The 10% mindset and power of bold ideas | Prof. Dr. Dominik Ruettinger, Global Head Oncology R&D, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, we are joined by Prof. Dr. Dominik Rüttinger — oncological surgeon, MD/PhD, and Global Head of Research & Early Development Oncology at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. We talk about his journey from the operating room to biotech startups and global pharma leadership, navigating a 10% success rate in oncology drug development, building unbiased decision frameworks for high-stakes calls, the realistic role of AI in drug discovery and clinical trials, balancing quality of life versus longevity in cancer treatment, and his vision for the future of prevention, early detection, and personalized medicine. Whether you’re a scientist, innovator, or leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about risk, decision-making, and impact in healthcare. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:30 Dominik talks about his childhood, family background, and early influences that led him toward science 04:45 Dominik explains his decision to pursue both medicine and science, describing how his medical school and PhD experiences overlapped 07:30 Offering early career advice, Dominik talks about the importance of aiming high, questioning the status quo, and embracing a bit of naivete 11:06 Dominik discusses why he chose oncology and how interdisciplinary training shaped his career 16:45 Dominik describes his transition from academia to industry, sharing his motivations and the decision-making process behind the move 20:02 Reflecting on his adjustment to industry, Dominik highlights the differences in work environment and expectations compared to academia 23:33 Dominik provides practical tips for others transitioning from academia to industry, emphasizing humility and the value of building a diverse “toolbox” of skills 28:01 Dominik talks about moving from a startup to a large company, and how his responsibilities shifted to managing a broader portfolio 33:28 Dominik describes what his daily life looks like as a portfolio leader in oncology R&D and the types of decisions he makes regularly 37:24 Dominik delves into the challenges of decision-making in drug development, discussing success rates and the importance of a “10% mindset.” 39:27 Dominik explains the impact of biases in drug development and how organizations use frameworks to make more objective decisions 42:46 Dominik shares his perspective on the role of AI in drug development and how it can support better decision-making 47:02 Dominik discusses the use of AI in clinical trials and considers whether it can make development faster and less expensive 51:46 Drawing on his clinical experience, Dominik talks about patient care and patient perspectives, especially the balance between quality of life and longevity in cancer treatment 55:38 Dominik looks to the future of cancer prevention, early detection, and prediction, and how these areas might evolve
France