Former Alexion · Chief of Staff to CEO
Good science doesn't die in the lab. It dies in commercial diligence: endpoints regulators love but payers won't reimburse, partnership terms that look standard but strangle you later, and trial designs that please the FDA but make your drug commercially worthless. I spent five years inside Alexion watching how billion-dollar decisions actually get made. Now I help founders pressure-test decisions before pharma does.
What I Do
I tell you the reasons pharma will pass—before you waste six months trying to impress them.
When you need this: You’re making commercial decisions with no commercial team and you’re not sure what you’re getting wrong.
What you get:
→ “What Matters Now” memo
→ BD Kill List
→ 30-day action list
When you need this: You’re making commercial decisions every month and you need documentation, not just conversation.
What you get:
→ Monthly Decision Brief
→ Quarterly Readiness Snapshot
→ Async access with 48-hour turnaround
When you need this: Your board is asking commercial questions you can’t confidently answer.
What you get:
→ Board Q&A Brief
→ Talking Points
→ Rehearsal Call
When you need this: Pharma reached out — or you’re about to reach out to them.
What you get:
→ Deal Attractiveness Assessment
→ Diligence Risk Map
→ Negotiation Leverage Brief
Market sizing. Pricing models. Launch planning. Commercial org design. KOL mapping. Payer research. 100-slide strategy decks.
These are real jobs that require dedicated specialists. I won't pretend otherwise. What I offer is the judgment to know which decisions matter now—and the perspective that comes from watching how pharma actually decides.
Every engagement produces a written deliverable. Memos, not decks. Documents you can hand to your board, investors, or future CCO.
Who This Is For
You're Series A or early Series B, Phase 1 or entering Phase 2. You have zero commercial headcount. The big consulting firms won't take your call—and even if they did, you'd get their junior team. You need someone senior who can translate, not a team that delivers slides.
$30-75M raised · Rare disease (genetic, metabolic, neurological) · US-headquartered · CEO background is scientific, clinical, or BD—not commercial pharma
You're further along—Series B/C, Phase 2/3. You've just hired a CCO or they're in their first six months. You don't need comprehensive strategy. You need a sounding board for a discrete, time-bound problem: a partnership eval, board prep, or a second opinion.
Has commercial leadership · Discrete scope · Not looking for someone to own strategy
You already have a CCO and full commercial team. You want someone to own and build your commercial strategy. You're looking for a deliverable you can hand to your board without discussion. You're pre-Series A or haven't raised at least $20M. You're a platform company without a lead asset.
I also advise patient-founders building what pharma won't: registries, diagnostics, n-of-1 platforms, and programs that shouldn't have to wait. I've watched a parent navigate rare disease. I know exactly where the system breaks.
Five questions about the commercial decisions you're already making.
Why I Do This
I've seen how big pharma evaluates innovation. I've also seen how often it suffocates it—long before a trial ever fails.
This isn't a career pivot. It's personal. I've watched a parent navigate rare disease. I know exactly where the system breaks—and who it fails.
Paul Schmidt
Founder, Viventi Advisors
I keep my client roster small. That's intentional. Most conversations start with a 20-minute call. You tell me what's going on; I'll tell you if I can help.