The Life Scientific

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The Life Scientific: Bahija Jallal on the biotech revolution in cancer therapies

Bahija Jallal on the biotech revolution in cancer therapies

BBC Radio 4 - The Life Scientific, Bahija Jallal on the biotech revolution in cancer therapies

Bahija Jallal on the biotech revolution in cancer therapies.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili speaks to Bahija Jallal, CEO of biotech firm Immunocore, about driving innovation in cancer treatments – and how her love of science was sparked by tragedy

Some of the most complex medicines available today are made from living cells or organisms - these treatments are called biopharmaceuticals and in this episode of The Life Scientific Dr Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore, shares her story of leaving her home in Casablanca, Morocco to become a world leader in developing biopharmaceutical cancer treatments. 

She tells Professor Jim Al-Khalili that she has always found herself ahead of the curve. When she began in oncology, the study of cancer, the common treatment was chemotherapy which attacked all the cells in an affected area. Her first studies into cancer treatments were looking at how certain therapies could focus in on the cancerous cells and move away from what she describes as the 'sledgehammer' of traditional chemotherapy.

It was an early step in what became known as targeted cancer therapies, and it set Bahjia on course for a career dedicated to developing innovative drugs to improve cancer patients' lives. Through a deep understanding of the science and a resolute commitment to putting treatments in the hands of people who need them, she has produced astonishing results. Bahija has brought drugs to market faster than many believed was possible, and she has managed it by being an inspirational leader and encouraging her teams to think differently. How has she done it? Part of the secret, she says, is diversity of thought. 

Presented by Professor Jim Al-Khalili
Produced by Tom Bonnett

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