Mikko Turunen, RNatives

This week on Careers in Discovery, Emma sits down with Mikko Turunen, founder and CSO of RNatives, a company pioneering RNA activation for therapeutic use. Mikko’s journey has taken him from academia to Biotech entrepreneurship, with more than 25 years in gene therapy. He shares the story behind RNatives, the challenges of launching a company in a tough funding climate, and the resilience required to keep going when setbacks arise. Emma and Mikko talk about navigating the transition from scientist to entrepreneur, building a startup from the ground up, and the importance of networking, persistence, and adaptability in the Biotech world. This episode offers a candid look at what it takes to turn breakthrough science into a thriving business.