Former Alexion · Chief of Staff to CEO

I help rare-disease breakthroughs survive the system designed to kill them.

Good science doesn't die in the lab. It dies in diligence: endpoints regulators love but payers won't reimburse, partnership terms that look standard but strangle you later, and trial designs that please the FDA but make your drug commercially worthless. I spent five years inside Alexion watching how billion-dollar decisions actually get made. Now I help founders pressure-test decisions before pharma does.

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Alexion
Chief of Staff to CEO
$50B+
Revenue Operations
$5B+
Investment Decisions
10+ years
In Rare Disease

What I Do

Commercial diligence before pharma does it to you.

I tell you the reasons pharma will pass—before you waste six months trying to impress them.

Advisory Retainer

Ongoing commercial diligence as decisions come up—so you don't get surprised in diligence, the boardroom, or BD conversations.

$6,000/month
2 calls/month · async access · 48-hour turnaround · 3-month minimum

Partnership Evaluation Sprint

A buyer-lens memo when pharma sends a term sheet or signals serious interest. Not a deck—a document a pharma VP would respect.

  • Deal attractiveness from buyer lens
  • Diligence risks + how they'll be probed
  • Negotiation map: what to trade vs. protect
$30,000
2-3 weeks · 5-7 page memo + debrief

Commercial Clarity Session

Two sessions plus written deliverables for founders who know they have blind spots but aren't sure they need ongoing advisory.

  • Pre-read intake (your deck + 3 questions)
  • 1-page "what matters now / what can wait" memo
  • BD kill list: top 5 reasons pharma passes
$5,000
2×90 min sessions · 1-2 weeks

Board Interrogation Prep

Your board is asking commercial questions you're not sure how to answer. Rehearsal + talking points + optional slides so you can answer without hand-waving.

$7,500
1-2 weeks before your meeting

What I Don't Offer

Market sizing. Pricing models. Launch planning. Commercial org design. KOL mapping. Payer research. 100-slide strategy decks.

These are real jobs that require dedicated specialists. I won't pretend otherwise. What I offer is the judgment to know which decisions matter now—and the perspective that comes from watching how pharma actually decides.

Who This Is For

I take on a handful of engagements. Depth over breadth.

The "Too Early for ZS" Founder

You're Series A or early Series B, Phase 1 or entering Phase 2. You have zero commercial headcount. The big consulting firms won't take your call—and even if they did, you'd get their junior team. You need someone senior who can translate, not a team that delivers slides.

$30-75M raised · Rare disease (genetic, metabolic, neurological) · US-headquartered · CEO background is scientific, clinical, or BD—not commercial pharma

The "Specific Problem" Buyer

You're further along—Series B/C, Phase 2/3. You've just hired a CCO or they're in their first six months. You don't need comprehensive strategy. You need a sounding board for a discrete, time-bound problem: a partnership eval, board prep, or a second opinion.

Has commercial leadership · Discrete scope · Not looking for someone to own strategy

This probably isn't for you if:

You already have a CCO and full commercial team. You want someone to own and build your commercial strategy. You're looking for a deliverable you can hand to your board without discussion. You're pre-Series A or haven't raised at least $20M. You're a platform company without a lead asset.

For Patient-Founders

I also advise patient-founders building what pharma won't: registries, diagnostics, n-of-1 platforms, and programs that shouldn't have to wait. I've watched a parent navigate rare disease. I know exactly where the system breaks.

Reach out →

Commercial Blind Spot Check

Five questions about the commercial decisions you're already making.

0/5

Calculating...

Your result will appear here.

Book a Clarity Session

Why I Do This

I've seen how big pharma evaluates innovation. I've also seen how often it suffocates it—long before a trial ever fails.

This isn't a career pivot. It's personal. I've watched a parent navigate rare disease. I know exactly where the system breaks—and who it fails.

Paul Schmidt

Paul Schmidt

Founder, Viventi Advisors

If you're building something that needs to survive contact with reality—let's talk.

I keep my client roster small. That's intentional. Most conversations start with a 20-minute call. You tell me what's going on; I'll tell you if I can help.

Let's talk Connect on LinkedIn