November 11, 2025 | What is the next modality to focus on in the next 10 years[AP1.1]? For Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore, it would be T-cell engagers[AP2.1]. In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit speaks with Jallal on the potential advantages of bispecific T-cell engager therapy versus T-cell receptor therapy, biggest anticipated changes in drug discovery and development in the next 10 years, and how AI is going to impact the next generation of scientists. Plus, Jallal shares her experiences as the previous president of MedImmune and at AstraZeneca, what her most rewarding project was, and the transformations and achievements that occurred under her leadership.
GUEST BIO
Bahija Jallal, Ph.D., CEO, Immunocore
Dr. Bahija Jallal is chief executive officer and director of the board of Immunocore, a pioneering, commercial-stage T-cell receptor biotechnology company working to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines to address unmet needs in cancer, infection, and autoimmune disease.
Prior to taking the helm at Immunocore in January 2019, Bahija was president of MedImmune, the global biologics research and development unit of AstraZeneca. She was also executive vice president of AstraZeneca and was a member of its senior executive team reporting to the CEO. Dr. Jallal joined MedImmune in March 2006. Under her leadership, MedImmune/AstraZeneca developed and launched five new biologic medicines in three therapeutic areas.
MODERATOR BIO
Rakesh Dixit, Ph.D., DABT, President & Founder, Bionavigen Oncology, LLC and Regio Biosciences
Rakesh Dixit is an accomplished executive, inventor, and scientist with over 35 years of success with top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Medimmune - AstraZeneca. Currently, he is president and CSO of Regio Biosciences and Bionavigen, LLC. He is a board member of Regio Biosciences and a key member of multiple scientific advisory boards. Rakesh is also a chief adviser and consultant for more than 20 companies worldwide. His biopharmaceutical peers selected Rakesh as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People in the Pharmaceutical Industry by PharmaVOICE in 2015. Rakesh received the Most Prestigious Award of Long-Standing Contribution to ADCs by World ADC (Hanson-Wade), 2020. From 2006 to 2019, Rakesh was a global vice president of the biologics R&D at MedImmune - AstraZeneca. Rakesh has unique expertise in developing biologics (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, bispecific biologics, antibody-drug conjugates, fusion proteins, peptides, gene and cell therapies, etc.) and small-molecule biopharmaceuticals. His areas of expertise include discovery, early and late preclinical development, safety assessment, DMPK, and translational sciences. Dr. Dixit conducted extensive graduate and post-graduate training in pharmacology/toxicology–biochemistry with both Indian and USA institutions (e.g., Case Western Reserve University, Medical College of Ohio, University of Nebraska) and is a diplomate and board certified in toxicology from the American Board of Toxicology, Inc. since 1992.