At IRBM, we believe that scientific excellence thrives in environments where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but embedded at every level of an organization.
That belief is reflected in our numbers:
- 61% of our workforce are women.
- Approximately 50% of our leadership team are women.
- Our founder and president is a woman.
In an industry where women remain underrepresented in scientific and leadership roles, IRBM is proud to be an exception. Globally, women make up only around 29% of the STEM workforce, and within life sciences, they hold just about 20% of leadership roles. But for us, these figures are not a marketing headline. They are a byproduct of a deeper commitment—one to building a workplace that values talent, expertise, and contribution, regardless of gender.
This is not about meeting quotas or optics. It’s about building teams that are equipped to solve the complex challenges of modern drug discovery.
Why Representation Matters in Science
Drug discovery is inherently multidisciplinary. Progress depends on the integration of diverse skills, experiences, and ways of thinking. Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones—especially when tackling complex problems, where innovation and creativity are essential.
At IRBM, we see this firsthand. Our women scientists lead programs, drive innovation, and help shape strategies that result in successful collaborations and, ultimately, the development of new therapeutic candidates.
Their work spans the entire drug discovery pipeline—from target validation and assay development to medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and translational research. They are leaders not only in title but in practice, making critical decisions that advance projects for our global partners.
Leadership Built on Experience
Since our founding, IRBM has fostered an environment where women scientists can build meaningful, long-term careers. Many of our current leaders have grown from early-career researchers into department heads and project leaders—driving critical areas of our research and shaping the future of drug discovery.
Today, women lead some of our most specialized scientific units, including Peptide Chemistry (where we have a strong history of developing macrocycles and cyclic peptides), Display Technologies (including phage display), In Vivo Pharmacology, High Throughput Biology and Screening (including cell based assays, cell painting, biochemical assays, etc), and Neurodegeneration. Their leadership strengthens our scientific capabilities, fosters gender diversity at the highest levels of research, and provides invaluable insights to both our internal teams and the partners who trust us with their most complex discovery challenges.
To highlight their perspectives, we recently sat down with three of our women leaders—scientists who manage critical areas of our research and business development functions—to discuss how they got into the life sciences, the challenges they’ve faced, and the advice they would give to younger women and girls who are just entering, or thinking of entering, the field.
A Culture That Supports Success
Creating a workplace where women thrive requires both thoughtful hiring practices and a culture that supports growth, flexibility, and leadership at every stage of a career.
At IRBM, this includes:
• Implementing new DE&I training programs for all staff.
• Strengthening internal policies and procedures to ensure gender balance in decision-making processes.
• Continuously monitoring and improving our performance indicators related to gender equality and inclusion.
• Flexible work schedules and remote working opportunities to support work-life balance, ensuring scientists can build sustainable careers.
• A collaborative environment where ideas are shared openly, and every voice has the opportunity to shape outcomes.
These are not standalone initiatives. They are a part of our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, which is reinforced by certifications such as UNI/PdR 125:2022, which demonstrates our dedication to reducing the gender gap in opportunities, wages, career progression, and work-life balance, and ISO 30415, an international standard that promotes diversity and equity across all business practices through inclusive human resource management.
For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
IRBM’s commitment to inclusion aligns with the global call for rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls.
As a company, we are dedicated to creating opportunities not only for the women within our organization but also for the next generation of scientists. We regularly partner with universities and research institutions which provide more occasions to support early-career researchers, and we actively promote STEM awareness initiatives aimed at young women and girls.
We know that visibility matters. When aspiring scientists can see women leading, innovating, and driving impact in drug discovery, it helps redefine what is possible in this field.
Science Moves Forward When Everyone Moves Forward
At IRBM, our goal is simple: to advance drug discovery through rigorous, thoughtful, high-quality science. Achieving that goal depends on the people behind the work.
When we build teams that reflect a range of perspectives and experiences—when we prioritize inclusion as part of our strategy for scientific excellence—we deliver better outcomes for our partners, our industry, and ultimately, for patients.
And we’re committed to continuing that work—today, and every day.
Meet the Women Leading Discovery
If your organization is committed to advancing drug and vaccine innovation, let’s discuss how our expertise can help. At IRBM, we provide comprehensive support during the discovery phase, delivering cutting-edge solutions with a focus on scientific progress and global health impact. Additionally, our sister company, Advaxia Biologics, offers fully integrated services for adenovirus vaccines, covering everything from development to manufacturing for pre-clinical and clinical supply.