ImBlackInPharma | Yaw Bediako, PhD

Yaw Bediako, PhD - Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yemaachi Biotech

Can you describe your role in simple terms for someone unfamiliar with the industry?

I am the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yemaachi Biotech. I am responsible for the overall management and for setting the vision and strategic direction of the company. I lead the company’s operations, make key decisions, and serve as the main representative of the company to investors, clients, and partners. I currently also serve as the Chief Scientific Officer, and in this role, I am also responsible for charting the scientific strategy and ensuring proper execution of our scientific projects. 

If you had to pitch pharma as a career path to someone on the fence, what would you say?

I don’t consider Yemaachi to be pharma (just yet). We are a tech-bio research company. However, if I were to pitch this career to someone, I would explain why I made the choice to transition from academia to industry.

My choice was based on a recognition that Africa currently lacks a biotech industry. A domestic bio/pharma industry is critical for the sustainable development of scientific capacity across Africa, and for the development and implementation of transformative solutions to many of the health challenges facing people in Africa.

I chose to start Yemaachi because I wanted to be part of this process – establishing a life science industry that would cater to the needs of Africa but also position Africa to make an impact in global life science research. 

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before entering this industry, what would it be?

Well, I still consider myself to be at the beginning of my journey. However, if I were to talk to myself 5 years ago, I would likely say: “This is going to be the greatest adventure of your life and the greatest challenge. Stay focused and level-headed, and don’t forget why you have chosen this path”. 

What would you say are the most important skills needed to progress into leadership roles in pharma?

Critical thinking, adaptability, clarity of thought, communication and determination (yes, I consider that to be a skill as well) are key to success in leadership. Pharma/biotech leadership (especially at the startup phase) requires a balance of technical (scientific) proficiency with savvy commercial and business development skills. Striking this balance takes practice, and you will need all the above-mentioned skills to succeed. 

What has been your most empowering moment as a Black professional in pharma? (#BlackInPharma)

Surviving 5 years as a biotech startup with primary operations in Africa is something I am very proud of. At the end of 2024, we signed our first major commercial deal with a big pharma company – the first deal of its kind ever signed in Africa. This represents a powerful signal that African biotech is viable.

We have a long way yet to go, but in the words of Paul Farmer and Thomas Sankara respectively, if we “overcome failures of imagination” and “dare to invent the future,” I believe we will carry our continent to new heights of prosperity and development and create the Africa we all want.