Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller describes his early days in management. Lacking knowledge of many business practices and operations, Scheller worked to bring himself up to speed, particularly in the area of managing and working with employees. In this amusing video, Scheller says these experiences taught him that managers must choose their words carefully, because employees will ultimately try to do what you ask.

Richard Scheller lays out the complex steps involved in the early research and subsequent development of drug products. As Genentech's Executive Vice President of Research and Early Development, Scheller directs the early stages of the process before handing off produced molecules for further development by the company. Scheller admits that while research is his clear focus, he respects the incredible logistical challenges of trying to bring a product to market.

Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller discusses some of the thought-provoking ethical issues that arise in the drug development process. To illuminate the issue, Scheller describes the painful challenges of the clinical trial placebo process, often required by the Food and Drug Administration. He also articulates some of the ethical implications related to drug costs and insurance reimbursements.

Richard Scheller, Genentech's Executive Vice President of Research and Early Development, believes it is unlikely, if not impossible, for small companies to push drug products through the final stage of development. However, Scheller also thinks a smart biotechnology startup could do early stage development and then turn to larger firms for product licensing or acquisition. Scheller also discusses the state of research and development at Genentech, in comparison to other firms.

Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller articulates his thought process in deciding to leave a tenured faculty position to join a commercial enterprise. While leaving Stanford was hard to do, says Scheller, joining Genentech provided new intellectual challenges and opportunities to apply his biological insights to tackling diseases.

Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller believes knowing their work truly impacts peoples' lives motivates his team. "The first thing is meaningful work," says Scheller. He also shares examples of real patient stories that were tremendously memorable, as well as some compensation strategies employed by the company.

Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller describes the hard financial realities of producing cutting-edge drugs for the developed world. Scheller states that it takes 15 years, on average, for a drug product to move from concept to sale. This fact, along with the company's large-scale financial investments, places tremendous pricing pressure on the finished product.

In this clip, STVP Executive Director Tina Seelig asks Genentech Executive Vice President Richard Scheller to explain how he encourages his team to innovate in the face of financial risks. As the head of Genentech's research and early development, Scheller accepts failure as part of the process. He also describes how the company mitigates risk by maintaining a balanced portfolio of products, with each drug in the portfolio measured by commercial value and probable technical success.