Growth
Second Thoughts with Lisa Deschamps: A Founder Success Podcast
- Growth
- Video
- 7 minutes read
After 25 years at Novartis, Lisa Deschamps made the leap into biotech to lead AviadoBio, a company developing gene therapies for some of the most challenging neurological conditions. In this episode of Second Thoughts, she discusses navigating the step between a huge corporate and startup, building high-performing teams and raising capital in one of biotech's toughest funding environments.
- Great CEOs get comfortable with uncertainty. Focus on what you can control and don't let fear of outcomes stop progress.
- Fundraising starts long before you need the money. Build runway, expect delays and plan for markets to change.
- In biotech, people make the difference. Talent, culture and shared purpose are often more important than the science itself.
Second Thoughts is a conversation about the decisions that shape a startup’s trajectory. Host Emily Wood invites experienced entrepreneurs to unpack the moments they’d rethink, the lessons they learned the hard way, and what they wish they’d known before they started—so other builders can move faster, with fewer avoidable scars.
About Lisa Deschamps
Lisa Deschamps is CEO of AviadoBio, a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Prior to joining AviadoBio, Lisa spent 25 years at Novartis, holding a range of senior leadership roles across neuroscience and global pharmaceuticals.
From Big Pharma to biotech
After a 25-year career at Novartis, Lisa joined AviadoBio shortly before its Series A raise. While the move from a global pharmaceutical company to an early-stage biotech may seem dramatic, she describes the transition as more seamless than many might expect. The scale was different, but the core challenges remained the same: making difficult decisions, allocating resources effectively and building a strategy capable of delivering meaningful outcomes for patients.
Building a pipeline with purpose
Since joining the company, Lisa has overseen the development of a growing pipeline of gene therapy programmes targeting serious neurological conditions, including frontotemporal dementia, inherited retinal disorders and Alzheimer's disease. Alongside the scientific ambition, she explains the importance of balancing patient need with commercial viability, ensuring the company can continue to attract investment while pursuing meaningful breakthroughs.
Leading through uncertainty
For Lisa, one of the defining responsibilities of a CEO is learning to operate in uncertain environments. Whether navigating clinical trial outcomes, market changes or fundraising cycles, she believes leaders must focus on what they can control while creating a culture that allows teams to take risks, learn and adapt. Throughout the conversation, she emphasises the importance of hiring exceptional people, providing psychological safety and giving teams the confidence to pursue ambitious goals, even when outcomes are never guaranteed.
Any opinions expressed are merely opinions and not facts. All information in this document is for general informational purposes and not to be construed as professional advice or to create a professional relationship and the information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Nothing in this document takes into account your company’s individual circumstances. HSBC Innovation Banking does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of this document and the material may not reflect the most current legal or regulatory developments. HSBC Innovation Banking disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents in this document to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing relating to this material should be construed as a solicitation or offer, or recommendation, to acquire or dispose of any investment or to engage in any other transaction.
