Pascal Lestrate, Vicebio

After nearly two decades at GSK, Pascal Lestrate took a leap into Biotech, joining Vicebio as Chief Preclinical Science Officer. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Pascal shares how the shift from big pharma to early-stage Biotech gave him a chance to return to hands-on science - and start with a blank page.

We explore the pioneering work Vicebio is doing on multi-pathogen respiratory vaccines using molecular clamp technology, including how their approach could reduce the number of injections needed while improving vaccine stability and access in low-resource settings.

Pascal also reflects on his rich and varied career, from molecular biology and immunology to regulatory affairs, quality systems, and digital transformation. Along the way, he shares lessons on navigating major career transitions, leading without deep technical expertise, and how curiosity, values, and a willingness to take up space have shaped his path.