Meet the LifeScience ORG CEO
Robert Habib - MiNA Therapeutics
What is your personal story of how you ended up in the life sciences?
I landed as a biotech CEO very much serendipitously. I started my career in investment banking. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. I went on to do an MBA and during that time, I got exposed to strategy, general management, and leadership. It became clear to me that my main interest lies in the running of a business.
I've always had an interest in healthcare because I grew up in a family of medics. Both my parents are doctors and my sister is a doctor. I'm the only non-medic. During the MBA, I got interested in working with my father who is a scientific founder of MiNA Therapeutics. After some consideration, I joined as the first employee and picked the title of CEO.
The reality is that what I was doing at the time was not the CEO role. I hadn't figured out what that really entailed and fortunately, I’m also not sure it was what the company required at that point. But as the company turned from a scientific concept into a business, I learned and grew into the CEO role.
It was only along that journey, that I realized that biotech – and specifically discovering medicines – is my calling. Biotech ticks all the boxes for me and it's something that I can very easily commit my whole life to.
Has it ever been a challenge following in your father’s footsteps? Or have you ever felt you have to prove yourself because you’re following your father?
My father is a world-renowned surgeon who has been at the cutting edge of translational research for several decades. Growing up, I was very aware of his recognition from patients, institutions, and peers. Those are sizeable footsteps.
At the same time, I saw building a sustainable biotech as this towering, monumental, objective. The path to achieving that, while overlapping, is ultimately quite separate from my father’s. Charting and scaling that path has been so daunting that I think it has probably dominated any chip on the shoulder.
Say you're having a Sunday roast or just meeting as a family, is it easy to leave work behind and keep family and work separate?
My father and I worked together for about nine years as Head of R&D and CEO, respectively. Most of the time, we found a way to separate work from family. Of course, it’s harder at other times; it's unavoidable. Whether it's husband or wife, or best friends, whatever you want to call it. There's something there beyond the business and, of course, it will at times influence the relationship.
It’s also driven by the individuals’ personalities. Founders and leaders are incredibly passionate about their technology and their company’s mission. We're constantly thinking about these things. There’s bound to be some spillover, especially, when you have a family of doctors around the table for Sunday lunch.
Robert’s full profile is available for our members inside the community.