From R&D to CRO CEO

Dr. Fozia Saleem’s journey from R&D scientist to CEO is as fascinating as it is inspiring. After years in global roles at GSK, BAT, and Broughton, she now leads Magnitude Biosciences — a scrappy, fast-moving CRO helping clients generate better data, earlier, through its WormGazer® technology platform.

When I sat down with Fozia, I walked away with three big lessons.

What I Learnt

Fozia spoke about the idea of “getting into your helicopter” — taking a step back from the day-to-day to see the bigger picture. It’s such a powerful metaphor for leaders who are often caught in the weeds.

She’s also incredibly pragmatic. Her approach is simple but effective: have a plan, move fast, and get things done. That’s how she’s been able to treble the team, double the lab space, and navigate a challenging market while keeping the business focused.

And finally, I loved her belief in feeling the energy. Whether it’s her team, investors, or partners, she pays close attention to the vibe — because when the energy is right, execution follows.

What I Liked

Fozia struck me as a roll-up-her-sleeves CEO — practical, driven, and humble. But what really resonated was her openness about often being “the only brown girl in the room”, and how she turned that into a strength. It made her voice stronger, gave her perspective, and allowed her to become a role model for others coming through.

Reflection

What stood out most was her blend of intellect and action. She’s deeply scientific but commercially sharp — the kind of leader who can zoom out to strategy one minute and be hands-on with the team the next.

Her story reminded me how important it is to stay aware of the energy around you, to look up from the details, and to keep moving forward with intent and positivity.

Hear the full episode here: Apple | Spotify. Big thanks to our amazing sponsors Bora Pharmaceuticals, Charles River Laboratories, and Lead Candidate for supporting the pod