Video•Feb 19, 2026
Strategy& Insider Podcast - Episode 43 with Dr. Kahina Lang
Dr. Kahina Lang, head of NextGen Drug Delivery at Merk Group, describes building an agile, startup-style international research unit of 40+ experts across three continents focused on organ- and cell-specific mRNA delivery using nanoparticle carriers. The team aims to direct mRNA therapies precisely to target tissues, leveraging corporate manufacturing, regulatory and IP resources while retaining startup speed and autonomy. Lang connects her leadership and resilience to a background in elite gymnastics and multicultural experience, and she outlines operational challenges in scaling delivery platforms and integrating with legacy R&D processes. The conversation highlights both technical progress in lipid nanoparticle engineering and strategic choices to balance innovation with quality and manufacturability.
