Episode 24: Credibility in a Clickbait World: The Human Side of Pharma Tech with Michael Bani
Title: Credibility in a Clickbait World: The Human Side of Pharma Tech with Michael Bani
Guest: Michael Bani, Co-founder & CTO of Omnicon Instruments | International Editor at Pharma Now
Host: Dr. Sadhna Bokhiria [https://sbokhiria.com/]
Episode Summary
In this episode of LeaderVoices [https://youtu.be/vYbbKrvVhlU], Dr. Sadhna Bokhiria is joined by Michael Bani [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbani]—a dynamic force at the crossroads of pharmaceutical tech, editorial storytelling, and innovation. As the Co-founder and CTO of Omnicon Instruments and International Editor at Pharma Now, Michael brings a unique lens to the rapidly evolving world of life sciences.
Together, they explore what it really means to build trust, scale influence, and drive progress in an industry that's often slow to change. Michael shares how Pharma Now grew a global community of over 100,000 engaged readers and viewers in just one year—not by chasing trends, but by staying rooted in expert insight, meaningful relationships, and human-first storytelling.
This conversation touches on everything from AI and drug discovery to the cleanroom tech that often goes unnoticed, but underpins so much of pharma's innovation. Michael also offers a thoughtful look at the ethical complexities emerging alongside AI, and why showing up, listening, and asking the right questions still matter in a digital-first world.
They also dive into:
Why pharma media needs to move beyond "vanilla content"
How Pharma Now built a global expert network for real-time insights
The often-overlooked role of software and infrastructure in cleanroom innovation
Navigating the promises and pitfalls of AI in healthcare
Why credibility is built in conversations—not in campaigns
Whether you're a pharma leader, media geek, or tech futurist—this episode will leave you rethinking what "thought leadership" in healthcare should actually mean.
Episode Highlights
00:02 — Michael's dual roles at Omnicon and Pharma Now
05:10 — Creating content that's useful, human, and actually worth reading
08:50 — From tech to editorial: lessons learned from working across worlds
12:34 — The gaps in pharma tech—and where opportunities lie
16:20 — AI in drug development: excitement meets ethical responsibility
20:45 — Building community through presence, not performance
24:15 — The power of showing up (and shaking hands)
Connect with Michael
LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbani]
Pharma Now [https://www.pharmanow.live]
About LeaderVoices
LeaderVoices brings you conversations with the boldest thinkers and doers in healthcare, science, and beyond. Hosted by Dr. Sadhna Bokhiria. Subscribe and never miss an episode.