Fame Host (https://fame.so) The Biotech Startups Podcast https://podcasts.fame.so/the-biotech-startups-podcast https://feeds.fame.so/the-biotech-startups-podcast The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Copyrights © 2025 All Rights Reserved by Excedr en Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:14:45 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:33:26 +0000 https://content.fameapp.so/uploads/76qlxw5q/67a1c570-8073-11ed-aa45-39a9dd633523/67a1c6e0-8073-11ed-a6c8-ad9f8876445b.png The Biotech Startups Podcast https://podcasts.fame.so/the-biotech-startups-podcast The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Excedr The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. No No episodic Excedr The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. biotech startups, biotech, startups, excedr, science, life science, entrepreneur, founders, business, culture Jon Chee jon@thebiotechstartupspodcast.co No No No 🧬Unconventional Career Moves in Biotech: Finding a Path to Leadership | Caitlyn Krebs (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y730z8-caitlyn-krebs-part-1 🧬Unconventional Career Moves in Biotech: Finding a Path to Leadership | Caitlyn Krebs (Part 1/4) 232 No No l04r5px0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Caitlyn Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, traces her journey from tagging endangered sea turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii to leading an AI-powered company designing novel cannabinoid-inspired small molecules for pain, inflammation, endometriosis, and metabolic disease. She reflects on being humbled at Brown University, where she fell in love with data analysis while studying leptin and early obesity science, then recounts jumping into the Bay Area’s dot-com boom as the third employee at a startup before, at just 27, taking the helm of BayBio and managing a 26-person board of biotech leaders—along the way crossing paths with a 20-year-old Stanford dropout named Elizabeth Holmes. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.


“There are many different ways to get into leadership roles in biotech — there is not one door.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Caitlyn Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, traces her journey from tagging endangered sea turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii to leading an AI-powered company designing novel cannabinoid-inspired small molecules for pain, inflammation, endometriosis, and metabolic disease. She reflects on being humbled at Brown University, where she fell in love with data analysis while studying leptin and early obesity science, then recounts jumping into the Bay Area’s dot-com boom as the third employee at a startup before, at just 27, taking the helm of BayBio and managing a 26-person board of biotech leaders—along the way crossing paths with a 20-year-old Stanford dropout named Elizabeth Holmes.

Key topics covered:
  • Growing Up in Hawaii: Tagging endangered sea turtles and discovering a lifelong passion for science
  • Brown University & Early Humility: Getting humbled at an Ivy, doubling down on orgo, and falling in love with data
  • From .com to Biotech: Jumping into a dot-com startup and learning entrepreneurship the hard way
  • Running BayBio at 27: Leading a biotech trade group and a 26-person board long before most peers managed a team
  • Board Management Lessons: Keeping board meetings focused, aligning motivations, and leveling up with modern tools like Zeck


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Caitlyn Krebs at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:


Resources & Articles:
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Conservation: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/green-turtle
The Endocannabinoid System Explained: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576607/
Endometriosis: A Chronically Underserved Condition: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis
The Dot-Com Boom and Its Legacy on Silicon Valley: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dotcom-bubble.asp
AI-Powered Drug Discovery in Biotech: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-023-01693-z
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Brown University: https://www.brown.edu/



Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
05:02 Growing Up on the Big Island of Hawaii
06:37 Tagging Endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
08:01 Choosing Brown University Over the West Coast
10:26 Culture Shock: From Hawaii to Providence
14:01 Undergraduate Lab Experience and Falling in Love with Data
17:09 Moving to San Francisco During the Dot-Com Boom
18:40 Joining Zedo as a Third Employee and Learning Entrepreneurship
21:46 Managing Engineers for the First Time
24:14 Transitioning Into the Biotech World via BayBio
26:18 Becoming President of BayBio at 27
28:38 Key Lessons and Pitfalls in Board Management
31:59 Using Zeck to Streamline Board Meetings
33:52 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2109 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Caitlyn Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, traces her journey from tagging endangered sea turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii to leading an AI-powered company designing novel cannabinoid-inspired small molecules for pain, inflammation, endometriosis, and metabolic disease. She reflects on being humbled at Brown University, where she fell in love with data analysis while studying leptin and early obesity science, then recounts jumping into the Bay Area’s dot-com boom as the third employee at a startup before, at just 27, taking the helm of BayBio and managing a 26-person board of biotech leaders—along the way crossing paths with a 20-year-old Stanford dropout named Elizabeth Holmes. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Caitlyn Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, traces her journey from tagging endangered sea turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii to leading an AI-powered company designing novel cannabinoid-inspired small molecules for pain, inflammation, endometriosis, and metabolic disease. She reflects on being humbled at Brown University, where she fell in love with data analysis while studying leptin and early obesity science, then recounts jumping into the Bay Area’s dot-com boom as the third employee at a startup before, at just 27, taking the helm of BayBio and managing a 26-person board of biotech leaders—along the way crossing paths with a 20-year-old Stanford dropout named Elizabeth Holmes. No No 🧬 The Founder Identity Trap: Navigating the Hidden Mental Cost of Leadership | Nicole Paulk (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnqw643n-nicole-paulk-part-4 🧬 The Founder Identity Trap: Navigating the Hidden Mental Cost of Leadership | Nicole Paulk (Part 4/4) 231 No No 81nvqx21 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Siren Biotechnology CEO & Founder, Nicole Paulk unpacks why being a first-time female technical academic founder CEO — "the worst possible thing you could be" — was actually the best CEO training imaginable. She breaks down how her scrappy academic mindset stretched a $6M seed round across three and a half years, why going all-in on unglamorous CMC optimization was Siren Biotechnology's most important early decision, and why capital efficiency is a company-defining mindset, not just a financial strategy. Nicole also opens up about the loneliness of the founder CEO role, the toxic culture of "competitive complaining" at industry meetups, and the profound weight of Siren's recent FDA IND clearance — and what it means to be on the verge of dosing the very first brain cancer patient at UCSF. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Not wrapping your entire self-worth up in whether or not your company works — that is a learned skill."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Siren Biotechnology CEO & Founder, Nicole Paulk unpacks why being a first-time female technical academic founder CEO — "the worst possible thing you could be" — was actually the best CEO training imaginable. She breaks down how her scrappy academic mindset stretched a $6M seed round across three and a half years, why going all-in on unglamorous CMC optimization was Siren Biotechnology's most important early decision, and why capital efficiency is a company-defining mindset, not just a financial strategy. Nicole also opens up about the loneliness of the founder CEO role, the toxic culture of "competitive complaining" at industry meetups, and the profound weight of Siren's recent FDA IND clearance — and what it means to be on the verge of dosing the very first brain cancer patient at UCSF.


Key topics covered:
  • Academic Founders as CEOs: Why scrappy scientists make the best capital-efficient startup builders
  • Stretching Capital: How Siren's $6M seed lasted three and a half years — and why a long runway forces better science
  • CMC as a Competitive Advantage: Why early investment in unglamorous manufacturing optimization can make or break your company
  • Founder Mental Health & Loneliness: The risks of tying your identity to your company and why "competitive complaining" is toxic for the industry
  • Siren's FDA IND Milestone: The profound weight of becoming clinical-stage and nearing the first brain cancer patient dose

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Nicole Paulk at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Lean Startup Principles for Founders:
IND (Investigational New Drug) Application Basics:
Founder Burnout and Mental Health in Startups:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB): https://www.svb.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:24 Why Being a First-Time Female Academic Founder CEO Is the Best CEO Training
09:59 Making a Small Seed Round Last: How $6M Stretched Three and a Half Years
11:00 The Case for Capital Efficiency and Thoughtful Science
16:23 The Problem with Founder "Bitch-Fest" Meetups
19:16 A Better Model: Solution-Focused Founder Gatherings
22:11 The Loneliness of the Founder CEO and Mental Health
23:54 Knowing When to Dial It Up and Dial It Back
26:23 Building Community Without Competitive Complaining
29:54 Advice to Her 21-Year-Old Self: Follow the Weird Little Sprites
33:04 Shoutouts and Gratitude
34:20 Siren's FDA IND Clearance and the First Patient on the Horizon
38:40 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2523 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Siren Biotechnology CEO & Founder, Nicole Paulk unpacks why being a first-time female technical academic founder CEO — "the worst possible thing you could be" — was actually the best CEO training imaginable. She breaks down how her scrappy academic mindset stretched a $6M seed round across three and a half years, why going all-in on unglamorous CMC optimization was Siren Biotechnology's most important early decision, and why capital efficiency is a company-defining mindset, not just a financial strategy. Nicole also opens up about the loneliness of the founder CEO role, the toxic culture of "competitive complaining" at industry meetups, and the profound weight of Siren's recent FDA IND clearance — and what it means to be on the verge of dosing the very first brain cancer patient at UCSF. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Siren Biotechnology CEO & Founder, Nicole Paulk unpacks why being a first-time female technical academic founder CEO — "the worst possible thing you could be" — was actually the best CEO training imaginable. She breaks down how her scrappy academic mindset stretched a $6M seed round across three and a half years, why going all-in on unglamorous CMC optimization was Siren Biotechnology's most important early decision, and why capital efficiency is a company-defining mindset, not just a financial strategy. Nicole also opens up about the loneliness of the founder CEO role, the toxic culture of "competitive complaining" at industry meetups, and the profound weight of Siren's recent FDA IND clearance — and what it means to be on the verge of dosing the very first brain cancer patient at UCSF. No No 🧬 Let the Science Lead: Building Successful Biotechnology | Nicole Paulk (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvlvpxn-nicole-paulk-part-3 🧬 Let the Science Lead: Building Successful Biotechnology | Nicole Paulk (Part 3/4) 230 No No 71yprwx0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Nicole Paulk recounts her unlikely evolution from frustrated academic to biotech founder — driven by years of watching gene therapy companies wastefully rebuild the same tech stack from scratch, a pandemic lockout that barred her from her own UCSF lab, and a sneaky incorporation scheme that was less grand vision, more workaround to get back to the bench. She shares how a frantic three-day cancer grant, a fever-dreamed logo, and a Best Startup win at UCSF's entrepreneurship course led to a $6,000,000 Founders Fund seed with no board attached, and how Siren's unconventional early bet on unglamorous CMC manufacturing optimization — paired with years of deliberate stealth — became the company's most powerful and defensible competitive advantage. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Just that ability to have pure, unfettered, unbothered, and undistracted time to just really go hard and let the science take you where it will. I think that could be transformative."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Nicole Paulk recounts her unlikely evolution from frustrated academic to biotech founder — driven by years of watching gene therapy companies wastefully rebuild the same tech stack from scratch, a pandemic lockout that barred her from her own UCSF lab, and a sneaky incorporation scheme that was less grand vision, more workaround to get back to the bench. She shares how a frantic three-day cancer grant, a fever-dreamed logo, and a Best Startup win at UCSF's entrepreneurship course led to a $6,000,000 Founders Fund seed with no board attached, and how Siren's unconventional early bet on unglamorous CMC manufacturing optimization — paired with years of deliberate stealth — became the company's most powerful and defensible competitive advantage.

Key Topics Covered:

  • The Gene Therapy Tech Stack Problem: Every AAV company rebuilding the same wheel — and the bold idea that sparked Siren
  • Founding Siren: How a pandemic lockout, a brain tumor grant, and a sneaky incorporation gave birth to a biotech company
  • Founders Fund & the Boardless Seed: $6M, no board, no permission needed — and why Nicole thinks more startups should start this way
  • The Unglamorous CMC Bet: Going all-in on manufacturing optimization from day one — boring on purpose, defensible forever
  • Stealth, IP, and Operating in an Accelerating World: Why the old rules on patents and publishing are dead — and what founders should do instead

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Nicole Paulk at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
AAV Gene Therapy Overview: 
AAV as a Clinical Gene Therapy Vector: 
The Age of AAV in Gene Therapy: 
CMC Requirements for Gene and Cell Therapy INDs: https://pacificbiolabs.com/gene-therapy-cmc-requirements/


Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bayer (Collaborator incubator context): https://www.bayer.com
NIH (National Institutes of Health): https://www.nih.gov/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:19 Frustrations with Gene Therapy's "Reinvent the Wheel" Problem
03:41 The Vision for a Universal AAV Gene Therapy
07:00 Ballooning Costs and the Perverse Incentives of the Gene Therapy Market
09:31 The UCSF Brain Tumor Gift and a Frantic Three-Day Two-Pager
11:55 COVID Shuts Down the Lab: Industry vs. Academia as Essential Workers
12:27 Incorporating Siren as a Sneaky Way to Get Back to Work
14:16 UCSF Entrepreneurship Course, Winning Best Startup, and Landing Founders Fund
16:02 The Freedom of $6M with No Board: Moving Fast and Doing Better Science
24:15 Going All-In on CMC: The Unglamorous but Smart Early Move
28:41 Staying Stealth: When to Come Out and When to Stay Hidden
34:49 The Future of Biotech: Small, Nimble, and Focused Teams
37:33 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2330 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Nicole Paulk recounts her unlikely evolution from frustrated academic to biotech founder — driven by years of watching gene therapy companies wastefully rebuild the same tech stack from scratch, a pandemic lockout that barred her from her own UCSF lab, and a sneaky incorporation scheme that was less grand vision, more workaround to get back to the bench. She shares how a frantic three-day cancer grant, a fever-dreamed logo, and a Best Startup win at UCSF's entrepreneurship course led to a $6,000,000 Founders Fund seed with no board attached, and how Siren's unconventional early bet on unglamorous CMC manufacturing optimization — paired with years of deliberate stealth — became the company's most powerful and defensible competitive advantage. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Nicole Paulk recounts her unlikely evolution from frustrated academic to biotech founder — driven by years of watching gene therapy companies wastefully rebuild the same tech stack from scratch, a pandemic lockout that barred her from her own UCSF lab, and a sneaky incorporation scheme that was less grand vision, more workaround to get back to the bench. She shares how a frantic three-day cancer grant, a fever-dreamed logo, and a Best Startup win at UCSF's entrepreneurship course led to a $6,000,000 Founders Fund seed with no board attached, and how Siren's unconventional early bet on unglamorous CMC manufacturing optimization — paired with years of deliberate stealth — became the company's most powerful and defensible competitive advantage. No No 🧬 The Dark Side of Postdoc Culture Nobody Talks About | Nicole Paulk (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80vrww8-nicole-paulk-part-2 🧬 The Dark Side of Postdoc Culture Nobody Talks About | Nicole Paulk (Part 2/4) 229 No No p0knq881 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue founder, CEO, and president of Siren Biotechnology, Nicole Paulk's journey from small-town farm kid to pioneering gene therapy scientist. Nicole recounts how a Craigslist ad landed her in the lab of one of the most celebrated stem cell scientists in the country, Markus Grompe — blissfully unaware of his fame, she spent months calling him "Marky Mark," planting whoopee cushions under his chair, and filling donut holes with Sriracha, only to discover he was the stem cell adviser to the President of the United States. She reflects on her PhD years as the "golden, pure, best days" of her scientific life, then contrasts that with the culture shock of Stanford's relentless postdoc hustle, a world of constant CV-optimization and pressure to pursue academia at all costs. Nicole shares how landing a coveted K01 grant gave her the credentials to walk through any university door she wanted, eventually bringing her to UCSF just nine months before COVID would turn everything upside down. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Your life doesn't have to be scripted. Really cool things can happen in an unscripted life if you're open to opportunity and willing to take risks and do cool stuff."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue founder, CEO, and president of Siren Biotechnology, Nicole Paulk's journey from small-town farm kid to pioneering gene therapy scientist. Nicole recounts how a Craigslist ad landed her in the lab of one of the most celebrated stem cell scientists in the country, Markus Grompe — blissfully unaware of his fame, she spent months calling him "Marky Mark," planting whoopee cushions under his chair, and filling donut holes with Sriracha, only to discover he was the stem cell adviser to the President of the United States. She reflects on her PhD years as the "golden, pure, best days" of her scientific life, then contrasts that with the culture shock of Stanford's relentless postdoc hustle, a world of constant CV-optimization and pressure to pursue academia at all costs. Nicole shares how landing a coveted K01 grant gave her the credentials to walk through any university door she wanted, eventually bringing her to UCSF just nine months before COVID would turn everything upside down.

Key topics covered:
  • The Craigslist Lab Discovery: How one unscripted career move led Nicole to one of the most celebrated stem cell labs in the country
  • Working With Markus Grompe: Pranks, camaraderie, and world-class science in a lab that had culture before culture was a thing
  • PhD vs. Postdoc: Free-spirited curiosity versus the relentless CV-optimization grind of Stanford
  • Academic Pressure & Identity: Why postdoc culture pushes trainees toward academia at all costs — and why that needs to change
  • From Stanford to UCSF: A K01 grant, a bold leap to UCSF, and then COVID hits


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Nicole Paulk at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) Gene Therapy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adeno-associated_virus
The Oregon Stem Cell Center at OHSU: https://www.ohsu.edu/stem-cell-center
NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-24-176.html
PhD vs. Postdoc: Mental Health & Pressure in Academia: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11693439/
COVID-19's Impact on Academic Research Labs: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00663-2

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University): https://www.ohsu.edu
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu
UCSF (University of California, San Francisco): https://www.ucsf.edu



Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:21 Finding a Lab Job on Craigslist and Landing at OHSU
05:31 Discovering Markus Grompe Was Famous (All Along)
07:01 Whoopee Cushions, Sriracha Donuts, and "Marky Mark"
10:01 Joining Grompe's Lab and the Golden Days of the PhD
13:06 Life Advice: You Don't Have to Script Your Journey
15:46 Transitioning from PhD to Postdoc at Stanford
19:11 Stanford's Hustle Culture: Loved It and Hated It
21:21 The Pressure of the Postdoc: Finding a Real Plan
22:31 Academia's "Professor or Failure" Mentality
24:26 Earning the K01 Grant and Moving to UCSF
25:51 COVID Shuts Down the Lab — and Sparks the Founding of Siren
26:12 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1648 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue founder, CEO, and president of Siren Biotechnology, Nicole Paulk's journey from small-town farm kid to pioneering gene therapy scientist. Nicole recounts how a Craigslist ad landed her in the lab of one of the most celebrated stem cell scientists in the country, Markus Grompe — blissfully unaware of his fame, she spent months calling him "Marky Mark," planting whoopee cushions under his chair, and filling donut holes with Sriracha, only to discover he was the stem cell adviser to the President of the United States. She reflects on her PhD years as the "golden, pure, best days" of her scientific life, then contrasts that with the culture shock of Stanford's relentless postdoc hustle, a world of constant CV-optimization and pressure to pursue academia at all costs. Nicole shares how landing a coveted K01 grant gave her the credentials to walk through any university door she wanted, eventually bringing her to UCSF just nine months before COVID would turn everything upside down. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue founder, CEO, and president of Siren Biotechnology, Nicole Paulk's journey from small-town farm kid to pioneering gene therapy scientist. Nicole recounts how a Craigslist ad landed her in the lab of one of the most celebrated stem cell scientists in the country, Markus Grompe — blissfully unaware of his fame, she spent months calling him "Marky Mark," planting whoopee cushions under his chair, and filling donut holes with Sriracha, only to discover he was the stem cell adviser to the President of the United States. She reflects on her PhD years as the "golden, pure, best days" of her scientific life, then contrasts that with the culture shock of Stanford's relentless postdoc hustle, a world of constant CV-optimization and pressure to pursue academia at all costs. Nicole shares how landing a coveted K01 grant gave her the credentials to walk through any university door she wanted, eventually bringing her to UCSF just nine months before COVID would turn everything upside down. No No 🧬 2 Identity Crises, 1 Mission: From Broken Shoulder to Biotech Career | Nicole Paulk (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/l8qw6l38-nicole-paulk-part-1 🧬 2 Identity Crises, 1 Mission: From Broken Shoulder to Biotech Career | Nicole Paulk (Part 1/4) 228 No No 80nvqw20 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Paulk, founder, CEO, and president of SIREN Biotechnology, a company pioneering universal AAV immunogene therapy to fight solid tumor cancers. Nicole takes us back to her roots — a scrappy, off-the-grid upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where a lumberjack dad raised her like a son and sports were everything, until recurring shoulder injuries ended her collegiate volleyball career at 18 and triggered her first identity crisis. She walks us through the hustle that followed; swim lessons, kickboxing classes, deli shifts, and crabbing in Puget Sound just to survive, and how she stumbled into science not out of passion, but out of a need for a paycheck at a small ag school. A summer treating patients in Kenya and Tanzania convinced her that clinical medicine wasn't her path, and one offhand comment from her chemistry professor set the entire trajectory of her scientific career in motion. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“No one’s going to come and save you. You have to save yourself.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Paulk, founder, CEO, and president of SIREN Biotechnology, a company pioneering universal AAV immunogene therapy to fight solid tumor cancers. Nicole takes us back to her roots — a scrappy, off-the-grid upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where a lumberjack dad raised her like a son and sports were everything, until recurring shoulder injuries ended her collegiate volleyball career at 18 and triggered her first identity crisis. She walks us through the hustle that followed; swim lessons, kickboxing classes, deli shifts, and crabbing in Puget Sound just to survive, and how she stumbled into science not out of passion, but out of a need for a paycheck at a small ag school. A summer treating patients in Kenya and Tanzania convinced her that clinical medicine wasn't her path, and one offhand comment from her chemistry professor set the entire trajectory of her scientific career in motion.

Key topics covered:

  • Farm Kid to Founder: Growing up off-the-grid in the Pacific Northwest forged the grit and competitiveness Nicole brings to every aspect of her life and leadership
  • Identity Crisis at 18: How recurring shoulder injuries ended her collegiate volleyball career and forced a complete rethinking of who she was
  • Hustling Through College: Swim lessons, kickboxing classes, deli shifts, and crabbing just to make rent and stay enrolled
  • Summer in Africa: Three and a half months treating patients in Kenya and Tanzania revealed she wasn't cut out for clinical medicine
  • A Career-Defining Pivot: One offhand suggestion from her chemistry professor, Dr. Anya Johansen, redirected Nicole from med school to a PhD in virology

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Nicole Paulk at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
What Is AAV Gene Therapy?: https://www.askbio.com/aav-gene-therapy/
AAV as a Vector for Gene Therapy (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5548848/
Volunteer Medical Work in Africa: https://idi.mak.ac.ug/opportunities/main/volunteer/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Western Washington University: https://www.wwu.edu
Central Washington University: https://www.cwu.edu
University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU): https://www.ohsu.edu
UCSF Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics: https://biophysics.ucsf.edu
Stanford Division of Human Gene Therapy: https://med.stanford.edu/genetherapy.html
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
03:50 Nicole's Hippie Farm Kid Upbringing in the Pacific Northwest
05:36 Sports-Centered Childhood and Lessons in Competing Solo vs. as a Team
08:19 Small Town Grit: Community, Self-Reliance, and the Value of Hard Work
14:00 Choosing a College Based on What She Could Afford
15:49 Volleyball Career Ends at 18: Shoulder Injuries and an Identity Crisis
16:56 Surviving on Odd Jobs: Swim Lessons, Kickboxing, and Deli Shifts
19:29 Crabbing in Puget Sound and Transferring to an Ag School
20:45 Falling Into Science for a Paycheck, Not Passion
24:36 Dream of Becoming an Infectious Disease Doctor
26:06 The Letter-Writing Campaign to Fund a Summer in Africa
29:10 Kenya and Tanzania Change Everything: Realizing Medicine Isn't the Path
31:06 A Chemistry Professor's Offhand Comment Redirects Her Toward a PhD
32:13 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:50:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2008 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Paulk, founder, CEO, and president of SIREN Biotechnology, a company pioneering universal AAV immunogene therapy to fight solid tumor cancers. Nicole takes us back to her roots — a scrappy, off-the-grid upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where a lumberjack dad raised her like a son and sports were everything, until recurring shoulder injuries ended her collegiate volleyball career at 18 and triggered her first identity crisis. She walks us through the hustle that followed; swim lessons, kickboxing classes, deli shifts, and crabbing in Puget Sound just to survive, and how she stumbled into science not out of passion, but out of a need for a paycheck at a small ag school. A summer treating patients in Kenya and Tanzania convinced her that clinical medicine wasn't her path, and one offhand comment from her chemistry professor set the entire trajectory of her scientific career in motion. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Paulk, founder, CEO, and president of SIREN Biotechnology, a company pioneering universal AAV immunogene therapy to fight solid tumor cancers. Nicole takes us back to her roots — a scrappy, off-the-grid upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where a lumberjack dad raised her like a son and sports were everything, until recurring shoulder injuries ended her collegiate volleyball career at 18 and triggered her first identity crisis. She walks us through the hustle that followed; swim lessons, kickboxing classes, deli shifts, and crabbing in Puget Sound just to survive, and how she stumbled into science not out of passion, but out of a need for a paycheck at a small ag school. A summer treating patients in Kenya and Tanzania convinced her that clinical medicine wasn't her path, and one offhand comment from her chemistry professor set the entire trajectory of her scientific career in motion. No No 🧬 The Competitive Threat Reshaping US Drug Discovery Strategy | Richard Yu (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kl1kmn-richard-yu-part-4 🧬 The Competitive Threat Reshaping US Drug Discovery Strategy | Richard Yu (Part 4/4) 227 No No 71wj5z70 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu reflects on how processing grief after losing his co-founder, Gustavo Pesce, brought clarity and renewed focus — stripping away the inessential and driving him forward at Abalone Bio. He unpacks the strategic thinking behind the pipeline, from developing CB2 agonist antibodies that reverse fibrosis and reduce neuropathy, to deciding which programs to partner versus develop internally based on value inflection points. Richard also reflects on hitting his 400th VC rejection, why the West Coast's frontier mentality fuels entrepreneurial resilience, how the rise of China's biotech ecosystem is pushing US startups toward novel targets as a competitive moat, and how AI has transformed once-impossible problems — from protein folding to natural language — into solved challenges that are fundamentally reshaping drug discovery. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"The only way through is through. You have to actually go through some of this stuff."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu reflects on how processing grief after losing his co-founder, Gustavo Pesce, brought clarity and renewed focus — stripping away the inessential and driving him forward at Abalone Bio. He unpacks the strategic thinking behind the pipeline, from developing CB2 agonist antibodies that reverse fibrosis and reduce neuropathy, to deciding which programs to partner versus develop internally based on value inflection points. Richard also reflects on hitting his 400th VC rejection, why the West Coast's frontier mentality fuels entrepreneurial resilience, how the rise of China's biotech ecosystem is pushing US startups toward novel targets as a competitive moat, and how AI has transformed once-impossible problems — from protein folding to natural language — into solved challenges that are fundamentally reshaping drug discovery.

Key topics covered:

  • Processing Grief & Finding Clarity: How Gustavo's passing reframed Richard's perspective on mortality, gratitude, and what truly matters
  • Pipeline Strategy: Using value inflection points to decide what to partner versus build internally
  • VC Resilience: 400 rejections and why the West Coast frontier mentality keeps founders going
  • US vs. China Biotech Landscape: How China's biotech rise is forcing US startups to bet on novel targets
  • AI & the Future of Drug Discovery: How AI turned yesterday's impossible problems into today's solved ones, and what's next for Abalone Bio

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Richard Yu at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Range: How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52390465-range
Waking Up App (Sam Harris): https://www.wakingup.com
GPCR Drug Discovery & Novel Targets: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd.2017.178
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Gustavo Pesce - in memoriam https://www.abalonebio.com/about

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:22 Resilience, Perseverance, and the "I Will Not Quit" Mentality
05:19 Pipeline Strategy: When to Partner vs. Develop Internally
07:17 Navigating the Rise of China in Biotech and the Case for Novel Targets
11:35 Abalone Bio's One-to-Five Year Vision
16:53 The Entrepreneurial "Sickness": Why Founders Keep Starting Companies
17:43 West Coast Frontier Mentality vs. East Coast Agricultural Mindset
20:47 Authenticity in Fundraising: Seeking vs. Filtering
23:35 The Value of Experience in a Youth-Obsessed Silicon Valley Culture
26:28 Shout-Outs: Family, Co-Founder Gustavo Pesce, and Key Mentors
30:45 Portfolio Construction Thinking in Life Sciences
32:37 The Power of Breadth: How Diverse Experiences Drive Success
34:32 Outro

The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2265 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu reflects on how processing grief after losing his co-founder, Gustavo Pesce, brought clarity and renewed focus — stripping away the inessential and driving him forward at Abalone Bio. He unpacks the strategic thinking behind the pipeline, from developing CB2 agonist antibodies that reverse fibrosis and reduce neuropathy, to deciding which programs to partner versus develop internally based on value inflection points. Richard also reflects on hitting his 400th VC rejection, why the West Coast's frontier mentality fuels entrepreneurial resilience, how the rise of China's biotech ecosystem is pushing US startups toward novel targets as a competitive moat, and how AI has transformed once-impossible problems — from protein folding to natural language — into solved challenges that are fundamentally reshaping drug discovery. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu reflects on how processing grief after losing his co-founder, Gustavo Pesce, brought clarity and renewed focus — stripping away the inessential and driving him forward at Abalone Bio. He unpacks the strategic thinking behind the pipeline, from developing CB2 agonist antibodies that reverse fibrosis and reduce neuropathy, to deciding which programs to partner versus develop internally based on value inflection points. Richard also reflects on hitting his 400th VC rejection, why the West Coast's frontier mentality fuels entrepreneurial resilience, how the rise of China's biotech ecosystem is pushing US startups toward novel targets as a competitive moat, and how AI has transformed once-impossible problems — from protein folding to natural language — into solved challenges that are fundamentally reshaping drug discovery. No No 🧬 Resilience After Loss: Leadership Lessons for Biotech Founders | Richard Yu (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286q5k2n-richard-yu-part-3 🧬 Resilience After Loss: Leadership Lessons for Biotech Founders | Richard Yu (Part 3/4) 226 No No j12rp6k1 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Richard Yu, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, reflects on building a company around a bold scientific vision — and the personal moments that shaped his leadership along the way. He unpacks the core insight behind Abalone Bio's yeast-based screening platform: that conventional antibody discovery optimizes for binding over function, like grabbing scissors by the blades. Richard also opens up about the devastating loss of co-founder Gustavo Pesce in a 2021 skiing accident, how the team and investors rallied with unwavering support, and how that crisis ultimately sharpened his sense of purpose and focus. From weathering hundreds of investor rejections to landing partnerships with Pfizer and Sichuan Pharma, Richard offers an honest look at running a biotech startup with a platform-driven, portfolio-management mindset. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“Every moment is like this opportunity to, like, do the right thing and make something better.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Richard Yu, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, reflects on building a company around a bold scientific vision — and the personal moments that shaped his leadership along the way. He unpacks the core insight behind Abalone Bio's yeast-based screening platform: that conventional antibody discovery optimizes for binding over function, like grabbing scissors by the blades. Richard also opens up about the devastating loss of co-founder Gustavo Pesce in a 2021 skiing accident, how the team and investors rallied with unwavering support, and how that crisis ultimately sharpened his sense of purpose and focus. From weathering hundreds of investor rejections to landing partnerships with Pfizer and Sichuan Pharma, Richard offers an honest look at running a biotech startup with a platform-driven, portfolio-management mindset.

Key topics covered:

  • Function Over Binding: Why traditional antibody discovery chases binding, while Abalone Bio screens directly for functional impact.
  • Loss & Leadership: How Gustavo Pesce’s sudden passing in 2021 reshaped Richard’s priorities and leadership style.
  • Team & Resilience: How a tight-knit core team, including CSO Toshi and AI lead Samir, rallied to keep the science moving.
  • Platform vs. Pipeline: How Richard balances building the platform with advancing products that prove its value.
  • Revenue & Partnerships: How Abalone Bio uses partnerships like Pfizer and Shichuan Pharma to blend near-term cash with long-term upside.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Richard Yu at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Binding Affinity vs. Functional Efficacy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_(pharmacology)
Molecular Dynamics Simulations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_dynamics
De Novo Drug Design and Artificial Intelligence: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl5364
Platform vs. Pipeline Business Models in Biotech: 
Dilutive vs. Non-Dilutive Funding for Startups: 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:03 Abalone's Mission and the GPCR Drug Development Vision
02:36 The Real Founding Team: Richard and Gustavo
03:42 The Devastating Loss of Co-Founder Gustavo Martinez
06:39 Finding Clarity and Focus Through Grief
09:16 Running Out of Money and Leaning on Core Values
11:13 Building the Team After Gustavo's Passing
12:18 The State of the GPCR Antibody Market
14:05 Why Binding Affinity Is the Wrong KPI
15:44 Yeast-Based Screening Technology and Functional Data
20:06 Balancing Platform Development vs. Pipeline Products
21:01 Revenue Strategy and Business Philosophy
25:05 Ideal Collaboration Partners: Pfizer, Sichuan, and Beyond
25:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:21:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1615 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Richard Yu, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, reflects on building a company around a bold scientific vision — and the personal moments that shaped his leadership along the way. He unpacks the core insight behind Abalone Bio's yeast-based screening platform: that conventional antibody discovery optimizes for binding over function, like grabbing scissors by the blades. Richard also opens up about the devastating loss of co-founder Gustavo Pesce in a 2021 skiing accident, how the team and investors rallied with unwavering support, and how that crisis ultimately sharpened his sense of purpose and focus. From weathering hundreds of investor rejections to landing partnerships with Pfizer and Sichuan Pharma, Richard offers an honest look at running a biotech startup with a platform-driven, portfolio-management mindset. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Richard Yu, co-founder and CEO of Abalone Bio, reflects on building a company around a bold scientific vision — and the personal moments that shaped his leadership along the way. He unpacks the core insight behind Abalone Bio's yeast-based screening platform: that conventional antibody discovery optimizes for binding over function, like grabbing scissors by the blades. Richard also opens up about the devastating loss of co-founder Gustavo Pesce in a 2021 skiing accident, how the team and investors rallied with unwavering support, and how that crisis ultimately sharpened his sense of purpose and focus. From weathering hundreds of investor rejections to landing partnerships with Pfizer and Sichuan Pharma, Richard offers an honest look at running a biotech startup with a platform-driven, portfolio-management mindset. No No 🧬 The Science of Persistence: Why Biotech Founders Can’t Quit | Richard Yu (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n33w2kn-richard-yu-part-2 🧬 The Science of Persistence: Why Biotech Founders Can’t Quit | Richard Yu (Part 2/4) 225 No No m1jpmjv1 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue our conversation with Richard Yu, CEO and co-founder of Abalone Bio, as he traces his path from academic scientist to entrepreneur—starting with the 2008 alternative energy boom that led him to co-found algae biofuel startup Green Pacific Biologicals and deliver a two-slide, science-only VC pitch that sparked a new sense of purpose. He reflects on shutting the company down in 2013 and realizing that scientific feasibility alone doesn’t build a business, then describes how joining QB3’s incubator immersed him in hundreds of therapeutics startups, taught him the business side of company building, and ultimately set the stage for founding Abalone Bio and entering Y Combinator’s March 2020 batch just as COVID-19 began disrupting the world. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Sometimes it feels like a miracle anything works at all, but you keep going—because when it does work, it's worth every step it took to get there."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue our conversation with Richard Yu, CEO and co-founder of Abalone Bio, as he traces his path from academic scientist to entrepreneur—starting with the 2008 alternative energy boom that led him to co-found algae biofuel startup Green Pacific Biologicals and deliver a two-slide, science-only VC pitch that sparked a new sense of purpose. He reflects on shutting the company down in 2013 and realizing that scientific feasibility alone doesn’t build a business, then describes how joining QB3’s incubator immersed him in hundreds of therapeutics startups, taught him the business side of company building, and ultimately set the stage for founding Abalone Bio and entering Y Combinator’s March 2020 batch just as COVID-19 began disrupting the world.

Key Topics Covered:

  • First Pitch Energy: A two-slide VC pitch on Sand Hill Road that revealed Richard's true calling outside of academia
  • Algae Biofuel Lessons: Why raising NSF SBIR funding and proving the science still wasn't enough to build a company
  • QB3 Incubator Experience: Running QB3's first Dogpatch incubator, learning the business side, and sitting in on hundreds of pitches at Mission Bay Capital
  • Revenue-Driven Startup Model: Bootstrapping Abalone Bio through service contracts before landing their first investor round
  • Y Combinator During COVID: Getting into YC's March 2020 batch and raising a seed round as the world locked down


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Richard Yu at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Y Combinator Biotech & Life Science Companies https://www.ycombinator.com/biotech/
The Number of Biology-Based Startups Funded by Y Combinator Has Grown Significantly
ARPA-E: Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy https://arpa-e.energy.gov/
Venture Capital Funding for Biotech Startups https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/venturecapital.asp
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MBC BioLabs (referred to as QB3@953 in the episode) https://mbcbiolabs.com
NSF SBIR (America's Seed Fund) https://seedfund.nsf.gov
​

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:05 Co-founding Green Pacific Biologicals and the Algae Biofuel Idea
03:36 First VC Pitch on Sand Hill Road
04:46 Why the First Pitch Felt Better Than Any Academic Talk
05:56 NSF SBIR Funding and Proof of Concept
06:43 Lessons Learned: Science Is Necessary but Not Sufficient
08:39 Shutting Down the Algae Company and Joining QB3
10:05 Running QB3's First Incubator in Dogpatch
14:17 Building Pro Formas and Sitting in on Pitches at Mission Bay Capital
15:31 Co-founding Abalone Bio and the GPCR Antibody Platform
17:53 Revenue-Driven Model at Next Interactions Funding Early R&D
20:19 Getting into Y Combinator and Demo Day During COVID-19
26:58 Moving into the Old Pixar Sound Studio in Emeryville
28:24 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1778 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue our conversation with Richard Yu, CEO and co-founder of Abalone Bio, as he traces his path from academic scientist to entrepreneur—starting with the 2008 alternative energy boom that led him to co-found algae biofuel startup Green Pacific Biologicals and deliver a two-slide, science-only VC pitch that sparked a new sense of purpose. He reflects on shutting the company down in 2013 and realizing that scientific feasibility alone doesn’t build a business, then describes how joining QB3’s incubator immersed him in hundreds of therapeutics startups, taught him the business side of company building, and ultimately set the stage for founding Abalone Bio and entering Y Combinator’s March 2020 batch just as COVID-19 began disrupting the world. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we continue our conversation with Richard Yu, CEO and co-founder of Abalone Bio, as he traces his path from academic scientist to entrepreneur—starting with the 2008 alternative energy boom that led him to co-found algae biofuel startup Green Pacific Biologicals and deliver a two-slide, science-only VC pitch that sparked a new sense of purpose. He reflects on shutting the company down in 2013 and realizing that scientific feasibility alone doesn’t build a business, then describes how joining QB3’s incubator immersed him in hundreds of therapeutics startups, taught him the business side of company building, and ultimately set the stage for founding Abalone Bio and entering Y Combinator’s March 2020 batch just as COVID-19 began disrupting the world. No No 🧬 Quitting Physics to Treat Biology Like an Engineering Problem | Richard Yu (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nz72k58-richard-yu-part-1 🧬 Quitting Physics to Treat Biology Like an Engineering Problem | Richard Yu (Part 1/4) 224 No No 80znpxq0 "The magic is always at the intersections." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore CEO & co-founder of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu’s journey from his Midwestern and New Jersey upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants to UC Berkeley and Yale, tracing how living at the intersection of cultures and disciplines shaped his identity as a scientist and founder. He shares how a friend's pitch about “engineering proteins to eat dirt” pulled him from physics into biophysics, igniting a passion for treating biology as an engineering discipline. Along the way, Richard contrasts Berkeley’s sink-or-swim entrepreneurial energy with Yale’s rigorous East Coast culture, reflects on mentors who sharpened his scientific thinking, and explains how his early interest in systems biology and an unconventional postdoc path ultimately laid the foundation for Abalone Bio. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

"The magic is always at the intersections."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore CEO & co-founder of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu’s journey from his Midwestern and New Jersey upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants to UC Berkeley and Yale, tracing how living at the intersection of cultures and disciplines shaped his identity as a scientist and founder. He shares how a friend's pitch about “engineering proteins to eat dirt” pulled him from physics into biophysics, igniting a passion for treating biology as an engineering discipline. Along the way, Richard contrasts Berkeley’s sink-or-swim entrepreneurial energy with Yale’s rigorous East Coast culture, reflects on mentors who sharpened his scientific thinking, and explains how his early interest in systems biology and an unconventional postdoc path ultimately laid the foundation for Abalone Bio.

