In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Dana Aftab, Executive Vice President, R&D at Exelixis, shares his journey to becoming a leader in drug discovery and what he’s learned along the way. It all began in the homeroom of eighth grade, when a video ignited a passion for biology that would lead him to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at Yale and a defining career in cancer therapeutics. He delves into the different research and drug development projects he’s been a part of, including early breakthroughs in high throughput screening, challenges in clinical trials, and the success behind Exelixis’ lead therapy. Since his time in academia, Dana has taken on strong leadership roles from guiding undergraduates to serving as Chief Scientific Officer and eventually head of R&D at Exelixis. He explains the qualities good managers should have, why clear communication matters most in the hardest moments, and how he navigated the company’s restructuring before helping rebuild the team back stronger. He provides advice for founders on the importance of creating a compelling narrative and staying firm when navigating the uncertainties of the biotech industry.
Time Stamps:
0:45 Introduction to Dana Aftab and what sparked his passion for science
6:39 His Ph.D. experience at Yale that led to a breakthrough in compound screening
16:15 Why that soured him on biotech and what ultimately drew him back in
24:33 Navigating the transition into industry by trusting his gut
30:09 The Exelixis-MetaXen acquisition
37:18 Taking the lead as a helping guide to younger scientist
41:00 What does it take to be a good manager
48:45 Discovery and development of CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
57:15 How differentiating clinical data changed the trajectory of Exelixis
1:00:34 Navigating the restructuring process
1:07:13 Rebuilding the Exelixis team
1:11:26 His return to science
1:13:30 Advice for founders on what makes a strong potential partner
1:20:07 Quick fire questions