Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first in the morning?

For me, the morning usually begins with 20min intensive training at home and then reviewing overnight developments. Since we operate globally, the action never really stops.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best part of my job is the sense of purpose that keeps me motivated. Having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the world is both a great privilege and a remarkable responsibility.

A moment that changed your life?

It was when I had to step away from the first company I founded and built over the years with passion and dedication. After achieving success, the company was taken over by aggressive investors in an unfriendly and unethical manner – a painful but defining experience. It taught me the value of resilience, the courage to let go, and the strength to rebuild even stronger. I learned that true leadership often means making the hardest decisions for long-term growth. Soon after, I successfully launched my next venture, Swiss Rockets, and four years later, I bought back my original company.

What cars do you drive? Which is your favorite?

I don't drive a car myself, as I've always preferred riding bicycles. But my wife drives a Tesla – and I have to admit, it’s definitely my favorite. I love it for its innovative technology, smooth performance, and the fact that it’s fully electric—driving it feels like contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

I would tell myself that working hard and believing in yourself always pays off. Every step of the way, I had to stay focused, work relentlessly, and protect everything I built. But today, the results speak for themselves. It’s been a dynamic and challenging journey, but one that has shaped who I am.

What are you particularly proud of?

I’m deeply proud of my family, both for the individual achievements they’ve made and for the strength we share as a united team on this journey. Having a strong family foundation provides unwavering support, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose that’s hard to break. When you’re rooted in that kind of strength and trust, there’s no limit to what you can achieve together.

I’m also incredibly proud of the people I work with in my company. They consistently give their best to keep up with the fast-moving world of biotech, and I’d say we’re advancing at rocket speed, thanks to the dedication and contributions of every single team member.

What was your biggest defeat?

As a medicinal chemist, I work closely with cancer patients every day, helping to organize targeted therapies tailored to the biology of their tumors. Sometimes, we see children with aggressive and advanced cancers. Not being able to help them despite all efforts – that is, and always will be, my greatest defeat.

Your favorite wine?

BAROQ, red wine from the Jean-René Germanier Winery, now in its third generation of family ownership, is a testament to tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship.

What are you working on at the moment?

Right now, my full focus is on driving our company forward. Managing multiple businesses simultaneously—and keeping them all progressing at the same pace—is a complex and demanding challenge. It requires resilience, adaptability, strategic thinking, and constant engagement.

What is most important to you at the moment?

Right now, the most important thing to me is finding balance between my work and my family. Working alongside my wife and sister has made that easier. We spend a lot of time together, united by meaningful projects and a shared vision of making a difference. Above all, their health and well-being will always be my top priority.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to do your job for a day?

I believe anyone stepping into this world would be amazed by the stories they’d hear and the incredible people they’d meet. The biotech industry is a remarkable space, full of opportunities to learn, grow, and discover things that can truly make a difference.

What is your personal drive?

My personal motivation stems from a deep desire to help people and contribute to curing cancer. My mother, who battled the disease herself, was the greatest support for both me and my sister Natasa. She encouraged us relentlessly, often pushing us to keep working in the lab and believing wholeheartedly in our potential to achieve something meaningful together.

What are you afraid of?

It's hard for me to fear anything after surviving so much in life. I was born a warrior and have spent my life strengthening that resilience—first as a professional handball player, then as an entrepreneur. Life has brought many ups and downs, but each challenge has only made me stronger. At this point, I fear nothing—only standing still. I believe in always moving forward.

Your favorite watch brand?

My Apple Watch is definitely my favorite, it keeps me on track, connected, and reminds me to breathe when things get hectic. It’s like having a little personal assistant on my wrist.

What do your employees value most about you?

I write this after a thoughtful conversation with a team member—because they’re truly the best ones to answer. What they value most is knowing that I genuinely care about their well-being and success. I’m deeply committed to their growth, helping them become the best versions of themselves. I teach where I can, support unconditionally, and just as importantly, I learn from them every step of the way.

We’ve built a culture of open communication, grounded in mutual respect and constructive dialogue. While we don’t always agree, I remain open to different perspectives and willing to listen, especially to those with more experience. According to my team, this openness and willingness to collaborate, listen, team work and competitive spirit is what makes me a good leader.

Your best investment?

I would definitely say that people are my greatest investment. There’s no price tag on the value of dedicated individuals who bring knowledge, skill, and passion to the table. With a team like that, there are no limits to where you can go.

Vladimir Cmiljanovic is the founder and CEO of Swiss Rockets AG. He is a renowned biotech entrepreneur, cancer researcher and medical researcher with over 15 years of experience in oncology drug development. Cmiljanovic has received numerous awards for his scientific and entrepreneurial contributions.