Key topics covered:

  • Immigrant Roots & Core Values: How Richard's upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants shaped his core values of kindness, resilience, and an outsider's perspective that still drives him today
  • Discovering Biophysics at Berkeley: A chance conversation with a friend that flipped Richard's worldview — turning a physics major into a biophysics devotee who saw biology as an engineering discipline
  • East Coast vs. West Coast Academic Culture: Berkeley's sink-or-swim hustle vs. Yale's rigorous academic intensity — and how Richard drew from both
  • Early Intersections of Biology & Computation: Applying early machine learning to protein structure prediction and why Richard believes the magic always happens at the intersections
  • Choosing an Unconventional Path: Resisting the academic tractor beam to join the Molecular Sciences Institute, a scrappy, under-the-radar hub that helped shape modern synthetic biology


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Richard Yu at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Biophysics as an Engineering Discipline: https://www.nature.com/subjects/biophysics
Protein Structure & Crystallography: https://www.rcsb.org/ 
Early AI & Neural Networks in Protein Structure Prediction: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03819-2
X-ray Crystallography & NMR in Structural Biology: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26864/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Yale University: https://www.yale.edu/
NIH (National Institutes of Health): https://www.nih.gov/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
03:24 Richard Yu’s Upbringing and His Immigrant Family Story
06:45 Moving for Work and Growing Up in New Jersey
08:10 Early Interest in Computers, Physics, and STEM
09:16 Discovering Biophysics at UC Berkeley
10:39 First Wet Lab Lessons and Learning How Biology Works
13:40 Choosing Grad School Over the Early Tech Boom
15:36 Arriving at Berkeley and Feeling Like an Outsider
20:10 Yale, East Coast Academic Culture, and Structural Biology
25:56 Startup Energy in the Lab and Richard’s Management Style
27:23 Moving Away from Academia Toward Applied Science
36:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2315 "The magic is always at the intersections." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore CEO & co-founder of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu’s journey from his Midwestern and New Jersey upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants to UC Berkeley and Yale, tracing how living at the intersection of cultures and disciplines shaped his identity as a scientist and founder. He shares how a friend's pitch about “engineering proteins to eat dirt” pulled him from physics into biophysics, igniting a passion for treating biology as an engineering discipline. Along the way, Richard contrasts Berkeley’s sink-or-swim entrepreneurial energy with Yale’s rigorous East Coast culture, reflects on mentors who sharpened his scientific thinking, and explains how his early interest in systems biology and an unconventional postdoc path ultimately laid the foundation for Abalone Bio. "The magic is always at the intersections." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore CEO & co-founder of Abalone Bio, Richard Yu’s journey from his Midwestern and New Jersey upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants to UC Berkeley and Yale, tracing how living at the intersection of cultures and disciplines shaped his identity as a scientist and founder. He shares how a friend's pitch about “engineering proteins to eat dirt” pulled him from physics into biophysics, igniting a passion for treating biology as an engineering discipline. Along the way, Richard contrasts Berkeley’s sink-or-swim entrepreneurial energy with Yale’s rigorous East Coast culture, reflects on mentors who sharpened his scientific thinking, and explains how his early interest in systems biology and an unconventional postdoc path ultimately laid the foundation for Abalone Bio. No No 🧬 You Don’t See the Path, You Take the Next Step | Sujal Patel (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v8wpqp0n-sujal-patel-part-4 🧬 You Don’t See the Path, You Take the Next Step | Sujal Patel (Part 4/4) 223 No No 80x2j2w0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel recounts his transition from enterprise data storage to co-founding Nautilus Biotechnology — sparked by a 2016 email from scientist Parag Mallick declaring "I think I've come up with something important." Sujal breaks down why proteomics is one of science's most urgent unsolved challenges, explaining that while 95% of FDA-approved drugs target proteins, current mass spectrometry methods produce incomplete and irreproducible data. He details how Nautilus tackles this by simultaneously analyzing billions of molecules using iterative antibody binding on a chip-based system, and reflects candidly on his journey to becoming a biotech CEO — from YouTube chemistry lectures at 2x speed to learning how to lead PhD scientists who think very differently than software engineers. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"A startup journey is not one where you see the end goal; you don't even see the path in front of you, and you just have to have faith that the next step is there when you take it."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel recounts his transition from enterprise data storage to co-founding Nautilus Biotechnology — sparked by a 2016 email from scientist Parag Mallick declaring "I think I've come up with something important." Sujal breaks down why proteomics is one of science's most urgent unsolved challenges, explaining that while 95% of FDA-approved drugs target proteins, current mass spectrometry methods produce incomplete and irreproducible data. He details how Nautilus tackles this by simultaneously analyzing billions of molecules using iterative antibody binding on a chip-based system, and reflects candidly on his journey to becoming a biotech CEO — from YouTube chemistry lectures at 2x speed to learning how to lead PhD scientists who think very differently than software engineers.

Key topics covered:

  • The Proteomics Problem: Why 95% of FDA-approved drugs target proteins yet current methods produce incomplete, irreproducible data — and why solving this unlocks better biomarkers, drug targets, and AI-driven medicine
  • Nautilus's Platform: How iterative antibody binding across billions of spatially separated molecules creates a new paradigm for protein identification and analysis
  • Building Four Technical Pillars: The nine-year, half-billion-dollar journey to develop the chip, antibody library, assay system, and machine learning algorithms that power the platform
  • Learning to Lead in Biotech: Watching YouTube chemistry lectures, maintaining a daily "dumb questions" list with co-founder Parag Mallick, and adapting leadership style to manage PhD scientists in a startup environment
  • Path to Commercialization: Targeting academic institutions, pharma, and diagnostics companies, with an early access program focused on Tau proteoforms in neurology and preparations for hypergrowth as the full proteome product nears launch

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sujal Patel at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:


Resources & Articles:
Overview of Proteomics and Its Role in Medicine:
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

​
​Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:51 Why Proteomics Is the Next Frontier After Genomics
​06:35 Raising Capital to Build Nautilus’s Four Technical Pillars
​11:07 What Startup Lessons Translated From Isilon to Biotech
​15:29 Who Nautilus Sells To and Where the Platform Fits Best
​18:30 Convincing Researchers to Try a New Proteomics Platform
​20:31 Building Nautilus’s Culture Around Talent, Grit, and Adaptability
24:13 Preparing for Commercialization and Future Hypergrowth
​27:34 Why Nautilus Is Even Harder to Build Than Isilon
​28:35 The Complexity of Nautilus’s Supply Chain and Product Build
​35:49 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2342 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel recounts his transition from enterprise data storage to co-founding Nautilus Biotechnology — sparked by a 2016 email from scientist Parag Mallick declaring "I think I've come up with something important." Sujal breaks down why proteomics is one of science's most urgent unsolved challenges, explaining that while 95% of FDA-approved drugs target proteins, current mass spectrometry methods produce incomplete and irreproducible data. He details how Nautilus tackles this by simultaneously analyzing billions of molecules using iterative antibody binding on a chip-based system, and reflects candidly on his journey to becoming a biotech CEO — from YouTube chemistry lectures at 2x speed to learning how to lead PhD scientists who think very differently than software engineers. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel recounts his transition from enterprise data storage to co-founding Nautilus Biotechnology — sparked by a 2016 email from scientist Parag Mallick declaring "I think I've come up with something important." Sujal breaks down why proteomics is one of science's most urgent unsolved challenges, explaining that while 95% of FDA-approved drugs target proteins, current mass spectrometry methods produce incomplete and irreproducible data. He details how Nautilus tackles this by simultaneously analyzing billions of molecules using iterative antibody binding on a chip-based system, and reflects candidly on his journey to becoming a biotech CEO — from YouTube chemistry lectures at 2x speed to learning how to lead PhD scientists who think very differently than software engineers. No No 🧬 "Be On It”: High-Stakes Deals & Building World-Class Teams | Sujal Patel (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvljzwn-sujal-patel-part-3 🧬 "Be On It”: High-Stakes Deals & Building World-Class Teams | Sujal Patel (Part 3/4) 222 No No 71yp26v0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into part three of Founder and CEO at Nautilus Biotechnology, Sujal Patel’s story—zooming in on the high-stakes path to Isilon’s acquisition by EMC and what it really feels like to negotiate while your company, your board, and the market clock are all in motion. Sujal walks through how the “strategic partnership” conversations revealed themselves as acquisition positioning, why EMC’s approach felt unusually aggressive and old-school, and how a deal can appear to die on the finish line—only to roar back to life under intense time pressure. Sujal also shares the tactical and emotional reality of price negotiation, from holding the line when an acquirer tries to anchor you, to staying disciplined in your responses, to making decisions fast when the range tightens and leaks force a deadline. From there, the conversation expands into what happens after the announcement: the commitments he made to EMC about scaling the business, the organizational decisions that protected long-term value, and the personal calculus behind eventually leaving—even when bigger roles were on the table. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“As an entrepreneur, you have to be on it—taking advantage of every opportunity to build relationships and get the best people on your team.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into part three of Founder and CEO at Nautilus Biotechnology, Sujal Patel’s story—zooming in on the high-stakes path to Isilon’s acquisition by EMC and what it really feels like to negotiate while your company, your board, and the market clock are all in motion. Sujal walks through how the “strategic partnership” conversations revealed themselves as acquisition positioning, why EMC’s approach felt unusually aggressive and old-school, and how a deal can appear to die on the finish line—only to roar back to life under intense time pressure.

Sujal also shares the tactical and emotional reality of price negotiation, from holding the line when an acquirer tries to anchor you, to staying disciplined in your responses, to making decisions fast when the range tightens and leaks force a deadline. From there, the conversation expands into what happens after the announcement: the commitments he made to EMC about scaling the business, the organizational decisions that protected long-term value, and the personal calculus behind eventually leaving—even when bigger roles were on the table.


Key topics covered:

  • The acquisition coming together: From a voicemail intro to “OEM” talks that signaled M&A intent
  • Negotiation under pressure: Anchoring, walking away, leaks, deadlines, and landing on a final price
  • Founder discipline in the deal process: Controlling reactions, board process, and strategic leverage
  • Post-acquisition leadership decisions: Org design, integration choices, and protecting the “crown jewels”
  • Lessons carried forward: Hiring quality, developing talent early, and redefining product-market fit beyond the product

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sujal Patel at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Mass Spectrometry-Based Clinical Proteomics https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12831324/
​The Founder’s Guide to Product-Market Fit
​Product Market Fit: Ultimate Guide for Startup Founders
​Go-to-Market Fit: Founders’ Guide to Crossing the Chasm
Marketing & Sales Strategies for Early-Stage Biotechs

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

​
Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:47 EMC's Unexpected Voicemail and the OEM Pretense
04:35 Pat Gelsinger's Dinner and Harry You's Surprise Appearance
07:06 The $25 Offer, Bidding Wars, and Walking Away from the Deal
09:57 The Friday Fax: A Fully Executed Merger Agreement at $32.50
11:15 Saturday Negotiation and How $33.85 Became the Final Price
13:00 Post-Acquisition: Running the Division and Reporting to Pat Gelsinger
16:07 Knowing When It Was Time to Leave EMC
18:48 Key Lessons from Isilon: Developing People and Hiring Right
23:15 Redefining Product-Market Fit Beyond the Traditional Definition
26:18 Four Years Off: Investing, Board Seats, and Getting Back in the Ring
29:07 Founding Nautilus: Meeting Parag and the Proteomics Vision
33:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2147 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into part three of Founder and CEO at Nautilus Biotechnology, Sujal Patel’s story—zooming in on the high-stakes path to Isilon’s acquisition by EMC and what it really feels like to negotiate while your company, your board, and the market clock are all in motion. Sujal walks through how the “strategic partnership” conversations revealed themselves as acquisition positioning, why EMC’s approach felt unusually aggressive and old-school, and how a deal can appear to die on the finish line—only to roar back to life under intense time pressure. Sujal also shares the tactical and emotional reality of price negotiation, from holding the line when an acquirer tries to anchor you, to staying disciplined in your responses, to making decisions fast when the range tightens and leaks force a deadline. From there, the conversation expands into what happens after the announcement: the commitments he made to EMC about scaling the business, the organizational decisions that protected long-term value, and the personal calculus behind eventually leaving—even when bigger roles were on the table. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into part three of Founder and CEO at Nautilus Biotechnology, Sujal Patel’s story—zooming in on the high-stakes path to Isilon’s acquisition by EMC and what it really feels like to negotiate while your company, your board, and the market clock are all in motion. Sujal walks through how the “strategic partnership” conversations revealed themselves as acquisition positioning, why EMC’s approach felt unusually aggressive and old-school, and how a deal can appear to die on the finish line—only to roar back to life under intense time pressure. Sujal also shares the tactical and emotional reality of price negotiation, from holding the line when an acquirer tries to anchor you, to staying disciplined in your responses, to making decisions fast when the range tightens and leaks force a deadline. From there, the conversation expands into what happens after the announcement: the commitments he made to EMC about scaling the business, the organizational decisions that protected long-term value, and the personal calculus behind eventually leaving—even when bigger roles were on the table. No No 🧬 If You Knew What Could Go Wrong, You’d Never Start - The Founder’s Leap | Sujal Patel (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833wqw8-sujal-patel-part-2 🧬 If You Knew What Could Go Wrong, You’d Never Start - The Founder’s Leap | Sujal Patel (Part 2/4) 221 No No m0jpm4m0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Sujal Patel's bold decision to leave RealNetworks and co-found Isilon Systems, a distributed storage company built to solve a problem he witnessed firsthand — enterprise customers spending millions on storage systems that simply couldn't handle media files. Sujal shares how a pair of scissors on his desk became the unlikely symbol that pushed him and co-founder Paul Mikesell to finally take the leap. Sujal recounts the harrowing experience of launching a company at the peak of the dot-com collapse, watching his RealNetworks stock fall from $100 to $8, and still managing to close an $8.4 million Series A as the only such deal in Seattle that year. He walks through Isilon's early growth, landing marquee customers like Kodak by overdelivering on impossible timelines, and the painful but necessary decision to fire both the CEO and CFO of a public company — all while his wife was pregnant with twins — on the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“One of the traits of entrepreneurs: we have to have blind faith… if you know everything that could go wrong and does go wrong, no one would start a business.”


In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Sujal Patel's bold decision to leave RealNetworks and co-found Isilon Systems, a distributed storage company built to solve a problem he witnessed firsthand — enterprise customers spending millions on storage systems that simply couldn't handle media files. Sujal shares how a pair of scissors on his desk became the unlikely symbol that pushed him and co-founder Paul Mikesell to finally take the leap.


Sujal recounts the harrowing experience of launching a company at the peak of the dot-com collapse, watching his RealNetworks stock fall from $100 to $8, and still managing to close an $8.4 million Series A as the only such deal in Seattle that year. He walks through Isilon's early growth, landing marquee customers like Kodak by overdelivering on impossible timelines, and the painful but necessary decision to fire both the CEO and CFO of a public company — all while his wife was pregnant with twins — on the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed.

Key topics covered:

  • The "Scissors of Opportunity": How co-founder Paul Mikesell's challenge pushed Sujal to finally leave RealNetworks and bet on his distributed storage idea
  • Fundraising in a Collapsing Market: Navigating 50 VC introductions, relentless pitch meetings, and a dot-com bubble in freefall to close Seattle's only Series A of 2001
  • Building Isilon from Zero: Using $400K of founders' capital to hire a team, build an alpha product, and hit milestones that unlocked Series B funding
  • CEO Transition & Public Company Turbulence: Firing the CEO and CFO of a public company during the 2008 financial crisis and rebuilding the entire executive team
  • The Path to Acquisition: Transforming Isilon from a -40% operating margin to a billion-dollar run rate in just 23 months under Sujal's leadership as CEO


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sujal Patel at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Distributed computing (overview): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_computing
Distributed file system (how scale-out storage works): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_file_system
Chapter 11 bankruptcy (context for “Lehman Monday”): https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chapter11.asp
​
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:22 Spotting the Gap: Enterprise Storage Failing Media Files
07:11 The "Scissors of Opportunity" and Leaving RealNetworks
07:36 Day Zero: Taking the Leap During the Dot-Com Collapse
15:55 Building the MVP and Racing to Series B
19:27 Disrupting the Storage Market and Landing Kodak
23:55 Finding Early Adopters and Building Champions
25:36 Isilon's Growth Trajectory and Hiring a CEO
28:41 Going Public, Revenue Recognition Issues, and Firing the CEO & CFO
32:26 Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis and Rebuilding the Team
36:16 The George Bennett Story: Recruiting the Transformative VP of Sales
38:58 Outro 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2432 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Sujal Patel's bold decision to leave RealNetworks and co-found Isilon Systems, a distributed storage company built to solve a problem he witnessed firsthand — enterprise customers spending millions on storage systems that simply couldn't handle media files. Sujal shares how a pair of scissors on his desk became the unlikely symbol that pushed him and co-founder Paul Mikesell to finally take the leap. Sujal recounts the harrowing experience of launching a company at the peak of the dot-com collapse, watching his RealNetworks stock fall from $100 to $8, and still managing to close an $8.4 million Series A as the only such deal in Seattle that year. He walks through Isilon's early growth, landing marquee customers like Kodak by overdelivering on impossible timelines, and the painful but necessary decision to fire both the CEO and CFO of a public company — all while his wife was pregnant with twins — on the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Sujal Patel's bold decision to leave RealNetworks and co-found Isilon Systems, a distributed storage company built to solve a problem he witnessed firsthand — enterprise customers spending millions on storage systems that simply couldn't handle media files. Sujal shares how a pair of scissors on his desk became the unlikely symbol that pushed him and co-founder Paul Mikesell to finally take the leap. Sujal recounts the harrowing experience of launching a company at the peak of the dot-com collapse, watching his RealNetworks stock fall from $100 to $8, and still managing to close an $8.4 million Series A as the only such deal in Seattle that year. He walks through Isilon's early growth, landing marquee customers like Kodak by overdelivering on impossible timelines, and the painful but necessary decision to fire both the CEO and CFO of a public company — all while his wife was pregnant with twins — on the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed. No No 🧬 How Open-Source Programming Teaches Company Building Skills | Sujal Patel (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xn1255y8-how-open-source-programming-teaches-company-building-skills-sujal-patel-part-1-4 🧬 How Open-Source Programming Teaches Company Building Skills | Sujal Patel (Part 1/4) 220 No No 703rnnq1 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel — co-founder and CEO of Nautilus Biotechnology and former founder and CEO of Isilon Systems — takes us back to his upbringing in suburban New Jersey, where his engineer father and an older brother's love of computers set him on a path toward a life in tech. From self-teaching programming on a budget Apple II clone to building operating systems from scratch at the University of Maryland and contributing to the FreeBSD open-source project, Sujal's early career was defined by curiosity and bold moves — none bolder than demanding his boss's job just three months out of college at RealNetworks, a decision that nearly turned out very differently thanks to one unanswered phone call. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“Get out in the world. You wanna go do something yourself. Be entrepreneurial. Go solve problems out in the world.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel — co-founder and CEO of Nautilus Biotechnology and former founder and CEO of Isilon Systems — takes us back to his upbringing in suburban New Jersey, where his engineer father and an older brother's love of computers set him on a path toward a life in tech. From self-teaching programming on a budget Apple II clone to building operating systems from scratch at the University of Maryland and contributing to the FreeBSD open-source project, Sujal's early career was defined by curiosity and bold moves — none bolder than demanding his boss's job just three months out of college at RealNetworks, a decision that nearly turned out very differently thanks to one unanswered phone call.

Key Topics Covered:
  • Roots of an Entrepreneurial Mindset: How growing up as the son of Indian immigrants and the son of an engineer shaped Sujal's drive, work ethic, and ambition
  • The Inflection Point: How his brother's love of computers and a budget-friendly Apple II clone sparked a lifelong passion for programming and technology
  • University of Maryland: Building operating systems and compilers from scratch, contributing to the FreeBSD project, and blending computer science with early entrepreneurship coursework
  • Landing at RealNetworks: How open-source connections led to his first job offer and why a vibrant Seattle beat Silicon Valley for the young graduate
  • Demanding the Corner Office at 22: How Sujal asked for his boss's job three months into his career, negotiated an equity package, and managed a team of 40-year-olds fresh out of college — and how not leaving a voicemail changed the entire course of his life

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sujal Patel at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
How Open Source Contributions Can Launch Your Career: https://opensource.net/freebsd-steady-shifting-open-source-world/
The Dot-Com Boom and the Rise of Streaming Media: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-com_bubble
Proteomics and Single-Molecule Analysis: https://www.nature.com/subjects/proteomics
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

​
Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
04:15 Growing Up as the Son of Indian Immigrants in New Jersey
07:12 How a Brother's Love for Computers Sparked a Lifelong Passion
09:52 Learning to Code: Books, BASIC, and the Franklin Ace 1000
11:26 Choosing University of Maryland for Computer Science
13:54 Early College Life and the Arrival of High-Speed Internet
15:15 Building Operating Systems and Compilers from Scratch
18:05 Contributing to the FreeBSD Project
20:46 Landing the First Job: How FreeBSD Led to RealNetworks
24:10 Early Days at RealNetworks and Moving to Seattle
27:56 Demanding His Boss's Job at Age 22
32:05 Managing 40-Year-Olds Three Months Out of College
34:56 Lessons from Scaling RealNetworks from 100 to 1,000 People
37:40 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2346 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel — co-founder and CEO of Nautilus Biotechnology and former founder and CEO of Isilon Systems — takes us back to his upbringing in suburban New Jersey, where his engineer father and an older brother's love of computers set him on a path toward a life in tech. From self-teaching programming on a budget Apple II clone to building operating systems from scratch at the University of Maryland and contributing to the FreeBSD open-source project, Sujal's early career was defined by curiosity and bold moves — none bolder than demanding his boss's job just three months out of college at RealNetworks, a decision that nearly turned out very differently thanks to one unanswered phone call. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sujal Patel — co-founder and CEO of Nautilus Biotechnology and former founder and CEO of Isilon Systems — takes us back to his upbringing in suburban New Jersey, where his engineer father and an older brother's love of computers set him on a path toward a life in tech. From self-teaching programming on a budget Apple II clone to building operating systems from scratch at the University of Maryland and contributing to the FreeBSD open-source project, Sujal's early career was defined by curiosity and bold moves — none bolder than demanding his boss's job just three months out of college at RealNetworks, a decision that nearly turned out very differently thanks to one unanswered phone call. No No 🧬 Staying Focused During Biotech Funding Ups & Downs | Roy Maute (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85jk9rn-roy-maute-part-4 🧬 Staying Focused During Biotech Funding Ups & Downs | Roy Maute (Part 4/4) 219 No No 81q3rl91 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow Roy Maute’s journey from the Gilead acquisition of Forty Seven Inc. through COVID-era corporate life—where he spent over a year at Gilead without meeting colleagues in person—to co-founding Pheast Therapeutics in 2021, clarifying his passion for early-stage company building. He unpacks how he, Amira Barkal, Irving Weissman, and Ravi Majeti rallied around CD24 as the next macrophage checkpoint target, explains PHST001 and why macrophage checkpoint inhibitors could form a new class of immunotherapy, and reflects on building a lean, 34-person clinical-stage company, navigating a tougher post-COVID fundraising environment, and charting the road ahead as Pheast generates pivotal clinical data. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“This is where the real scientific innovation and the impact meet. So for me, it's the most exciting type of opportunity to have, and I'm not looking anywhere else.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow Roy Maute’s journey from the Gilead acquisition of Forty Seven Inc. through COVID-era corporate life—where he spent over a year at Gilead without meeting colleagues in person—to co-founding Pheast Therapeutics in 2021, clarifying his passion for early-stage company building. He unpacks how he, Amira Barkal, Irving Weissman, and Ravi Majeti rallied around CD24 as the next macrophage checkpoint target, explains PHST001 and why macrophage checkpoint inhibitors could form a new class of immunotherapy, and reflects on building a lean, 34-person clinical-stage company, navigating a tougher post-COVID fundraising environment, and charting the road ahead as Pheast generates pivotal clinical data.

Key topics covered:

  • Getting the Band Back Together: How Roy, Amira Barkal, Irving Weissman, and Ravi Majeti co-founded Pheast Therapeutics around the CD24 macrophage checkpoint target
  • The Science of PHST001: Why macrophage checkpoint inhibitors represent a new class of immunotherapy and how PHST001 addresses the toxicity and potency limitations of prior approaches
  • Navigating the Biotech Funding Cycle: How Pheast stayed lean and capital-efficient through the post-COVID investment downturn and what the fundraising landscape looks like today
  • Building a Clinical-Stage Company: How the Pheast team has evolved from a group of bench scientists to a full clinical-stage organization, including the hiring of a Chief Medical Officer
  • Pipeline Strategy and Partnerships: How Pheast is thinking about external collaborations, early-stage partnerships, and advancing its next-generation pipeline programs alongside its lead asset

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Roy Maute at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
CD24 Macrophage Checkpoint Discovery https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1456-0
Phase I Clinical Trials: Dose Escalation Methods https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2684552/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Gilead Sciences: https://www.gilead.com/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:17 Deciding to Leave Gilead After the Forty Seven Acquisition
05:35 Navigating COVID's Impact on Biotech
06:40 Co-Founding Pheast Therapeutics and Assembling the Team
09:57 The Macrophage Checkpoint Opportunity and PHST001
13:40 Pipeline Strategy and Partnering Philosophy
17:43 Evolving Capital Raising Strategies in a Post-Boom Market
21:25 How Pheast Has Grown and Evolved as a Company
24:13 Building the Right Investor Base
28:05 One to Two Year Outlook for Pheast
32:22 Closing Advice for Founders
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2250 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow Roy Maute’s journey from the Gilead acquisition of Forty Seven Inc. through COVID-era corporate life—where he spent over a year at Gilead without meeting colleagues in person—to co-founding Pheast Therapeutics in 2021, clarifying his passion for early-stage company building. He unpacks how he, Amira Barkal, Irving Weissman, and Ravi Majeti rallied around CD24 as the next macrophage checkpoint target, explains PHST001 and why macrophage checkpoint inhibitors could form a new class of immunotherapy, and reflects on building a lean, 34-person clinical-stage company, navigating a tougher post-COVID fundraising environment, and charting the road ahead as Pheast generates pivotal clinical data. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow Roy Maute’s journey from the Gilead acquisition of Forty Seven Inc. through COVID-era corporate life—where he spent over a year at Gilead without meeting colleagues in person—to co-founding Pheast Therapeutics in 2021, clarifying his passion for early-stage company building. He unpacks how he, Amira Barkal, Irving Weissman, and Ravi Majeti rallied around CD24 as the next macrophage checkpoint target, explains PHST001 and why macrophage checkpoint inhibitors could form a new class of immunotherapy, and reflects on building a lean, 34-person clinical-stage company, navigating a tougher post-COVID fundraising environment, and charting the road ahead as Pheast generates pivotal clinical data. No No 🧬 Trust Over Control: Building Teams Like the Best Scientists | Roy Maute (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/489m1lr8-roy-maute-part-3 🧬 Trust Over Control: Building Teams Like the Best Scientists | Roy Maute (Part 3/4) 218 No No v17rxjp0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Roy Maute's journey from academic scientist to biotech entrepreneur, exploring the founding and acquisition of Ab Initio Biotherapeutics and his subsequent roles at Forty Seven Inc. and Gilead Sciences. Roy reflects on the lasting influence of Irv Weissman's hands-off, trust-driven lab culture at Stanford and how it shaped his philosophy on building teams. Roy shares how he co-founded Ab Initio with colleagues from Chris Garcia's and Brian Kobilka's labs, navigating early-stage challenges like seed funding, a Pfizer collaboration, and managing a lean team of 10. He explains why the company ultimately chose acquisition over raising a major round, and how Ligand Pharmaceuticals' interest in their directed evolution technology brought that chapter to a successful close. Roy also discusses stepping into a biomarker strategy role at Forty Seven Inc., and what it was like to witness the company's $4.9 billion acquisition by Gilead — all as COVID lockdowns began. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If we set goals in the most aggressive realistic way that we can and everyone has visibility into our progress, it's all good—even if we fall a bit short, as long as it's for good reason."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Roy Maute's journey from academic scientist to biotech entrepreneur, exploring the founding and acquisition of Ab Initio Biotherapeutics and his subsequent roles at Forty Seven Inc. and Gilead Sciences. Roy reflects on the lasting influence of Irv Weissman's hands-off, trust-driven lab culture at Stanford and how it shaped his philosophy on building teams.

Roy shares how he co-founded Ab Initio with colleagues from Chris Garcia's and Brian Kobilka's labs, navigating early-stage challenges like seed funding, a Pfizer collaboration, and managing a lean team of 10. He explains why the company ultimately chose acquisition over raising a major round, and how Ligand Pharmaceuticals' interest in their directed evolution technology brought that chapter to a successful close. Roy also discusses stepping into a biomarker strategy role at Forty Seven Inc., and what it was like to witness the company's $4.9 billion acquisition by Gilead — all as COVID lockdowns began.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Leadership Styles: Why Irv Weissman's hands-off management shaped Roy's own vision for building teams
  • Co-Founding Ab Initio: Assembling a founding team, securing seed funding, and running a scrappy 10-person lab
  • Pfizer Collaboration: Balancing startup autonomy with the accountability of a big pharma partnership
  • Acquisition Over Fundraising: Why selling to Ligand Pharmaceuticals was the right exit over raising more capital
  • Forty Seven & Gilead: Joining a rocket ship mid-flight and learning translational science through a $4.9B acquisition

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Roy Maute at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
​Overview of PD‑1 Pathway Blockade and Biomarkers of Response https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-022-01743-4
Clinical Study of Magrolimab in Solid Tumors (example of ongoing CD47 checkpoint work)
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
​Ligand Pharmaceuticals: https://www.ligand.com
Gilead Sciences: https://www.gilead.com

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:19 Key Lessons from Irv Weissman's Postdoc Lab
06:58 Co-Founding Ab Initio Biotherapeutics: Technology and Early Days
14:25 Ab Initio: From Founding to Acquisition in Four and a Half Years
14:44 What Makes an Effective Big Pharma Collaboration
16:41 Setting Aggressive Goals vs. Sandbagging
17:59 Navigating the Acquisition Process: "Watch One, Do One, Teach One"
20:58 Joining Forty Seven Inc. and Leading CD47 Biomarker Strategy
25:48 Inside the $4.9B Gilead Acquisition of Forty Seven
28:02 What Big Pharma Does Well — and Where Startups Have the Edge
31:09 Startups vs. Large Organizations: Capturing the Best of Both Worlds
33:28 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2088 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Roy Maute's journey from academic scientist to biotech entrepreneur, exploring the founding and acquisition of Ab Initio Biotherapeutics and his subsequent roles at Forty Seven Inc. and Gilead Sciences. Roy reflects on the lasting influence of Irv Weissman's hands-off, trust-driven lab culture at Stanford and how it shaped his philosophy on building teams. Roy shares how he co-founded Ab Initio with colleagues from Chris Garcia's and Brian Kobilka's labs, navigating early-stage challenges like seed funding, a Pfizer collaboration, and managing a lean team of 10. He explains why the company ultimately chose acquisition over raising a major round, and how Ligand Pharmaceuticals' interest in their directed evolution technology brought that chapter to a successful close. Roy also discusses stepping into a biomarker strategy role at Forty Seven Inc., and what it was like to witness the company's $4.9 billion acquisition by Gilead — all as COVID lockdowns began. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into Roy Maute's journey from academic scientist to biotech entrepreneur, exploring the founding and acquisition of Ab Initio Biotherapeutics and his subsequent roles at Forty Seven Inc. and Gilead Sciences. Roy reflects on the lasting influence of Irv Weissman's hands-off, trust-driven lab culture at Stanford and how it shaped his philosophy on building teams. Roy shares how he co-founded Ab Initio with colleagues from Chris Garcia's and Brian Kobilka's labs, navigating early-stage challenges like seed funding, a Pfizer collaboration, and managing a lean team of 10. He explains why the company ultimately chose acquisition over raising a major round, and how Ligand Pharmaceuticals' interest in their directed evolution technology brought that chapter to a successful close. Roy also discusses stepping into a biomarker strategy role at Forty Seven Inc., and what it was like to witness the company's $4.9 billion acquisition by Gilead — all as COVID lockdowns began. No No 🧬 Why Comfort Is the Enemy of Scientific Growth | Roy Maute (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8125q0n-roy-maute-part-2 🧬 Why Comfort Is the Enemy of Scientific Growth | Roy Maute (Part 2/4) 217 No No 713rn620 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, Roy Maute’s graduate school journey in Riccardo Dalla-Favera’s demanding Columbia lab, where he dives into genetic rearrangements in B-cell lymphoma and chooses intensity over comfort to accelerate his growth alongside clinician-scientists. He shares how brutal weekly Friday lab meetings, where imperfect work was publicly dissected, built his resilience and rigor, and what it was like to live through the shift from Sanger to high-throughput sequencing that reshaped cancer research. Roy also reflects on why he never wanted to become a professor and how a mentor’s advice led him to Irving Weissman’s famously hands-off Stanford lab—a stark contrast to his PhD environment, but equally formative for his scientific career. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I think comfort with failure, or at least exposure to it, is really important and is just an everyday part of laboratory work. I think that serves you tremendously well outside of the lab."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, Roy Maute’s graduate school journey in Riccardo Dalla-Favera’s demanding Columbia lab, where he dives into genetic rearrangements in B-cell lymphoma and chooses intensity over comfort to accelerate his growth alongside clinician-scientists. He shares how brutal weekly Friday lab meetings, where imperfect work was publicly dissected, built his resilience and rigor, and what it was like to live through the shift from Sanger to high-throughput sequencing that reshaped cancer research. Roy also reflects on why he never wanted to become a professor and how a mentor’s advice led him to Irving Weissman’s famously hands-off Stanford lab—a stark contrast to his PhD environment, but equally formative for his scientific career.

Key topics covered:
  • The Power of Mentorship: Choosing demanding training over comfortable environments for maximum growth
  • Embracing Failure: Weekly presentations of imperfect work building resilience and faster iteration
  • Technological Revolution: Living through the Sanger-to-NGS transition that transformed cancer research
  • Stanford vs. Berkeley Culture: Industry-friendly attitudes and translation focus at Stanford's stem cell institute
  • Early Company Formation: Co-founding Ab Initio Biotherapeutics as a junior postdoc with structural biology collaborators

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Roy Maute at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
B-cell Lymphoma Genetic Rearrangements: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41408-024-01146-z
CD47 Macrophage Immunotherapy for Cancer: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12573215/
Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapeutic Targeting: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9256444/
High-Throughput DNA Sequencing Technology: 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu
University of California, Berkeley: https://berkeley.edu


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:36 Choosing Cancer Research and Academic vs. Industry Paths
05:34 Finding the Right Lab Fit and Demanding Training Environments
06:18 Key Scientific Lessons: Genetics, DNA, and Cancer Biology
11:02 Comfort with Failure and Scientific Training Value
14:32 Storytelling and Communicating Science to Non-Scientists
16:07 Pursuing Postdoc Training and Working with Irv Weissman
22:09 Berkeley vs. Stanford: Academic Culture and Collaboration
24:23 Stanford's Translation-Focused Approach and Industry Engagement
26:58 Co-founding Ab Initio Biotherapeutics During Postdoc
29:14 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1868 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, Roy Maute’s graduate school journey in Riccardo Dalla-Favera’s demanding Columbia lab, where he dives into genetic rearrangements in B-cell lymphoma and chooses intensity over comfort to accelerate his growth alongside clinician-scientists. He shares how brutal weekly Friday lab meetings, where imperfect work was publicly dissected, built his resilience and rigor, and what it was like to live through the shift from Sanger to high-throughput sequencing that reshaped cancer research. Roy also reflects on why he never wanted to become a professor and how a mentor’s advice led him to Irving Weissman’s famously hands-off Stanford lab—a stark contrast to his PhD environment, but equally formative for his scientific career. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we follow CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, Roy Maute’s graduate school journey in Riccardo Dalla-Favera’s demanding Columbia lab, where he dives into genetic rearrangements in B-cell lymphoma and chooses intensity over comfort to accelerate his growth alongside clinician-scientists. He shares how brutal weekly Friday lab meetings, where imperfect work was publicly dissected, built his resilience and rigor, and what it was like to live through the shift from Sanger to high-throughput sequencing that reshaped cancer research. Roy also reflects on why he never wanted to become a professor and how a mentor’s advice led him to Irving Weissman’s famously hands-off Stanford lab—a stark contrast to his PhD environment, but equally formative for his scientific career. No No 🧬 “Get the Info, Take the Shot”: The DIY Mindset Behind Success | Roy Maute (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833wxx8-roy-maute-part-1 🧬 “Get the Info, Take the Shot”: The DIY Mindset Behind Success | Roy Maute (Part 1/4) 216 No No m0jpm990 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Roy Maute's foundational years—from a curious kid in Dallas, Texas, to an aspiring scientist at UC Berkeley. Roy, CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, takes us back to his childhood home where an architect father and artist mother fostered a DIY ethos through weekend home renovations and creative projects that taught him no task was off-limits. He shares how Golden Age science fiction novels from his grandfather and Jurassic Park sparked his fascination with genetic engineering, his transition from a small Dallas magnet school to Berkeley's "sink or swim" environment, and the serendipitous dorm-mate connection that landed him his first lab position mixing salt solutions and caring for mice. Roy reflects on the patient mentorship, California's natural beauty, and early glimpses of Silicon Valley's startup culture that shaped his path before heading to Columbia University for the rigorous training that would define his scientific career. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“There is no task around you that's off-limits—just get the information, get the supplies, and give it a shot.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Roy Maute's foundational years—from a curious kid in Dallas, Texas, to an aspiring scientist at UC Berkeley. Roy, CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, takes us back to his childhood home where an architect father and artist mother fostered a DIY ethos through weekend home renovations and creative projects that taught him no task was off-limits. He shares how Golden Age science fiction novels from his grandfather and Jurassic Park sparked his fascination with genetic engineering, his transition from a small Dallas magnet school to Berkeley's "sink or swim" environment, and the serendipitous dorm-mate connection that landed him his first lab position mixing salt solutions and caring for mice. Roy reflects on the patient mentorship, California's natural beauty, and early glimpses of Silicon Valley's startup culture that shaped his path before heading to Columbia University for the rigorous training that would define his scientific career.

Key topics covered:
  • Childhood Influences: Growing up with creative parents who emphasized DIY projects, from home renovations to laboratory curiosity
  • Science Fiction as Inspiration: How Isaac Asimov novels and Jurassic Park introduced genetic engineering as a world-building tool
  • Berkeley's Sink or Swim Culture: Navigating the transition from a small Dallas magnet school to thousands of undergrads at UC Berkeley
  • Landing the First Lab Position: The serendipitous dorm connection that led to grunt work in a neurological development lab and foundational scientific training
  • Falling for California: Discovering the Bay Area's natural beauty, international culture, food scene, and nascent startup ecosystem

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Roy Maute at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Neurological Development Research in Mice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC509294/
Random Mutagenesis Genetic Screening Techniques: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.18.495938.full
Berkeley's Academic Culture and Research Opportunities:https://www.berkeley.edu/research/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
00:03:54 Growing Up in Dallas: Curiosity, Chaos, and Sci-Fi
00:06:33 Hands-On Learning: From DIY Renovations to Lab Work
00:10:53 Targeting a Science Career at UC Berkeley
00:13:13 Landing a First Lab Role Through Serendipity
00:17:36 The Importance of Mentorship and "Grunt Work"
00:19:53 The Decision to Pursue Graduate School
00:21:43 Falling for the Bay Area's Innovation and Nature
00:24:23 Choosing Columbia University and Moving to NYC
00:27:31 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1761 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Roy Maute's foundational years—from a curious kid in Dallas, Texas, to an aspiring scientist at UC Berkeley. Roy, CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, takes us back to his childhood home where an architect father and artist mother fostered a DIY ethos through weekend home renovations and creative projects that taught him no task was off-limits. He shares how Golden Age science fiction novels from his grandfather and Jurassic Park sparked his fascination with genetic engineering, his transition from a small Dallas magnet school to Berkeley's "sink or swim" environment, and the serendipitous dorm-mate connection that landed him his first lab position mixing salt solutions and caring for mice. Roy reflects on the patient mentorship, California's natural beauty, and early glimpses of Silicon Valley's startup culture that shaped his path before heading to Columbia University for the rigorous training that would define his scientific career. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Roy Maute's foundational years—from a curious kid in Dallas, Texas, to an aspiring scientist at UC Berkeley. Roy, CEO and co-founder of Pheast Therapeutics, takes us back to his childhood home where an architect father and artist mother fostered a DIY ethos through weekend home renovations and creative projects that taught him no task was off-limits. He shares how Golden Age science fiction novels from his grandfather and Jurassic Park sparked his fascination with genetic engineering, his transition from a small Dallas magnet school to Berkeley's "sink or swim" environment, and the serendipitous dorm-mate connection that landed him his first lab position mixing salt solutions and caring for mice. Roy reflects on the patient mentorship, California's natural beauty, and early glimpses of Silicon Valley's startup culture that shaped his path before heading to Columbia University for the rigorous training that would define his scientific career. No No 🧬 How Curiosity Creates Breakthroughs in AI, Data & Biotech | Caleb Appleton (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8125yvn-caleb-appleton-part-4 🧬 How Curiosity Creates Breakthroughs in AI, Data & Biotech | Caleb Appleton (Part 4/4) 215 No No 713rnq40 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton shares how Bison Ventures is rethinking biotech investing through “TechBio,” backing revenue-generating platforms that validate product-market fit like software rather than relying solely on therapeutic risk. He lays out a practical framework for data platform founders—when to sell their technology versus build drugs—using examples like Eikon Therapeutics’ in-house super-resolution microscopy and Vivodyne’s ambition to become the “AWS of biology.” Caleb also reflects on how leading a turnaround at TuneIn made him more empathetic to founders and explains why, amid exuberance in physical world AI and tougher biotech markets, teams must identify their superpower and double down on it instead of trying to be everything at once. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"When you allow curiosity to lead the way, it might take longer, it might be circuitous, it might not always be clear, but what will be true is you're enjoying the thing that you're doing along the way."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton shares how Bison Ventures is rethinking biotech investing through “TechBio,” backing revenue-generating platforms that validate product-market fit like software rather than relying solely on therapeutic risk. He lays out a practical framework for data platform founders—when to sell their technology versus build drugs—using examples like Eikon Therapeutics’ in-house super-resolution microscopy and Vivodyne’s ambition to become the “AWS of biology.” Caleb also reflects on how leading a turnaround at TuneIn made him more empathetic to founders and explains why, amid exuberance in physical world AI and tougher biotech markets, teams must identify their superpower and double down on it instead of trying to be everything at once.

Key topics covered:

  • Revenue-Generating Biotech: Why companies that create 10x deeper or cheaper data should focus on product-market fit through sales rather than purely therapeutic risk
  • Data Platforms Framework: How to decide whether to sell technology as an enabling tool or use it exclusively for drug discovery
  • Market Dynamics: Navigating the contrast between robotics/AI exuberance and challenging biotech fundraising conditions
  • Team DNA and Superpowers: Why founders must lean into their core strengths—technology building vs. drug development—rather than trying to do both
  • Bison's Investment Approach: Focusing on frontier tech across TechBio, Climate & Sustainability, and AI in the Physical World with $5M average checks from pre-seed through Series B

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Caleb Appleton at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
The Case for Revenue-Focused Platforms in Life Sciences: 
Deep Tech and Frontier Tech Venture Capital:
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

​
Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:20 Bison Ventures' Mission and Investment Focus
04:57 Current State of TechBio vs. AI Markets
08:44 The Case for Revenue-Generating Biotech
11:23 Data Platforms: When to Sell Tech vs. Build Drugs
14:11 Vivodyne: Becoming the AWS of Biology
17:17 Revenue Solves All Known Problems
21:35 Building Bison's Culture and Team
25:50 Looking Ahead: AI Co-pilots for Technical Users
31:46 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Follow Your Curiosities
35:12 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2271 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton shares how Bison Ventures is rethinking biotech investing through “TechBio,” backing revenue-generating platforms that validate product-market fit like software rather than relying solely on therapeutic risk. He lays out a practical framework for data platform founders—when to sell their technology versus build drugs—using examples like Eikon Therapeutics’ in-house super-resolution microscopy and Vivodyne’s ambition to become the “AWS of biology.” Caleb also reflects on how leading a turnaround at TuneIn made him more empathetic to founders and explains why, amid exuberance in physical world AI and tougher biotech markets, teams must identify their superpower and double down on it instead of trying to be everything at once. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton shares how Bison Ventures is rethinking biotech investing through “TechBio,” backing revenue-generating platforms that validate product-market fit like software rather than relying solely on therapeutic risk. He lays out a practical framework for data platform founders—when to sell their technology versus build drugs—using examples like Eikon Therapeutics’ in-house super-resolution microscopy and Vivodyne’s ambition to become the “AWS of biology.” Caleb also reflects on how leading a turnaround at TuneIn made him more empathetic to founders and explains why, amid exuberance in physical world AI and tougher biotech markets, teams must identify their superpower and double down on it instead of trying to be everything at once. No No 🧬 From VC to Operator: The Career Move Nobody Recommended | Caleb Appleton (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8klwk0n-caleb-appleton-part-3 🧬 From VC to Operator: The Career Move Nobody Recommended | Caleb Appleton (Part 3/4) 214 No No 71wj4zp0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's journey from venture capital to operations and back again. Caleb shares his experience joining Innovation Endeavors during its spinout from Eric Schmidt's family office, where minimal structure forced him to rapidly master sourcing, diligence, and thesis-building—including a cold email that landed a multibillion-dollar investment in Eikon Therapeutics. Grappling with whether he could truly operate rather than just advise, Caleb left venture in 2020 to join TuneIn during a pandemic crisis, managing a $50 million turnaround after canceled sports leagues devastated subscriptions. He repositioned the company away from unsustainable NFL deals toward ad-supported radio and premium news content, achieving profitability while learning the immediate feedback loops and difficult pivots that operating demands. These hard-won lessons in execution and empathy for founders ultimately led him back to venture, joining Bison Ventures in 2023 as a more complete investor. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you're making a good decision, it will usually feel liberating; if you're making a bad decision, it will usually feel constraining."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's journey from venture capital to operations and back again. Caleb shares his experience joining Innovation Endeavors during its spinout from Eric Schmidt's family office, where minimal structure forced him to rapidly master sourcing, diligence, and thesis-building—including a cold email that landed a multibillion-dollar investment in Eikon Therapeutics. Grappling with whether he could truly operate rather than just advise, Caleb left venture in 2020 to join TuneIn during a pandemic crisis, managing a $50 million turnaround after canceled sports leagues devastated subscriptions. He repositioned the company away from unsustainable NFL deals toward ad-supported radio and premium news content, achieving profitability while learning the immediate feedback loops and difficult pivots that operating demands. These hard-won lessons in execution and empathy for founders ultimately led him back to venture, joining Bison Ventures in 2023 as a more complete investor.

Key topics covered:

  • Innovation Endeavors Spinout: Joining during the transition from Eric Schmidt's family office and thriving without structured investment processes
  • Operator vs. Advisor Identity: Wrestling with self-doubt about execution ability and deciding to leave venture for operational experience
  • TuneIn Pandemic Turnaround: Managing a $50M business crisis when COVID-19 canceled sports leagues that drove subscriptions
  • Strategic Repositioning: Eliminating unsustainable NFL deals and doubling down on ad-supported radio and premium news content for profitability
  • Return to Venture Capital: Joining Bison Ventures with newfound operator empathy and understanding of execution challenges

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Caleb Appleton at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Innovation Endeavors and the Super Evolution Thesis: https://www.innovationendeavors.com/about
Venture Capital Careers: Work, Salary, and Exit Opportunities: https://mergersandinquisitions.com/venture-capital-careers/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bain & Company: https://www.bain.com
Eikon Therapeutics: https://www.eikontherapeutics.com 
Bison Ventures: https://www.bison.vc 
Sequoia Capital: https://www.sequoiacap.com 


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:06 Joining Innovation Endeavors and early venture lessons
05:29 Navigating a fund spinout and defining the "Super Evolution" thesis
07:10 Baptism by fire: scope, imposter syndrome, and advice for getting into venture
10:11 First investments: Vicarious Surgical and a cold email into Eikon Therapeutics
10:43 Leaving venture to test himself as an operator and applying to Stanford GSB in 2020
13:01 Walking away at the term sheet stage from his own startup idea
15:50 Understanding TuneIn's business model and the impact of canceled sports
20:15 Rethinking strategy: from "NFL cocaine" to sustainable, news‑driven subscriptions
25:09 Hard pivots, breaking inertia, and identity attachment in entrepreneurship
27:23 Returning to venture and joining Bison Ventures
29:48 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1876 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's journey from venture capital to operations and back again. Caleb shares his experience joining Innovation Endeavors during its spinout from Eric Schmidt's family office, where minimal structure forced him to rapidly master sourcing, diligence, and thesis-building—including a cold email that landed a multibillion-dollar investment in Eikon Therapeutics. Grappling with whether he could truly operate rather than just advise, Caleb left venture in 2020 to join TuneIn during a pandemic crisis, managing a $50 million turnaround after canceled sports leagues devastated subscriptions. He repositioned the company away from unsustainable NFL deals toward ad-supported radio and premium news content, achieving profitability while learning the immediate feedback loops and difficult pivots that operating demands. These hard-won lessons in execution and empathy for founders ultimately led him back to venture, joining Bison Ventures in 2023 as a more complete investor. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's journey from venture capital to operations and back again. Caleb shares his experience joining Innovation Endeavors during its spinout from Eric Schmidt's family office, where minimal structure forced him to rapidly master sourcing, diligence, and thesis-building—including a cold email that landed a multibillion-dollar investment in Eikon Therapeutics. Grappling with whether he could truly operate rather than just advise, Caleb left venture in 2020 to join TuneIn during a pandemic crisis, managing a $50 million turnaround after canceled sports leagues devastated subscriptions. He repositioned the company away from unsustainable NFL deals toward ad-supported radio and premium news content, achieving profitability while learning the immediate feedback loops and difficult pivots that operating demands. These hard-won lessons in execution and empathy for founders ultimately led him back to venture, joining Bison Ventures in 2023 as a more complete investor. No No 🧬 People Over Place: A Lesson in Career Success | Caleb Appleton (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rn74m948-caleb-appleton-part-2 🧬 People Over Place: A Lesson in Career Success | Caleb Appleton (Part 2/4) 213 No No k18yw4y0 "People outweigh challenging environments. A great environment cannot outweigh challenging people." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton returns for Part Two to share how early research experiences in nanotechnology, genome editing, and concussion biomechanics pushed him to question whether engineering could solve problems with poorly defined constraints, ultimately steering him away from academia and toward management consulting. After a transformative summer in Portland sparked his commitment to prioritize lifestyle and location, Caleb landed at Bain by cramming Case in Point in seven days, where he learned to parachute into ambiguous Fortune 500 business problems and rapidly structure high-stakes analyses—skills that now underpin his venture capital work. He reflects on the crucial role of mentors and teammates who reinforced his conviction that people matter more than any opportunity, and recounts the unexpected ten-day whirlwind that pulled him from a clear promotion path in Atlanta to join Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors in San Francisco, embracing serendipity despite tripled rent and an uncertain future. "People outweigh challenging environments. A great environment cannot outweigh challenging people."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton returns for Part Two to share how early research experiences in nanotechnology, genome editing, and concussion biomechanics pushed him to question whether engineering could solve problems with poorly defined constraints, ultimately steering him away from academia and toward management consulting. 

After a transformative summer in Portland sparked his commitment to prioritize lifestyle and location, Caleb landed at Bain by cramming Case in Point in seven days, where he learned to parachute into ambiguous Fortune 500 business problems and rapidly structure high-stakes analyses—skills that now underpin his venture capital work. He reflects on the crucial role of mentors and teammates who reinforced his conviction that people matter more than any opportunity, and recounts the unexpected ten-day whirlwind that pulled him from a clear promotion path in Atlanta to join Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors in San Francisco, embracing serendipity despite tripled rent and an uncertain future.

Key topics covered:

  • Rethinking academia: How hands-on experiences in biology, biomechanics, and concussion research led Caleb to question a PhD-focused career path.
  • Constraint-driven problem solving: Why poorly defined scientific problems made him rethink engineering as a route to impact.
  • Discovering consulting and Bain: From last-minute case-interview prep to thriving in a high-caliber, high-expectation environment.
  • The power of people and mentorship: How managers, peers, and long-term relationships shaped his growth and decision-making.
  • Jumping into venture capital: Leaving a secure promotion at Bain to join Innovation Endeavors in San Francisco and embrace career serendipity.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Caleb Appleton at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Case in Point by Marc Cosentino: 
Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson: 
​CRISPR Genome Editing Basics: 
​Understanding Venture Capital Funding: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/venturecapital.asp

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bain & Company: https://www.bain.com
Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology): https://www.gatech.edu
​
​
Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:07 Rethinking the PhD Path Through Undergraduate Research
04:19 Early Machine Learning Project on Horse MRIs
06:25 Summer in Portland Working on Concussion-Reducing Bike Helmets
10:05 Realizing Academic Research Wasn't the Right Long-Term Path
11:51 Falling in Love with the Pacific Northwest and Location Flexibility
13:39 Learning About Consulting and Landing at Bain
17:21 What It's Like Working at Bain as a Junior Consultant
20:29 Mentors and Relationships from Consulting
23:22 The Unexpected Move to Venture Capital
26:30 Making the Big Decision to Move to San Francisco
28:59 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1822 "People outweigh challenging environments. A great environment cannot outweigh challenging people." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton returns for Part Two to share how early research experiences in nanotechnology, genome editing, and concussion biomechanics pushed him to question whether engineering could solve problems with poorly defined constraints, ultimately steering him away from academia and toward management consulting. After a transformative summer in Portland sparked his commitment to prioritize lifestyle and location, Caleb landed at Bain by cramming Case in Point in seven days, where he learned to parachute into ambiguous Fortune 500 business problems and rapidly structure high-stakes analyses—skills that now underpin his venture capital work. He reflects on the crucial role of mentors and teammates who reinforced his conviction that people matter more than any opportunity, and recounts the unexpected ten-day whirlwind that pulled him from a clear promotion path in Atlanta to join Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors in San Francisco, embracing serendipity despite tripled rent and an uncertain future. "People outweigh challenging environments. A great environment cannot outweigh challenging people." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton returns for Part Two to share how early research experiences in nanotechnology, genome editing, and concussion biomechanics pushed him to question whether engineering could solve problems with poorly defined constraints, ultimately steering him away from academia and toward management consulting. After a transformative summer in Portland sparked his commitment to prioritize lifestyle and location, Caleb landed at Bain by cramming Case in Point in seven days, where he learned to parachute into ambiguous Fortune 500 business problems and rapidly structure high-stakes analyses—skills that now underpin his venture capital work. He reflects on the crucial role of mentors and teammates who reinforced his conviction that people matter more than any opportunity, and recounts the unexpected ten-day whirlwind that pulled him from a clear promotion path in Atlanta to join Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors in San Francisco, embracing serendipity despite tripled rent and an uncertain future. No No 🧬 The Serendipity Mindset: Unlocking Career Opportunities | Caleb Appleton (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68r73zzn-caleb-appleton-part-1 🧬 The Serendipity Mindset: Unlocking Career Opportunities | Caleb Appleton (Part 1/4) 212 No No 805rx441 "You have to learn to embrace serendipity. You can't plan everything out because it will never go to plan." ​In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's formative years growing up in College Station, Texas, where being surrounded by Texas A&M University shaped his worldview and exalted academia as the ultimate career path. Now a Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb takes us through his journey to Georgia Tech, where he dove into biomedical engineering and landed an extraordinary undergraduate research opportunity working with CRISPR technology in its earliest days, collaborating with pioneers like Feng Zhang when the field was just emerging. Through hands-on lab work—pipetting, troubleshooting Western blots, and contributing to published research—Caleb began questioning whether a PhD was truly his path forward. The episode explores pivotal lessons about embracing serendipity, how a neighbor's connection unlocked a transformative research experience, and why growing up without exposure to business and industry careers ultimately shaped his unconventional journey into venture capital. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You have to learn to embrace serendipity. You can't plan everything out because it will never go to plan."

​In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's formative years growing up in College Station, Texas, where being surrounded by Texas A&M University shaped his worldview and exalted academia as the ultimate career path. Now a Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb takes us through his journey to Georgia Tech, where he dove into biomedical engineering and landed an extraordinary undergraduate research opportunity working with CRISPR technology in its earliest days, collaborating with pioneers like Feng Zhang when the field was just emerging.

Through hands-on lab work—pipetting, troubleshooting Western blots, and contributing to published research—Caleb began questioning whether a PhD was truly his path forward. The episode explores pivotal lessons about embracing serendipity, how a neighbor's connection unlocked a transformative research experience, and why growing up without exposure to business and industry careers ultimately shaped his unconventional journey into venture capital.

Key topics covered:

  • Growing Up in a University Town: How Texas A&M shaped Caleb's worldview and reverence for academic careers
  • Choosing Georgia Tech: Selecting a biomedical engineering program based on rankings and campus culture
  • Early CRISPR Research: Working with cutting-edge gene editing technology as an undergraduate from 2011-2015
  • The Reality of Lab Work: From cell culture maintenance to troubleshooting experiments and contributing to publications
  • Embracing Serendipity: How chance connections and willingness to ask for help create transformative opportunities

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Caleb Appleton at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Gene Therapy Basics (overview of approaches including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR)
Genes and Gene Therapy (patient-friendly explainer)
​Gene Therapy: A Biopharmaceutical Basics Overview
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Texas A&M University: https://www.tamu.edu/
Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology): https://gatech.edu/
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): https://www.mit.edu/
Johns Hopkins University: https://www.jhu.edu/
Rice University: https://www.rice.edu/

​
Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
04:27 Growing Up in College Station, Texas
05:19 Impact of Texas A&M and University Town Culture
08:09 Education as the Ultimate Career Path
12:39 Choosing Georgia Tech Over Johns Hopkins
17:07 First Research Experience and Getting into CRISPR Early
21:06 Embracing Serendipity in Career and Life
23:38 Day-to-Day Lab Experience and Undergraduate Research
26:59 Working on CRISPR Delivery Challenges
28:02 Leadership Styles and Getting Published as an Undergrad
28:55 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1818 "You have to learn to embrace serendipity. You can't plan everything out because it will never go to plan." ​In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's formative years growing up in College Station, Texas, where being surrounded by Texas A&M University shaped his worldview and exalted academia as the ultimate career path. Now a Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb takes us through his journey to Georgia Tech, where he dove into biomedical engineering and landed an extraordinary undergraduate research opportunity working with CRISPR technology in its earliest days, collaborating with pioneers like Feng Zhang when the field was just emerging. Through hands-on lab work—pipetting, troubleshooting Western blots, and contributing to published research—Caleb began questioning whether a PhD was truly his path forward. The episode explores pivotal lessons about embracing serendipity, how a neighbor's connection unlocked a transformative research experience, and why growing up without exposure to business and industry careers ultimately shaped his unconventional journey into venture capital. "You have to learn to embrace serendipity. You can't plan everything out because it will never go to plan." ​In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb Appleton's formative years growing up in College Station, Texas, where being surrounded by Texas A&M University shaped his worldview and exalted academia as the ultimate career path. Now a Partner at Bison Ventures, Caleb takes us through his journey to Georgia Tech, where he dove into biomedical engineering and landed an extraordinary undergraduate research opportunity working with CRISPR technology in its earliest days, collaborating with pioneers like Feng Zhang when the field was just emerging. Through hands-on lab work—pipetting, troubleshooting Western blots, and contributing to published research—Caleb began questioning whether a PhD was truly his path forward. The episode explores pivotal lessons about embracing serendipity, how a neighbor's connection unlocked a transformative research experience, and why growing up without exposure to business and industry careers ultimately shaped his unconventional journey into venture capital. No No 🧬 Big Pharma to Startup: Chasing a Patient‑Centric Future | Judy Chou (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2n6q9v48-judy-chou-part-4 🧬 Big Pharma to Startup: Chasing a Patient‑Centric Future | Judy Chou (Part 4/4) 211 No No j02rn3z0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares how she walked away from leading global biotech operations at Bayer to take a risky first‑time CEO role at AltruBio, transforming a struggling predecessor company—alongside a “Genentech mafia” of former colleagues—into a lean, patient‑centric startup built around a novel PSGL‑1 immune checkpoint mechanism aimed at restoring immune balance and breaking the remission ceiling in ulcerative colitis, all while navigating near‑bankruptcy, a 30‑day fundraising sprint that led to a record $225M Series B, launching a translational lab in Taipei, and drawing on formative experiences at Yale and MIT as a young mother and mentee to shape her gritty, values‑driven leadership philosophy. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“I would say find your passion and stick to it. Don’t define your path by preset steps—just keep aligning your choices with that passion, and in the end you’ll have a story you feel good about and proud of.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares how she walked away from leading global biotech operations at Bayer to take a risky first‑time CEO role at AltruBio, transforming a struggling predecessor company—alongside a “Genentech mafia” of former colleagues—into a lean, patient‑centric startup built around a novel PSGL‑1 immune checkpoint mechanism aimed at restoring immune balance and breaking the remission ceiling in ulcerative colitis, all while navigating near‑bankruptcy, a 30‑day fundraising sprint that led to a record $225M Series B, launching a translational lab in Taipei, and drawing on formative experiences at Yale and MIT as a young mother and mentee to shape her gritty, values‑driven leadership philosophy.

​Key topics covered:

  • Leaving Bayer: Why Judy walked away from a major promotion and historic leadership role to pursue work that felt truly aligned with her values.
  • Founding AltruBio: How former Genentech executives recruited her to evaluate a failing pipeline, identify PSGL‑1, and build a “Genentech mafia” nucleus for the company.
  • PSGL‑1 & immune balance: What makes PSGL‑1 a unique immune checkpoint regulator, how AltruBio’s mechanism differs from anti‑TNF, and why restoring immune homeostasis matters in UC and beyond.
  • From near‑bankruptcy to $225M Series B: The 30‑day fundraising sprint that saved the company, and the strategy, execution, and grit behind closing one of the largest Series B rounds in biotech.
  • Patient‑centric, lean biotech: Designing more convenient second‑generation molecules, building a lean but senior team, and using translational research in Taipei to own the PSGL‑1 space and expand into multiple indications.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Judy Chou at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Anti‑TNF Therapy in Autoimmune Disease (overview of mechanism and clinical use of drugs like Humira): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002580/
Humira (adalimumab) prescribing information and indications in inflammatory bowel disease: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/125057s410lbl.pdf
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment and Remission Rates (current standards of care and outcomes): Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology | ACG
Explainer on Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs): https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizations 
Contract Research Organizations (CROs): https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
​

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:18 Origin of AltruBio and Leaving Bayer
05:32 Identifying PSGL-1 as a Novel Target Beyond Humira
09:05 AltruBio's Mission: Patient-Centric Drug Development
13:48 PSGL-1 as an Immune Checkpoint Regulator
19:33 Building a Lean Medivation-Style Organization
23:35 Fundraising Philosophy and Record-Breaking Series B
27:45 Near Bankruptcy and 30-Day Turnaround
32:17 Looking Ahead: UC Data and Pipeline Expansion
35:47 Shoutouts
40:45 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:08:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3013 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares how she walked away from leading global biotech operations at Bayer to take a risky first‑time CEO role at AltruBio, transforming a struggling predecessor company—alongside a “Genentech mafia” of former colleagues—into a lean, patient‑centric startup built around a novel PSGL‑1 immune checkpoint mechanism aimed at restoring immune balance and breaking the remission ceiling in ulcerative colitis, all while navigating near‑bankruptcy, a 30‑day fundraising sprint that led to a record $225M Series B, launching a translational lab in Taipei, and drawing on formative experiences at Yale and MIT as a young mother and mentee to shape her gritty, values‑driven leadership philosophy. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares how she walked away from leading global biotech operations at Bayer to take a risky first‑time CEO role at AltruBio, transforming a struggling predecessor company—alongside a “Genentech mafia” of former colleagues—into a lean, patient‑centric startup built around a novel PSGL‑1 immune checkpoint mechanism aimed at restoring immune balance and breaking the remission ceiling in ulcerative colitis, all while navigating near‑bankruptcy, a 30‑day fundraising sprint that led to a record $225M Series B, launching a translational lab in Taipei, and drawing on formative experiences at Yale and MIT as a young mother and mentee to shape her gritty, values‑driven leadership philosophy. No No 🧬 Biosimilars, FDA Risk-Taking & Billion-Dollar Deals | Judy Chou (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vlmjq8-biosimilars-fda-risk-taking-billion-dollar-deals-judy-chou-part-3-4 🧬 Biosimilars, FDA Risk-Taking & Billion-Dollar Deals | Judy Chou (Part 3/4) 210 No No 70ypm271 “If you want to make money, really follow your passion rather than follow the money, because the money later on will come.” ​ In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares her journey as employee number one at Tanvex, walking into an empty 50,000 square foot facility and building a biosimilar company from scratch after a close friend’s death from metastatic lung cancer reshaped her understanding of drug access and affordability. She recounts an extraordinary FDA meeting where, as the sole company representative, she fielded questions from 32 regulators and ultimately convinced them to waive all preclinical animal studies, then later took on unexpected responsibility for building three manufacturing suites when multiple VPs were fired. The conversation also follows her move to Medivation, where she scaled technical operations from two people to a global network of over 50 CDMOs and CROs, culminating in a high-stakes bidding war among five pharma giants that ended with Pfizer acquiring Medivation for $14.3 billion, up from a $9 billion market cap just three months earlier. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“If you want to make money, really follow your passion rather than follow the money, because the money later on will come.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares her journey as employee number one at Tanvex, walking into an empty 50,000 square foot facility and building a biosimilar company from scratch after a close friend’s death from metastatic lung cancer reshaped her understanding of drug access and affordability. She recounts an extraordinary FDA meeting where, as the sole company representative, she fielded questions from 32 regulators and ultimately convinced them to waive all preclinical animal studies, then later took on unexpected responsibility for building three manufacturing suites when multiple VPs were fired. The conversation also follows her move to Medivation, where she scaled technical operations from two people to a global network of over 50 CDMOs and CROs, culminating in a high-stakes bidding war among five pharma giants that ended with Pfizer acquiring Medivation for $14.3 billion, up from a $9 billion market cap just three months earlier.

Key topics covered:

  • Biosimilars and Access: Why Judy shifted from pure innovation to biosimilars to expand patient access and why availability is as critical as invention.
  • From Empty Building to Phase 3: How she built a biosimilar company from scratch, advanced two products into Phase 3 in four years, and navigated a pivotal FDA meeting with 32 reviewers.
  • End-to-End Biotech Leadership: Lessons from overseeing R&D, manufacturing build-outs, and global CDMO/CRO networks across Tanvex, Medivation, and Pfizer.
  • Passion Over Paycheck: How prioritizing mission over short-term money at key career junctures ultimately benefited both her impact and financial outcomes.
  • Culture, M&A, and Big Pharma: Experiences integrating Medivation into Pfizer, helping shape Pfizer’s oncology organization, and later stepping into large-scale leadership at Bayer.​

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Judy Chou at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Explainer on Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs): https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizations 
Contract Research Organizations (CROs): https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations 
​
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Tanvex BioPharma: https://www.tanvex.com
​

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:24 Becoming Employee Number One at Tanvex
04:57 Walking Into an Empty 50,000 Square Foot Facility Alone
06:29 Friend's Death from Lung Cancer: Why Biosimilars Matter
09:41 FDA Meeting: 32 Agents, One Scientist, Zero Animal Studies Required
17:05 Learning Every Part of Drug Discovery and Regulatory Process
20:19 Decision to Leave Tanvex Despite IPO Windfall
22:59 Following Passion Over Money: A Golden Timing Lesson
24:53 Joining Medivation and Building Tech Ops from Scratch
31:35 Five Bidders Competing: The $14.3 Billion Pfizer Acquisition
38:59 Bridging East Coast and West Coast Biotech Cultures at Pfizer
39:37 Joining Bayer: Leading 2,000 Employees Across Six Sites
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3901 “If you want to make money, really follow your passion rather than follow the money, because the money later on will come.” ​ In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares her journey as employee number one at Tanvex, walking into an empty 50,000 square foot facility and building a biosimilar company from scratch after a close friend’s death from metastatic lung cancer reshaped her understanding of drug access and affordability. She recounts an extraordinary FDA meeting where, as the sole company representative, she fielded questions from 32 regulators and ultimately convinced them to waive all preclinical animal studies, then later took on unexpected responsibility for building three manufacturing suites when multiple VPs were fired. The conversation also follows her move to Medivation, where she scaled technical operations from two people to a global network of over 50 CDMOs and CROs, culminating in a high-stakes bidding war among five pharma giants that ended with Pfizer acquiring Medivation for $14.3 billion, up from a $9 billion market cap just three months earlier. “If you want to make money, really follow your passion rather than follow the money, because the money later on will come.” ​ In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Dr. Judy Chou shares her journey as employee number one at Tanvex, walking into an empty 50,000 square foot facility and building a biosimilar company from scratch after a close friend’s death from metastatic lung cancer reshaped her understanding of drug access and affordability. She recounts an extraordinary FDA meeting where, as the sole company representative, she fielded questions from 32 regulators and ultimately convinced them to waive all preclinical animal studies, then later took on unexpected responsibility for building three manufacturing suites when multiple VPs were fired. The conversation also follows her move to Medivation, where she scaled technical operations from two people to a global network of over 50 CDMOs and CROs, culminating in a high-stakes bidding war among five pharma giants that ended with Pfizer acquiring Medivation for $14.3 billion, up from a $9 billion market cap just three months earlier. No No 🧬 High-Throughput Innovation & Breaking Biotech Bottlenecks | Judy Chou (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvlmmqn-judy-chou-part-2 🧬 High-Throughput Innovation & Breaking Biotech Bottlenecks | Judy Chou (Part 2/4) 209 No No 71ypmm70 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, President & CEO of AltruBio, Judy Chou, shares her pivotal transition from academia to industry, revealing how she left AbbVie when the company went idle after Humira's launch to pursue more meaningful work at Wyeth. Despite Humira becoming one of the most successful drugs in history, the company's uncertainty about biologics left Judy feeling unable to fulfill her mission to make a difference for patients. Judy describes how she pioneered high-throughput screening for biologics at Wyeth, earning the nickname "High-Throughput Lady" when colleagues thought her ideas were crazy. She explains how she adapted small molecule screening techniques to biologics despite widespread skepticism, ultimately generating 10 grams per liter antibody production for the first time and winning Wyeth's President Award for the biggest business impact of the year. Judy also recounts being recruited to Genentech to build a revolutionary product-driven department in Oceanside, where Ann Lee's vision to break vertical silos and create a "startup within a major company" generated much of the pipeline Genentech still develops today. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Don't go where the path may lead you. Instead, go where there's no path and leave a trail."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, President & CEO of AltruBio, Judy Chou, shares her pivotal transition from academia to industry, revealing how she left AbbVie when the company went idle after Humira's launch to pursue more meaningful work at Wyeth. Despite Humira becoming one of the most successful drugs in history, the company's uncertainty about biologics left Judy feeling unable to fulfill her mission to make a difference for patients.

Judy describes how she pioneered high-throughput screening for biologics at Wyeth, earning the nickname "High-Throughput Lady" when colleagues thought her ideas were crazy. She explains how she adapted small molecule screening techniques to biologics despite widespread skepticism, ultimately generating 10 grams per liter antibody production for the first time and winning Wyeth's President Award for the biggest business impact of the year. Judy also recounts being recruited to Genentech to build a revolutionary product-driven department in Oceanside, where Ann Lee's vision to break vertical silos and create a "startup within a major company" generated much of the pipeline Genentech still develops today.

Key topics covered:

  • Leadership Philosophy: Balancing management expertise with hands-on technical understanding across multiple disciplines
  • High-Throughput Innovation: Introducing robotics and screening tools that became industry standard despite initial mockery
  • Analytical Tools as "Eyes and Ears": Creating bioanalytical methods for biomanufacturing that accelerated development timelines
  • Product-Driven Departments: Building Genentech's Oceanside facility using Toyota's cross-functional model instead of traditional vertical silos
  • Mindset Over Structure: Why focusing on getting products to the finish line faster matters more than having the best individual technologies

​If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Judy Chou at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
High-Throughput Screening in Biologics:
Bioanalytical Tools in Biomanufacturing:
Monoclonal Antibody Production and Development:
Toyota Production System and Cross-Functional Teams:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Wyeth (now part of Pfizer): https://www.pfizer.com/
Gilead Sciences: https://www.gilead.com/
​

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:14 Management Philosophy: Getting Your Hands Dirty vs. Pure Leadership
05:15 Leaving AbbVie After Humira Launch
09:12 Culture Shift: Moving from AbbVie to Wyeth
14:54 Pioneering High-Throughput Screening for Biologics
22:30 Industry Collaboration in Early Biotech Days
23:55 Genentech Recruitment: Breaking the Development Bottleneck
27:53 Building Oceanside: A Product-Driven Department from Scratch
31:40 Leading Cross-Functional Projects at Genentech
37:30 Product vs. Technology Innovation: Lessons on Organizational Change
38:13 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2383 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, President & CEO of AltruBio, Judy Chou, shares her pivotal transition from academia to industry, revealing how she left AbbVie when the company went idle after Humira's launch to pursue more meaningful work at Wyeth. Despite Humira becoming one of the most successful drugs in history, the company's uncertainty about biologics left Judy feeling unable to fulfill her mission to make a difference for patients. Judy describes how she pioneered high-throughput screening for biologics at Wyeth, earning the nickname "High-Throughput Lady" when colleagues thought her ideas were crazy. She explains how she adapted small molecule screening techniques to biologics despite widespread skepticism, ultimately generating 10 grams per liter antibody production for the first time and winning Wyeth's President Award for the biggest business impact of the year. Judy also recounts being recruited to Genentech to build a revolutionary product-driven department in Oceanside, where Ann Lee's vision to break vertical silos and create a "startup within a major company" generated much of the pipeline Genentech still develops today. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, President & CEO of AltruBio, Judy Chou, shares her pivotal transition from academia to industry, revealing how she left AbbVie when the company went idle after Humira's launch to pursue more meaningful work at Wyeth. Despite Humira becoming one of the most successful drugs in history, the company's uncertainty about biologics left Judy feeling unable to fulfill her mission to make a difference for patients. Judy describes how she pioneered high-throughput screening for biologics at Wyeth, earning the nickname "High-Throughput Lady" when colleagues thought her ideas were crazy. She explains how she adapted small molecule screening techniques to biologics despite widespread skepticism, ultimately generating 10 grams per liter antibody production for the first time and winning Wyeth's President Award for the biggest business impact of the year. Judy also recounts being recruited to Genentech to build a revolutionary product-driven department in Oceanside, where Ann Lee's vision to break vertical silos and create a "startup within a major company" generated much of the pipeline Genentech still develops today. No No 🧬 Inner Rebel: Art, Physics & Purpose-Driven Leadership | Judy Chou (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1np72x58-judy-chou-part-1 🧬 Inner Rebel: Art, Physics & Purpose-Driven Leadership | Judy Chou (Part 1/4) 208 No No z0r475j0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr, AltruBio President and CEO Judy Chou traces her journey from an arts-driven childhood in politically tense, conservative Taiwan to leading a clinical-stage biotech company in the U.S., sharing how an “inner rebel,” a love of physics, and two pivotal uncles redirected her from an elite engineering track into medicine and biology at National Taiwan University, where she hustled her way into research labs each summer. A heartbreaking encounter with a young boy whose mother was dying of leukemia convinced her that treating one patient at a time was not enough, propelling her to Yale for a PhD, where she earned five Honors in a single semester, dove into cutting-edge neuroscience and synaptic vesicle biology, and survived a “Home Alone” phase after her advisor left—pushing a cart of reagents between world-class labs and forging the resilience, independence, and multidisciplinary mindset that now underpin her leadership and her pursuit of first-in-class therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Multidisciplinary is key. It's where the innovation really comes from."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr, AltruBio President and CEO Judy Chou traces her journey from an arts-driven childhood in politically tense, conservative Taiwan to leading a clinical-stage biotech company in the U.S., sharing how an “inner rebel,” a love of physics, and two pivotal uncles redirected her from an elite engineering track into medicine and biology at National Taiwan University, where she hustled her way into research labs each summer. A heartbreaking encounter with a young boy whose mother was dying of leukemia convinced her that treating one patient at a time was not enough, propelling her to Yale for a PhD, where she earned five Honors in a single semester, dove into cutting-edge neuroscience and synaptic vesicle biology, and survived a “Home Alone” phase after her advisor left—pushing a cart of reagents between world-class labs and forging the resilience, independence, and multidisciplinary mindset that now underpin her leadership and her pursuit of first-in-class therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases.

Key topics covered:

  • Inner Rebel & Upbringing: Growing up in conservative, politically tense Taiwan and developing an inner drive to follow expectations while quietly breaking traditions.
  • Choosing Science Over the Arts: Moving from prodigy-level talent in painting, music, and writing to physics, and ultimately into medicine and biology after pivotal family conversations.
  • The Longest Walk: How witnessing a young leukemia patient losing his mother in the ER catalyzed Judy’s decision to leave clinical practice and focus on finding real solutions in the lab.
  • Yale & Neuroscience: Earning five Honors in one semester, entering a nascent neuroscience program, and working at the frontier of synaptic vesicle biology amid future Nobel-winning discoveries.
  • Radical Independence in Training: Surviving after her PI left Yale, becoming a “homeless scientist” moving between elite labs, and how that forged the independence and multidisciplinary mindset she carries into biotech leadership today.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Judy Chou at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

SNARE Complex and Synaptic Vesicle Biology: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2013/summary/
James Rothman's Nobel Prize Research on Vesicle Trafficking: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrm3323
Rab Proteins and Intracellular Trafficking: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146697/
Neuroscience Graduate Programs and Multidisciplinary Training: https://medicine.yale.edu/neuroscience/
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry: https://www.mpinat.mpg.de/en
​Howard Hughes Medical Institute Graduate Programs: Becoming an HHMI Scientist | HHMI Science Programs
High-Throughput Screening in Biologics Development: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd1470
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Yale University: https://www.yale.edu/
​Max Planck Institute: https://www.mpg.de/en
Harvard Medical School: https://hms.harvard.edu/
National Taiwan University: https://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
04:45 Growing Up in Taiwan: Living with Threats and Breaking Tradition
07:45 The Inner Rebel and Conservative Expectations
11:02 Artist Family Background: Parents in Literature and Library Sciences
12:19 From Arts Prodigy to Politics to Science
13:36 Falling in Love with Physics in Middle School
16:48 Two Uncles Change Everything: The Medical School Decision
25:21 Medical School Experience and Lab Work
29:59 Professor Chen and the Shadow of Limited Solutions
33:06 The Longest Walk: Emergency Room to Lab
38:03 Choosing Yale for PhD and Genuine Curiosity
41:45 Five Honors in One Semester at Yale
49:59 The "Home Alone" PhD: When the Lab Moved Away
55:40 Max Planck Postdoc: CPG Columns and Concert Halls
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 5855 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr, AltruBio President and CEO Judy Chou traces her journey from an arts-driven childhood in politically tense, conservative Taiwan to leading a clinical-stage biotech company in the U.S., sharing how an “inner rebel,” a love of physics, and two pivotal uncles redirected her from an elite engineering track into medicine and biology at National Taiwan University, where she hustled her way into research labs each summer. A heartbreaking encounter with a young boy whose mother was dying of leukemia convinced her that treating one patient at a time was not enough, propelling her to Yale for a PhD, where she earned five Honors in a single semester, dove into cutting-edge neuroscience and synaptic vesicle biology, and survived a “Home Alone” phase after her advisor left—pushing a cart of reagents between world-class labs and forging the resilience, independence, and multidisciplinary mindset that now underpin her leadership and her pursuit of first-in-class therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr, AltruBio President and CEO Judy Chou traces her journey from an arts-driven childhood in politically tense, conservative Taiwan to leading a clinical-stage biotech company in the U.S., sharing how an “inner rebel,” a love of physics, and two pivotal uncles redirected her from an elite engineering track into medicine and biology at National Taiwan University, where she hustled her way into research labs each summer. A heartbreaking encounter with a young boy whose mother was dying of leukemia convinced her that treating one patient at a time was not enough, propelling her to Yale for a PhD, where she earned five Honors in a single semester, dove into cutting-edge neuroscience and synaptic vesicle biology, and survived a “Home Alone” phase after her advisor left—pushing a cart of reagents between world-class labs and forging the resilience, independence, and multidisciplinary mindset that now underpin her leadership and her pursuit of first-in-class therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases. No No 🧬 Democratizing Cell Therapy Through Regional Manufacturing | Amy Hay (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnllk96n-amy-hay-part-4 🧬 Democratizing Cell Therapy Through Regional Manufacturing | Amy Hay (Part 4/4) 207 No No x0l69vp0 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how CTMC bridges academia and industry to help lean cell therapy teams reach the clinic faster and more capital-efficiently through a co-development model that bundles manufacturing, regulatory, and operational support so scientists can stay focused on the science while building scalable, commercialization-ready processes from day one. Amy and host Jon Chee dig into why business model innovation—milestone-based contracts and, in some cases, equity alignment—can be as critical as scientific breakthroughs in today’s tough fundraising landscape, and how regional manufacturing, knowledge transfer, and global network alliances are turning cell therapy from a theoretical option into a practical reality for patients around the world. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Sometimes no response is the loudest response of all."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how CTMC bridges academia and industry to help lean cell therapy teams reach the clinic faster and more capital-efficiently through a co-development model that bundles manufacturing, regulatory, and operational support so scientists can stay focused on the science while building scalable, commercialization-ready processes from day one. Amy and host Jon Chee dig into why business model innovation—milestone-based contracts and, in some cases, equity alignment—can be as critical as scientific breakthroughs in today’s tough fundraising landscape, and how regional manufacturing, knowledge transfer, and global network alliances are turning cell therapy from a theoretical option into a practical reality for patients around the world.

Key topics covered:

  • CTMC’s mission: Bridging academia and industry to accelerate early cell therapy programs into the clinic.
  • Co-developing with early biotechs: End-to-end support (manufacturing, regulatory, logistics) to reduce time and capital burden.
  • Scaling early to avoid late pain: Building sustainable, commercializable processes and de-risking Phase 1 through commercial.
  • Business model innovation: Milestone-based contracts and equity alignment to create incentives and improve fundraising narratives.
  • Democratizing cell therapy globally: Regional manufacturing, network alliances, and why “the patient is part of the supply chain.”

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Amy Hay at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Melanoma Treatment & TIL Therapy Outcomes: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2210233
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://www.mdanderson.org/
National Resilience (Resilience Labs): https://www.resilience.com/
Varian Medical Systems: https://www.varian.com/

Henrique Neves, General Director, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrique-sneves/

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:57 CTMC's Mission and North Star
07:51 State of the Cell Therapy Market
10:54 Business Model Innovation and Deal Structuring
12:25 What an Engagement with CTMC Looks Like
15:35 Archetypical Partners and Customers
19:46 Building End-to-End Capabilities and Future Developments
25:57 Democratizing Cell Therapy Globally
28:35 Shout-Outs to Key Supporters and Mentors
32:02 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Patience and Grace
33:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:49:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2233 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how CTMC bridges academia and industry to help lean cell therapy teams reach the clinic faster and more capital-efficiently through a co-development model that bundles manufacturing, regulatory, and operational support so scientists can stay focused on the science while building scalable, commercialization-ready processes from day one. Amy and host Jon Chee dig into why business model innovation—milestone-based contracts and, in some cases, equity alignment—can be as critical as scientific breakthroughs in today’s tough fundraising landscape, and how regional manufacturing, knowledge transfer, and global network alliances are turning cell therapy from a theoretical option into a practical reality for patients around the world. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how CTMC bridges academia and industry to help lean cell therapy teams reach the clinic faster and more capital-efficiently through a co-development model that bundles manufacturing, regulatory, and operational support so scientists can stay focused on the science while building scalable, commercialization-ready processes from day one. Amy and host Jon Chee dig into why business model innovation—milestone-based contracts and, in some cases, equity alignment—can be as critical as scientific breakthroughs in today’s tough fundraising landscape, and how regional manufacturing, knowledge transfer, and global network alliances are turning cell therapy from a theoretical option into a practical reality for patients around the world. No No 🧬Career Reinvention After Leadership Shakeups | Amy Hay (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2n6q97z8-amy-hay-part-3 🧬Career Reinvention After Leadership Shakeups | Amy Hay (Part 3/4) 206 No No j02rnm80 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's remarkable evolution from a longtime leader at MD Anderson Cancer Center to an entrepreneurial consultant and medtech executive. Amy shares the deeply personal and professional challenges of leaving an institution that defined her for two decades, describing how a "painful" leadership change became the ultimate catalyst for her growth and reinvention. Amy details her global journey, from navigating the cultural nuances of opening oncology clinics in Brazil to the eye-opening experience of consulting in Nigeria, where she learned that healthcare innovation must meet people where they are. She discusses the founding of her consulting firm, Evolve, its timely acquisition by Varian just before the global pandemic, and her eventual full-circle return to the Houston biotech ecosystem to lead strategy in the burgeoning field of cell therapy. "The moment that you stop being curious in your job is the moment you need to run out the front door."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's remarkable evolution from a longtime leader at MD Anderson Cancer Center to an entrepreneurial consultant and medtech executive. Amy shares the deeply personal and professional challenges of leaving an institution that defined her for two decades, describing how a "painful" leadership change became the ultimate catalyst for her growth and reinvention.

Amy details her global journey, from navigating the cultural nuances of opening oncology clinics in Brazil to the eye-opening experience of consulting in Nigeria, where she learned that healthcare innovation must meet people where they are. She discusses the founding of her consulting firm, Evolve, its timely acquisition by Varian just before the global pandemic, and her eventual full-circle return to the Houston biotech ecosystem to lead strategy in the burgeoning field of cell therapy.

Key topics covered:
  • Global Healthcare Nuances: Lessons from Brazil and Nigeria on why "plug-and-play" medical models fail without cultural adaptation.
  • Navigating Career Inflections: How to pivot with passion and curiosity when professional circumstances shift unexpectedly.
  • The Entrepreneurial Leap: Founding and selling a boutique consulting firm (Evolv) and the importance of timing in business.
  • Medtech Integration Strategies: Insights into the human psychology of acquisitions and the merger between Varian and Siemens Healthineers.
  • The Future of Precision Medicine: Bridging the gap between academic research and industrial scale in cell therapy manufacturing.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Amy Hay at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment: 
Cell Therapy Manufacturing and CDMO Services: 
Administrative Fellowships in Healthcare: 
Multi-omics in Precision Medicine: https://www.mdpi.com/topics/Z6ZWJQ7U1I​
Theranostics in Cancer Care: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranostics

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://www.mdanderson.org/
Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital (Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein): https://www.einstein.br/
Varian Medical Systems (Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company): https://www.varian.com/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:55 The Plug-and-Play Healthcare Lesson: Building Einstein's Oncology Program in Brazil
05:58 Meeting People Where They Are: Consulting Work in Nigeria
09:15 Getting Bored at the Top: Recognizing When It's Time to Leave MD Anderson
13:06 The Luckiest Unluckiest Person: Pivoting After a Career-Defining Loss
18:02 Founding Evolv Consulting and Selling to Varian Before the Pandemic
22:08 Navigating the Siemens Healthineers Acquisition of Varian
27:49 Full Circle: Returning to MD Anderson's Ecosystem Through CTMC
30:26 Key Lessons on Managing Humans Through Acquisition and Change
32:58 When to Integrate vs. Keep Separate: Alignment and Synergy
34:07 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2166 In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's remarkable evolution from a longtime leader at MD Anderson Cancer Center to an entrepreneurial consultant and medtech executive. Amy shares the deeply personal and professional challenges of leaving an institution that defined her for two decades, describing how a "painful" leadership change became the ultimate catalyst for her growth and reinvention. Amy details her global journey, from navigating the cultural nuances of opening oncology clinics in Brazil to the eye-opening experience of consulting in Nigeria, where she learned that healthcare innovation must meet people where they are. She discusses the founding of her consulting firm, Evolve, its timely acquisition by Varian just before the global pandemic, and her eventual full-circle return to the Houston biotech ecosystem to lead strategy in the burgeoning field of cell therapy. In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's remarkable evolution from a longtime leader at MD Anderson Cancer Center to an entrepreneurial consultant and medtech executive. Amy shares the deeply personal and professional challenges of leaving an institution that defined her for two decades, describing how a "painful" leadership change became the ultimate catalyst for her growth and reinvention. Amy details her global journey, from navigating the cultural nuances of opening oncology clinics in Brazil to the eye-opening experience of consulting in Nigeria, where she learned that healthcare innovation must meet people where they are. She discusses the founding of her consulting firm, Evolve, its timely acquisition by Varian just before the global pandemic, and her eventual full-circle return to the Houston biotech ecosystem to lead strategy in the burgeoning field of cell therapy. No No 🧬 The Hidden Cost of Big Wins in Healthcare | Amy Hay (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80v9pj8-the-hidden-cost-of-big-wins-in-healthcare-amy-hay-part-2-4 🧬 The Hidden Cost of Big Wins in Healthcare | Amy Hay (Part 2/4) 205 No No p0knyvx1 "If you're persistent, you can get there. If I think it's gonna be meaningful, I'm willing to do whatever it takes." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how she transformed ground-level patient care experience at MD Anderson into high-impact leadership that reshaped cancer treatment delivery. She traces her path from MD Anderson's first-ever internal administrative fellow to spearheading the institution's first proton therapy center and pioneering satellite clinics—including a "flea-bitten" Bellaire, Texas facility that became a runaway success by prioritizing convenience, compassion, and continuity of care. Amy recounts the audacious multi-year journey of raising 125 million dollars by assembling an unlikely coalition of clinicians, physicists, investment bankers, and construction operators, weathering the shock of 9/11 and frozen capital markets, then pivoting to purpose-driven local investors like firefighters' and police officers' pension funds whose communities are directly impacted by cancer. Along the way, Amy reflects on the challenges of intrapreneurship inside a major academic medical center, the unexpected emotional letdown that follows a "big win," and how that restlessness ultimately pushed her toward global oncology. She shares how collaborations with Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo, the American Hospital in Istanbul, and other international partners expanded her perspective beyond elite U.S. centers, sharpening her focus on access, alignment, and building care models that work across diverse health systems—not just in Houston. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you're persistent, you can get there. If I think it's gonna be meaningful, I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how she transformed ground-level patient care experience at MD Anderson into high-impact leadership that reshaped cancer treatment delivery. She traces her path from MD Anderson's first-ever internal administrative fellow to spearheading the institution's first proton therapy center and pioneering satellite clinics—including a "flea-bitten" Bellaire, Texas facility that became a runaway success by prioritizing convenience, compassion, and continuity of care. Amy recounts the audacious multi-year journey of raising 125 million dollars by assembling an unlikely coalition of clinicians, physicists, investment bankers, and construction operators, weathering the shock of 9/11 and frozen capital markets, then pivoting to purpose-driven local investors like firefighters' and police officers' pension funds whose communities are directly impacted by cancer.

Along the way, Amy reflects on the challenges of intrapreneurship inside a major academic medical center, the unexpected emotional letdown that follows a "big win," and how that restlessness ultimately pushed her toward global oncology. She shares how collaborations with Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo, the American Hospital in Istanbul, and other international partners expanded her perspective beyond elite U.S. centers, sharpening her focus on access, alignment, and building care models that work across diverse health systems—not just in Houston.

Key topics covered:

  • Standing out internally: How Amy became MD Anderson’s first internal administrative fellow by connecting frontline experience to C‑suite impact.
  • Building a Proton Therapy Center: From a vision with no budget to a 125 million dollar project, and what it took operationally and emotionally to make it real.
  • Pivot after 9/11: Why the team abandoned traditional Wall Street fundraising and turned to firefighter and police pension funds aligned with the mission.
  • Patient‑centric satellite care: Transforming a “flea‑bitten” Bellaire clinic into a beloved extension of MD Anderson by prioritizing convenience, continuity, and compassion.
  • From Houston to global oncology: Amy’s shift from U.S. academic medicine to building international cancer networks and improving access to quality care worldwide.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Amy Hay at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:
Resources & Articles:

Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment (patient-friendly overview) – https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/proton-therapy.html
How Radiation Therapy Works – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_therapy
Understanding Pension Funds and Mission-Driven Investing – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pensionfund.asp
Healthcare Intrapreneurship and Innovation in Large Organizations – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9530418/
Global Disparities in Cancer Care Access – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://www.mdanderson.org/
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein: https://www.einstein.br/en
Massachusetts General Hospital: https://www.massgeneral.org/
Loma Linda University Medical Center: https://lluh.org/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:46 Landing the coveted MD Anderson administrative fellowship
04:57 Discovering a passion for ORs, labs, and radiation oncology
07:10 Vision to build MD Anderson’s first proton therapy center
09:40 Transforming a “flea‑bitten” Bellaire satellite into a patient favorite
​11:40 Starting the proton center project with no budget and a “proton family”
​14:20 Fundraising pivot after 9/11 and partnering with local pension funds
19:18 Building and operating the Proton Therapy Center with Hitachi technology
21:32 Lessons in alignment, teams, and “intrapreneurship” inside MD Anderson
24:34 Boredom after success and realizing most cancer care happens in the community
26:40 Global oncology work with Hospital Albert Einstein and other international partners
29:15 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1875 "If you're persistent, you can get there. If I think it's gonna be meaningful, I'm willing to do whatever it takes." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how she transformed ground-level patient care experience at MD Anderson into high-impact leadership that reshaped cancer treatment delivery. She traces her path from MD Anderson's first-ever internal administrative fellow to spearheading the institution's first proton therapy center and pioneering satellite clinics—including a "flea-bitten" Bellaire, Texas facility that became a runaway success by prioritizing convenience, compassion, and continuity of care. Amy recounts the audacious multi-year journey of raising 125 million dollars by assembling an unlikely coalition of clinicians, physicists, investment bankers, and construction operators, weathering the shock of 9/11 and frozen capital markets, then pivoting to purpose-driven local investors like firefighters' and police officers' pension funds whose communities are directly impacted by cancer. Along the way, Amy reflects on the challenges of intrapreneurship inside a major academic medical center, the unexpected emotional letdown that follows a "big win," and how that restlessness ultimately pushed her toward global oncology. She shares how collaborations with Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo, the American Hospital in Istanbul, and other international partners expanded her perspective beyond elite U.S. centers, sharpening her focus on access, alignment, and building care models that work across diverse health systems—not just in Houston. "If you're persistent, you can get there. If I think it's gonna be meaningful, I'm willing to do whatever it takes." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Amy Hay, Chief Business Officer at CTMC, shares how she transformed ground-level patient care experience at MD Anderson into high-impact leadership that reshaped cancer treatment delivery. She traces her path from MD Anderson's first-ever internal administrative fellow to spearheading the institution's first proton therapy center and pioneering satellite clinics—including a "flea-bitten" Bellaire, Texas facility that became a runaway success by prioritizing convenience, compassion, and continuity of care. Amy recounts the audacious multi-year journey of raising 125 million dollars by assembling an unlikely coalition of clinicians, physicists, investment bankers, and construction operators, weathering the shock of 9/11 and frozen capital markets, then pivoting to purpose-driven local investors like firefighters' and police officers' pension funds whose communities are directly impacted by cancer. Along the way, Amy reflects on the challenges of intrapreneurship inside a major academic medical center, the unexpected emotional letdown that follows a "big win," and how that restlessness ultimately pushed her toward global oncology. She shares how collaborations with Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo, the American Hospital in Istanbul, and other international partners expanded her perspective beyond elite U.S. centers, sharpening her focus on access, alignment, and building care models that work across diverse health systems—not just in Houston. No No 🧬 No Margin, No Mission: The Business Truth Healthcare Leaders Must Accept | Amy Hay (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28xzmy48-no-margin-no-mission-the-business-truth-healthcare-leaders-must-accept-amy-hay-part-1-4 🧬 No Margin, No Mission: The Business Truth Healthcare Leaders Must Accept | Amy Hay (Part 1/4) 204 No No 60mk59r0 "If you work hard and you try hard, you'll get there. It might take a long time. It might be a little bit bloody, and you might be battered, but you'll get to the top of the mountain. You just have to work hard." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's formative years and the experiences that shaped her unique approach to healthcare leadership. From caring for her grandparents through dementia in Dallas to landing her first job at MD Anderson Cancer Center on the same day as its new president, Amy's journey reveals how personal crisis, liberal arts education, and unwavering resilience can forge a distinctive path in oncology and biotechnology.​ Amy shares how her father's advice to "behave as if you're in your next job" transformed her approach to work, starting from her role as a receptionist where she learned to never say no—only how. She recounts her unconventional college application using a photo essay documenting individuals at a Dallas food bank on Thanksgiving, her child life internship at Santa Rosa Hospital, and how these experiences taught her that meaningful healthcare careers extend far beyond clinical roles. Amy also discusses the critical balance between the business of healthcare and patient care, explaining how her decision to pursue a Master's in Healthcare Administration while working full-time at MD Anderson gave her real-world context to apply theoretical knowledge immediately. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you work hard and you try hard, you'll get there. It might take a long time. It might be a little bit bloody, and you might be battered, but you'll get to the top of the mountain. You just have to work hard."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's formative years and the experiences that shaped her unique approach to healthcare leadership. From caring for her grandparents through dementia in Dallas to landing her first job at MD Anderson Cancer Center on the same day as its new president, Amy's journey reveals how personal crisis, liberal arts education, and unwavering resilience can forge a distinctive path in oncology and biotechnology.​

Amy shares how her father's advice to "behave as if you're in your next job" transformed her approach to work, starting from her role as a receptionist where she learned to never say no—only how. She recounts her unconventional college application using a photo essay documenting individuals at a Dallas food bank on Thanksgiving, her child life internship at Santa Rosa Hospital, and how these experiences taught her that meaningful healthcare careers extend far beyond clinical roles. Amy also discusses the critical balance between the business of healthcare and patient care, explaining how her decision to pursue a Master's in Healthcare Administration while working full-time at MD Anderson gave her real-world context to apply theoretical knowledge immediately.

Key topics covered:
  • Early Healthcare Exposure: How caring for grandparents with dementia and watching her parents navigate crisis sparked a lifelong passion for supporting people through difficult times
  • Artistic Business Thinking: Blending her mother's artistic creativity with her father's business acumen to create novel collaborations and partnerships that shouldn't work on paper but become exceptional
  • Liberal Arts Foundation: Using photography and psychology at Southwestern University to understand people deeply, culminating in a child life internship that revealed non-clinical healthcare pathways
  • Building Reputation Through Service: Starting as an MD Anderson receptionist in 1996, learning every system, and becoming the go-to problem solver by always saying yes and figuring out how
  • No Margin, No Mission: Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between healthcare business economics and quality patient care, leading to graduate education while maintaining full-time work

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Amy Hay at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Child Life Specialist Role and Training: 
Child Life Specialists in Cancer Care: 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://www.mdanderson.org/
Southwestern University: https://www.southwestern.edu/
Houston Baptist University: https://www.hbu.edu/


Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
05:13 Amy’s upbringing and early passion for helping people
08:08 The “behave as if you’re in your next job” philosophy
09:23 Influence of Amy’s artist mother and business-minded father
11:22 College journey and the photo essay application
16:25 Internship as a child life specialist at Santa Rosa Hospital
17:40 Undergraduate experience and influential professors
20:05 First day at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1996
25:34 Learning the business of healthcare and “no margin, no mission”
27:26 Bridging research, clinical care, and business
29:01 Graduate school experience at Houston Baptist University
31:45 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2024 "If you work hard and you try hard, you'll get there. It might take a long time. It might be a little bit bloody, and you might be battered, but you'll get to the top of the mountain. You just have to work hard." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's formative years and the experiences that shaped her unique approach to healthcare leadership. From caring for her grandparents through dementia in Dallas to landing her first job at MD Anderson Cancer Center on the same day as its new president, Amy's journey reveals how personal crisis, liberal arts education, and unwavering resilience can forge a distinctive path in oncology and biotechnology.​ Amy shares how her father's advice to "behave as if you're in your next job" transformed her approach to work, starting from her role as a receptionist where she learned to never say no—only how. She recounts her unconventional college application using a photo essay documenting individuals at a Dallas food bank on Thanksgiving, her child life internship at Santa Rosa Hospital, and how these experiences taught her that meaningful healthcare careers extend far beyond clinical roles. Amy also discusses the critical balance between the business of healthcare and patient care, explaining how her decision to pursue a Master's in Healthcare Administration while working full-time at MD Anderson gave her real-world context to apply theoretical knowledge immediately. "If you work hard and you try hard, you'll get there. It might take a long time. It might be a little bit bloody, and you might be battered, but you'll get to the top of the mountain. You just have to work hard." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Amy Hay's formative years and the experiences that shaped her unique approach to healthcare leadership. From caring for her grandparents through dementia in Dallas to landing her first job at MD Anderson Cancer Center on the same day as its new president, Amy's journey reveals how personal crisis, liberal arts education, and unwavering resilience can forge a distinctive path in oncology and biotechnology.​ Amy shares how her father's advice to "behave as if you're in your next job" transformed her approach to work, starting from her role as a receptionist where she learned to never say no—only how. She recounts her unconventional college application using a photo essay documenting individuals at a Dallas food bank on Thanksgiving, her child life internship at Santa Rosa Hospital, and how these experiences taught her that meaningful healthcare careers extend far beyond clinical roles. Amy also discusses the critical balance between the business of healthcare and patient care, explaining how her decision to pursue a Master's in Healthcare Administration while working full-time at MD Anderson gave her real-world context to apply theoretical knowledge immediately. No No 🧬 From Vendor to Trusted Advisor: A New B2B Playbook in Biotech | Jason C. Foster Re-Release (2/2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2rkvwn-from-vendor-to-trusted-advisor-a-new-b2b-playbook-in-biotech-jason-c-foster-re-release-2-2 🧬 From Vendor to Trusted Advisor: A New B2B Playbook in Biotech | Jason C. Foster Re-Release (2/2) 203 No No 2199xwr1 "The best thing about starting your own business is you get to design the business that you always wanted to work for." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster takes us through his remarkable journey of building an international pharmaceutical company across Europe and his transition to founding Ori Biotech, a pioneering cell therapy manufacturing technology company. Jason shares how he moved from Richmond, Virginia to London in 2010 with a pregnant wife and toddler to build what would become Indivior, scaling the business from just a handful of employees to over 1,100 people across 37 countries before listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2014. ​ Jason offers candid insights into the cultural challenges of doing business across Northern and Southern Europe, the complexities of navigating different regulatory environments, and the critical importance of building mission-driven culture over purely financial incentives. He discusses how discovering cell therapy's potential to cure cancer—yet seeing patients unable to access these treatments due to cost and manufacturing limitations—compelled him to co-found Ori Biotech in 2018. Jason explains how the company is revolutionizing personalized medicine by creating scalable, affordable manufacturing platforms for cell therapies, with their Iro platform launching in 2024 and expecting to treat first patients in clinical trials in 2025. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"The best thing about starting your own business is you get to design the business that you always wanted to work for."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster takes us through his remarkable journey of building an international pharmaceutical company across Europe and his transition to founding Ori Biotech, a pioneering cell therapy manufacturing technology company. Jason shares how he moved from Richmond, Virginia to London in 2010 with a pregnant wife and toddler to build what would become Indivior, scaling the business from just a handful of employees to over 1,100 people across 37 countries before listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2014.
​
Jason offers candid insights into the cultural challenges of doing business across Northern and Southern Europe, the complexities of navigating different regulatory environments, and the critical importance of building mission-driven culture over purely financial incentives. He discusses how discovering cell therapy's potential to cure cancer—yet seeing patients unable to access these treatments due to cost and manufacturing limitations—compelled him to co-found Ori Biotech in 2018. Jason explains how the company is revolutionizing personalized medicine by creating scalable, affordable manufacturing platforms for cell therapies, with their Iro platform launching in 2024 and expecting to treat first patients in clinical trials in 2025.

Key topics covered:

  • Building across borders: Navigating cultural differences, employment laws, and business norms while scaling a pharmaceutical company from 3 employees to 1,100+ across 37 countries in Europe and beyond
  • ​Culture as competitive advantage: Why culture eats strategy for breakfast, lessons from Netflix's No Rules Rules, and designing companies around autonomy, mastery, and purpose rather than financial incentives
  • ​The cell therapy revolution: Understanding personalized living medicines that turn human immune cells into cancer cures, and why 35,000+ patients have been treated but accessibility remains limited
  • ​Commercial viability from day one: Why researchers must elevate cost and scalability alongside safety and efficacy in early development, or risk creating therapies that never reach patients
  • ​From vendor to trusted advisor: Building Ori Biotech's ecosystem approach with servant leadership, focusing on long-term partnerships over short-term profit maximization

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Jason C. Foster, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
​01:39 Touching Down in London and Cultural Adjustments
​04:44 Mentorship and Navigating European Business
07:09 The Journey to IPO at the LSE
​11:08 Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Finding Your Role
​15:26 The Power of Culture in Building Companies
​20:17 Entering the Venture Ecosystem and Discovering Cell Therapy
27:04 Founding Ori Biotech and Building From Scratch
33:17 Commercial Viability and Downstream Thinking in Drug Development
​39:33 Go-to-Market Approach and Building Credibility
​54:59 What's Next for Ori Biotech
​57:41 Shout-Outs and Closing Advice
​01:00:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3810 "The best thing about starting your own business is you get to design the business that you always wanted to work for." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster takes us through his remarkable journey of building an international pharmaceutical company across Europe and his transition to founding Ori Biotech, a pioneering cell therapy manufacturing technology company. Jason shares how he moved from Richmond, Virginia to London in 2010 with a pregnant wife and toddler to build what would become Indivior, scaling the business from just a handful of employees to over 1,100 people across 37 countries before listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2014. ​ Jason offers candid insights into the cultural challenges of doing business across Northern and Southern Europe, the complexities of navigating different regulatory environments, and the critical importance of building mission-driven culture over purely financial incentives. He discusses how discovering cell therapy's potential to cure cancer—yet seeing patients unable to access these treatments due to cost and manufacturing limitations—compelled him to co-found Ori Biotech in 2018. Jason explains how the company is revolutionizing personalized medicine by creating scalable, affordable manufacturing platforms for cell therapies, with their Iro platform launching in 2024 and expecting to treat first patients in clinical trials in 2025. "The best thing about starting your own business is you get to design the business that you always wanted to work for." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster takes us through his remarkable journey of building an international pharmaceutical company across Europe and his transition to founding Ori Biotech, a pioneering cell therapy manufacturing technology company. Jason shares how he moved from Richmond, Virginia to London in 2010 with a pregnant wife and toddler to build what would become Indivior, scaling the business from just a handful of employees to over 1,100 people across 37 countries before listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2014. ​ Jason offers candid insights into the cultural challenges of doing business across Northern and Southern Europe, the complexities of navigating different regulatory environments, and the critical importance of building mission-driven culture over purely financial incentives. He discusses how discovering cell therapy's potential to cure cancer—yet seeing patients unable to access these treatments due to cost and manufacturing limitations—compelled him to co-found Ori Biotech in 2018. Jason explains how the company is revolutionizing personalized medicine by creating scalable, affordable manufacturing platforms for cell therapies, with their Iro platform launching in 2024 and expecting to treat first patients in clinical trials in 2025. No No 🧬 People Aren’t Rational: Why That’s an Advantage as a Leader | Jason C. Foster Re-Release (1/2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vl57p8-jason-foster-re-release-1 🧬 People Aren’t Rational: Why That’s an Advantage as a Leader | Jason C. Foster Re-Release (1/2) 202 No No 70yp85w1 "If you think about what we do as human beings, the vast majority of the value we create is through communication." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director at Ori Biotech, shares how his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia and his family’s deep roots in business shaped his entrepreneurial drive and leadership style. Growing up as an only child surrounded by adults, Jason cultivated strong communication skills early on, while paper routes, lawn care, and door-to-door sales instilled in him a bias toward self-sufficiency and finding creative ways to add value. Jason walks through his journey from studying government at the University of Virginia and working on healthcare policy in Washington, D.C., to realizing that real impact on patient outcomes often happens in the private sector rather than in government. He then reflects on his formative years at Columbia Business School in New York City, where exposure to a highly international, high-performing peer group—and to the chaos and energy of post-9/11 New York—pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped crystallize his aspiration to build and lead in healthcare and startups. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you think about what we do as human beings, the vast majority of the value we create is through communication."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director at Ori Biotech, shares how his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia and his family’s deep roots in business shaped his entrepreneurial drive and leadership style. Growing up as an only child surrounded by adults, Jason cultivated strong communication skills early on, while paper routes, lawn care, and door-to-door sales instilled in him a bias toward self-sufficiency and finding creative ways to add value.

Jason walks through his journey from studying government at the University of Virginia and working on healthcare policy in Washington, D.C., to realizing that real impact on patient outcomes often happens in the private sector rather than in government. He then reflects on his formative years at Columbia Business School in New York City, where exposure to a highly international, high-performing peer group—and to the chaos and energy of post-9/11 New York—pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped crystallize his aspiration to build and lead in healthcare and startups.

Throughout the conversation, Jason and host Jon Chee discuss lessons that stayed with him: the importance of early work experiences, the value of dealing with the public in retail and hospitality, why sometimes leaders must choose the “least worst” option when no perfect decision exists, and how understanding that people are not purely rational transforms how you approach negotiation, sales, and leadership. Jason also shares early insights that foreshadow his later work at Ori Biotech, including the power of mission-driven teams and the need to bridge different cultures and working styles, such as engineers and biologists, to build transformative technologies.

Key topics covered:

  • Early Entrepreneurial Roots: How paper routes, yard work, and door-to-door sales built Jason’s work ethic and self-sufficiency from a young age
  • ​Family and Business Influence: Growing up in a business-oriented household and seeing sales, travel, and “international business” up close
  • ​From Policy to Healthcare: Moving from the House Commerce Committee and FDA reform work in D.C. to recognizing the greater impact potential in the private sector
  • ​Columbia MBA Lessons: International exposure, high-performance peers, and pivotal teachings about “least worst” decisions and non-rational behavior
  • ​Communication and Leadership: Why communication creates outsized value, and how understanding human behavior shapes sales, management, and startup decision-making

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Jason C. Foster, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
University of Virginia https://www.virginia.edu/ 
Columbia University https://www.columbia.edu/ 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:30 Growing Up as an Only Child and Early Communication Skills
04:33 Family Business Background and Early Entrepreneurial Spirit
09:52 College Decision and University of Virginia Experience
13:18 Political Science at UVA and Path to Washington D.C.
20:39 Choosing Columbia MBA and Moving to New York
24:46 Memorable Challenges at Columbia Business School
43:01 Job Search During Economic Downturn and Entry into Pharma
46:36 Starting Field Marketing Division at Medco
50:44 Joining Small Pharma Company in Addiction Medicine
54:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3350 "If you think about what we do as human beings, the vast majority of the value we create is through communication." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director at Ori Biotech, shares how his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia and his family’s deep roots in business shaped his entrepreneurial drive and leadership style. Growing up as an only child surrounded by adults, Jason cultivated strong communication skills early on, while paper routes, lawn care, and door-to-door sales instilled in him a bias toward self-sufficiency and finding creative ways to add value. Jason walks through his journey from studying government at the University of Virginia and working on healthcare policy in Washington, D.C., to realizing that real impact on patient outcomes often happens in the private sector rather than in government. He then reflects on his formative years at Columbia Business School in New York City, where exposure to a highly international, high-performing peer group—and to the chaos and energy of post-9/11 New York—pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped crystallize his aspiration to build and lead in healthcare and startups. "If you think about what we do as human beings, the vast majority of the value we create is through communication." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director at Ori Biotech, shares how his upbringing in Richmond, Virginia and his family’s deep roots in business shaped his entrepreneurial drive and leadership style. Growing up as an only child surrounded by adults, Jason cultivated strong communication skills early on, while paper routes, lawn care, and door-to-door sales instilled in him a bias toward self-sufficiency and finding creative ways to add value. Jason walks through his journey from studying government at the University of Virginia and working on healthcare policy in Washington, D.C., to realizing that real impact on patient outcomes often happens in the private sector rather than in government. He then reflects on his formative years at Columbia Business School in New York City, where exposure to a highly international, high-performing peer group—and to the chaos and energy of post-9/11 New York—pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped crystallize his aspiration to build and lead in healthcare and startups. No No 🧬 Choosing the Right VC: What Money Can’t Buy | Jacob Glanville Re-Release (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28xz57k8-choosing-the-right-vc-what-money-can-t-buy-jacob-glanville-re-release-part-4-4 🧬 Choosing the Right VC: What Money Can’t Buy | Jacob Glanville Re-Release (Part 4/4) 201 No No 60mkwn70 "If you can synthesize, then there's no such thing as too much expertise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jacob Glanville pulls back the curtain on the “black box” of venture capital for biotech founders, sharing what he learned moving from pitching antibody platforms to pitching VCs. He explains how aligning with each firm’s investment thesis, simplifying your story, and using sharp visuals—while treating fundraising like dating, not a numbers game—can dramatically improve your odds without ever resorting to exaggeration or dishonesty.​ Jacob then dives into choosing the right venture partners, negotiating fair terms, and focusing on what real success looks like for both founders and investors. He shows how the best VCs act as strategic allies and “polishing engines,” and explains why he partnered with NFX and GHIC to help drive Centivax’s universal vaccine programs forward, from RNA-LNP–enabled flu vaccines to broad-spectrum efforts in HIV and coronaviruses, all powered by a village of mentors, collaborators, and family.​ 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you can synthesize, then there's no such thing as too much expertise."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jacob Glanville pulls back the curtain on the “black box” of venture capital for biotech founders, sharing what he learned moving from pitching antibody platforms to pitching VCs. He explains how aligning with each firm’s investment thesis, simplifying your story, and using sharp visuals—while treating fundraising like dating, not a numbers game—can dramatically improve your odds without ever resorting to exaggeration or dishonesty.​

Jacob then dives into choosing the right venture partners, negotiating fair terms, and focusing on what real success looks like for both founders and investors. He shows how the best VCs act as strategic allies and “polishing engines,” and explains why he partnered with NFX and GHIC to help drive Centivax’s universal vaccine programs forward, from RNA-LNP–enabled flu vaccines to broad-spectrum efforts in HIV and coronaviruses, all powered by a village of mentors, collaborators, and family.​

Key topics covered:

  • How to pitch VCs: Simplifying your deck, using strong visuals, anticipating objections, and treating fundraising like dating rather than a numbers game.​
  • Founder mindset during rejection: Seeking honest feedback, avoiding neediness or defensiveness, and using “your baby is ugly” moments to strengthen the story.​
  • Selecting the right VC partners: Investment theses, stage and check-size fit, reputation checks with portfolio founders, and the importance of warm introductions.​
  • Negotiation and deal terms: Market comparables, fair ownership splits, avoiding paranoia, and focusing on building a massive outcome rather than fighting over a few points.​
  • Beyond the money: How NFX and GHIC provide networks, strategic guidance, media amplification, and “fairy godmother” polishing for Centivax’s universal vaccine platform.​
  • Roadmap for Centivax: Universal flu vaccine timelines, pivot to RNA-LNP delivery, expansion into HIV and coronavirus programs, and organizing the company around going first-in-human.​

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.​

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Building Backwards to Biotech (Book by Stephanie Wisner): https://books.google.com/books/about/Building_Backwards_to_Biotech.html?id=6pwlzwEACAAJ
Venture Capital Investment Thesis Explained: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/investment-thesis.asp
RNA-LNP (Lipid Nanoparticle) Vaccine Technology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid-based_nanoparticle
HAI Titer and Vaccine Efficacy Correlates: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6530189/
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Standards: https://safetyculture.com/topics/gmp
Contract Research Organizations (CROs) in Drug Development: https://novotech-cro.com/blog/what-role-cros-drug-development

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC) https://ghicfunds.org​​
Charles River Laboratories https://www.criver.com/ 
Endpoints News https://endpts.com/

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:00 Condensing the Pitch Deck and Lessons from Fundraising
01:26 Finding Mentors and Understanding VC Culture
07:45 Handling Rejection and Learning from Feedback
11:42 Choosing the Right VC: Beyond Just the Money
16:54 Negotiation Strategy and Fair Terms
19:01 Building Awareness and Living Rent-Free in People's Minds
20:11 Centivax's Next Steps: Universal Vaccines and RNA LNP Technology
24:58 Phase 1 Clinical Trials and Platform Validation
25:49 Shout-Outs to Team Members and Collaborators
29:15 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 25 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1831 "If you can synthesize, then there's no such thing as too much expertise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jacob Glanville pulls back the curtain on the “black box” of venture capital for biotech founders, sharing what he learned moving from pitching antibody platforms to pitching VCs. He explains how aligning with each firm’s investment thesis, simplifying your story, and using sharp visuals—while treating fundraising like dating, not a numbers game—can dramatically improve your odds without ever resorting to exaggeration or dishonesty.​ Jacob then dives into choosing the right venture partners, negotiating fair terms, and focusing on what real success looks like for both founders and investors. He shows how the best VCs act as strategic allies and “polishing engines,” and explains why he partnered with NFX and GHIC to help drive Centivax’s universal vaccine programs forward, from RNA-LNP–enabled flu vaccines to broad-spectrum efforts in HIV and coronaviruses, all powered by a village of mentors, collaborators, and family.​ "If you can synthesize, then there's no such thing as too much expertise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where Jacob Glanville pulls back the curtain on the “black box” of venture capital for biotech founders, sharing what he learned moving from pitching antibody platforms to pitching VCs. He explains how aligning with each firm’s investment thesis, simplifying your story, and using sharp visuals—while treating fundraising like dating, not a numbers game—can dramatically improve your odds without ever resorting to exaggeration or dishonesty.​ Jacob then dives into choosing the right venture partners, negotiating fair terms, and focusing on what real success looks like for both founders and investors. He shows how the best VCs act as strategic allies and “polishing engines,” and explains why he partnered with NFX and GHIC to help drive Centivax’s universal vaccine programs forward, from RNA-LNP–enabled flu vaccines to broad-spectrum efforts in HIV and coronaviruses, all powered by a village of mentors, collaborators, and family.​ No No 🧬 The "Respiration Model": Balancing Debate & Execution | Jacob Glanville Re-Release (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m7mj68-the-respiration-model-balancing-debate-execution-jacob-glanville-re-release-part-3-4 🧬 The "Respiration Model": Balancing Debate & Execution | Jacob Glanville Re-Release (Part 3/4) 200 No No 70v5r7p1 "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville breaks down how he built Distributed Bio from a napkin-stage idea into a full-service antibody discovery platform—without traditional venture capital. He shares how creative partnerships with USF’s biotech master’s program and a scrappy animal facility in Guatemala helped him access labs, talent, and proof-of-concept data, even as early setbacks with SuperHuman 1.0 cost him clients and sleep. The conversation then dives into the realities of scaling: squeezing into half a bench at JLABS before expanding into a 7,500-square-foot facility powered by smart equipment leasing and a growing team. Jacob also introduces his “Respiration Model” of leadership—open debate followed by uncompromising execution—and explains why rising competition and strong universal vaccine data led him to sell Distributed Bio to Charles River Laboratories and spin out Centivax just as the pandemic hit. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville breaks down how he built Distributed Bio from a napkin-stage idea into a full-service antibody discovery platform—without traditional venture capital. He shares how creative partnerships with USF’s biotech master’s program and a scrappy animal facility in Guatemala helped him access labs, talent, and proof-of-concept data, even as early setbacks with SuperHuman 1.0 cost him clients and sleep.

The conversation then dives into the realities of scaling: squeezing into half a bench at JLABS before expanding into a 7,500-square-foot facility powered by smart equipment leasing and a growing team. Jacob also introduces his “Respiration Model” of leadership—open debate followed by uncompromising execution—and explains why rising competition and strong universal vaccine data led him to sell Distributed Bio to Charles River Laboratories and spin out Centivax just as the pandemic hit.

Key topics covered:

  • Building Distributed Bio's business model: Software licensing, SuperHuman library development, and service contracts without VC funding
  • Scrappy early-stage execution: USF grad student partnerships, Guatemala animal facility, and surviving SuperHuman 1.0's defects
  • Scaling operations: JLABS growth, equipment leasing strategy, protocol standardization, and hiring 60-70 interns over multiple years
  • The "Respiration Model": Balancing organic innovation with hierarchical execution, managing co-founder tensions, and creating culture
  • Strategic exit and new chapter: CRO acquisition timing, competitive landscape analysis, and spinning out Centivax for universal vaccines

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Deep Sequencing for Phage Display Library Analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37966608/
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Computing https://aws.amazon.com/health/life-sciences/
Incubator Models (JLABS) https://jnjinnovation.com/jlabs
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Charles River Laboratories (CRO): https://www.criver.com/ 
University of San Francisco (USF): https://www.usfca.edu/

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:09 Finding Co-Founders and the Three-Stage Plan
06:46 Building the SuperHuman Library with USF Graduate Students​
10:22 Starting at JLABS and Scaling Lab Space​
11:19 Equipment Leasing as a Growth Strategy​
14:02 Challenges That Kept Him Up at Night​
18:13 Learning from Academia vs Big Pharma Approaches​
20:27 The Respiration Model: Balancing Innovation and Execution​
23:32 Decision to Pursue Acquisition with Charles River​
27:15 Spinning Out Centivax and Universal Vaccine Technology​
27:43 Pandemic Timing and Gates Foundation Support​
32:19 Outro​
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2043 "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville breaks down how he built Distributed Bio from a napkin-stage idea into a full-service antibody discovery platform—without traditional venture capital. He shares how creative partnerships with USF’s biotech master’s program and a scrappy animal facility in Guatemala helped him access labs, talent, and proof-of-concept data, even as early setbacks with SuperHuman 1.0 cost him clients and sleep. The conversation then dives into the realities of scaling: squeezing into half a bench at JLABS before expanding into a 7,500-square-foot facility powered by smart equipment leasing and a growing team. Jacob also introduces his “Respiration Model” of leadership—open debate followed by uncompromising execution—and explains why rising competition and strong universal vaccine data led him to sell Distributed Bio to Charles River Laboratories and spin out Centivax just as the pandemic hit. "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville breaks down how he built Distributed Bio from a napkin-stage idea into a full-service antibody discovery platform—without traditional venture capital. He shares how creative partnerships with USF’s biotech master’s program and a scrappy animal facility in Guatemala helped him access labs, talent, and proof-of-concept data, even as early setbacks with SuperHuman 1.0 cost him clients and sleep. The conversation then dives into the realities of scaling: squeezing into half a bench at JLABS before expanding into a 7,500-square-foot facility powered by smart equipment leasing and a growing team. Jacob also introduces his “Respiration Model” of leadership—open debate followed by uncompromising execution—and explains why rising competition and strong universal vaccine data led him to sell Distributed Bio to Charles River Laboratories and spin out Centivax just as the pandemic hit. No No 🧬 From Raw Data to Better Drugs: Deep Sequencing Antibodies | Jake Glanville Re-Release (2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8klp66n-jake-glanville-re-release-2 🧬 From Raw Data to Better Drugs: Deep Sequencing Antibodies | Jake Glanville Re-Release (2/4) 199 No No 71wjlmm0 "Find the thing that gets you excited, that fascinates you, and then have the thing you love be something else." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville discusses his transformative years at Pfizer's Rinat site and his transition to Stanford. He describes how an open, collaborative culture allowed him to roam across teams, trading his coding skills for scientific mentorship while building critical bioinformatics infrastructure for antibody discovery. Jacob shares how he converted a corporate laptop into antibody.pfizer.com, creating an internal web server that centralized analysis tools and enabled scientists to rapidly interrogate antibody libraries. Early access to deep sequencing let him dissect repertoires before and after selection, iteratively design better synthetic libraries, and publish influential papers—ultimately being promoted four times to Principal Scientist with only a BA. Despite this success, his burning idea for a universal vaccine drove him to leave Pfizer, pursue a PhD at Stanford, and simultaneously launch Distributed Bio. At Stanford, Jacob explains how he "separated church and state," keeping therapeutic antibody work in his company while focusing academic research on T-cell receptors and cytokine analysis. He reflects on navigating Stanford's tech transfer process and contrasts the priorities of academia versus industry, emphasizing the value of finding work that fascinates you. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Find the thing that gets you excited, that fascinates you, and then have the thing you love be something else."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville discusses his transformative years at Pfizer's Rinat site and his transition to Stanford. He describes how an open, collaborative culture allowed him to roam across teams, trading his coding skills for scientific mentorship while building critical bioinformatics infrastructure for antibody discovery.

Jacob shares how he converted a corporate laptop into antibody.pfizer.com, creating an internal web server that centralized analysis tools and enabled scientists to rapidly interrogate antibody libraries. Early access to deep sequencing let him dissect repertoires before and after selection, iteratively design better synthetic libraries, and publish influential papers—ultimately being promoted four times to Principal Scientist with only a BA. Despite this success, his burning idea for a universal vaccine drove him to leave Pfizer, pursue a PhD at Stanford, and simultaneously launch Distributed Bio.

At Stanford, Jacob explains how he "separated church and state," keeping therapeutic antibody work in his company while focusing academic research on T-cell receptors and cytokine analysis. He reflects on navigating Stanford's tech transfer process and contrasts the priorities of academia versus industry, emphasizing the value of finding work that fascinates you.

Key topics covered:

  • Antibody Engineering at Pfizer: Building phage display analysis tools and turning a laptop into antibody.pfizer.com
  • Deep Sequencing and Library Design: Using high-throughput sequencing to iteratively improve antibody discovery libraries
  • Leaving Big Pharma: Walking away from Principal Scientist to pursue a universal vaccine concept and PhD
  • Stanford and Distributed Bio: Balancing academic research, company building, and clean IP boundaries
  • Career Strategy: Industry vs. academia, early exposure, and finding work that fascinates you

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu​ 
UC Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley): https://www.berkeley.edu 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:25 Landing a Job at Pfizer and First Days in Industry
03:47 Building Bioinformatics Tools and the Antibody.Pfizer.com Server
08:10 Creating a Web Server and Collecting Antibody Data
10:59 Deep Sequencing Antibodies and Building Better Libraries
13:45 Why Leave Pfizer for Stanford
17:16 Going Behind Enemy Lines: From Berkeley to Stanford
18:46 Advice on Industry Experience vs. PhD Programs
20:44 Starting Distributed Bio Before Stanford
24:34 Finding What Fascinates You vs. What You Love
27:33 Navigating Stanford's Tech Transfer and Keeping Church and State Separate
29:44 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1854 "Find the thing that gets you excited, that fascinates you, and then have the thing you love be something else." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville discusses his transformative years at Pfizer's Rinat site and his transition to Stanford. He describes how an open, collaborative culture allowed him to roam across teams, trading his coding skills for scientific mentorship while building critical bioinformatics infrastructure for antibody discovery. Jacob shares how he converted a corporate laptop into antibody.pfizer.com, creating an internal web server that centralized analysis tools and enabled scientists to rapidly interrogate antibody libraries. Early access to deep sequencing let him dissect repertoires before and after selection, iteratively design better synthetic libraries, and publish influential papers—ultimately being promoted four times to Principal Scientist with only a BA. Despite this success, his burning idea for a universal vaccine drove him to leave Pfizer, pursue a PhD at Stanford, and simultaneously launch Distributed Bio. At Stanford, Jacob explains how he "separated church and state," keeping therapeutic antibody work in his company while focusing academic research on T-cell receptors and cytokine analysis. He reflects on navigating Stanford's tech transfer process and contrasts the priorities of academia versus industry, emphasizing the value of finding work that fascinates you. "Find the thing that gets you excited, that fascinates you, and then have the thing you love be something else." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, in which Jacob Glanville discusses his transformative years at Pfizer's Rinat site and his transition to Stanford. He describes how an open, collaborative culture allowed him to roam across teams, trading his coding skills for scientific mentorship while building critical bioinformatics infrastructure for antibody discovery. Jacob shares how he converted a corporate laptop into antibody.pfizer.com, creating an internal web server that centralized analysis tools and enabled scientists to rapidly interrogate antibody libraries. Early access to deep sequencing let him dissect repertoires before and after selection, iteratively design better synthetic libraries, and publish influential papers—ultimately being promoted four times to Principal Scientist with only a BA. Despite this success, his burning idea for a universal vaccine drove him to leave Pfizer, pursue a PhD at Stanford, and simultaneously launch Distributed Bio. At Stanford, Jacob explains how he "separated church and state," keeping therapeutic antibody work in his company while focusing academic research on T-cell receptors and cytokine analysis. He reflects on navigating Stanford's tech transfer process and contrasts the priorities of academia versus industry, emphasizing the value of finding work that fascinates you. No No 🧬 The Mayan Negotiation Secret That Built A Biotech Company | Jake Glanville Re-Release (1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85j1jyn-jake-glanville-re-release-1 🧬 The Mayan Negotiation Secret That Built A Biotech Company | Jake Glanville Re-Release (1/4) 198 No No 81q3w341 "You don't always know at the time how something will be useful in the future, but if you keep following what fascinates you, those threads can re-synthesize into something powerful down the line."​ We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where computational immuno-engineer and serial entrepreneur Jake Glanville shares how growing up in a Mayan Tzʼutujil village in Guatemala during a civil war shaped his path into biotech. He reflects on living amid limited access to medicine, navigating personal health challenges like asthma, and witnessing how simple interventions such as deworming transformed entire communities, inspiring his commitment to developing therapeutics and vaccines.​ Jake discusses the profound influence of his grandfather, a Rocketdyne engineer who worked on the engines that sent humans to the moon, and how that legacy lowered his sense of what is "impossible" in science. Watching his parents run a hotel and restaurant gave him an education in operations, resilience, and people management—skills that translated directly into building biotech companies. He also unpacks the negotiation lessons he absorbed from Mayan market culture, where the goal is sustainable, mutual value rather than one-time wins.​ The episode follows Jake's transition to the United States after his father's autoimmune disease diagnosis, his strategic decision to attend UC Berkeley, and how his self-taught programming background fused with population genetics to create a passion for computational immunology. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You don't always know at the time how something will be useful in the future, but if you keep following what fascinates you, those threads can re-synthesize into something powerful down the line."​

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where computational immuno-engineer and serial entrepreneur Jake Glanville shares how growing up in a Mayan Tzʼutujil village in Guatemala during a civil war shaped his path into biotech. He reflects on living amid limited access to medicine, navigating personal health challenges like asthma, and witnessing how simple interventions such as deworming transformed entire communities, inspiring his commitment to developing therapeutics and vaccines.​

Jake discusses the profound influence of his grandfather, a Rocketdyne engineer who worked on the engines that sent humans to the moon, and how that legacy lowered his sense of what is "impossible" in science. Watching his parents run a hotel and restaurant gave him an education in operations, resilience, and people management—skills that translated directly into building biotech companies. He also unpacks the negotiation lessons he absorbed from Mayan market culture, where the goal is sustainable, mutual value rather than one-time wins.​

The episode follows Jake's transition to the United States after his father's autoimmune disease diagnosis, his strategic decision to attend UC Berkeley, and how his self-taught programming background fused with population genetics to create a passion for computational immunology.

Key topics covered:
  • Growing Up in Guatemala: How limited healthcare and infectious disease exposure motivated Jake's focus on medicine and immunology​
  • Family Influences: The impact of a rocket engineer grandfather, entrepreneurial parents, and an artist mother on his scientific ambition​
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset: Lessons in operations, problem-solving, and people management from running a restaurant in volatile conditions​
  • Mayan Negotiation Principles: Market-born lessons in fair, relationship-focused deal-making and being "pushy smooth"​
  • Berkeley and Computational Immunology: Combining molecular biology, population genetics, and programming to analyze immune diversity

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
University of California, Berkeley: https://www.berkeley.edu/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:29 Growing Up in Guatemala and Grandfather's Influence
05:16 Healthcare Challenges and Early Interest in Medicine
07:23 Learning from Parents' Restaurant Business
09:43 Artistic Training and Cross-Disciplinary Thinking
10:16 Mayan Culture and Negotiation Philosophy
11:07 The Hard Mode of Hospitality Business
12:52 Meeting People and Building Relationships
14:50 The Art of Negotiation and Leadership
16:49 Learning to Say No
17:29 Decision to Attend UC Berkeley
19:56 Discovering Computational Immunology
22:58 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1445 "You don't always know at the time how something will be useful in the future, but if you keep following what fascinates you, those threads can re-synthesize into something powerful down the line."​ We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where computational immuno-engineer and serial entrepreneur Jake Glanville shares how growing up in a Mayan Tzʼutujil village in Guatemala during a civil war shaped his path into biotech. He reflects on living amid limited access to medicine, navigating personal health challenges like asthma, and witnessing how simple interventions such as deworming transformed entire communities, inspiring his commitment to developing therapeutics and vaccines.​ Jake discusses the profound influence of his grandfather, a Rocketdyne engineer who worked on the engines that sent humans to the moon, and how that legacy lowered his sense of what is "impossible" in science. Watching his parents run a hotel and restaurant gave him an education in operations, resilience, and people management—skills that translated directly into building biotech companies. He also unpacks the negotiation lessons he absorbed from Mayan market culture, where the goal is sustainable, mutual value rather than one-time wins.​ The episode follows Jake's transition to the United States after his father's autoimmune disease diagnosis, his strategic decision to attend UC Berkeley, and how his self-taught programming background fused with population genetics to create a passion for computational immunology. "You don't always know at the time how something will be useful in the future, but if you keep following what fascinates you, those threads can re-synthesize into something powerful down the line."​ We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next re-release is this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, where computational immuno-engineer and serial entrepreneur Jake Glanville shares how growing up in a Mayan Tzʼutujil village in Guatemala during a civil war shaped his path into biotech. He reflects on living amid limited access to medicine, navigating personal health challenges like asthma, and witnessing how simple interventions such as deworming transformed entire communities, inspiring his commitment to developing therapeutics and vaccines.​ Jake discusses the profound influence of his grandfather, a Rocketdyne engineer who worked on the engines that sent humans to the moon, and how that legacy lowered his sense of what is "impossible" in science. Watching his parents run a hotel and restaurant gave him an education in operations, resilience, and people management—skills that translated directly into building biotech companies. He also unpacks the negotiation lessons he absorbed from Mayan market culture, where the goal is sustainable, mutual value rather than one-time wins.​ The episode follows Jake's transition to the United States after his father's autoimmune disease diagnosis, his strategic decision to attend UC Berkeley, and how his self-taught programming background fused with population genetics to create a passion for computational immunology. No No 🧬 Seed Rounds Are the New Series A: How Funding Benchmarks Shifted | Krish Ramadurai (4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vl5lj8-krish-ramadurai-4 🧬 Seed Rounds Are the New Series A: How Funding Benchmarks Shifted | Krish Ramadurai (4/4) 197 No No 70yp8p21 "The biggest problem that we're seeing right now is that the efficiency gains have not translated to enterprise value. The customer is not seeing that result transcend into unit economics yet." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's insights on AI-native venture investing and the evolving biotech landscape. Krish unpacks the current state of AI ventures, explaining why the foundation layer is being rapidly commoditized and how defensibility now lives in full-stack applications rather than point solutions. He offers a candid perspective on what founders often misunderstand about market fit, revealing that efficiency gains haven't translated to enterprise value and that most AI companies are building vitamins when customers need painkillers. Krish breaks down the dramatic shift in funding benchmarks, where seed-stage companies now achieve revenue milestones that previously defined Series A rounds. He shares hard-won lessons from the tech bio space, explaining why platforms that forgot biotech is fundamentally a drug business struggled during the biotech winter, and why growth investors can only underwrite assets, not services models. The conversation also explores AIX's firm-building philosophy, emphasizing how combining technical expertise with authentic human connection—being "the same dweeb in and out of the office"—creates a competitive advantage in winning deals against tier-one funds with significantly larger checks. "The biggest problem that we're seeing right now is that the efficiency gains have not translated to enterprise value. The customer is not seeing that result transcend into unit economics yet."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's insights on AI-native venture investing and the evolving biotech landscape. Krish unpacks the current state of AI ventures, explaining why the foundation layer is being rapidly commoditized and how defensibility now lives in full-stack applications rather than point solutions. He offers a candid perspective on what founders often misunderstand about market fit, revealing that efficiency gains haven't translated to enterprise value and that most AI companies are building vitamins when customers need painkillers.

Krish breaks down the dramatic shift in funding benchmarks, where seed-stage companies now achieve revenue milestones that previously defined Series A rounds. He shares hard-won lessons from the tech bio space, explaining why platforms that forgot biotech is fundamentally a drug business struggled during the biotech winter, and why growth investors can only underwrite assets, not services models. The conversation also explores AIX's firm-building philosophy, emphasizing how combining technical expertise with authentic human connection—being "the same dweeb in and out of the office"—creates a competitive advantage in winning deals against tier-one funds with significantly larger checks.

Key topics covered:

  • AI Commoditization: Why the core AI foundation layer is eroding and defensibility requires full-stack, wedge-owning solutions
  • Funding Paradigm Shifts: How revenue benchmarks have evolved with companies skipping entire funding stages
  • Tech Bio Reality Check: Why AI biotech platforms failed by forgetting that biotech is a drug business, not a software business
  • Customer-Centric Building: The importance of understanding actual customer needs versus assumed efficiency gains, especially in healthcare's 16-month procurement cycles
  • Firm Culture & Winning Deals: How EQ, technical depth, and authenticity enable winning competitive Series A rounds with smaller checks against tier-one investors

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Krish Ramadurai, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Choose the Right Contract Research Organization https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Insilico Medicine: https://insilico.com/ 
Recursion Pharmaceuticals: https://www.recursion.com/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:21 State of AI-Native Venture Capital & Market Commoditization
04:21 Defensibility, Full-Stack Wedges & Shifting Funding Benchmarks
07:35 AI Froth, Customer Overwhelm & Painkillers vs Vitamins
09:51 Where AI Actually Matters in Biotech & AI-Developed Drugs
13:26 The Reality of Venture Capital: Glamour vs Fund Management
15:29 Building AIX: Firm Culture, Mission & Track Record
17:23 Why Founders Choose AIX: EQ, Technical Depth & Being “Normal”
21:45 Communicating Complex Science & Making STEM Accessible
22:40 Looking Ahead: Fund III, 100 New Cures & Practicing the Craft
24:35 Shout-Outs, Mentors & the Importance of Good People
25:01 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Failure, Tactical Suffering & Growth
26:43 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1749 "The biggest problem that we're seeing right now is that the efficiency gains have not translated to enterprise value. The customer is not seeing that result transcend into unit economics yet." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's insights on AI-native venture investing and the evolving biotech landscape. Krish unpacks the current state of AI ventures, explaining why the foundation layer is being rapidly commoditized and how defensibility now lives in full-stack applications rather than point solutions. He offers a candid perspective on what founders often misunderstand about market fit, revealing that efficiency gains haven't translated to enterprise value and that most AI companies are building vitamins when customers need painkillers. Krish breaks down the dramatic shift in funding benchmarks, where seed-stage companies now achieve revenue milestones that previously defined Series A rounds. He shares hard-won lessons from the tech bio space, explaining why platforms that forgot biotech is fundamentally a drug business struggled during the biotech winter, and why growth investors can only underwrite assets, not services models. The conversation also explores AIX's firm-building philosophy, emphasizing how combining technical expertise with authentic human connection—being "the same dweeb in and out of the office"—creates a competitive advantage in winning deals against tier-one funds with significantly larger checks. "The biggest problem that we're seeing right now is that the efficiency gains have not translated to enterprise value. The customer is not seeing that result transcend into unit economics yet." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's insights on AI-native venture investing and the evolving biotech landscape. Krish unpacks the current state of AI ventures, explaining why the foundation layer is being rapidly commoditized and how defensibility now lives in full-stack applications rather than point solutions. He offers a candid perspective on what founders often misunderstand about market fit, revealing that efficiency gains haven't translated to enterprise value and that most AI companies are building vitamins when customers need painkillers. Krish breaks down the dramatic shift in funding benchmarks, where seed-stage companies now achieve revenue milestones that previously defined Series A rounds. He shares hard-won lessons from the tech bio space, explaining why platforms that forgot biotech is fundamentally a drug business struggled during the biotech winter, and why growth investors can only underwrite assets, not services models. The conversation also explores AIX's firm-building philosophy, emphasizing how combining technical expertise with authentic human connection—being "the same dweeb in and out of the office"—creates a competitive advantage in winning deals against tier-one funds with significantly larger checks. No No 🧬 Controlled Chaos: Why Success Isn't Planned (And Doesn't Need To Be) | Krish Ramadurai (3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286qw4mn-krish-ramadurai-3 🧬 Controlled Chaos: Why Success Isn't Planned (And Doesn't Need To Be) | Krish Ramadurai (3/4) 196 No No j12rjz71 "I'm only doing this because I'm already doing this or because I couldn't afford to hypothesis test." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Krish Ramadurai, Partner at AIX Ventures, reveals his unconventional approach to building a venture capital career through simultaneous immersion in both academia and industry. The conversation explores how Krish pursued his master's in nanomedicine and PhD at Oxford University while working full-time at Harmonics Capital—an arrangement he negotiated by demonstrating that his research on machine learning algorithms for mRNA optimization directly aligned with his daily venture work.​ Krish challenges conventional wisdom about hustle culture, arguing that productivity drops after 55 hours per week and emphasizing strategic time protection over brute-force effort. He shares candid reflections on what he calls "controlled chaos"—how his achievements weren't the result of meticulous planning but rather making the best of challenging circumstances. The discussion then transitions to his strategic move to AIX Ventures, where he joined as the first institutional partner at a firm helmed by AI pioneers like Richard Socher (inventor of prompt engineering). Krish describes building AIX's TechBio practice from less than 10% to 25% of the portfolio in just over a year, leading nine deals while helping scale a fund that's become the #2 VC globally for performance with eight unicorns from their first fund. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I'm only doing this because I'm already doing this or because I couldn't afford to hypothesis test."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Krish Ramadurai, Partner at AIX Ventures, reveals his unconventional approach to building a venture capital career through simultaneous immersion in both academia and industry. The conversation explores how Krish pursued his master's in nanomedicine and PhD at Oxford University while working full-time at Harmonics Capital—an arrangement he negotiated by demonstrating that his research on machine learning algorithms for mRNA optimization directly aligned with his daily venture work.​

Krish challenges conventional wisdom about hustle culture, arguing that productivity drops after 55 hours per week and emphasizing strategic time protection over brute-force effort. He shares candid reflections on what he calls "controlled chaos"—how his achievements weren't the result of meticulous planning but rather making the best of challenging circumstances. The discussion then transitions to his strategic move to AIX Ventures, where he joined as the first institutional partner at a firm helmed by AI pioneers like Richard Socher (inventor of prompt engineering). Krish describes building AIX's TechBio practice from less than 10% to 25% of the portfolio in just over a year, leading nine deals while helping scale a fund that's become the #2 VC globally for performance with eight unicorns from their first fund.

Key topics covered:

  • Oxford PhD Journey: Negotiating remote doctoral study while working full-time in venture capital, and how Oxford's unique tutorial system differs from traditional programs
  • Work Efficiency Philosophy: Why 55 hours is the productivity ceiling and how strategic time management enables parallel career tracks
  • Building the Venture Flywheel: The deliberate five-year strategy to establish deal sourcing, diligence capabilities, and founder relationships
  • Advisory Ecosystem: Contributing to Nucleate, ARPA-H, and Department of Defense initiatives while maintaining a focused 10-hour quarterly commitment
  • AIX Ventures Strategy: Joining a boutique AI-native fund backed by world-class practitioners, scaling the TechBio practice, and maintaining disciplined fund sizing to optimize returns

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Krish Ramadurai, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
General Partner vs. Venture Partner Explained: https://visible.vc/blog/general-partner-vs-limited-partner/ 
mRNA Therapeutics and Delivery Challenges: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11883111/ 
Tutorial System Fundamentals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutorial_system 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Oxford University: https://www.ox.ac.uk/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:49 Pursuing Oxford While Working Full-Time at Harmonics
03:02 Remote Master's in Nanomedicine: Breaking the Rules
05:16 Research Focus: mRNA Optimization and Machine Learning
06:45 Oxford's Unique PhD Structure and Three-Year Timeline
08:16 Lessons from the Oxford Experience and Trade-Offs
12:39 Integrating Graduate Work into Venture Practice
14:42 Building Your Tribe: Mentorship and Network in VC
17:13 The Path to General Partner and Leaving Harmonics
19:36 Advisory Work with Nucleate and ARPA-H
22:39 Joining AIX Ventures: Finding the Super-Freaks
26:17 AIX Investment Strategy and Fund Structure
27:37 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1750 "I'm only doing this because I'm already doing this or because I couldn't afford to hypothesis test." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Krish Ramadurai, Partner at AIX Ventures, reveals his unconventional approach to building a venture capital career through simultaneous immersion in both academia and industry. The conversation explores how Krish pursued his master's in nanomedicine and PhD at Oxford University while working full-time at Harmonics Capital—an arrangement he negotiated by demonstrating that his research on machine learning algorithms for mRNA optimization directly aligned with his daily venture work.​ Krish challenges conventional wisdom about hustle culture, arguing that productivity drops after 55 hours per week and emphasizing strategic time protection over brute-force effort. He shares candid reflections on what he calls "controlled chaos"—how his achievements weren't the result of meticulous planning but rather making the best of challenging circumstances. The discussion then transitions to his strategic move to AIX Ventures, where he joined as the first institutional partner at a firm helmed by AI pioneers like Richard Socher (inventor of prompt engineering). Krish describes building AIX's TechBio practice from less than 10% to 25% of the portfolio in just over a year, leading nine deals while helping scale a fund that's become the #2 VC globally for performance with eight unicorns from their first fund. "I'm only doing this because I'm already doing this or because I couldn't afford to hypothesis test." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Krish Ramadurai, Partner at AIX Ventures, reveals his unconventional approach to building a venture capital career through simultaneous immersion in both academia and industry. The conversation explores how Krish pursued his master's in nanomedicine and PhD at Oxford University while working full-time at Harmonics Capital—an arrangement he negotiated by demonstrating that his research on machine learning algorithms for mRNA optimization directly aligned with his daily venture work.​ Krish challenges conventional wisdom about hustle culture, arguing that productivity drops after 55 hours per week and emphasizing strategic time protection over brute-force effort. He shares candid reflections on what he calls "controlled chaos"—how his achievements weren't the result of meticulous planning but rather making the best of challenging circumstances. The discussion then transitions to his strategic move to AIX Ventures, where he joined as the first institutional partner at a firm helmed by AI pioneers like Richard Socher (inventor of prompt engineering). Krish describes building AIX's TechBio practice from less than 10% to 25% of the portfolio in just over a year, leading nine deals while helping scale a fund that's become the #2 VC globally for performance with eight unicorns from their first fund. No No 🧬 Why 40% of Venture Funds Failed Last Year (And How to Avoid It) | Krish Ramadurai (2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nxz537n-krish-ramadurai-2 🧬 Why 40% of Venture Funds Failed Last Year (And How to Avoid It) | Krish Ramadurai (2/4) 195 No No 61mkw4n1 "I was not like, 'Well, this partner helped me on it, and then we shared the deal.' I was like, 'I think I'm good at this because I basically did the output of an entire firm by myself, like, the first two years.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Krish Ramadurai, exploring his unconventional journey from Harvard academia to becoming a venture capital partner in record time. Krish shares how he applied his research training to venture capital, identifying a new category of compute-driven biotech companies before "TechBio" even existed, and executing twelve investments during his first year as an analyst—all while the COVID-19 pandemic sent markets into free fall.​ Krish reveals the critical importance of "shot-calling" in venture capital, explaining why many talented associates and principals get stuck in their careers by not claiming ownership of their wins. He describes compressing his MBA into sixteen months at Washington University while working two full-time positions, his rapid ascent from analyst to partner by consistently performing above his role, and the uncomfortable but necessary transition from technical expert to fundraiser when dealing with limited partners. Throughout the conversation, Krish emphasizes breaking traditional rules when conviction demands it, treating every investment like an evidence-based academic experiment, and understanding that in venture capital, you're only as good as your last deal. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I was not like, 'Well, this partner helped me on it, and then we shared the deal.' I was like, 'I think I'm good at this because I basically did the output of an entire firm by myself, like, the first two years.'"

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Krish Ramadurai, exploring his unconventional journey from Harvard academia to becoming a venture capital partner in record time. Krish shares how he applied his research training to venture capital, identifying a new category of compute-driven biotech companies before "TechBio" even existed, and executing twelve investments during his first year as an analyst—all while the COVID-19 pandemic sent markets into free fall.​

Krish reveals the critical importance of "shot-calling" in venture capital, explaining why many talented associates and principals get stuck in their careers by not claiming ownership of their wins. He describes compressing his MBA into sixteen months at Washington University while working two full-time positions, his rapid ascent from analyst to partner by consistently performing above his role, and the uncomfortable but necessary transition from technical expert to fundraiser when dealing with limited partners. Throughout the conversation, Krish emphasizes breaking traditional rules when conviction demands it, treating every investment like an evidence-based academic experiment, and understanding that in venture capital, you're only as good as your last deal.

Key topics covered:

  • Evidence-Based Venture Capital: Applying academic research methodology to investment diligence and thesis development during COVID-19 market uncertainty​
  • Identifying TechBio Before It Existed: Market mapping compute-driven biotech companies and building a comprehensive thesis workbook that led to investments in Insilico Medicine, Red AI, and others​
  • The Art of Shot-Calling: Why claiming ownership of your wins is critical for advancing from analyst to partner, and how many VCs get stuck by sharing credit​
  • Accelerated Career Progression: Navigating the venture capital hierarchy by doing work above your pay grade and forcing conversations about promotion through demonstrated results​
  • The LP Fundraising Reality: Transitioning from technical diligence to selling yourself as a jockey to institutional investors, understanding emerging versus established fund dynamics​

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Krish Ramadurai, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Due Diligence Best Practices in Venture Capital: https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/venture-capital-diligence/ 
Market Mapping for Venture Investors: https://www.growthmentor.com/glossary/market-mapping/ 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Harvard University (Belfer Center, Taubman Center): https://www.harvard.edu/ 
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU): https://wustl.edu/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:22 Evidence-Based Approach from Academic Research to Venture
05:32 First Day at Harmonics and COVID's Impact
06:39 MBA While Working Full-Time at MIT
11:18 Market Mapping and Building a Thesis
16:29 Shot-Calling and Career Advancement in Venture
19:35 Accelerating from Analyst to Principal
22:02 Transition to Partner and Ownership of Thesis
23:31 Fundraising from LPs During COVID
25:48 Understanding LP Landscape and Emerging Manager Dynamics
30:05 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1884 "I was not like, 'Well, this partner helped me on it, and then we shared the deal.' I was like, 'I think I'm good at this because I basically did the output of an entire firm by myself, like, the first two years.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Krish Ramadurai, exploring his unconventional journey from Harvard academia to becoming a venture capital partner in record time. Krish shares how he applied his research training to venture capital, identifying a new category of compute-driven biotech companies before "TechBio" even existed, and executing twelve investments during his first year as an analyst—all while the COVID-19 pandemic sent markets into free fall.​ Krish reveals the critical importance of "shot-calling" in venture capital, explaining why many talented associates and principals get stuck in their careers by not claiming ownership of their wins. He describes compressing his MBA into sixteen months at Washington University while working two full-time positions, his rapid ascent from analyst to partner by consistently performing above his role, and the uncomfortable but necessary transition from technical expert to fundraiser when dealing with limited partners. Throughout the conversation, Krish emphasizes breaking traditional rules when conviction demands it, treating every investment like an evidence-based academic experiment, and understanding that in venture capital, you're only as good as your last deal. "I was not like, 'Well, this partner helped me on it, and then we shared the deal.' I was like, 'I think I'm good at this because I basically did the output of an entire firm by myself, like, the first two years.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Krish Ramadurai, exploring his unconventional journey from Harvard academia to becoming a venture capital partner in record time. Krish shares how he applied his research training to venture capital, identifying a new category of compute-driven biotech companies before "TechBio" even existed, and executing twelve investments during his first year as an analyst—all while the COVID-19 pandemic sent markets into free fall.​ Krish reveals the critical importance of "shot-calling" in venture capital, explaining why many talented associates and principals get stuck in their careers by not claiming ownership of their wins. He describes compressing his MBA into sixteen months at Washington University while working two full-time positions, his rapid ascent from analyst to partner by consistently performing above his role, and the uncomfortable but necessary transition from technical expert to fundraiser when dealing with limited partners. Throughout the conversation, Krish emphasizes breaking traditional rules when conviction demands it, treating every investment like an evidence-based academic experiment, and understanding that in venture capital, you're only as good as your last deal. No No 🧬 Working 3 Jobs at Harvard: How Desperation Built Conviction | Krish Ramadurai (1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18330p48-krish-ramadurai-1 🧬 Working 3 Jobs at Harvard: How Desperation Built Conviction | Krish Ramadurai (1/4) 194 No No m0jpklz0 "You’ve just got to embrace the suck. When everything sucks, you just execute against it. It's nice because then when that situation happens again, which adult life works like that all the time, you can be more systematically prepared." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's unconventional journey from Chicago's South Side to becoming a Partner at AIX Ventures. Krish shares how a career-ending femur fracture during his track and field career redirected his path from Johns Hopkins to the University of Illinois, where he discovered the intersection of hard science and business that would define his future.​​ Krish takes us through his audacious approach to getting into Harvard—auditing classes before formal admission, working three jobs simultaneously to afford tuition, and sending over 500 cold emails to find research opportunities. He reflects on how working alongside figures like US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, CIA Director David Petraeus, and Nobel Prize winner Mike Kremer at the Belfer Center shaped his understanding of applied science and policy intervention. Most importantly, Krish emphasizes how rejection built conviction, turning financial desperation and constant setbacks into the foundation for his success in venture capital. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You’ve just got to embrace the suck. When everything sucks, you just execute against it. It's nice because then when that situation happens again, which adult life works like that all the time, you can be more systematically prepared."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's unconventional journey from Chicago's South Side to becoming a Partner at AIX Ventures. Krish shares how a career-ending femur fracture during his track and field career redirected his path from Johns Hopkins to the University of Illinois, where he discovered the intersection of hard science and business that would define his future.​​

Krish takes us through his audacious approach to getting into Harvard—auditing classes before formal admission, working three jobs simultaneously to afford tuition, and sending over 500 cold emails to find research opportunities. He reflects on how working alongside figures like US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, CIA Director David Petraeus, and Nobel Prize winner Mike Kremer at the Belfer Center shaped his understanding of applied science and policy intervention. Most importantly, Krish emphasizes how rejection built conviction, turning financial desperation and constant setbacks into the foundation for his success in venture capital.

Key topics covered:
  • From Superhero Scientists to STEM: How growing up with a cardiologist father and fascination with the scientists behind Marvel superheroes sparked his interest in biotechnology and applied research​
  • Pivoting After Injury: The femur fracture that ended his track career and forced an unconventional path to higher education​
  • The Unconventional Harvard Path: Auditing graduate courses before admission, juggling three jobs, and leveraging one connection into a full graduate school opportunity​
  • Building Conviction Through Rejection: How sending 500+ cold emails and facing constant rejection taught resilience and self-understanding that would prove essential in venture capital​
  • Applied Science in Action: Working on biological water filtration in Sub-Saharan Africa, collaborating with global policy leaders, and transitioning from think tank work to venture investing

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Krish Ramadurai, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Venture Capital Due Diligence Process https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/duediligence.asp 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu​ 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign https://illinois.edu​ 
Johns Hopkins University https://www.jhu.edu​ 
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs https://www.belfercenter.org​ 
Harvard Kennedy School Taubman Center https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/taubman 

Ashton "Ash" Carter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Carter ​​

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:38 Upbringing and Early Interest in STEM
06:18 Parental Expectations: Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer
08:49 Femur Fracture and Shift in College Plans
10:28 Undergraduate Experience at University of Illinois
11:47 Research on Biological Filtration in Sub-Saharan Africa
17:19 Path to Harvard Graduate School
19:58 Working Multiple Jobs While at Harvard
23:21 Working at Belfer Center and Meeting Key Mentors
25:34 Sending 500 Cold Emails and Facing Rejection
28:22 Embracing Failure and Building Conviction
31:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:11:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2001 "You’ve just got to embrace the suck. When everything sucks, you just execute against it. It's nice because then when that situation happens again, which adult life works like that all the time, you can be more systematically prepared." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's unconventional journey from Chicago's South Side to becoming a Partner at AIX Ventures. Krish shares how a career-ending femur fracture during his track and field career redirected his path from Johns Hopkins to the University of Illinois, where he discovered the intersection of hard science and business that would define his future.​​ Krish takes us through his audacious approach to getting into Harvard—auditing classes before formal admission, working three jobs simultaneously to afford tuition, and sending over 500 cold emails to find research opportunities. He reflects on how working alongside figures like US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, CIA Director David Petraeus, and Nobel Prize winner Mike Kremer at the Belfer Center shaped his understanding of applied science and policy intervention. Most importantly, Krish emphasizes how rejection built conviction, turning financial desperation and constant setbacks into the foundation for his success in venture capital. "You’ve just got to embrace the suck. When everything sucks, you just execute against it. It's nice because then when that situation happens again, which adult life works like that all the time, you can be more systematically prepared." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore Krish Ramadurai's unconventional journey from Chicago's South Side to becoming a Partner at AIX Ventures. Krish shares how a career-ending femur fracture during his track and field career redirected his path from Johns Hopkins to the University of Illinois, where he discovered the intersection of hard science and business that would define his future.​​ Krish takes us through his audacious approach to getting into Harvard—auditing classes before formal admission, working three jobs simultaneously to afford tuition, and sending over 500 cold emails to find research opportunities. He reflects on how working alongside figures like US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, CIA Director David Petraeus, and Nobel Prize winner Mike Kremer at the Belfer Center shaped his understanding of applied science and policy intervention. Most importantly, Krish emphasizes how rejection built conviction, turning financial desperation and constant setbacks into the foundation for his success in venture capital. No No 🧬 Profit + Purpose: The New Model for Healthcare Investing | Parag Shah Re-Release (2/2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xny7045n-parag-shah-re-release-2 🧬 Profit + Purpose: The New Model for Healthcare Investing | Parag Shah Re-Release (2/2) 193 No No l14rp9y1 "Entrepreneurship is great, but, for me, family always came first. [My] wife and kids always came first. I didn't miss a single game or show or anything of the kids, whether it was at 3 PM or 5 PM or 7 PM, I did that. And then I figured out the work otherwise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next rerelease is part 2 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we discuss his journey from leading the life sciences practice at Hercules Capital to founding K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares candid insights about the pivotal moment he transitioned from banking to private credit, his decision to join Hercules as one of the first employees, and the challenges of scaling a fund from $25 million to over a billion dollars as a public BDC. Parag offers rare transparency about the difficulties of navigating toxic corporate culture while building a successful business, and how those experiences shaped his vision for K2 HealthVentures. He emphasizes the critical importance of work-life balance in entrepreneurship, revealing how he never missed a single one of his children's games or shows despite the demands of building investment firms. The conversation explores the strategic advantages of evergreen fund structures versus traditional LP/GP models, and how K2's unique approach of combining debt and equity across the capital stack, along with dedicating a percentage of profits to underserved healthcare, represents a new model for impact investing in life sciences. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

"Entrepreneurship is great, but, for me, family always came first. [My] wife and kids always came first. I didn't miss a single game or show or anything of the kids, whether it was at 3 PM or 5 PM or 7 PM, I did that. And then I figured out the work otherwise."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next rerelease is part 2 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we discuss his journey from leading the life sciences practice at Hercules Capital to founding K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares candid insights about the pivotal moment he transitioned from banking to private credit, his decision to join Hercules as one of the first employees, and the challenges of scaling a fund from $25 million to over a billion dollars as a public BDC.

Parag offers rare transparency about the difficulties of navigating toxic corporate culture while building a successful business, and how those experiences shaped his vision for K2 HealthVentures. He emphasizes the critical importance of work-life balance in entrepreneurship, revealing how he never missed a single one of his children's games or shows despite the demands of building investment firms. The conversation explores the strategic advantages of evergreen fund structures versus traditional LP/GP models, and how K2's unique approach of combining debt and equity across the capital stack, along with dedicating a percentage of profits to underserved healthcare, represents a new model for impact investing in life sciences.
Key topics covered:

  • Transitioning from banking to private credit and joining Hercules Capital in its earliest days
  • Taking Hercules public and scaling from $50 million to over $2 billion in life sciences investments
  • Navigating difficult corporate cultures and the importance of building intentional company culture
  • Achieving sustainable work-life balance as an entrepreneur without sacrificing family priorities
  • Founding K2 HealthVentures with an evergreen structure and dual mission of profit and purpose

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Business Development Companies (BDCs) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bdc.asp 
Evergreen Fund Structures in Private Capital https://www.hamiltonlane.com/en-us/knowledge-center/evergreen-funds 
Private Credit and Venture Debt Explained https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/venturecapital.asp 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Comerica Bank: https://www.comerica.com ​
Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:11 Pivoting to Private Credit and Starting a Fund
13:06 Importance of Corporate Culture in Firm Building
14:50 Going Public: Benefits and Pressures of a Public BDC
18:60 Knowing When It's Time to Leave
23:33 Taking a Break and Finding Balance
29:34 Founding K2 HealthVentures
38:30 Raising $400 Million: A Stark Contrast
42:14 Evergreen Structure and Long-Term Partnership
45:04 Working Across the Capital Stack
48:46 The Value of Co-Founders
53:14 Looking Ahead: Growth and the K2 Foundation
54:38 Shout Outs and Gratitude
57:43 Advice to Your 21-Year-Old Self
01:02:06 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3784 "Entrepreneurship is great, but, for me, family always came first. [My] wife and kids always came first. I didn't miss a single game or show or anything of the kids, whether it was at 3 PM or 5 PM or 7 PM, I did that. And then I figured out the work otherwise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next rerelease is part 2 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we discuss his journey from leading the life sciences practice at Hercules Capital to founding K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares candid insights about the pivotal moment he transitioned from banking to private credit, his decision to join Hercules as one of the first employees, and the challenges of scaling a fund from $25 million to over a billion dollars as a public BDC. Parag offers rare transparency about the difficulties of navigating toxic corporate culture while building a successful business, and how those experiences shaped his vision for K2 HealthVentures. He emphasizes the critical importance of work-life balance in entrepreneurship, revealing how he never missed a single one of his children's games or shows despite the demands of building investment firms. The conversation explores the strategic advantages of evergreen fund structures versus traditional LP/GP models, and how K2's unique approach of combining debt and equity across the capital stack, along with dedicating a percentage of profits to underserved healthcare, represents a new model for impact investing in life sciences. "Entrepreneurship is great, but, for me, family always came first. [My] wife and kids always came first. I didn't miss a single game or show or anything of the kids, whether it was at 3 PM or 5 PM or 7 PM, I did that. And then I figured out the work otherwise." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our next rerelease is part 2 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we discuss his journey from leading the life sciences practice at Hercules Capital to founding K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares candid insights about the pivotal moment he transitioned from banking to private credit, his decision to join Hercules as one of the first employees, and the challenges of scaling a fund from $25 million to over a billion dollars as a public BDC. Parag offers rare transparency about the difficulties of navigating toxic corporate culture while building a successful business, and how those experiences shaped his vision for K2 HealthVentures. He emphasizes the critical importance of work-life balance in entrepreneurship, revealing how he never missed a single one of his children's games or shows despite the demands of building investment firms. The conversation explores the strategic advantages of evergreen fund structures versus traditional LP/GP models, and how K2's unique approach of combining debt and equity across the capital stack, along with dedicating a percentage of profits to underserved healthcare, represents a new model for impact investing in life sciences. No No 🧬 How Biotech Companies Get Debt Funding (Without Revenue) | Parag Shah Re-Release (1/2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnm7mwrn-parag-shah-re-release-1 🧬 How Biotech Companies Get Debt Funding (Without Revenue) | Parag Shah Re-Release (1/2) 192 No No 71v5r9y0 "I was fortunate that my parents pretty much allowed for a more experimental, open approach to education being important, but do what you want to do, right? Try different things, take healthy risks." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our first rerelease is part 1 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we explore his remarkable journey from molecular biologist to CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares how his upbringing in New York City with immigrant parents who encouraged experimentation shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and describes the pivotal moment when he realized bench science wasn't his calling while researching at MIT's Whitehead Institute.​​ The conversation reveals how Parag boldly proposed building Imperial Bank's life sciences lending practice from scratch, despite being young and relatively inexperienced. He discusses lessons learned from MIT about persistence through failure, translating traditional credit frameworks to venture-backed biotech companies, and the complementary role of debt capital alongside equity financing in life sciences. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I was fortunate that my parents pretty much allowed for a more experimental, open approach to education being important, but do what you want to do, right? Try different things, take healthy risks."

We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our first rerelease is part 1 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we explore his remarkable journey from molecular biologist to CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares how his upbringing in New York City with immigrant parents who encouraged experimentation shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and describes the pivotal moment when he realized bench science wasn't his calling while researching at MIT's Whitehead Institute.​​

The conversation reveals how Parag boldly proposed building Imperial Bank's life sciences lending practice from scratch, despite being young and relatively inexperienced. He discusses lessons learned from MIT about persistence through failure, translating traditional credit frameworks to venture-backed biotech companies, and the complementary role of debt capital alongside equity financing in life sciences.

Key topics covered:

  • From Science to Finance: Transitioning from MIT molecular biology research to credit investing and discovering alternative career paths for scientists​
  • The Power of Risk-Taking: How liberal parenting, MIT's challenging environment, and willingness to fail fast shaped an entrepreneurial mindset​
  • Building Credit Frameworks: Adapting traditional lending principles to venture-backed life sciences companies and understanding value inflection points beyond revenue​
  • International Experience: Learning credit fundamentals at Bank Boston in Buenos Aires and navigating cultural differences while building professional expertise​
  • Entrepreneurial Banking: Creating Imperial Bank's life sciences practice from scratch and the art of asking for resources when entering the unknown

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Venture Capital and Venture Debt Relationship: https://dealroom.net/faq/venture-debt-financing 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): https://www.mit.edu​ 
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research: https://wi.mit.edu​ 
Comerica Bank: https://www.comerica.com ​
Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:44 Upbringing in New York City and Parents' Influence
05:19 Early Science Teachers and Inspiration
09:31 Choosing MIT and Meeting His Wife
10:54 MIT's Rigor and Learning to Persist
13:09 Fraternity Experience and Building Diverse Connections
14:34 Undergraduate Research at the Whitehead Institute
17:46 Pursuing Environmental Policy and Graduate School
21:34 From Environmental Policy to Banking in Argentina
25:45 Bank Boston's Credit Training Program
32:39 Embracing Uncertainty and Being Willing to Fail
37:51 Building Imperial Bank's Life Sciences Credit Framework
41:32 The Role of Debt vs. Equity in Biotech Financing
45:44 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2831 "I was fortunate that my parents pretty much allowed for a more experimental, open approach to education being important, but do what you want to do, right? Try different things, take healthy risks." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our first rerelease is part 1 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we explore his remarkable journey from molecular biologist to CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares how his upbringing in New York City with immigrant parents who encouraged experimentation shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and describes the pivotal moment when he realized bench science wasn't his calling while researching at MIT's Whitehead Institute.​​ The conversation reveals how Parag boldly proposed building Imperial Bank's life sciences lending practice from scratch, despite being young and relatively inexperienced. He discusses lessons learned from MIT about persistence through failure, translating traditional credit frameworks to venture-backed biotech companies, and the complementary role of debt capital alongside equity financing in life sciences. "I was fortunate that my parents pretty much allowed for a more experimental, open approach to education being important, but do what you want to do, right? Try different things, take healthy risks." We’re revisiting some of our previous episodes over the holidays this year. Our first rerelease is part 1 of this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast with Parag Shah, where we explore his remarkable journey from molecular biologist to CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 Health Ventures. Parag shares how his upbringing in New York City with immigrant parents who encouraged experimentation shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and describes the pivotal moment when he realized bench science wasn't his calling while researching at MIT's Whitehead Institute.​​ The conversation reveals how Parag boldly proposed building Imperial Bank's life sciences lending practice from scratch, despite being young and relatively inexperienced. He discusses lessons learned from MIT about persistence through failure, translating traditional credit frameworks to venture-backed biotech companies, and the complementary role of debt capital alongside equity financing in life sciences. No No 🧬 Big Pharma's $180B Patent Cliff: Why VCs Are Betting on Biotech | Sergey Jakimov (4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvl5mzn-sergey-jakimov-4 🧬 Big Pharma's $180B Patent Cliff: Why VCs Are Betting on Biotech | Sergey Jakimov (4/4) 191 No No 71yp8m60 "The only advice I can give to my 21-year-old self is that advice doesn't work... But whenever you actually need advice on something that you do not know how to start or how to solve or how to figure out, you should really remember that someone in this world has already figured it out." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee concludes his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, exploring the realities of fundraising from limited partners and building a successful longevity-focused biotech fund. Sergey shares his unconventional approach to LP fundraising—telling his story rather than selling a product—and how personal experiences with age-related diseases drive his science-first investment philosophy. Sergey explains why Fund One, which launched with 30% GP capital commitment, has achieved over 3x returns in just three years despite challenging market conditions. He reveals why big pharma's massive liquidity reserves, combined with looming patent cliffs like Merck's Keytruda expiration, create unprecedented opportunities for venture-backed biotech innovation. The conversation explores the vital role venture capitalists play in bringing breakthrough therapies to patients—therapies that big pharma would never risk developing on their own. Looking ahead, Sergey discusses his vision for establishing longevity as an evidence-based, data-driven field while combating the "snake oil" supplements and questionable therapies that damage the industry's credibility. He emphasizes the need to translate scientific success stories into accessible language that attracts generalist capital, ultimately accelerating growth across the entire longevity sector. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"The only advice I can give to my 21-year-old self is that advice doesn't work... But whenever you actually need advice on something that you do not know how to start or how to solve or how to figure out, you should really remember that someone in this world has already figured it out."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee concludes his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, exploring the realities of fundraising from limited partners and building a successful longevity-focused biotech fund. Sergey shares his unconventional approach to LP fundraising—telling his story rather than selling a product—and how personal experiences with age-related diseases drive his science-first investment philosophy.

Sergey explains why Fund One, which launched with 30% GP capital commitment, has achieved over 3x returns in just three years despite challenging market conditions. He reveals why big pharma's massive liquidity reserves, combined with looming patent cliffs like Merck's Keytruda expiration, create unprecedented opportunities for venture-backed biotech innovation. The conversation explores the vital role venture capitalists play in bringing breakthrough therapies to patients—therapies that big pharma would never risk developing on their own.

Looking ahead, Sergey discusses his vision for establishing longevity as an evidence-based, data-driven field while combating the "snake oil" supplements and questionable therapies that damage the industry's credibility. He emphasizes the need to translate scientific success stories into accessible language that attracts generalist capital, ultimately accelerating growth across the entire longevity sector.

Key topics covered:

  • Fundraising Philosophy: Why telling your authentic story attracts like-minded LPs better than traditional pitching and selling
  • Biotech in Down Markets: How good science always raises money and strategic assets get acquired even during economic downturns
  • Big Pharma's Urgency: Understanding patent cliffs, liquidity reserves, and why pharma needs venture-backed innovation more than ever
  • Evidence-Based Longevity: Building longevity investing around diseases and molecular assets rather than romanticized anti-aging concepts
  • Industry Growth Strategy: Creating accessible success stories and attracting generalist capital to scale the longevity field

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sergey Jakimov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:55 Fundraising from LPs and Communicating a Science-First Thesis
06:02 Building a Community of Like-Minded LPs
11:53 Big Pharma's Liquidity and Patent Cliffs Create Opportunity
13:23 Vision for the Future and Creating Added Value
16:13 Making Longevity Accessible to Generalist Investors
16:54 Combating Snake Oil and Building an Evidence-Based Field
19:39 Shout-Outs to Team and Colleagues
21:35 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self
23:52 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1597 "The only advice I can give to my 21-year-old self is that advice doesn't work... But whenever you actually need advice on something that you do not know how to start or how to solve or how to figure out, you should really remember that someone in this world has already figured it out." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee concludes his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, exploring the realities of fundraising from limited partners and building a successful longevity-focused biotech fund. Sergey shares his unconventional approach to LP fundraising—telling his story rather than selling a product—and how personal experiences with age-related diseases drive his science-first investment philosophy. Sergey explains why Fund One, which launched with 30% GP capital commitment, has achieved over 3x returns in just three years despite challenging market conditions. He reveals why big pharma's massive liquidity reserves, combined with looming patent cliffs like Merck's Keytruda expiration, create unprecedented opportunities for venture-backed biotech innovation. The conversation explores the vital role venture capitalists play in bringing breakthrough therapies to patients—therapies that big pharma would never risk developing on their own. Looking ahead, Sergey discusses his vision for establishing longevity as an evidence-based, data-driven field while combating the "snake oil" supplements and questionable therapies that damage the industry's credibility. He emphasizes the need to translate scientific success stories into accessible language that attracts generalist capital, ultimately accelerating growth across the entire longevity sector. "The only advice I can give to my 21-year-old self is that advice doesn't work... But whenever you actually need advice on something that you do not know how to start or how to solve or how to figure out, you should really remember that someone in this world has already figured it out." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee concludes his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, exploring the realities of fundraising from limited partners and building a successful longevity-focused biotech fund. Sergey shares his unconventional approach to LP fundraising—telling his story rather than selling a product—and how personal experiences with age-related diseases drive his science-first investment philosophy. Sergey explains why Fund One, which launched with 30% GP capital commitment, has achieved over 3x returns in just three years despite challenging market conditions. He reveals why big pharma's massive liquidity reserves, combined with looming patent cliffs like Merck's Keytruda expiration, create unprecedented opportunities for venture-backed biotech innovation. The conversation explores the vital role venture capitalists play in bringing breakthrough therapies to patients—therapies that big pharma would never risk developing on their own. Looking ahead, Sergey discusses his vision for establishing longevity as an evidence-based, data-driven field while combating the "snake oil" supplements and questionable therapies that damage the industry's credibility. He emphasizes the need to translate scientific success stories into accessible language that attracts generalist capital, ultimately accelerating growth across the entire longevity sector. No No 🧬 $25M Fund, 20 Companies, Zero Failures: A Biotech Investing Secret | Sergey Jakimov (3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9mzlvn-sergey-jakimov-3 🧬 $25M Fund, 20 Companies, Zero Failures: A Biotech Investing Secret | Sergey Jakimov (3/4) 190 No No v07rkj51 "If you die, all your crypto doesn't make sense. All your sustainability doesn't make sense. You have not solved the major existential issue or the major existential threat that you have." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, as he reveals launching a $25 million longevity fund. Leveraging relationships with top universities and a scientific advisory board featuring Nobel Prize winners, Sergey built a fund with an unconventional thesis: tackle age-related diseases one at a time, investing solely based on patient outcomes. The results—20 companies, zero write-offs in 3.5 years, with portfolio companies approaching unicorn status. The conversation turns personal when Sergey shares his experience as a rare disease patient. At 28, a rare autoimmune neurodegenerative condition left him partially paralyzed, forcing him through a healthcare system offering only outdated treatments. This experience fundamentally reshaped his investment philosophy and cemented his belief that biotech is the most important industry. Sergey also discusses expanding his platform with Ani.vc and the Longevity Science Foundation, while reflecting on why health span and "joy span" matter more than simply extending lifespan. "If you die, all your crypto doesn't make sense. All your sustainability doesn't make sense. You have not solved the major existential issue or the major existential threat that you have."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, as he reveals launching a $25 million longevity fund. Leveraging relationships with top universities and a scientific advisory board featuring Nobel Prize winners, Sergey built a fund with an unconventional thesis: tackle age-related diseases one at a time, investing solely based on patient outcomes. The results—20 companies, zero write-offs in 3.5 years, with portfolio companies approaching unicorn status.

The conversation turns personal when Sergey shares his experience as a rare disease patient. At 28, a rare autoimmune neurodegenerative condition left him partially paralyzed, forcing him through a healthcare system offering only outdated treatments. This experience fundamentally reshaped his investment philosophy and cemented his belief that biotech is the most important industry. Sergey also discusses expanding his platform with Ani.vc and the Longevity Science Foundation, while reflecting on why health span and "joy span" matter more than simply extending lifespan.

Key topics covered:

  • From Angel to Institution: Launching a $25M longevity fund with deal access, KOL relationships, and a science-first thesis
  • Disease-by-Disease vs. Curing Aging: Why pragmatic, disease-focused investments outperform holistic longevity approaches
  • A Founder's Health Crisis: How becoming a rare disease patient at 28 transformed Sergey's investment philosophy
  • Exceptional Fund Performance: Achieving zero write-offs across 20 companies, with portfolio highlights in ADCs and cancer diagnostics
  • Expanding the Platform: Building Ani.vc for animal health and the Longevity Science Foundation for fundamental research grants

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sergey Jakimov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in Cancer Treatment: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/antibody-drug-conjugates​​ 
Blood-Based Cancer Diagnostics and Early Detection: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/research/blood-tests
Health Span vs. Lifespan: Quality of Life in Longevity Research:  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/what-do-we-know-about-healthy-aging​ 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Harvard University: https://www.harvard.edu/​ 
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/​ 
Insilico Medicine: https://insilico.com/​​ 
AOA Diagnostics (AOA Dx): https://aoadx.com/​​ 
Longevity Science Foundation (LSF): https://longevity.foundation/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Transition from Founder to Investor
07:46 Health Span vs. Lifespan: A Philosophical Approach
10:35 Why Biotech Matters Most
14:50 Personal Health Crisis and Patient Perspective
23:39 Building a Science-First Investment Fund
25:09 Fund One: Portfolio and Strategy
28:07 Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Early-Stage Diagnostics
30:46 Fund Two and Animal Health Ventures
34:09 Longevity Science Foundation: Supporting Fundamental Research
34:14 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2133 "If you die, all your crypto doesn't make sense. All your sustainability doesn't make sense. You have not solved the major existential issue or the major existential threat that you have." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, as he reveals launching a $25 million longevity fund. Leveraging relationships with top universities and a scientific advisory board featuring Nobel Prize winners, Sergey built a fund with an unconventional thesis: tackle age-related diseases one at a time, investing solely based on patient outcomes. The results—20 companies, zero write-offs in 3.5 years, with portfolio companies approaching unicorn status. The conversation turns personal when Sergey shares his experience as a rare disease patient. At 28, a rare autoimmune neurodegenerative condition left him partially paralyzed, forcing him through a healthcare system offering only outdated treatments. This experience fundamentally reshaped his investment philosophy and cemented his belief that biotech is the most important industry. Sergey also discusses expanding his platform with Ani.vc and the Longevity Science Foundation, while reflecting on why health span and "joy span" matter more than simply extending lifespan. "If you die, all your crypto doesn't make sense. All your sustainability doesn't make sense. You have not solved the major existential issue or the major existential threat that you have." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, as he reveals launching a $25 million longevity fund. Leveraging relationships with top universities and a scientific advisory board featuring Nobel Prize winners, Sergey built a fund with an unconventional thesis: tackle age-related diseases one at a time, investing solely based on patient outcomes. The results—20 companies, zero write-offs in 3.5 years, with portfolio companies approaching unicorn status. The conversation turns personal when Sergey shares his experience as a rare disease patient. At 28, a rare autoimmune neurodegenerative condition left him partially paralyzed, forcing him through a healthcare system offering only outdated treatments. This experience fundamentally reshaped his investment philosophy and cemented his belief that biotech is the most important industry. Sergey also discusses expanding his platform with Ani.vc and the Longevity Science Foundation, while reflecting on why health span and "joy span" matter more than simply extending lifespan. No No 🧬 The Bank Heist Model: How to Build Your Startup Team | Sergey Jakimov (2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nr71l08-sergey-jakimov-2 🧬 The Bank Heist Model: How to Build Your Startup Team | Sergey Jakimov (2/4) 189 No No 815rk8n0 "Building a deep tech company or building anything, pretty much, like being a founder in anything, it's like planning a bank robbery. It's like putting together a crew where, you know, you need a driver, you need someone to pick locks, you need someone to not sell, and you need someone who has the intellectual capacity to come up with a plan." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, shares his journey from uncertain graduate student in Budapest to serial deep tech founder. He discusses launching his first startup at age 22 in the conservative oil and gas industry with zero experience, pioneering drug-eluting coatings for orthopedic implants, and building Lungesys—a clinical data platform that revolutionized trial patient recruitment and helped establish the world's largest biobank. Sergey challenges the "dropout culture" narrative while defending both formal education and learning by doing. He reveals why the least specialized person often makes the best founder and shares surprising truths about big pharma, including that only 14% of first-in-class cancer drugs are developed internally. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

"Building a deep tech company or building anything, pretty much, like being a founder in anything, it's like planning a bank robbery. It's like putting together a crew where, you know, you need a driver, you need someone to pick locks, you need someone to not sell, and you need someone who has the intellectual capacity to come up with a plan."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, shares his journey from uncertain graduate student in Budapest to serial deep tech founder. He discusses launching his first startup at age 22 in the conservative oil and gas industry with zero experience, pioneering drug-eluting coatings for orthopedic implants, and building Lungesys—a clinical data platform that revolutionized trial patient recruitment and helped establish the world's largest biobank.

Sergey challenges the "dropout culture" narrative while defending both formal education and learning by doing. He reveals why the least specialized person often makes the best founder and shares surprising truths about big pharma, including that only 14% of first-in-class cancer drugs are developed internally.

Key topics covered:

  • The "Bank Heist Model" of Team Building: Why founders should assemble specialists rather than be experts in everything
  • Three Startup Journey: From CFD engineering to medical devices to clinical data platforms
  • Education vs. Experience Debate: Defending formal education while emphasizing learning by doing
  • Clinical Trial Innovation: Streamlining patient recruitment and building the world's largest biobank
  • Big Pharma Reality Check: Debunking misconceptions about how the pharmaceutical industry operates

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sergey Jakimov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_Fluid_Dynamics 
Drug-Eluting Coatings for Medical Implants: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8070023/ 
Clinical Trial Patient Recruitment Challenges: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41573-022-00070-5 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:52 Student Life in Budapest
03:03 The "What's Next?" Uncertainty
08:39 First Company: CFD Modeling and Oil & Gas at 22
12:54 Second Company: Medical Devices and Drug-Eluting Coatings
17:07 The Bank Heist Model of Assembling Teams
20:25 The Value of Education vs. Dropout Culture
25:46 Hard Skills and Breaking Paradigms
28:41 Teaching IP and Venture Capital
29:52 Third Company: Clinical Data and Lungesys
38:10 Selling to Big Pharma
41:14 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2559 "Building a deep tech company or building anything, pretty much, like being a founder in anything, it's like planning a bank robbery. It's like putting together a crew where, you know, you need a driver, you need someone to pick locks, you need someone to not sell, and you need someone who has the intellectual capacity to come up with a plan." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, shares his journey from uncertain graduate student in Budapest to serial deep tech founder. He discusses launching his first startup at age 22 in the conservative oil and gas industry with zero experience, pioneering drug-eluting coatings for orthopedic implants, and building Lungesys—a clinical data platform that revolutionized trial patient recruitment and helped establish the world's largest biobank. Sergey challenges the "dropout culture" narrative while defending both formal education and learning by doing. He reveals why the least specialized person often makes the best founder and shares surprising truths about big pharma, including that only 14% of first-in-class cancer drugs are developed internally. "Building a deep tech company or building anything, pretty much, like being a founder in anything, it's like planning a bank robbery. It's like putting together a crew where, you know, you need a driver, you need someone to pick locks, you need someone to not sell, and you need someone who has the intellectual capacity to come up with a plan." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner at LongeVC, shares his journey from uncertain graduate student in Budapest to serial deep tech founder. He discusses launching his first startup at age 22 in the conservative oil and gas industry with zero experience, pioneering drug-eluting coatings for orthopedic implants, and building Lungesys—a clinical data platform that revolutionized trial patient recruitment and helped establish the world's largest biobank. Sergey challenges the "dropout culture" narrative while defending both formal education and learning by doing. He reveals why the least specialized person often makes the best founder and shares surprising truths about big pharma, including that only 14% of first-in-class cancer drugs are developed internally. No No 🧬 Childhood Without Tech: Building a Foundation for VC Success | Sergey Jakimov (1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8llp2j8-sergey-jakimov-1 🧬 Childhood Without Tech: Building a Foundation for VC Success | Sergey Jakimov (1/4) 188 No No x1l6xjl1 "Retrospectively, this was honestly the best childhood one can get, and it was absolutely without gadgets." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative years of Sergey Jakimov, founding partner at LongeVC, as he takes us from his childhood in post-Soviet Latvia to his graduate studies in Budapest. Sergey shares what it was like growing up in a small rural town near the Russian border, where limited resources, no technology, and long winters shaped his resilience, diplomacy, and drive to succeed.​ Sergey recounts his unlikely journey into competitive tennis under a retired national coach, training on concrete courts and turning the sport into both a discipline and a livelihood. He describes the grueling path to university admission—waking at 2 AM every Saturday for four-hour bus rides to attend prep courses in Riga—and the intense workload that followed, surviving on just three to four hours of sleep while juggling translation work and coaching gigs. A pivotal parliament internship shattered his idealistic views of government, leading him to embrace technocracy and meritocracy as guiding principles. Finally, Sergey reflects on earning his master's at Central European University in Budapest, where diverse perspectives and world-class academics further expanded his worldview and prepared him for entrepreneurship.​​ 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Retrospectively, this was honestly the best childhood one can get, and it was absolutely without gadgets."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative years of Sergey Jakimov, founding partner at LongeVC, as he takes us from his childhood in post-Soviet Latvia to his graduate studies in Budapest. Sergey shares what it was like growing up in a small rural town near the Russian border, where limited resources, no technology, and long winters shaped his resilience, diplomacy, and drive to succeed.​

Sergey recounts his unlikely journey into competitive tennis under a retired national coach, training on concrete courts and turning the sport into both a discipline and a livelihood. He describes the grueling path to university admission—waking at 2 AM every Saturday for four-hour bus rides to attend prep courses in Riga—and the intense workload that followed, surviving on just three to four hours of sleep while juggling translation work and coaching gigs. A pivotal parliament internship shattered his idealistic views of government, leading him to embrace technocracy and meritocracy as guiding principles. Finally, Sergey reflects on earning his master's at Central European University in Budapest, where diverse perspectives and world-class academics further expanded his worldview and prepared him for entrepreneurship.​​

Key topics covered:

  • Post-Soviet Childhood: Growing up in rural Latvia with no gadgets, outdoor adventures, and resourcefulness as survival skills
  • Athletic Discipline: Training in tennis from age six on concrete courts under a retired national coach, developing grit and work ethic
  • Academic Journey: Finishing school early, grueling university workload at Riga Stradiņš University, and working multiple side hustles
  • Political Disillusionment: Parliament internship revealing bureaucratic inefficiency and cementing technocratic/meritocratic beliefs
  • Graduate Education: Earning a scholarship to Central European University in Budapest, studying political economy and quantitative methods

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sergey Jakimov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Longevity Science Foundation https://longevity.foundation/ 
Riga Stradiņš University: https://www.rsu.lv/en 
Central European University (CEU): https://www.ceu.edu/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:42 Growing Up in Post-Soviet Latvia
06:56 Childhood Without Technology: Tennis and Diplomacy
11:20 Training on Concrete Courts
14:47 Choosing University and International Relations
17:49 Weekly Bus Rides to Riga for University Prep
19:32 University Experience: Three-Hour Sleep Nights
21:59 Side Hustles: Translation Work and Tennis Coaching
22:47 University Professors and Merit-Based Learning
27:02 Parliament Internship: Idealism Meets Reality
31:31 From Politics to Grad School Abroad
34:16 Central European University in Budapest
35:26 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2213 "Retrospectively, this was honestly the best childhood one can get, and it was absolutely without gadgets." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative years of Sergey Jakimov, founding partner at LongeVC, as he takes us from his childhood in post-Soviet Latvia to his graduate studies in Budapest. Sergey shares what it was like growing up in a small rural town near the Russian border, where limited resources, no technology, and long winters shaped his resilience, diplomacy, and drive to succeed.​ Sergey recounts his unlikely journey into competitive tennis under a retired national coach, training on concrete courts and turning the sport into both a discipline and a livelihood. He describes the grueling path to university admission—waking at 2 AM every Saturday for four-hour bus rides to attend prep courses in Riga—and the intense workload that followed, surviving on just three to four hours of sleep while juggling translation work and coaching gigs. A pivotal parliament internship shattered his idealistic views of government, leading him to embrace technocracy and meritocracy as guiding principles. Finally, Sergey reflects on earning his master's at Central European University in Budapest, where diverse perspectives and world-class academics further expanded his worldview and prepared him for entrepreneurship.​​ "Retrospectively, this was honestly the best childhood one can get, and it was absolutely without gadgets." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative years of Sergey Jakimov, founding partner at LongeVC, as he takes us from his childhood in post-Soviet Latvia to his graduate studies in Budapest. Sergey shares what it was like growing up in a small rural town near the Russian border, where limited resources, no technology, and long winters shaped his resilience, diplomacy, and drive to succeed.​ Sergey recounts his unlikely journey into competitive tennis under a retired national coach, training on concrete courts and turning the sport into both a discipline and a livelihood. He describes the grueling path to university admission—waking at 2 AM every Saturday for four-hour bus rides to attend prep courses in Riga—and the intense workload that followed, surviving on just three to four hours of sleep while juggling translation work and coaching gigs. A pivotal parliament internship shattered his idealistic views of government, leading him to embrace technocracy and meritocracy as guiding principles. Finally, Sergey reflects on earning his master's at Central European University in Budapest, where diverse perspectives and world-class academics further expanded his worldview and prepared him for entrepreneurship.​​ No No 🧬 How Autonomous Science Will Change Drug Discovery Forever | Jimmy Sastra (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkl2k98--jimmy-sastra-part-4 🧬 How Autonomous Science Will Change Drug Discovery Forever | Jimmy Sastra (Part 4/4) 187 No No 70wjrzx1 "Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong." In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation. Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong."

In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation.

Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences.

Key topics covered:

  • Capital Strategy in Biotech: Fundraising as a flexible tool, not a necessity
  • Balancing Services and Software: Merging real-world work with scalable tech
  • The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Leading through risk and uncertainty
  • Building for the Future: Pioneering automation and autonomous science
  • Personal Growth and Resilience: Balancing ambition, family, and new beginnings

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jimmy Sastra, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
AI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon: https://luma.com/qe0vfc7b
Waymo Autonomous Rides in San Francisco: https://waymo.com/rides/san-francisco/
Charlie Munger’s Mental Models and Multidisciplinary Thinking: https://www.playforthoughts.com/blog/charlie-munger-improve-live-by-multidisciplinary-approach

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:12 Fundraising as a Strategic Tool
03:53 The Power of Bootstrapping and Creativity in Biotech
04:31 Lessons from Asimov: Why Services Strengthen Software
05:41 Launching the AI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon
07:43 Balancing Investor Pressure and Founder Independence
09:44 Risk Management: Planning for When Things Go Wrong
11:33 Learning Through New Challenges in Business and Life
14:07 Decision-Making with Limited Information
16:16 Leadership, Autonomy, and Mental Models
18:25 The Future of Monomer Bio and the Vision for Autonomous Science
20:46 Personal Reflections, Family, and Global Journey
22:34 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1558 "Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong." In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation. Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences. "Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong." In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation. Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences. No No 🧬 Autonomous Labs: The Future of Cell Culture | Jimmy Sastra (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y75r78-jimmy-sastra-part-3 🧬 Autonomous Labs: The Future of Cell Culture | Jimmy Sastra (Part 3/4) 186 No No l04ry2r0 "People are looking at cells, making decisions, and then acting on them—that’s a robotics loop. I felt it could be done autonomously." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Jimmy Sastra, co-founder and CEO of Monomer, to discuss how his team transformed hands-on lab automation consulting into a breakthrough biotech robotics company. Jimmy shares how Monomer’s vertically integrated platform unites robotics, software, and biology to automate cell culture, cut reliance on animal models, and boost reproducibility. He also explains the company’s adaptive go-to-market strategy—ranging from software-only pilots to full robotic deployments—and reflects on the power of cross-disciplinary teamwork, global collaboration, and flexibility in navigating today’s challenging biotech landscape. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"People are looking at cells, making decisions, and then acting on them—that’s a robotics loop. I felt it could be done autonomously."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Jimmy Sastra, co-founder and CEO of Monomer, to discuss how his team transformed hands-on lab automation consulting into a breakthrough biotech robotics company. Jimmy shares how Monomer’s vertically integrated platform unites robotics, software, and biology to automate cell culture, cut reliance on animal models, and boost reproducibility. 

He also explains the company’s adaptive go-to-market strategy—ranging from software-only pilots to full robotic deployments—and reflects on the power of cross-disciplinary teamwork, global collaboration, and flexibility in navigating today’s challenging biotech landscape.

Key topics covered:

  • Founding Monomer: Turning early consulting insights into a mission-driven biotech venture
  • Autonomizing Cell Culture: Merging biology and robotics to automate complex lab workflows
  • Vertical Integration: Unifying hardware, software, and biology into a single seamless system
  • Go-to-Market Strategy: Offering tailored engagement paths—software, pilots, or full automation
  • Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Using global experience to strengthen communication and leadership

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jimmy Sastra, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Clayton Christensen “The Innovator’s Dilemma”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator%27s_Dilemma
Prime Medicine & David R. Liu’s Prime Editing Research: https://primemedicine.com/
Excedr’s Equipment Leasing Model: https://www.excedr.com/leasing

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Transcriptic (now Strateos): https://www.strateos.com/
Rosebud Biosciences: https://www.rosebudbio.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:13 Founding Monomer & Early Consulting Days
03:31 Defining the Thesis: Automating Cell Culture
05:56 The Robotics Loop: Connecting Biology with Automation
07:37 Building Cross-Functional Teams & Integration Challenges
08:43 Lessons from ASML & the Power of Vertical Integration
12:04 Clayton Christensen’s “Innovator’s Dilemma” in Biotech
12:46 Monomer’s Go-To-Market Strategy & Adaptation
14:55 Targeting the Pain: Stem Cell Automation Challenges
16:51 Selling to Startups, Biotechs & Big Pharma
17:58 Software-Only Deployments & Fast Land Strategy
19:52 Monomer’s San Francisco Lab & Pilot Projects
21:29 Cross-Cultural Collaboration & Building Global Partnerships
27:37 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1745 "People are looking at cells, making decisions, and then acting on them—that’s a robotics loop. I felt it could be done autonomously." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Jimmy Sastra, co-founder and CEO of Monomer, to discuss how his team transformed hands-on lab automation consulting into a breakthrough biotech robotics company. Jimmy shares how Monomer’s vertically integrated platform unites robotics, software, and biology to automate cell culture, cut reliance on animal models, and boost reproducibility. He also explains the company’s adaptive go-to-market strategy—ranging from software-only pilots to full robotic deployments—and reflects on the power of cross-disciplinary teamwork, global collaboration, and flexibility in navigating today’s challenging biotech landscape. "People are looking at cells, making decisions, and then acting on them—that’s a robotics loop. I felt it could be done autonomously." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Jimmy Sastra, co-founder and CEO of Monomer, to discuss how his team transformed hands-on lab automation consulting into a breakthrough biotech robotics company. Jimmy shares how Monomer’s vertically integrated platform unites robotics, software, and biology to automate cell culture, cut reliance on animal models, and boost reproducibility. He also explains the company’s adaptive go-to-market strategy—ranging from software-only pilots to full robotic deployments—and reflects on the power of cross-disciplinary teamwork, global collaboration, and flexibility in navigating today’s challenging biotech landscape. No No 🧬 Lessons From Building the World's First Robotic Cloud Lab | Jimmy Sastra (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xn12wz48-jimmy-sastra-part-2 🧬 Lessons From Building the World's First Robotic Cloud Lab | Jimmy Sastra (Part 2/4) 185 No No 703rx5p1 "Life is amazing, but it’s also very fragile. I could not think of a more important mission than trying to understand how life works." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, tracing his evolution from a self-taught PhD student to a Silicon Valley engineer at the forefront of robotics and biotech innovation. Jimmy recounts his time at Willow Garage during the rise of ROS, his groundbreaking work at Transcriptic—where he helped build the world’s first robotic cloud lab—and how those experiences shaped his vision for Monomer Bio. He also explores the power of hiring for personal mission alignment and shares how a life-changing moment involving his brother inspired a career dedicated to understanding life through technology. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Life is amazing, but it’s also very fragile. I could not think of a more important mission than trying to understand how life works."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, tracing his evolution from a self-taught PhD student to a Silicon Valley engineer at the forefront of robotics and biotech innovation. Jimmy recounts his time at Willow Garage during the rise of ROS, his groundbreaking work at Transcriptic—where he helped build the world’s first robotic cloud lab—and how those experiences shaped his vision for Monomer Bio. 

He also explores the power of hiring for personal mission alignment and shares how a life-changing moment involving his brother inspired a career dedicated to understanding life through technology.

Key topics covered:

  • From Academia to Industry: Lessons in grit, self-teaching, and applied innovation
  • Willow Garage Era: Entering Silicon Valley’s robotics scene and shaping ROS
  • Transcriptic and Strateos: Creating the first robotic cloud lab uniting bio and automation
  • Leadership and Mission: Building teams around shared purpose and passion
  • Founding Monomer: Turning personal inspiration into a biotech automation vision

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jimmy Sastra, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
(HBR) Case Studies – Pandemic Entrepreneurship Meetup: https://hbr.org/2024/01/how-the-pandemic-rebooted-entrepreneurship-in-the-u-s
ASML and Philips – Stories of Innovation in Engineering: https://www.asml.com/news/stories/2024/asml-founding-story

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Transcriptic (now Strateos): https://www.strateos.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:03 Grad School Challenges & Learning Grit
05:51 Self-Teaching and Confidence in Coding
06:48 Willow Garage Opportunity & Culture
08:39 Engineering Impact at Willow Garage
11:39 Transition to Transcriptic and Robotics Cloud Lab
15:35 Mission and Inspiration: Family Influence
18:24 Challenges and Focus at Strateos
18:42 Scaling Startups and Raising Capital
21:36 Short Stints: Built Robotics, Robust AI, Ginkgo
22:55 Pandemic Meetups and Finding a Co-founder
23:32 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1501 "Life is amazing, but it’s also very fragile. I could not think of a more important mission than trying to understand how life works." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, tracing his evolution from a self-taught PhD student to a Silicon Valley engineer at the forefront of robotics and biotech innovation. Jimmy recounts his time at Willow Garage during the rise of ROS, his groundbreaking work at Transcriptic—where he helped build the world’s first robotic cloud lab—and how those experiences shaped his vision for Monomer Bio. He also explores the power of hiring for personal mission alignment and shares how a life-changing moment involving his brother inspired a career dedicated to understanding life through technology. "Life is amazing, but it’s also very fragile. I could not think of a more important mission than trying to understand how life works." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee continues his conversation with Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, tracing his evolution from a self-taught PhD student to a Silicon Valley engineer at the forefront of robotics and biotech innovation. Jimmy recounts his time at Willow Garage during the rise of ROS, his groundbreaking work at Transcriptic—where he helped build the world’s first robotic cloud lab—and how those experiences shaped his vision for Monomer Bio. He also explores the power of hiring for personal mission alignment and shares how a life-changing moment involving his brother inspired a career dedicated to understanding life through technology. No No 🧬 The Rebellious Mindset That Builds Successful Startups | Jimmy Sastra (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80vmlz8-jimmy-sastra-part-1 🧬 The Rebellious Mindset That Builds Successful Startups | Jimmy Sastra (Part 1/4) 184 No No p0knk231 "Maybe because of that experience, we still keep in touch. I feel fortunate that my friends and I built something together back then—even if it started with murals and late nights, it taught me about creativity, risk, and teamwork." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, unpacks his global journey from The Netherlands and Japan to transforming lab automation in biotech. Shaped by his father’s engineering legacy at Philips and ASML, Jimmy recalls lessons in creativity, rebellion, and resilience that guided his path from the University of Pennsylvania to a PhD in robotics. His story reveals how curiosity and systems thinking became the foundation for Monomer Bio’s mission to empower scientists through smarter, automated lab solutions. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Maybe because of that experience, we still keep in touch. I feel fortunate that my friends and I built something together back then—even if it started with murals and late nights, it taught me about creativity, risk, and teamwork."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, unpacks his global journey from The Netherlands and Japan to transforming lab automation in biotech. Shaped by his father’s engineering legacy at Philips and ASML, Jimmy recalls lessons in creativity, rebellion, and resilience that guided his path from the University of Pennsylvania to a PhD in robotics. 

His story reveals how curiosity and systems thinking became the foundation for Monomer Bio’s mission to empower scientists through smarter, automated lab solutions.

Key topics covered:

  • Early Influences: Growing up in an engineering household sparked Jimmy’s lifelong curiosity and drive to build.
  • International Perspective: Moving between The Netherlands, Japan, and the U.S. taught adaptability and openness.
  • The Rebellious Years: Graffiti turned creative defiance into problem-solving instincts.
  • Academic Foundations: UPenn and his robotics PhD honed discipline and innovation.
  • Engineering Meets Biology: The vision to automate labs and empower scientists was born.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Jimmy Sastra, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Mark Yim’s Robotics Lab at UPenn: https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/people/mark-yim/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
University of Pennsylvania: https://www.upenn.edu/
Robot Operating System: https://www.ros.org/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:34 International Upbringing and Three Defining Traits
06:05 Growing Up in Eindhoven: Philips and ASML Stories
07:46 Moving to Japan at 15: A Cultural Reset
08:34 Early Exposure to Business Strategy Books
11:14 Rebellious Phase: Graffiti Crew and Getting Arrested
14:07 High School Years and Academic Interests
15:41 Choosing Bioengineering: An Endless Frontier
17:47 Wet Lab Experience and Manual Labor Reality
19:22 PhD Journey: Robotics and Parameter Optimization
23:04 Simplifying Complex Systems Through Mathematical Models
26:34 Graduate School Mentorship and Peer Support
27:35 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1740 "Maybe because of that experience, we still keep in touch. I feel fortunate that my friends and I built something together back then—even if it started with murals and late nights, it taught me about creativity, risk, and teamwork." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, unpacks his global journey from The Netherlands and Japan to transforming lab automation in biotech. Shaped by his father’s engineering legacy at Philips and ASML, Jimmy recalls lessons in creativity, rebellion, and resilience that guided his path from the University of Pennsylvania to a PhD in robotics. His story reveals how curiosity and systems thinking became the foundation for Monomer Bio’s mission to empower scientists through smarter, automated lab solutions. "Maybe because of that experience, we still keep in touch. I feel fortunate that my friends and I built something together back then—even if it started with murals and late nights, it taught me about creativity, risk, and teamwork." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jimmy Sastra, CEO and co-founder of Monomer Bio, unpacks his global journey from The Netherlands and Japan to transforming lab automation in biotech. Shaped by his father’s engineering legacy at Philips and ASML, Jimmy recalls lessons in creativity, rebellion, and resilience that guided his path from the University of Pennsylvania to a PhD in robotics. His story reveals how curiosity and systems thinking became the foundation for Monomer Bio’s mission to empower scientists through smarter, automated lab solutions. No No 🧬 100 Discovery Interviews Built a $3M Biotech Launchpad at Berkeley | Darren Cooke (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85jr23n-100-discovery-interviews-built-a-3m-biotech-launchpad-at-berkeley-darren-cooke-part-4-4 🧬 100 Discovery Interviews Built a $3M Biotech Launchpad at Berkeley | Darren Cooke (Part 4/4) 183 No No 81q392m1 "If anyone comes to me and says, 'Hey, I’ve got this idea. I think we could do something with it,' I’m like, 'You gotta take the I-Corps class first... it really changes your mindset.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how 100 discovery interviews turned a $3 million campus experiment into a powerhouse for biotech innovation. He shares the creation of Berkeley’s flagship fellows program, the launch of speed teaming and venture grants, and how simple ideas like fostering connection and collaboration transformed campus culture. Darren also reflects on the leadership of Chancellor Rich Lyons and offers candid lessons on perseverance, mentorship, and the art of “showing up.” 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If anyone comes to me and says, 'Hey, I’ve got this idea. I think we could do something with it,' I’m like, 'You gotta take the I-Corps class first... it really changes your mindset.'"

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how 100 discovery interviews turned a $3 million campus experiment into a powerhouse for biotech innovation. 

He shares the creation of Berkeley’s flagship fellows program, the launch of speed teaming and venture grants, and how simple ideas like fostering connection and collaboration transformed campus culture. Darren also reflects on the leadership of Chancellor Rich Lyons and offers candid lessons on perseverance, mentorship, and the art of “showing up.”

Key topics covered:

  • Launching the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center: Transforming a blank-slate idea into a thriving biotech launchpad
  • Building Transformative Programs: Creating standout tracks like fellows, I-Corps, speed teaming, and venture grants
  • Changing Campus Culture: Flipping Berkeley’s outlook to embrace innovation and collaboration
  • The Power of Connection: Sparking new partnerships and opportunities across the campus ecosystem
  • Reflections and Advice: Actionable mentorship lessons and founder tips for real-world impact

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Darren Cooke, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
How UC Berkeley Became an Unexpected Leader in Entrepreneurship and Startups: https://iande.berkeley.edu/StartupCampus
Startup Campus (How UC Berkeley became a leader in entrepreneurship) https://a.co/d/5pCg83q 
Bakar Faculty Fellows Program: https://bakarfellows.berkeley.edu/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley Haas): https://haas.berkeley.edu/
Venture Capital Fund: https://tinyurl.com/29dnsjpb
QB3 (California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences): https://qb3.org/
Rich Lyons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-lyons-30332b1/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:01 Darren’s Berkeley Faculty Journey
03:03 The $3 Million Startup Experiment
05:24 Launching the Fellows Program
08:43 The I-Corps Mindset Shift
10:25 Signature Berkeley Showcase Event
11:51 Speed Teaming for Startup Connections
14:17 Haas & Life Sciences Cross-Campus Partnerships
17:18 Startup Success Story: Reese & Weber
20:10 Berkeley’s Shift Toward Entrepreneurship
24:45 Chancellor Lyons’ Impact & Venture Fund
27:38 Scaling Programs and Entrepreneur in Residence
32:24 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2086 "If anyone comes to me and says, 'Hey, I’ve got this idea. I think we could do something with it,' I’m like, 'You gotta take the I-Corps class first... it really changes your mindset.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how 100 discovery interviews turned a $3 million campus experiment into a powerhouse for biotech innovation. He shares the creation of Berkeley’s flagship fellows program, the launch of speed teaming and venture grants, and how simple ideas like fostering connection and collaboration transformed campus culture. Darren also reflects on the leadership of Chancellor Rich Lyons and offers candid lessons on perseverance, mentorship, and the art of “showing up.” "If anyone comes to me and says, 'Hey, I’ve got this idea. I think we could do something with it,' I’m like, 'You gotta take the I-Corps class first... it really changes your mindset.'" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how 100 discovery interviews turned a $3 million campus experiment into a powerhouse for biotech innovation. He shares the creation of Berkeley’s flagship fellows program, the launch of speed teaming and venture grants, and how simple ideas like fostering connection and collaboration transformed campus culture. Darren also reflects on the leadership of Chancellor Rich Lyons and offers candid lessons on perseverance, mentorship, and the art of “showing up.” No No 🧬 How to Turn Regulatory Chaos Into Competitive Advantage | Darren Cooke (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2rmpln-darren-cooke-part-3 🧬 How to Turn Regulatory Chaos Into Competitive Advantage | Darren Cooke (Part 3/4) 182 No No 2199ymk1 "If you’re not challenging what you’ve always done, you’re not going to move forward or innovate." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how he’s navigated the fast-changing world of financial advice by embracing regulatory shifts, championing innovation, and building trust through integrity and open communication, sharing hard-won lessons on personal growth, resilience, and finding new opportunities amid uncertainty and change. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you’re not challenging what you’ve always done, you’re not going to move forward or innovate."

In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how he’s navigated the fast-changing world of financial advice by embracing regulatory shifts, championing innovation, and building trust through integrity and open communication, sharing hard-won lessons on personal growth, resilience, and finding new opportunities amid uncertainty and change.

Key topics covered:

  • Embracing Regulatory Change: Adapting to new rules and compliance
  • Client Trust and Communication: Building and rebuilding relationship credibility
  • The Innovation Mindset: Challenging routines for growth
  • Technology in Practice: Staying ahead with smarter tools
  • Leadership Lessons: Cultivating resilience and empathy

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Darren Cooke, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26160019-the-innovator-s-dilemma
Startup Campus (How UC Berkeley became a leader in entrepreneurship) https://a.co/d/5pCg83q 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
NSF I-Corps (National Science Foundation I-Corps): https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/
Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley Haas): https://haas.berkeley.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00  Intro
02:09  Building a Solo Law Practice
03:46  University Tech Transfer – Bayh-Dole and Licensing
05:31  Demystifying License Agreements
07:46  Investor Perspectives & Startup De-Risking
08:42  Transition to Mentorship and Teaching at Haas
09:31  First Encounter with NSF I‑Corps
10:39  Becoming a National I‑Corps Instructor
14:26  “The Magic of Showing Up” in Academia
15:41  Volunteering, Guest Lecturing, and Faculty Careers
17:18  Student Stories: Breaking Into Top Biotech Labs
19:55  Navigating Networking Barriers
23:32  Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1496 "If you’re not challenging what you’ve always done, you’re not going to move forward or innovate." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how he’s navigated the fast-changing world of financial advice by embracing regulatory shifts, championing innovation, and building trust through integrity and open communication, sharing hard-won lessons on personal growth, resilience, and finding new opportunities amid uncertainty and change. "If you’re not challenging what you’ve always done, you’re not going to move forward or innovate." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how he’s navigated the fast-changing world of financial advice by embracing regulatory shifts, championing innovation, and building trust through integrity and open communication, sharing hard-won lessons on personal growth, resilience, and finding new opportunities amid uncertainty and change. No No 🧬 Mentors, Networks & IP: Power Moves for Biotech Startup Success | Darren Cooke (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84l29y8-darren-cooke-part-2 🧬 Mentors, Networks & IP: Power Moves for Biotech Startup Success | Darren Cooke (Part 2/4) 181 No No x16r5mn1 "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re busy and bored, you really should be doing something else." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, traces his bold path from high-stakes law firm litigation to in-house IP leadership at Bio-Rad Laboratories, eventually launching his own practice to guide biotech startups. He dives into career pivots, lessons from Berkeley’s entrepreneurial scene, startup investing, and why simply showing up is often the secret to transformative opportunities and growth. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

"If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re busy and bored, you really should be doing something else."

In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, traces his bold path from high-stakes law firm litigation to in-house IP leadership at Bio-Rad Laboratories, eventually launching his own practice to guide biotech startups. 

He dives into career pivots, lessons from Berkeley’s entrepreneurial scene, startup investing, and why simply showing up is often the secret to transformative opportunities and growth.

Key topics covered:

  • Career Lessons: How rigorous mentors and big-law rigor fueled personal growth
  • Life at Bio-Rad: Unique culture and hands-on IP leadership at a family-founded biotech
  • Pivot to Startups: Startup exposure—and a key acquisition—sparked Darren’s leap to entrepreneurship
  • Building Networks: Persistence and showing up lead to game-changing connections
  • Angel Investing & IP Strategy: The real ingredients behind investable, resilient biotech startups

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Darren Cooke, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Patent Prosecution Fundamentals: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics
Startup Campus (How UC Berkeley became a leader in entrepreneurship) https://a.co/d/5pCg83q 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bio-Rad Laboratories: https://www.bio-rad.com/
Covington (Covington & Burling LLP): https://www.cov.com/
Berkeley Angel Network: https://berkeleyangelnetwork.com/
Life Science Angels: https://lifescienceangels.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:46 Key Lessons from Law Firm Experience
04:32 Moving to Covington in San Francisco
08:56 Balancing Big Law with Family Life
10:39 How the Bio-Rad Opportunity Came About
14:00 Going In-House: Culture and Day-to-Day Life
17:19 Learning Patent Prosecution and Working with Inventors
21:09 The QuantaLife Acquisition Sparks Startup Interest
25:08 Launching a Solo Practice and Finding Zero Clients
28:48 Joining Life Science Angels and Berkeley Angel Network
32:33 Running LSA Investment Meetings: Trial by Fire
34:42 What Makes Life Science Startups Investable
37:38 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2342 "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re busy and bored, you really should be doing something else." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, traces his bold path from high-stakes law firm litigation to in-house IP leadership at Bio-Rad Laboratories, eventually launching his own practice to guide biotech startups. He dives into career pivots, lessons from Berkeley’s entrepreneurial scene, startup investing, and why simply showing up is often the secret to transformative opportunities and growth. "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re busy and bored, you really should be doing something else." In this episode, Darren Cooke, Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and Executive Director of the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at the University of California, Berkeley, traces his bold path from high-stakes law firm litigation to in-house IP leadership at Bio-Rad Laboratories, eventually launching his own practice to guide biotech startups. He dives into career pivots, lessons from Berkeley’s entrepreneurial scene, startup investing, and why simply showing up is often the secret to transformative opportunities and growth. No No 🧬 Building Berkeley's $1B Innovation Ecosystem | Darren Cooke (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/182rmwl8-darren-cooke-part-1 🧬 Building Berkeley's $1B Innovation Ecosystem | Darren Cooke (Part 1/4) 180 No No 2099yrk0 "If you go down a road and then you realize, Ah, shoot. This was not what I expected, or Why am I doing this? you can do something else. Right? Yeah. Don't sweat it." In this episode, Jon Chee interviews Darren Cooke, UC Berkeley’s Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, whose journey spans engineering cochlear implants, high-stakes patent law, and leading innovation at Berkeley. Darren shares how formative moments, career pivots, and mentorship shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, offering practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes stories from working with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to building collaborative biotech communities. His multifaceted perspective inspires listeners to embrace change, seek hands-on experiences, and build networks that drive biotech innovation. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you go down a road and then you realize, Ah, shoot. This was not what I expected, or Why am I doing this? you can do something else. Right? Yeah. Don't sweat it."

In this episode, Jon Chee interviews Darren Cooke, UC Berkeley’s Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, whose journey spans engineering cochlear implants, high-stakes patent law, and leading innovation at Berkeley. Darren shares how formative moments, career pivots, and mentorship shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, offering practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes stories from working with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to building collaborative biotech communities. 

His multifaceted perspective inspires listeners to embrace change, seek hands-on experiences, and build networks that drive biotech innovation.

Key topics covered:

  • Formative Experiences: Early engineering curiosity drives hands-on problem solving.
  • Career Pivots: Bold shifts unlock new strengths and passions.
  • Mentorship Matters: Guidance from experts accelerates growth and insight.
  • Building Startup Ecosystems: Leading collaborative innovation across Berkeley’s biotech landscape.
  • Lessons for Founders: Embrace change, stay humble, and unite tech and business for success.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Links:

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Darren Cooke, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo "Learn by Doing" Engineering Program: https://www.calpoly.edu/learn-by-doing
UCSF Department of Otolaryngology: Projects on Cochlear Implants: https://ohns.ucsf.edu/otology-neurotology/cochlear-implant-center
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship: https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/criteria/
Berkeley’s BioTrack at SkyDeck Startup Accelerator: https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/biohealth-track/
NIH and NSF I-Corps Entrepreneurship Programs: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/i-corps
Startup Campus (How UC Berkeley became a leader in entrepreneurship) https://a.co/d/5pCg83q 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Columbia Law School: https://www.law.columbia.edu/
Brown & Bain (now part of Perkins Coie): https://www.perkinscoie.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:48 Early Life in Livermore and Lafayette
07:53 Hobbies and Mechanical Curiosity
10:36 Choosing Cal Poly and “Learn by Doing”
13:07 Pivoting from Engineering to Medicine
17:11 Early Experiences at UCSF and Mentorship
22:55 Moving Toward Law and Columbia Law School
27:37 Working with Sonia Sotomayor
35:27 First Patent Litigation Roles in Phoenix
42:10 Lessons from Brown & Bain and Team Culture
44:50 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2771 "If you go down a road and then you realize, Ah, shoot. This was not what I expected, or Why am I doing this? you can do something else. Right? Yeah. Don't sweat it." In this episode, Jon Chee interviews Darren Cooke, UC Berkeley’s Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, whose journey spans engineering cochlear implants, high-stakes patent law, and leading innovation at Berkeley. Darren shares how formative moments, career pivots, and mentorship shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, offering practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes stories from working with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to building collaborative biotech communities. His multifaceted perspective inspires listeners to embrace change, seek hands-on experiences, and build networks that drive biotech innovation. "If you go down a road and then you realize, Ah, shoot. This was not what I expected, or Why am I doing this? you can do something else. Right? Yeah. Don't sweat it." In this episode, Jon Chee interviews Darren Cooke, UC Berkeley’s Interim Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, whose journey spans engineering cochlear implants, high-stakes patent law, and leading innovation at Berkeley. Darren shares how formative moments, career pivots, and mentorship shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, offering practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes stories from working with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to building collaborative biotech communities. His multifaceted perspective inspires listeners to embrace change, seek hands-on experiences, and build networks that drive biotech innovation. No No 🧬 How to Build Your Circle When You're Starting From Zero | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2rm4ln-sandra-shpilberg-part-4 🧬 How to Build Your Circle When You're Starting From Zero | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 4/4) 179 No No 2199y7k1 "If the door's not open, it's not open. I should only be walking through doors that are open. Why am I going to knock on doors that are closed?" Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, revisits her founder’s journey, sharing how setbacks and her son’s curiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the launch of Adnexi, a mission-driven platform for biopharma. She reveals lessons on navigating non-competes, collaborating with market forces, and building resilient teams, while highlighting the rewards and challenges of creating a lasting family business and intentionally cultivating a supportive circle for growth. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If the door's not open, it's not open. I should only be walking through doors that are open. Why am I going to knock on doors that are closed?"

Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, revisits her founder’s journey, sharing how setbacks and her son’s curiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the launch of Adnexi, a mission-driven platform for biopharma. 

She reveals lessons on navigating non-competes, collaborating with market forces, and building resilient teams, while highlighting the rewards and challenges of creating a lasting family business and intentionally cultivating a supportive circle for growth.

Key topics covered:

  • Founding Adnexi as a family: Turning pandemic downtime into a bold biotech launch
  • Navigating non-competes and reimagining business models: Pivoting fast after acquisition hurdles
  • Adapting to market forces, learning from failure, and the myth of founder omnipotence: Riding market waves and owning mistakes
  • Long-term, mission-driven company building and defining a sustainable legacy: Building for impact, not just the exit
  • The importance of support systems, mentors, and intentional relationship building for startup success: Leveraging strong connections for growth

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sandra Shpilberg, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
ClinicalTrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
BioMarin Pharmaceutical: https://www.biomarin.com/
Horizon (now part of Amgen): https://www.amgen.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Pandemic Pause and Family Curiosity Spark Adnexi
02:53 Identifying the Market Gap: Building a Platform for Biopharma Stakeholders
05:02 Reflecting on Post-Acquisition Challenges and Market Lessons
06:45 Learning from Failure: The Value of ‘Ashes’ and New Beginnings
10:42 Bootstrapping Adnexi: Early Growth and Pivots
13:20 The SPAC Detour: Risks, Regrets, and Realizations
17:59 Understanding Market Forces and Founder Humility
20:56 Deciding to Go ‘Full-Time’ on Adnexi
23:53 Today’s Adnexi: Platform Evolution and Ambitions
27:48 Gratitude and Advice: The Importance of People and Energy
38:59 Closing Advice for Younger Self: Intentional Relationship Building
41:39 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2639 "If the door's not open, it's not open. I should only be walking through doors that are open. Why am I going to knock on doors that are closed?" Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, revisits her founder’s journey, sharing how setbacks and her son’s curiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the launch of Adnexi, a mission-driven platform for biopharma. She reveals lessons on navigating non-competes, collaborating with market forces, and building resilient teams, while highlighting the rewards and challenges of creating a lasting family business and intentionally cultivating a supportive circle for growth. "If the door's not open, it's not open. I should only be walking through doors that are open. Why am I going to knock on doors that are closed?" Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, revisits her founder’s journey, sharing how setbacks and her son’s curiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the launch of Adnexi, a mission-driven platform for biopharma. She reveals lessons on navigating non-competes, collaborating with market forces, and building resilient teams, while highlighting the rewards and challenges of creating a lasting family business and intentionally cultivating a supportive circle for growth. No No 🧬 No VC, No Problem: Building a Profitable Exit | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8746p3n-sandra-shpilberg-part-3 🧬 No VC, No Problem: Building a Profitable Exit | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 3/4) 178 No No k08y2571 “There is something that happens when we create expectations that are actually realistic, that we have a chance to delight ourselves. And then that creates this motivation to keep going and be like, Oh, this is working out much better than I expected.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her remarkable founder’s journey, launching Seeker Health from her living room, landing her first customer on LinkedIn, and scaling a mission-driven startup without outside funding—all while balancing family life and navigating the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and acquisition offers. Her story challenges Silicon Valley myths, showing that pragmatic optimism, real customer traction, and staying true to one’s values can drive both personal and professional success. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“There is something that happens when we create expectations that are actually realistic, that we have a chance to delight ourselves. And then that creates this motivation to keep going and be like, Oh, this is working out much better than I expected.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her remarkable founder’s journey, launching Seeker Health from her living room, landing her first customer on LinkedIn, and scaling a mission-driven startup without outside funding—all while balancing family life and navigating the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and acquisition offers. 

Her story challenges Silicon Valley myths, showing that pragmatic optimism, real customer traction, and staying true to one’s values can drive both personal and professional success.

Key topics covered:

  • Bootstrapping Seeker Health: Building a digital recruitment platform from scratch.
  • Customer Acquisition Tactics: Winning early clients and validating demand fast.
  • Building and Leading a Team: Evolving from solo founder to culture builder.
  • Navigating Acquisitions: Facing offers, learning, and sealing a strong exit.
  • Balancing Family, Growth, and Resilience: Juggling work, life, and relentless change.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sandra Shpilberg, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bain & Company: https://www.bain.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Founding Seeker Health: The Early Days
02:58 Launching and Naming the Company
06:20 Landing First Customer & Mindset Shift
08:53 The Power of Startup Networking
09:46 Transitioning to Real Team Building
11:57 Family Life & Involving Children
13:36 Becoming a Syneos Health Supplier
18:02 Growing Through Serious and Rare Disease Trials
20:35 First Acquisition Offer and Lessons
24:32 Structuring the Ideal Deal and Due Diligence
35:29 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2203 “There is something that happens when we create expectations that are actually realistic, that we have a chance to delight ourselves. And then that creates this motivation to keep going and be like, Oh, this is working out much better than I expected.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her remarkable founder’s journey, launching Seeker Health from her living room, landing her first customer on LinkedIn, and scaling a mission-driven startup without outside funding—all while balancing family life and navigating the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and acquisition offers. Her story challenges Silicon Valley myths, showing that pragmatic optimism, real customer traction, and staying true to one’s values can drive both personal and professional success. “There is something that happens when we create expectations that are actually realistic, that we have a chance to delight ourselves. And then that creates this motivation to keep going and be like, Oh, this is working out much better than I expected.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her remarkable founder’s journey, launching Seeker Health from her living room, landing her first customer on LinkedIn, and scaling a mission-driven startup without outside funding—all while balancing family life and navigating the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and acquisition offers. Her story challenges Silicon Valley myths, showing that pragmatic optimism, real customer traction, and staying true to one’s values can drive both personal and professional success. No No 🧬 The $3B Patient Recruitment Crisis: Digital Solutions | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/182rmy18-sandra-shpilberg-part-2 🧬 The $3B Patient Recruitment Crisis: Digital Solutions | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 2/4) 177 No No 2099yjp0 “If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, what was exciting at BioMarin was that we were doing new things, innovating and creating from scratch.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her journey from leading commercial launches at BioMarin to discovering the pivotal market gap in digital patient recruitment while at Nora Therapeutics—a realization that sparked her leap into founding her own company. Her story weaves together the drive for innovation, deep patient connection, and the blend of professional ambition with personal priorities that shaped each career move. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, what was exciting at BioMarin was that we were doing new things, innovating and creating from scratch.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her journey from leading commercial launches at BioMarin to discovering the pivotal market gap in digital patient recruitment while at Nora Therapeutics—a realization that sparked her leap into founding her own company. 

Her story weaves together the drive for innovation, deep patient connection, and the blend of professional ambition with personal priorities that shaped each career move.

Key topics covered:

  • Launching Rare Disease Therapies: Lessons in pioneering, patient-focused drug launches
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Navigating teams through complex development milestones
  • The Value of Patient Connection: How proximity to patients sparks real biotech innovation
  • Entrepreneurship & Risk: Leaving security for startup life and bold decision-making
  • Identifying Market Gaps: Spotting unmet digital enrollment needs and seizing opportunity

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sandra Shpilberg, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Patient-Centered Drug Development: Principles and Practice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6508534/
Clinical Trial Recruitment Challenges in Rare Diseases: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3964003/
Facebook Advertising for Clinical Trial Recruitment: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30409765/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
BioMarin Pharmaceutical: https://www.biomarin.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:56 Early BioMarin Experiences and Growth
02:39 Marketing and Launching Rare Disease Therapies
05:07 Patient Connections and Advocacy Impact
06:55 Leading Cross-Functional Teams for Drug Development
09:00 Strategic Leadership and Challenges in Biotech
13:42 Core Lessons from BioMarin
18:32 Making the Leap to Nora Therapeutics
21:16 Family, Relocation, and Work-Life Balance in Startup Life
22:40 Drug Trial Challenges and Discovering Digital Enrollment Gaps
26:48 Building Solutions for Clinical Trial Recruitment
33:17 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2075 “If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, what was exciting at BioMarin was that we were doing new things, innovating and creating from scratch.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her journey from leading commercial launches at BioMarin to discovering the pivotal market gap in digital patient recruitment while at Nora Therapeutics—a realization that sparked her leap into founding her own company. Her story weaves together the drive for innovation, deep patient connection, and the blend of professional ambition with personal priorities that shaped each career move. “If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, what was exciting at BioMarin was that we were doing new things, innovating and creating from scratch.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, shares her journey from leading commercial launches at BioMarin to discovering the pivotal market gap in digital patient recruitment while at Nora Therapeutics—a realization that sparked her leap into founding her own company. Her story weaves together the drive for innovation, deep patient connection, and the blend of professional ambition with personal priorities that shaped each career move. No No 🧬 How Trauma Informs Purpose: Building Biotech Success | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y7zjp8-sandra-shpilberg-part-1 🧬 How Trauma Informs Purpose: Building Biotech Success | Sandra Shpilberg (Part 1/4) 176 No No l04rxvj0 "I walk around the world wanting to tell everyone that healing is possible. All types of healing are possible: physical healing, mental healing, spiritual healing. Healing is possible." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, from her early childhood in Uruguay to becoming a serial entrepreneur in biotech. Sandra shares the profound experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, beginning with her family's Holocaust survivor background and her grandparents' courageous decision to start over in a new country with nothing but hope. Sandra opens up about the defining moments that forged her resilience - from a traumatic accident at age four that sparked her lifelong belief in healing, to her family's immigration to Brooklyn when she was 16. She describes navigating American education without knowing English, watching her parents rebuild their careers, and her own journey from Wall Street to Wharton to discovering her true calling in biotech during a transformative internship at Genentech. The conversation reveals how these experiences instilled the entrepreneurial mindset and fearless approach to starting over that continues to drive her success. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I walk around the world wanting to tell everyone that healing is possible. All types of healing are possible: physical healing, mental healing, spiritual healing. Healing is possible."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, from her early childhood in Uruguay to becoming a serial entrepreneur in biotech. Sandra shares the profound experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, beginning with her family's Holocaust survivor background and her grandparents' courageous decision to start over in a new country with nothing but hope.

Sandra opens up about the defining moments that forged her resilience - from a traumatic accident at age four that sparked her lifelong belief in healing, to her family's immigration to Brooklyn when she was 16. She describes navigating American education without knowing English, watching her parents rebuild their careers, and her own journey from Wall Street to Wharton to discovering her true calling in biotech during a transformative internship at Genentech. The conversation reveals how these experiences instilled the entrepreneurial mindset and fearless approach to starting over that continues to drive her success.

Key topics covered:

  • Holocaust Legacy & Immigrant Entrepreneurship: How family history shaped her fearless approach to starting over
  • The Power of Childhood Trauma: How a severe burn accident instilled her belief that healing is always possible
  • Immigration at 16: Rebuilding life in Brooklyn and learning resilience through adversity
  • Wall Street Foundation: Early career lessons about mentorship and strategic positioning
  • Healthcare Calling: MBA experience and Genentech internship that confirmed biotech as her purpose

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Sandra Shpilberg, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
JPMorgan Chase & Co.: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/ 
Citigroup Inc.: https://www.citigroup.com/ 
Pace University: https://www.pace.edu/ 
Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania): https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/ 
Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com/ 
BioMarin Pharmaceutical: https://www.biomarin.com/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:59 Early Life and Family History
08:09 Childhood Accident and Healing
13:43 Immigrating to the United States
19:49 Family Adjustments and Resilience
23:53 Navigating U.S. High School and College Application
28:49 First Job and College to JPMorgan
31:46 JPMorgan Career Lessons
33:59 Transition to Citigroup and Management
37:35 Applying and Attending Wharton MBA
41:09 Interning at Genentech and Career Pivot
55:09 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3390 "I walk around the world wanting to tell everyone that healing is possible. All types of healing are possible: physical healing, mental healing, spiritual healing. Healing is possible." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, from her early childhood in Uruguay to becoming a serial entrepreneur in biotech. Sandra shares the profound experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, beginning with her family's Holocaust survivor background and her grandparents' courageous decision to start over in a new country with nothing but hope. Sandra opens up about the defining moments that forged her resilience - from a traumatic accident at age four that sparked her lifelong belief in healing, to her family's immigration to Brooklyn when she was 16. She describes navigating American education without knowing English, watching her parents rebuild their careers, and her own journey from Wall Street to Wharton to discovering her true calling in biotech during a transformative internship at Genentech. The conversation reveals how these experiences instilled the entrepreneurial mindset and fearless approach to starting over that continues to drive her success. "I walk around the world wanting to tell everyone that healing is possible. All types of healing are possible: physical healing, mental healing, spiritual healing. Healing is possible." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Sandra Shpilberg, Co-founder and COO at Adnexi, from her early childhood in Uruguay to becoming a serial entrepreneur in biotech. Sandra shares the profound experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, beginning with her family's Holocaust survivor background and her grandparents' courageous decision to start over in a new country with nothing but hope. Sandra opens up about the defining moments that forged her resilience - from a traumatic accident at age four that sparked her lifelong belief in healing, to her family's immigration to Brooklyn when she was 16. She describes navigating American education without knowing English, watching her parents rebuild their careers, and her own journey from Wall Street to Wharton to discovering her true calling in biotech during a transformative internship at Genentech. The conversation reveals how these experiences instilled the entrepreneurial mindset and fearless approach to starting over that continues to drive her success. No No 🧬 Why Drug Discovery Takes 15 Years (And How AI Cuts It to 3) | Andrey Doronichev (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18p7j9yn-andrey-doronichev-part-4 🧬 Why Drug Discovery Takes 15 Years (And How AI Cuts It to 3) | Andrey Doronichev (Part 4/4) 175 No No z1r4nw61 “If our real mission is to truly help companies get drugs to patients faster and cheaper, the amount of complexity we have to solve goes way beyond science.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee talks with Andrey Doronichev about his leap from tech at YouTube and Google to launching OPTIC and reinventing it as BIOPTIC, an AI-powered drug discovery startup. Andrey shares the ups and downs of projects like AIorNot, the pivotal link between big data and drug development, and how “agentic AI” now drives BIOPTIC’s rapid progress—proving that real biotech breakthroughs require humility, adaptability, and big-picture thinking. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“If our real mission is to truly help companies get drugs to patients faster and cheaper, the amount of complexity we have to solve goes way beyond science.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee talks with Andrey Doronichev about his leap from tech at YouTube and Google to launching OPTIC and reinventing it as BIOPTIC, an AI-powered drug discovery startup. 

Andrey shares the ups and downs of projects like AIorNot, the pivotal link between big data and drug development, and how “agentic AI” now drives BIOPTIC’s rapid progress—proving that real biotech breakthroughs require humility, adaptability, and big-picture thinking.

