Episode 18: Try, Learn, and Iterate - Bari Kowal, SVP, Head Development Ops & Portfolio Management at Regeneron

In this warm, energizing conversation, Bari Kowal, Senior Vice President of Development Operations and Portfolio Management at Regeneron, sits down with longtime colleague Patty to reflect on a career that has spanned startup biotech, a large CRO, big pharma, and back again. What began as a way to pay for graduate school on the road to medical school became a lifelong calling, taking her from the earliest days of gene therapy to leading clinical operations at one of the industry’s most innovative founder-led companies. 

You’ll hear Bari and Patty explore how early biotech experience builds the muscle to see across silos, what it takes to preserve a scrappy culture as a company grows, and how sponsors can turn CRO relationships into genuine partnerships. They also dig into the talent gaps facing the industry, how to inspire the next generation to consider careers in drug development, and whether this is finally the moment for technology to transform trial execution. This episode explores what it takes to lead with curiosity and courage in an industry on the cusp of profound change. 

What you’ll hear about 

• How does early startup experience shape a more holistic leader? 

• How can growing companies protect the culture that made them successful? 

• What separates a true CRO partnership from a transactional vendor relationship? 

• How can the industry attract more young talent into drug development? 

• What new skills will clinical operations teams need in an AI-driven future? 

• Is this finally the moment for technology to transform trial execution? 

This episode is intended for clinical operations and development operations leaders, offering a clear perspective on building true CRO partnerships and preparing teams for technology-driven change. 

Timestamps 

01:05 – An accidental path into clinical research 

03:25 – The early days of gene therapy 

04:20 – Building breadth across CROs and big pharma 

07:05 – Following curiosity instead of a master plan 

09:20 – How startups build the muscle to see the whole picture 

12:05 – Preserving culture in a founder-led company 

15:15 – How sponsor-CRO relationships have evolved 

21:00 – Making CROs part of the team 

23:15 – Talent gaps and the next generation 

27:30 – From data fax to AI 

30:45 – Is this the turning point for tech adoption? 

37:55 – Choosing to try instead of wait and see 

39:30 – Life beyond work 

Guest Biography 

Bari Kowal is Senior Vice President of Development Operations and Portfolio Management at Regeneron, where she leads clinical trial strategy and execution across the company’s broad pipeline. Having worked across startup biotechs, a large CRO, and Pfizer before joining Regeneron in 2015, she brings a rare end-to-end view of how clinical trials get done. Bari is passionate about building true partnerships, developing the next generation of industry leaders, and embracing new ways of working to bring life-changing medicines to patients.