30:48 — Chris Richards, Head of Commercial L&D, Nuvations Bio Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

July 9, 2026Episode 233 min

Blockchain + AI: The Future of Healthcare Data

What happens when you put blockchain underneath AI in healthcare? According to Archita Samant, Head of Data Strategy & Analytics for Global Vaccines at Merck — you finally solve the interoperability problem that's been holding the industry back for decades. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Archita to unpack the real-world challenges of fragmented health data, why agentic AI demands a better data foundation than we currently have, and how blockchain could be the base layer that makes personalized medicine actually possible. They cover: Why copilots and ChatGPT aren't enough — and what agentic AI actually needs to work How blockchain addresses data privacy, ownership, and interoperability across systems like Epic and Oracle Health The concept of patients owning their own health data and consenting to share it for better outcomes Why the EMR ecosystem is so siloed — and what it would take to fix it at an industry level Real-world examples from Archita's experience with Teva's DigiHaler and predictive asthma algorithms The global vaccines data problem and why even measuring disease prevalence (like dengue) is harder than you'd think Why AI alone can't fix data fragmentation — and what the next five years might look like Archita also shares her winding path from pharmacist to founding a blockchain-based NFT charity platform to leading global data strategy at Merck — and her go-to karaoke song. 🎙️ Pharma Sessions is a podcast where host Jonathan Kaskey has candid conversations with interesting people across the healthcare and life sciences industry. The views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the positions of their respective employers. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

June 8, 2026Episode 129 min

The Question Behind the Question - Field Training with Jennifer Muszik

What separates a good pharma sales rep from a great one? According to Jennifer Muszik, it's the ability to understand the question behind the question — the real need behind what a customer is asking. In this episode, Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Jennifer Muszik, Head of Learning & Development at Alkermes and board member of LTEN, to unpack what it takes to build world-class training programs in the pharmaceutical industry. Jennifer shares her journey from 17 years at Pfizer to leading L&D across some of pharma's most recognized organizations — and why she almost always hires people who've actually done the job they're training others to do. They get into the nuances of training new hires vs. seasoned veterans, how to engage your highest performers without making them feel attacked, and why former teachers and coaches often make the best pharma reps. Plus: a candid conversation about where AI can genuinely help — and where human connection is still irreplaceable. Topics covered: Why field experience makes better trainers The "pull-through" problem after POA meetings Using AI for knowledge transfer (and its limits) How LTEN is shaping the future of pharma L&D Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

May 28, 2026Episode 3230 min

Why the Small Details Reveal Everything About Your CDMO Partner with Frank Sorce

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Frank Sorce, Chief Commercial Officer at UPM Pharmaceuticals, to share insights into the critical decisions involved in selecting contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). Pharma Sessions provides general insights into the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry through conversations with its guests. The content shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, regulatory, or financial advice. The use of any information discussed in this episode or materials linked from the podcast is at the listener’s own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jonathan Kaskey, Pharma Sessions, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Any reference to specific products, companies, regulatory pathways, or commercial strategies is provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or validation by the podcast, host, or sponsors. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com Episode Resources: Frank Sorce on LinkedIn UPM Pharmaceuticals Website Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn XSUNT Corporation Website Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

May 21, 2026Episode 3136 min

Why Medical Knowledge Isn’t Reaching Patients with Dr. Simon Chowdhury

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Dr. Simon Chowdhury, a Consultant Medical Oncologist based at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, to talk about Open Medicine, a platform designed to take what’s inside the minds of the world’s leading oncologists and make it accessible to any clinician on a mobile phone. Pharma Sessions provides general insights into the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry through conversations with its guests. The content shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, regulatory, or financial advice. The use of any information discussed in this episode or materials linked from the podcast is at the listener’s own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jonathan Kaskey, Pharma Sessions, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Any reference to specific products, companies, regulatory pathways, or commercial strategies is provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or validation by the podcast, host, or sponsors. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

May 14, 2026Episode 3032 min

Timothy Smith on AI, Data, and Drug Discovery at Takeda

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Timothy Smith, Senior Director of AI Innovation and Head of the Data Sciences Communities at Takeda, to explore how AI is transforming drug discovery and development, why trust and governance are still major hurdles, and why the biggest bottleneck in pharma innovation might not be technology but people. Pharma Sessions provides general insights into the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry through conversations with its guests. The content shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, regulatory, or financial advice. The use of any information discussed in this episode or materials linked from the podcast is at the listener’s own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jonathan Kaskey, Pharma Sessions, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Any reference to specific products, companies, regulatory pathways, or commercial strategies is provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or validation by the podcast, host, or sponsors. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

May 7, 2026Episode 2936 min

Lessons on Leading Through Uncertainty in Pharma

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey welcomes back Danie du Plessis, the first-ever guest on Pharma Sessions, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to lead in medical affairs today. Pharma Sessions provides general insights into the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry through conversations with its guests. The content shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, regulatory, or financial advice. The use of any information discussed in this episode or materials linked from the podcast is at the listener’s own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jonathan Kaskey, Pharma Sessions, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Any reference to specific products, companies, regulatory pathways, or commercial strategies is provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or validation by the podcast, host, or sponsors. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com

April 30, 2026Episode 2832 min

Where AI Delivers Real Value in Pharma Today with Emily Lewis

Here’s what keeps pharma leaders awake at night: 70% to 80% of ChatGPT usage is healthcare-related; however, most pharmaceutical organizations still treat AI as a future consideration rather than an immediate competitive necessity. In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Emily Lewis, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Lead for Digital Care Transformation at UCB, to explore why LLMs alone won’t move medicine forward, how to build cross-functional AI literacy across your organization, and the regulatory workflows where AI will deliver impact fastest. Disclaimer: Pharma Sessions is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Guest opinions are their own and do not reflect the views of the host or sponsors. Use of any information provided is at the listener’s own risk and does not imply endorsement of specific products or strategies. Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ Or join the Pharma Sessions Substack: www.pharmasessions.substack.com