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Bridging science and business: Prof. Thian Chew on healthcare innovation
Superconnector Podcast
Bridging science and business: Prof. Thian Chew on healthcare innovation
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Bridging science and business: Prof. Thian Chew on healthcare innovation

Healthcare is full of specialists. What the industry truly lacks, according to Prof. Thian Chew, is leaders who can effectively bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial reality.

As CEO of Invion, a life sciences firm developing novel cancer treatments and instructor of the HKUST MBA elective Innovation in Healthcare: Entrepreneurial and Investor Perspectives, Thian helps students without a medical background navigate the business of healthcare.

In the latest episode of the HKUST MBA Superconnector Podcast, Thian joins Associate Dean Prof. Stephen Shih to explore Asia’s expanding influence in drug development, the economic forces driving high drug prices, and Hong Kong’s strategic position in healthcare innovation.

Thian also shares lessons from his unscripted career journey. From emailing 3,000 alumni to break into private equity with zero finance experience, to working at Goldman Sachs and later becoming a biotech CEO, his story is a masterclass in resilience and career pivots.

His practical advice on handling rejection and positioning transferable skills is valuable for ambitious professionals in any sector.

Listen to the episode now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify