The Goddess of Healing: Scaling a Biotech Spinout with Soumya Palliyil

How do you transition from a decade in a research lab to leading a high-stakes biotech company? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector talks with Soumya Palliyil, the CEO and co-founder of Brigid Bio, a brand-new spinout from the University of Aberdeen.

Soumya shares the journey of developing novel treatments for life-threatening invasive fungal infections—a field where mortality rates can reach a staggering 80%. We dive into the "long-haul flight" of drug development, the necessity of impact investors, and why your most valuable asset is the network you build over 20 years.

• The Mission of Brigid Bio: Developing monoclonal antibody therapies to treat deep-seated fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
• The "3 Ps" of Scaling: Soumya’s formula for business success: Passion, Perseverance, and People .
• Authentic Leadership: Why Soumya rejected the stereotypical "CEO mold" to lead with her own approachable and genuine personality .
• The Funding Journey: Navigating the complex world of non-dilutive funding, grants, and specialist investors .
• Global Impact: Why Brigid Bio is focused on addressing health disparities in the global south.

Soumya Palliyil is the CEO of Brigid Bio and the head of the Scottish Biologics Facility at the University of Aberdeen. With over 20 years of experience in biotechnology, she has transitioned from a Commonwealth Scholar to a leading founder in the Scottish biotech ecosystem .