#BIOSPAIN2025 | "BIOSPAIN is of great interest to LIM Global because we have contacts with all our clients—from established companies to big pharma, as well as startups, investors, and VCs"

As part of BIOSPAIN 2025, taking place from October 7 to 9 in Barcelona, we had the opportunity to speak with Michael Thiele, Managing Partner at LIM Global, a firm specialized in life sciences talent search with more than 25 years of international experience and this year participating as a Gold Sponsor of the event.

BIOSPAIN has established itself as one of the most relevant international gatherings in biotechnology, bringing together companies, startups, investors, and experts to share knowledge and create new opportunities for collaboration.

In this interview, Thiele discusses his vision on the current challenges in attracting talent, the differences between startups and large companies, the importance of international experience, and the motivations behind LIM Global’s support of BIOSPAIN 2025.

AseBio. From your perspective, what is the current picture of the challenges the life sciences sector in Spain is facing in terms of talent acquisition?

Michael Thiele. Globally, and also in Spain, the projects that interest the sector—from established companies to startups—are innovative projects with advanced technologies such as ADCs and ATMPs, especially in oncology and rare diseases.
In Spain, we have very good scientists in these areas, but at the management level there is less experience, and it is necessary to “sell” these projects to senior professionals in Europe and also to Spaniards who may want to return from countries such as the US or elsewhere in Europe.

AseBio. How does LIM GLOBAL contribute to finding solutions to these challenges?

Michael Thiele. At LIM Global we are experts in life sciences and have been working exclusively in this field for 25 years at an international level. We have a database with many thousands of CVs and contacts with professionals experienced in life sciences.
We have extensive experience helping companies in the sector with any need and key searches—sometimes complex and confidential—from mid-level managers to C-level positions.

AseBio.  Specifically for startups, what are the main challenges they face when attracting and retaining talent?

Michael Thiele. For startups, we have searched and continue to search for any key position needed to advance their projects. What startups need are professionals not only with experience in science and research, but also with strong biotech and pharma industry experience.
These professionals may come from established companies, even big pharma, but for startups they must be very “hands-on” and willing to do everything that no one else does, even if it is not part of their formal job description.

AseBio. In an increasingly globalized and competitive environment, what strategies do startups use to differentiate themselves and attract the talent they need?

Michael Thiele. Typically, the startups that attract professionals with strong sector experience and senior-level candidates are those with innovative and differentiated technologies. These executives expect salaries comparable to what they already earn, but what truly motivates them is a stock option plan (SOP). If the pipeline succeeds, the company may be acquired by a multinational, allowing them to receive significant additional financial returns.

AseBio.  Based on your experience, what professional profiles are the hardest to find for startups and why?

Michael Thiele. The most difficult profiles to find are people with prior startup experience and advanced preclinical development expertise, meaning those who have taken projects from preclinical to clinical phases. In this regard, it is also very important—and often difficult—to find CMOs with expertise in the therapeutic and scientific areas being developed by the startup.

AseBio. How do training, international mobility, and collaborations with universities or research centers help address talent challenges?

Michael Thiele. Startups and developing companies always need professionals with strong scientific backgrounds for all positions. In other words, they need people with solid experience in biotech, pharma, or medtech companies. But since they usually develop innovative scientific products, in-depth knowledge of their science and technology is key.

AseBio. What differences do you see between startups and large companies when it comes to attracting and retaining talent?

Michael Thiele. Startups generally begin with complex and early-stage projects. Therefore, they are higher-risk companies compared to established firms. The medium-term viability carries a certain degree of risk. For this reason, it is crucial that talent becomes passionate about the project and its innovative treatments. The possibility of helping patients and improving global health is always a special motivation in our sector.

AseBio.  As a Gold Sponsor of BIOSPAIN 2025, what motivated LIM GLOBAL to support this event, and what objectives do you expect to achieve with your participation?

Michael Thiele. At LIM Global we work exclusively with life sciences companies. Half of our searches are for startups. In early-stage companies, decisions about what type of talent is needed, what experience and management levels are required, are often made by the Board of Directors. In these boards, VC representatives have significant influence in deciding this.

For LIM Global, networking with professionals attending BIOSPAIN—such as those in Business Development, R&D, and Senior Management from mid-size companies and big pharma—is also highly valuable.

Therefore, BIOSPAIN is of great interest to LIM Global because we have contacts with all our clients—from established companies to big pharma, as well as startups, investors, and VCs.