Key topics covered:

  • Entrepreneurial Pivots: Navigating market shifts, spin-offs, and bold new directions
  • Large-Scale Data Screening: Leveraging AI to rapidly unlock drug discovery
  • Holistic Innovation: Fusing science, business, and regulation through agentic AI
  • AI in Drug Discovery: Accelerating screening, evaluation, and clinical workflows
  • Personal Reflections: Staying mission-driven, prioritizing health, and leading with humility

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Andrey Doronichev, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Schrödinger (computational chemistry & drug discovery software): https://www.schrodinger.com/platform/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Insilico Medicine: https://insilico.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:45 OPTIC’s Market Collapse and AIorNot Spinout
07:02 Startup Pivots and Lessons from Tech History
09:42 TED Inspiration: Moving OPTIC to Drug Discovery
10:36 Winning a Kaggle Protein Function Challenge
15:20 Pivot to BiOptic and New AI Mission
16:35 Surfing Metaphors and Startup Timing
21:22 BiOptic Platform’s Early Technology Roadmap
26:18 Research Collaborations and Platform Expansion
36:29 Holistic, Agentic AI Vision for Biotech
46:55 Search/Evaluation Agent and Industry Strategy
55:50 Surviving Pivots, Focusing the Next Phase
59:15 Shout-outs, Mentors, and Advice
01:02:45 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3896 “If our real mission is to truly help companies get drugs to patients faster and cheaper, the amount of complexity we have to solve goes way beyond science.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee talks with Andrey Doronichev about his leap from tech at YouTube and Google to launching OPTIC and reinventing it as BIOPTIC, an AI-powered drug discovery startup. Andrey shares the ups and downs of projects like AIorNot, the pivotal link between big data and drug development, and how “agentic AI” now drives BIOPTIC’s rapid progress—proving that real biotech breakthroughs require humility, adaptability, and big-picture thinking. “If our real mission is to truly help companies get drugs to patients faster and cheaper, the amount of complexity we have to solve goes way beyond science.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee talks with Andrey Doronichev about his leap from tech at YouTube and Google to launching OPTIC and reinventing it as BIOPTIC, an AI-powered drug discovery startup. Andrey shares the ups and downs of projects like AIorNot, the pivotal link between big data and drug development, and how “agentic AI” now drives BIOPTIC’s rapid progress—proving that real biotech breakthroughs require humility, adaptability, and big-picture thinking. No No 🧬 Inside the Google vs. Apple War: Launching YouTube iOS | Andrey Doronichev (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85jx2pn-andrey-doronichev-part-3 🧬 Inside the Google vs. Apple War: Launching YouTube iOS | Andrey Doronichev (Part 3/4) 174 No No 81q362p1 "If you as a leader of a startup—no matter how small—or you as an employee of a big organization, you could be the agent of change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev traces his path from launching mobile content in Russia to transforming YouTube for mobile, overcoming fierce Google-Apple rivalry to deliver the iOS app, and pioneering VR at Google. He candidly shares lessons in resilience, startup highs and lows, and the critical role of personal influence behind major milestones, culminating in his pivot to AI-powered biotech with OPTIC. Listeners get practical insights into team-building, dealmaking psychology, and the dynamic realities of entrepreneurship in fast-changing industries. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you as a leader of a startup—no matter how small—or you as an employee of a big organization, you could be the agent of change."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev traces his path from launching mobile content in Russia to transforming YouTube for mobile, overcoming fierce Google-Apple rivalry to deliver the iOS app, and pioneering VR at Google. He candidly shares lessons in resilience, startup highs and lows, and the critical role of personal influence behind major milestones, culminating in his pivot to AI-powered biotech with OPTIC. 

Listeners get practical insights into team-building, dealmaking psychology, and the dynamic realities of entrepreneurship in fast-changing industries.

Key topics covered:

  • The Power of Personal Agency: Individuals spark big change
  • Navigating Corporate Rivalry: Launching YouTube iOS amid fierce competition
  • Transitioning to VR at Google: Scrappy teams driving breakthrough ideas
  • Embracing Entrepreneurial Hardship: Surviving the startup ups and downs
  • Finding the Next Frontier: Pivoting from blockchain to AI biotech innovation

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Andrey Doronichev, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Google Cardboard (VR and AR project): https://vr.google.com/cardboard/
Oculus VR (now Meta Quest): https://www.meta.com/quest/
Stadia (Google’s cloud gaming platform): https://stadia.google.com/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:43 The Power of Personal Experience and Early Insights
03:42 Hypergrowth at YouTube and the Mobile Internet Explosion
05:15 Leading YouTube Mobile: Challenges and Triumphs
07:11 The Google-Apple Rift and Negotiating the YouTube iOS App
08:39 Focusing On User Experience to Resolve Corporate Rivalry
10:44 Lessons in Change-Making and Deal Psychology
12:38 Post-YouTube: Entrepreneurial Yearning and VR Vision at Google
18:02 The Reality of Starting Over (Again and Again)
21:06 Entrepreneurial Mindset: Why You Should Join a Startup
22:37 Leaving Google: Seeking the Next Big Thing and Exploring AI
27:31 The OPTIC Journey: Blockchain Bet, Pivot, and Investor Lessons
31:36 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1971 "If you as a leader of a startup—no matter how small—or you as an employee of a big organization, you could be the agent of change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev traces his path from launching mobile content in Russia to transforming YouTube for mobile, overcoming fierce Google-Apple rivalry to deliver the iOS app, and pioneering VR at Google. He candidly shares lessons in resilience, startup highs and lows, and the critical role of personal influence behind major milestones, culminating in his pivot to AI-powered biotech with OPTIC. Listeners get practical insights into team-building, dealmaking psychology, and the dynamic realities of entrepreneurship in fast-changing industries. "If you as a leader of a startup—no matter how small—or you as an employee of a big organization, you could be the agent of change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev traces his path from launching mobile content in Russia to transforming YouTube for mobile, overcoming fierce Google-Apple rivalry to deliver the iOS app, and pioneering VR at Google. He candidly shares lessons in resilience, startup highs and lows, and the critical role of personal influence behind major milestones, culminating in his pivot to AI-powered biotech with OPTIC. Listeners get practical insights into team-building, dealmaking psychology, and the dynamic realities of entrepreneurship in fast-changing industries. No No 🧬 How I Turned Economic Chaos Into My Biggest Advantage | Andrey Doronichev (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18p7jlpn-andrey-doronichev-part-2 🧬 How I Turned Economic Chaos Into My Biggest Advantage | Andrey Doronichev (Part 2/4) 173 No No z1r4nzv1 "If you're genuinely passionate and curious about things, people will feed that curiosity. Do not underestimate that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev takes us from his formative years hustling in post-Soviet Russia to launching a mobile startup amid economic chaos, emigrating as political tides shifted, and boldly landing a role at Google—all powered by grit, curiosity, and risk-taking. Andrey reveals how bootstrapping in Russia’s early Internet boom, betting on mobile YouTube before smartphones were mainstream, and championing innovation at Google transformed both his life and the way billions interact with online video. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you're genuinely passionate and curious about things, people will feed that curiosity. Do not underestimate that."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev takes us from his formative years hustling in post-Soviet Russia to launching a mobile startup amid economic chaos, emigrating as political tides shifted, and boldly landing a role at Google—all powered by grit, curiosity, and risk-taking. 

Andrey reveals how bootstrapping in Russia’s early Internet boom, betting on mobile YouTube before smartphones were mainstream, and championing innovation at Google transformed both his life and the way billions interact with online video.

  • Grit and Adaptation: Turning setbacks into fuel for ambition
  • Early Internet Entrepreneurship: Bootstrapping and thriving in Russia’s nascent digital market
  • The Power of Curiosity: Letting eagerness and adaptability spark growth and opportunity
  • Betting on Mobile: Doubling down on YouTube’s mobile potential before it was obvious
  • Emigration and Perspective: Escaping Russia’s constraints to embrace global possibilities

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Andrey Doronichev, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
JAVA Programming for Mobile Devices: https://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_mobile.html

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Picasa (archived): https://picasa.google.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:42 Early Career Hustle and Academic Setbacks
05:34 Entering Russia’s Early Internet Industry
08:15 Breaking Into Tech Through Curiosity
12:40 Balancing Work and Study
14:28 The Shift Toward Entrepreneurship
16:40 Betting Big on Mobile Apps
20:47 Bootstrapping a Startup and Finding Success
23:43 Emigrating from Russia for a Better Future
26:25 Getting Hired by Google with a Cold Email
29:48 Taking the Risk on YouTube Mobile
33:55 The Transformation to Mobile-First Platforms
34:57 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2169 "If you're genuinely passionate and curious about things, people will feed that curiosity. Do not underestimate that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev takes us from his formative years hustling in post-Soviet Russia to launching a mobile startup amid economic chaos, emigrating as political tides shifted, and boldly landing a role at Google—all powered by grit, curiosity, and risk-taking. Andrey reveals how bootstrapping in Russia’s early Internet boom, betting on mobile YouTube before smartphones were mainstream, and championing innovation at Google transformed both his life and the way billions interact with online video. "If you're genuinely passionate and curious about things, people will feed that curiosity. Do not underestimate that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Andrey Doronichev takes us from his formative years hustling in post-Soviet Russia to launching a mobile startup amid economic chaos, emigrating as political tides shifted, and boldly landing a role at Google—all powered by grit, curiosity, and risk-taking. Andrey reveals how bootstrapping in Russia’s early Internet boom, betting on mobile YouTube before smartphones were mainstream, and championing innovation at Google transformed both his life and the way billions interact with online video. No No 🧬 How to Build a Startup When Everything is Against You | Andrey Doronichev (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xny7zm1n-andrey-doronichev-part-1 🧬 How to Build a Startup When Everything is Against You | Andrey Doronichev (Part 1/4) 172 No No l14rxnl1 "If you leave the queue, you lose your place, and you wait for, like, four hours outside in winter in Moscow to buy some butter, literally. So those kinds of things, it's a massive change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee speaks with Andrey Doronichev, Founder and CEO of OPTIC, about his journey from surviving the chaos and scarcity of the collapsing Soviet Union to leading a cutting-edge AI-powered drug discovery platform. Andrey reveals how his upbringing amid upheaval and restricted information, paired with a strong science-driven family, forged his resilience and bold approach to leadership—traits that now drive his ambitious efforts at the intersection of technology and biotech entrepreneurship. "If you leave the queue, you lose your place, and you wait for, like, four hours outside in winter in Moscow to buy some butter, literally. So those kinds of things, it's a massive change."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee speaks with Andrey Doronichev, Founder and CEO of OPTIC, about his journey from surviving the chaos and scarcity of the collapsing Soviet Union to leading a cutting-edge AI-powered drug discovery platform. 

Andrey reveals how his upbringing amid upheaval and restricted information, paired with a strong science-driven family, forged his resilience and bold approach to leadership—traits that now drive his ambitious efforts at the intersection of technology and biotech entrepreneurship.

Key topics covered:

  • Formative Experiences: Growing up amid chaos, building resilience
  • Information Control: Living under censorship and its impact
  • Entrepreneurship Mindset: Thriving through uncertainty
  • Tech Roots: Turning coding passion into opportunity
  • Transition to Biotech: Navigating the jump from software to drug discovery

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Andrey Doronichev, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
BASIC Programming Language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC
The Challenges of Crystallizing Proteins: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2992350/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Silicon Valley Bank: https://www.svb.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:31 Growing Up in the Soviet Union: A Different Story
05:30 Country Disappearing: USSR to Russia Transition
07:21 Bread Lines and Economic Collapse: Building Resilience
08:51 Information Control and Censorship: The Rambo Incident
11:49 Entrepreneurship as a Path of Uncertainty
12:59 Silicon Valley Bank Crisis: Childhood Trauma Revisited
15:29 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Different Paths
18:53 Post-Soviet Academia: From Elite to Struggling
21:24 Early Computing: Enterprise 128 and BASIC Programming
25:13 Finding Your Tribe: The Lyceum Experience
26:45 Math vs. Biology: Choosing Certainty Over Chaos
30:05 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1885 "If you leave the queue, you lose your place, and you wait for, like, four hours outside in winter in Moscow to buy some butter, literally. So those kinds of things, it's a massive change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee speaks with Andrey Doronichev, Founder and CEO of OPTIC, about his journey from surviving the chaos and scarcity of the collapsing Soviet Union to leading a cutting-edge AI-powered drug discovery platform. Andrey reveals how his upbringing amid upheaval and restricted information, paired with a strong science-driven family, forged his resilience and bold approach to leadership—traits that now drive his ambitious efforts at the intersection of technology and biotech entrepreneurship. "If you leave the queue, you lose your place, and you wait for, like, four hours outside in winter in Moscow to buy some butter, literally. So those kinds of things, it's a massive change." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee speaks with Andrey Doronichev, Founder and CEO of OPTIC, about his journey from surviving the chaos and scarcity of the collapsing Soviet Union to leading a cutting-edge AI-powered drug discovery platform. Andrey reveals how his upbringing amid upheaval and restricted information, paired with a strong science-driven family, forged his resilience and bold approach to leadership—traits that now drive his ambitious efforts at the intersection of technology and biotech entrepreneurship. No No 🧬 The Hidden Advantages of Starting Up in a Downturn | Eswar Iyer (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0vwrpn-eswar-iyer-part-4 🧬 The Hidden Advantages of Starting Up in a Downturn | Eswar Iyer (Part 4/4) 171 No No p1kn8qv0 "If you lose that passion, why would somebody else do this? And it comes down to how hungry you are. How bad do you want it?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee talks with Eswar Iyer, co-founder of Aikium, about launching a biotech platform during a market downturn and building a resourceful, mission-driven team focused on data-rich therapeutic design. Eswar shares hard-won lessons on blending computational and experimental innovation, maintaining intentional focus, forging the right partnerships, and fostering a culture of resilience and critical thinking. They also explore fundraising strategies, the rapidly evolving biotech landscape, and the personal leadership philosophies that shape success in early-stage company building. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you lose that passion, why would somebody else do this? And it comes down to how hungry you are. How bad do you want it?"

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee talks with Eswar Iyer, co-founder of Aikium, about launching a biotech platform during a market downturn and building a resourceful, mission-driven team focused on data-rich therapeutic design. 

Eswar shares hard-won lessons on blending computational and experimental innovation, maintaining intentional focus, forging the right partnerships, and fostering a culture of resilience and critical thinking. They also explore fundraising strategies, the rapidly evolving biotech landscape, and the personal leadership philosophies that shape success in early-stage company building.

Key topics covered:

  • Founding Aikium: Overcoming early hurdles and launching in tough times
  • Data-Driven Therapeutics: Harnessing AI and experiments to create smarter molecules
  • Team & Culture: Building a focused, resilient, and mission-driven team
  • Strategic Partnerships: Tackling hard problems with top industry and clinical partners
  • Fundraising & Personal Philosophy: Staying passionate and disciplined to fuel growth

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Links:

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Eswar Iyer, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Common Mistakes Biotech Startups Make & How to Avoid Them https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
D. E. Shaw Research: https://www.deshawresearch.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:52 The Scientific Challenge: Modeling Protein Interactions
04:00 Founding Aikium: Launching in a Market Crash
06:44 Building the Platform & The Power of a Critical Team
10:19 Aikium's Unique Approach: Solving the Hardest Problems
12:54 Partnering with Top Hospitals & Pharma to Go-to-Market
14:40 Fundraising Philosophy: The Non-Negotiable Role of Passion
18:02 The Founder's Journey: High Stakes and High Responsibility
20:00 The Future of Aikium: Scaling with Agentic AI & Taking on New Targets
23:09 Shout-Outs to Family, Co-Founders, and Investors
25:19 Advice to a 21-Year-Old Self: Doubt Less, Move Faster
32:19 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2066 "If you lose that passion, why would somebody else do this? And it comes down to how hungry you are. How bad do you want it?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee talks with Eswar Iyer, co-founder of Aikium, about launching a biotech platform during a market downturn and building a resourceful, mission-driven team focused on data-rich therapeutic design. Eswar shares hard-won lessons on blending computational and experimental innovation, maintaining intentional focus, forging the right partnerships, and fostering a culture of resilience and critical thinking. They also explore fundraising strategies, the rapidly evolving biotech landscape, and the personal leadership philosophies that shape success in early-stage company building. "If you lose that passion, why would somebody else do this? And it comes down to how hungry you are. How bad do you want it?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee talks with Eswar Iyer, co-founder of Aikium, about launching a biotech platform during a market downturn and building a resourceful, mission-driven team focused on data-rich therapeutic design. Eswar shares hard-won lessons on blending computational and experimental innovation, maintaining intentional focus, forging the right partnerships, and fostering a culture of resilience and critical thinking. They also explore fundraising strategies, the rapidly evolving biotech landscape, and the personal leadership philosophies that shape success in early-stage company building. No No 🧬 Innovation & IP Strategy: The Blueprint for Success in Biotech | Eswar Iyer (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4ly9kn-innovation-ip-strategy-the-blueprint-for-success-in-biotech-eswar-iyer-part-3-4 🧬 Innovation & IP Strategy: The Blueprint for Success in Biotech | Eswar Iyer (Part 3/4) 170 No No x06rnmw0 "If you gain so much knowledge in each of your respective fields, you should be pushing something deeper. Yes, it's harder, but isn't that what you really want to do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer shares his journey from George Church’s groundbreaking lab to launching spatial biology at 10x Genomics and founding Aikium, candidly revealing how mentorship, bold decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork drive innovation and company creation. He explores navigating tough challenges, learning the business side of biotech, and embracing risk to tackle unsolved problems in drug discovery using AI and high-throughput data, delivering an insider’s perspective on both technology evolution and startup disruption in the life sciences sector. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you gain so much knowledge in each of your respective fields, you should be pushing something deeper. Yes, it's harder, but isn't that what you really want to do?"

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer shares his journey from George Church’s groundbreaking lab to launching spatial biology at 10x Genomics and founding Aikium, candidly revealing how mentorship, bold decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork drive innovation and company creation. 

He explores navigating tough challenges, learning the business side of biotech, and embracing risk to tackle unsolved problems in drug discovery using AI and high-throughput data, delivering an insider’s perspective on both technology evolution and startup disruption in the life sciences sector.

Key topics covered:

  • The Role of Mentorship: George Church’s advice fueled Eswar’s bold career moves
  • Building Spatial Biology at 10x Genomics: Turning concepts into breakthrough products
  • Startup Culture & Team Building: Forming agile expert teams to solve tough problems
  • Commercializing Innovation: Rapidly bringing ideas to market and securing IP
  • Rethinking Drug Discovery: Using AI to unlock new therapeutic targets

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Eswar Iyer, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
10x Genomics Platform Development and Visium HD: https://www.10xgenomics.com/platforms/visium
High-Throughput Data Generation in Protein Engineering: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4632782/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Cartana (Part of 10x genomics): https://cartana.se/
D. E. Shaw Research: https://www.deshawresearch.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Reflections on Opportunity and Mentorship
03:23 Transition from George Church’s Lab to Industry
08:04 Discovering 10x Genomics and Career Decision-Making
09:33 Moving to California and Settling In
11:29 Early Days and Company Culture at 10x Genomics
13:11 Building Spatial Biology Platforms and Prototyping
16:30 Learning the Business Side of Biotech
18:28 Key Takeaways from 10x Genomics—Innovation and Teamwork
22:43 Deciding to Leave 10x Genomics and Pursue Startups
25:31 Assembling the Aikium Co-Founder Team and Mission
27:57 Rethinking Drug Discovery with AI and Data
29:46 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1863 "If you gain so much knowledge in each of your respective fields, you should be pushing something deeper. Yes, it's harder, but isn't that what you really want to do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer shares his journey from George Church’s groundbreaking lab to launching spatial biology at 10x Genomics and founding Aikium, candidly revealing how mentorship, bold decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork drive innovation and company creation. He explores navigating tough challenges, learning the business side of biotech, and embracing risk to tackle unsolved problems in drug discovery using AI and high-throughput data, delivering an insider’s perspective on both technology evolution and startup disruption in the life sciences sector. "If you gain so much knowledge in each of your respective fields, you should be pushing something deeper. Yes, it's harder, but isn't that what you really want to do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer shares his journey from George Church’s groundbreaking lab to launching spatial biology at 10x Genomics and founding Aikium, candidly revealing how mentorship, bold decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork drive innovation and company creation. He explores navigating tough challenges, learning the business side of biotech, and embracing risk to tackle unsolved problems in drug discovery using AI and high-throughput data, delivering an insider’s perspective on both technology evolution and startup disruption in the life sciences sector. No No 🧬 Breaking Moore's Law: The Multiplexing Revolution | Eswar Iyer (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x812l0vn-eswar-iyer-part-2-4 🧬 Breaking Moore's Law: The Multiplexing Revolution | Eswar Iyer (Part 2/4) 169 No No 713rv240 "If you're not fearful, what is something that you could do? If you're not worried about just publications or things, you could really spend a few years. What could you do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee explores Eswar Iyer’s dynamic journey from an inquisitive graduate student in India to a trailblazing builder at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Eswar reveals how hands-on problem-solving and a commitment to non-transactional relationships fueled his scientific evolution, leading to transformative roles where serendipity, mentorship, and neurodiversity powered groundbreaking innovation and fostered a vibrant, high-performing lab culture in biotech’s most exciting environments. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you're not fearful, what is something that you could do? If you're not worried about just publications or things, you could really spend a few years. What could you do?"

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee explores Eswar Iyer’s dynamic journey from an inquisitive graduate student in India to a trailblazing builder at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. 

Eswar reveals how hands-on problem-solving and a commitment to non-transactional relationships fueled his scientific evolution, leading to transformative roles where serendipity, mentorship, and neurodiversity powered groundbreaking innovation and fostered a vibrant, high-performing lab culture in biotech’s most exciting environments.

Key topics covered:

  • From Manual to Automated: Turbocharging lab research with homegrown automation
  • Philosophy of Opportunity: Humility, gratitude, and giving back drive impact
  • The Power of Connection: Serendipity and mentorship unlock pivotal moments
  • Inside Harvard’s Wyss & Church Labs: Neurodiverse, startup-inspired innovation culture
  • Breaking Moore’s Law: Multiplexing tech slashes genomics costs and speeds progress

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Eswar Iyer, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Multiplexing in DNA Sequencing: https://arep.med.harvard.edu/pdf/Church88.pdf
Laser Capture Microdissection: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17406286/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
The Wyss Institute at Harvard: https://wyss.harvard.edu/
George Church Lab, Harvard Medical School: https://arep.med.harvard.edu/gmc/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:45 Breakthrough Moments: From Manual to Automated Lab Research
06:33 Transitioning from Biology to Tool Building
08:49 Learning Machining Skills and the Art of Prototyping
11:57 The Wyss Institute: How Connections Open Doors
14:26 Philosophy of Opportunity: Putting Good into the Universe
15:45 The Power of Gratitude and Flexibility in Science
20:02 Meeting George Church: A Serendipitous Encounter in Kendall Square
22:51 Joining George Church's Lab: Supportive Leadership Culture
27:41 Inside the Legendary Church Lab: Neurodiversity and Innovation
30:47 Breaking Moore's Law: The Power of Multiplexing in Genomics
34:44 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2155 "If you're not fearful, what is something that you could do? If you're not worried about just publications or things, you could really spend a few years. What could you do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee explores Eswar Iyer’s dynamic journey from an inquisitive graduate student in India to a trailblazing builder at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Eswar reveals how hands-on problem-solving and a commitment to non-transactional relationships fueled his scientific evolution, leading to transformative roles where serendipity, mentorship, and neurodiversity powered groundbreaking innovation and fostered a vibrant, high-performing lab culture in biotech’s most exciting environments. "If you're not fearful, what is something that you could do? If you're not worried about just publications or things, you could really spend a few years. What could you do?" In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee explores Eswar Iyer’s dynamic journey from an inquisitive graduate student in India to a trailblazing builder at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Eswar reveals how hands-on problem-solving and a commitment to non-transactional relationships fueled his scientific evolution, leading to transformative roles where serendipity, mentorship, and neurodiversity powered groundbreaking innovation and fostered a vibrant, high-performing lab culture in biotech’s most exciting environments. No No Cultural Adaptation: A Secret Weapon for Biotech Success | Eswar Iyer (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0vw19n-cultural-adaptation-a-secret-weapon-for-biotech-success-eswar-iyer-part-1-4 Cultural Adaptation: A Secret Weapon for Biotech Success | Eswar Iyer (Part 1/4) 168 No No p1kn8ly0 "I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path. His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path. 

His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage.

Key topics covered:

  • Pivotal Childhood Experiences: Curiosity and hands-on tinkering ignited Eswar’s scientific drive.
  • Overcoming Academic Setbacks: Failing ninth grade fueled resilience and deeper learning.
  • Mentorship and Inspiration: Support from family and professors guided Eswar’s growth.
  • Resourcefulness in Research: Creativity flourished amid constraints and tool-building.
  • Navigating Cultural Transitions: Adapting to new environments powered personal and professional evolution.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Eswar Iyer, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Laser Capture Microdissection Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_capture_microdissection

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
George Mason University: https://www.gmu.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:01 Eswar's Upbringing in India: A Childhood of Tinkering and Curiosity
06:12 The Pivotal Moment: Failing Ninth Grade and Finding Resilience
08:58 Embracing Curiosity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
10:36 Early Lab Experience: Challenges and Self-Introspection
13:36 Influential Mentors: Family and the Power of Great Teaching
17:10 Choosing Graduate Studies: Following Passion Over Options
19:56 Getting into George Mason University: Stars Aligning
21:41 Cultural Transition: Moving from India to Virginia
23:49 Finding the Right Lab: From Proteomics to Developmental Biology
29:18 The Startup Lab Experience: Resourcefulness and Innovation
33:13 PhD Challenges and Triumphs: Patents and Problem-Solving
36:44 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2282 "I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path. His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage. "I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path. His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage. No No 🧬Reinventing Leather: How SynBio Is Transforming a $100B Industry | Michael Newton (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nxz2v0n-michael-newton-part-4 🧬Reinventing Leather: How SynBio Is Transforming a $100B Industry | Michael Newton (Part 4/4) 167 No No 61mkmz61 "We're not making a more sustainable leather. Yes, we do that. What we're making is a better leather. It's real leather, but it comes completely uniform in rectangular sheets that you can then work with super efficiently." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Qorium CEO Michael Newton reveals how his mission-driven team is reinventing leather through synthetic biology and tissue engineering, producing uniform, high-quality material. He draws on his Nike experience to discuss the realities of scaling deeptech, overcoming fundraising and market-entry challenges, forging key partnerships, and stresses the value of mentorship and bold early-career risks. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"We're not making a more sustainable leather. Yes, we do that. What we're making is a better leather. It's real leather, but it comes completely uniform in rectangular sheets that you can then work with super efficiently."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Qorium CEO Michael Newton reveals how his mission-driven team is reinventing leather through synthetic biology and tissue engineering, producing uniform, high-quality material. 

He draws on his Nike experience to discuss the realities of scaling deeptech, overcoming fundraising and market-entry challenges, forging key partnerships, and stresses the value of mentorship and bold early-career risks.

Key topics covered:

  • Disrupting the Leather Industry: Using synthetic biology for scalable, high-quality, sustainable leather
  • Scaling Deeptech Innovation: Overcoming engineering and manufacturing hurdles from lab to factory
  • Navigating Fundraising Challenges: Securing Series A for bold biotech in a tough market
  • Team Building & Culture: Building resilient teams through values and clear mission
  • Advice & Reflections: Lessons in mentorship, growth, and the power of risk-taking

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
The “Acquired” Podcast: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google
CRISPR Screening and Tissue Engineering at Harvard and the Wyss Institute: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/crisprs-impact-today/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Planned Parenthood Federation of America: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:43 Qorium’s Mission: Reinventing Leather with Real, Sustainable Material
03:03 The Leather Industry: State, Problems, and Qorium’s Disruption
07:41 Product First: Making Better Leather, Not Just Sustainable Leather
08:09 The Technology Behind Qorium: Cultivation and Tissue Engineering
11:24 Go-to-Market Strategy: Partnerships, Scaling, and Industry Adoption
16:57 Industry Resistance and the Need for Progress
20:47 Fundraising for Deeptech: Challenges and Realities in the Current Climate
24:46 Reflecting on Macro Trends and the Importance of Persistence
32:24 Shoutouts: Mentors, Family, and Influential Figures
36:50 Advice to Younger Self: Taking Risks and Riding Trends
39:23 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
40:09 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2539 "We're not making a more sustainable leather. Yes, we do that. What we're making is a better leather. It's real leather, but it comes completely uniform in rectangular sheets that you can then work with super efficiently." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Qorium CEO Michael Newton reveals how his mission-driven team is reinventing leather through synthetic biology and tissue engineering, producing uniform, high-quality material. He draws on his Nike experience to discuss the realities of scaling deeptech, overcoming fundraising and market-entry challenges, forging key partnerships, and stresses the value of mentorship and bold early-career risks. "We're not making a more sustainable leather. Yes, we do that. What we're making is a better leather. It's real leather, but it comes completely uniform in rectangular sheets that you can then work with super efficiently." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Qorium CEO Michael Newton reveals how his mission-driven team is reinventing leather through synthetic biology and tissue engineering, producing uniform, high-quality material. He draws on his Nike experience to discuss the realities of scaling deeptech, overcoming fundraising and market-entry challenges, forging key partnerships, and stresses the value of mentorship and bold early-career risks. No No 🧬 How We Scaled Nike Innovation from the Shoelace Room | Michael Newton (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28xz2768-michael-newton-part-3 🧬 How We Scaled Nike Innovation from the Shoelace Room | Michael Newton (Part 3/4) 166 No No 60mkmnv0 "Hard things are hard. But we gotta go do them, or we gotta go try." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton shares his journey from private equity and finance to launching a pay-per-mile auto insurance startup, leading groundbreaking innovation at Nike, and taking on the CEO role at Qorium, a biotech venture in the Netherlands. He reflects on building Nike Innovation, driving sustainable initiatives like Flyknit, and navigating the leap from corporate life to startup challenges—offering sharp insights into scaling big ideas, evolving as a leader, and staying true to mission-driven work across every stage of his career. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Hard things are hard. But we gotta go do them, or we gotta go try."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton shares his journey from private equity and finance to launching a pay-per-mile auto insurance startup, leading groundbreaking innovation at Nike, and taking on the CEO role at Qorium, a biotech venture in the Netherlands. 

He reflects on building Nike Innovation, driving sustainable initiatives like Flyknit, and navigating the leap from corporate life to startup challenges—offering sharp insights into scaling big ideas, evolving as a leader, and staying true to mission-driven work across every stage of his career.

Key topics covered:

  • Taking Career Risks: From Wall Street to startup to biotech CEO.
  • Launching Nike Innovation: Transforming a small team into a global innovation force.
  • Scaling Major Initiatives: Turning breakthrough ideas into reality, like Flyknit.
  • Leadership & Company Culture: Real lessons in leadership, values, and transitions.
  • Biology as the Future of Manufacturing: Building the future in synthetic biology.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
HBS New Venture Competition: https://www.hbs.edu/newventurecompetition

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:27 From Finance to Entrepreneurship: Michael’s Journey Starts at Stanford
02:37 Early Startup Experience: Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance
05:20 The Oregon Gamble: Moving for the Insurance Venture
07:01 Unexpected Shift: Nike, Portland, and a New Career Path
08:53 Launching Nike Innovation: Building from the Shoelace Room
13:20 Inside Nike’s Innovation Culture: Global Scale and Flyknit
18:26 Leadership Lessons from Nike: Consumer Focus and Culture
20:51 Founder-Led to Professional Management: Nike’s Transition
23:51 Leadership Succession in Iconic Companies
28:16 When to Stay, When to Leave: Michael’s Exit from Nike
32:53 Biotech Leap: Becoming CEO of Qorium
36:19 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2277 "Hard things are hard. But we gotta go do them, or we gotta go try." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton shares his journey from private equity and finance to launching a pay-per-mile auto insurance startup, leading groundbreaking innovation at Nike, and taking on the CEO role at Qorium, a biotech venture in the Netherlands. He reflects on building Nike Innovation, driving sustainable initiatives like Flyknit, and navigating the leap from corporate life to startup challenges—offering sharp insights into scaling big ideas, evolving as a leader, and staying true to mission-driven work across every stage of his career. "Hard things are hard. But we gotta go do them, or we gotta go try." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton shares his journey from private equity and finance to launching a pay-per-mile auto insurance startup, leading groundbreaking innovation at Nike, and taking on the CEO role at Qorium, a biotech venture in the Netherlands. He reflects on building Nike Innovation, driving sustainable initiatives like Flyknit, and navigating the leap from corporate life to startup challenges—offering sharp insights into scaling big ideas, evolving as a leader, and staying true to mission-driven work across every stage of his career. No No 🧬Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Fails - How Context Creates Success | Michael Newton (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9m746n-michael-newton-part-2 🧬Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Fails - How Context Creates Success | Michael Newton (Part 2/4) 165 No No v07r6nq1 "A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. 

He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond.

Key topics covered:

  • Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Breaking into private equity without the usual path
  • Mentorship & “Baptism by Fire”: Surviving and thriving under high-pressure guidance
  • Breadth vs. Depth: Navigating careers as a generalist or specialist
  • Contextual Leadership: Adapting your leadership style for each person
  • The Power of Community: Building networks that fuel personal and professional growth

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Charlie%27s_Almanack
HBS case on Cranberry Manufacturing: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54704

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Thomas H. Lee Partners: https://thl.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Bypassing Traditional Recruiting for Private Equity
03:12 Decision Point: Nonprofit vs. Finance Career
03:55 Moving Back to NYC and Starting Finance Career
05:42 First Private Equity Role: Challenges and Learning
08:04 Working with Harvey Golub at TH Lee
10:25 Joining Kubera Partners: Fund Spin-out and Industry Lessons
13:28 The Power of Asking for Help in Early Career
15:52 Generalist vs. Specialist: Leadership and Team Management
21:57 Deciding to Pursue an MBA at HBS
25:06 HBS Highlights: Classes, Professors, and Case Method
31:29 Mentorship, Environment, and Capitalizing on Unique Opportunities
35:06 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2203 "A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond. "A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond. No No 🧬The Diamond of Success: 4 Traits Every Leader Needs | Michael Newton (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnklvlv8-michael-newton-part-1 🧬The Diamond of Success: 4 Traits Every Leader Needs | Michael Newton (Part 1/4) 164 No No 70wjwjw1 "Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy." 

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success.

Key topics covered:

  • Chelsea Roots: Childhood in 1980s Manhattan and lessons in grit and diversity
  • Entrepreneurial Influence: Hands-on exposure to publishing, tech, and business from his parents
  • Benign Neglect Parenting: Building independence, resilience, and accountability from a young age
  • Educational Turning Point: Discovering curiosity and self-expression at Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn
  • The Diamond of Success: How Dartmouth mentors instilled a lifelong framework for achievement

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Saint Ann’s School https://saintannsny.org/ 
Dartmouth College https://home.dartmouth.edu/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:32 Growing Up in 1980s Manhattan – Chelsea Roots
06:31 Neighborhood Diversity & Childhood Community
08:06 Parental Influence: Entrepreneurship & Early Tech Exposure
10:38 “Benign Neglect” Parenting and Building Independence
12:59 The Australian Community in New York
15:11 Learning Grit from a “School of Hard Knocks” Childhood
19:02 Applying Childhood Lessons to Leadership & Team Building
21:41 Educational Turning Point: Grace Church to Saint Ann’s
26:25 College Choices & Why Dartmouth Stood Out
28:07 Life at Dartmouth and Impactful Mentors
29:09 Professor Allan Stam & The Triangle (Diamond) of Success
34:38 Influence of Professor Gene Garthwaite
40:03 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2473 "Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success. "Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success. No No 🧬Surviving the Biotech Funding Crunch: Insider Strategies | Samir Khleif (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnklvmw8-samir-khleif-part-4 🧬Surviving the Biotech Funding Crunch: Insider Strategies | Samir Khleif (Part 4/4) 163 No No 70wjw741 "The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core. Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core. 

Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership.

Key topics covered:

  • Building a Discovery-Driven Team: Assembling top talent to fuel innovation
  • Going Beyond the Surface: Focusing on breakthrough science, not recycled ideas
  • Market Realities & Fundraising: Navigating tough markets and finding the right investors
  • Internal vs External Development: Doubling down on in-house strengths
  • Leadership in Biotech: Leading with self-awareness, curiosity, and collaboration

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Autoimmune Disease and Immune System Modulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27312159/
What Corporate Investors Look for in Life Sciences Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-corporate-investors-look-for-in-life-sciences-startups 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:42 Building the Early Team & IP Portfolio
04:16 Why 85% of Cancer Patients Still Don’t Respond to Immunotherapy
06:01 Internal VS External Drug Development: Key Considerations
07:24 Surprising Lessons Moving from Academia & FDA to Startup CEO
09:29 “Phone-a-Friend” Mentorship Strategy for Tough Decisions
10:11 Fundraising Philosophy in a Volatile Market
12:56 Aligning Investors Through Openness and Transparency
15:41 Georgiamune’s Culture of Discovery and Innovation
19:08 Advancing 11 Drugs in 5 Years—3 Already in the Clinic
26:12 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1713 "The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core. Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership. "The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core. Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership. No No 🧬How One Leader United 120 Experts to Transform Cancer Care | Samir Khleif (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1np7w558-samir-khleif-part-3 🧬How One Leader United 120 Experts to Transform Cancer Care | Samir Khleif (Part 3/4) 162 No No z0r42jj0 "I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy. He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy. 

He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune.

Key topics covered:

  • Leading National Reform: Spearheading FDA oncology reform with 120+ experts.
  • Balancing Multiple Roles: Navigating government, research, and global biotech.
  • The Value of Academic Freedom: Leveraging flexibility to drive innovation.
  • Building Top-Performing Teams: Attracting and motivating elite talent.
  • From Breakthrough to Startup: Turning discovery into Georgiamune.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Building a World-Class Cancer Center: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584196/
2025 Trends in Biotech Venture Capital Funding https://www.excedr.com/blog/trends-in-biotech-venture-capital-funding
Impact of Regulatory Environment on Life Sciences VC https://www.excedr.com/blog/impact-of-regulatory-environment-on-life-sciences-vc 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:43 Transition: From Building a Cancer Center to the Next Phase
01:56 Leading National Reform at the FDA
03:01 Balancing Research, Government, and Global Biotech Advisory
03:36 Innovating Drug Development: The FDA’s Critical Path Initiative
05:31 Identifying Challenges and Building Solutions
07:11 Engaging the Community and Assembling Expert Teams
09:11 Recruiting Talent: Bringing Experts Back to Jordan
11:01 From Scientific Discovery to Entrepreneurial Action
12:31 Launching Georgiamune: Taking Control of Innovation
22:43 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1478 "I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy. He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune. "I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy. He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune. No No 🧬 Breaking the Wall Between Science & Patient Care: Translational Medicine | Samir Khleif (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2r16rn-samir-khleif-part-2-4 🧬 Breaking the Wall Between Science & Patient Care: Translational Medicine | Samir Khleif (Part 2/4) 161 No No 2199p691 “The way I have grown up in the field is not only to discover basic science findings, but also to have in mind always… how can we translate this discovery into a potential drug or an approach that could be given to patients.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares his inspiring journey from a formative fellowship at the National Cancer Institute—where he mastered bridging basic science and clinical care—to being handpicked to build the pioneering King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. Dr. Khleif’s story reveals how NCI’s culture of translating research into real-world impact shaped his vision for translational medicine and propelled him to bring world-class cancer care to new frontiers, overcoming formidable challenges along the way. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

“The way I have grown up in the field is not only to discover basic science findings, but also to have in mind always… how can we translate this discovery into a potential drug or an approach that could be given to patients.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares his inspiring journey from a formative fellowship at the National Cancer Institute—where he mastered bridging basic science and clinical care—to being handpicked to build the pioneering King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. 

Dr. Khleif’s story reveals how NCI’s culture of translating research into real-world impact shaped his vision for translational medicine and propelled him to bring world-class cancer care to new frontiers, overcoming formidable challenges along the way.

Key topics covered:

  • Bridging Basic and Clinical Research: Uniting lab discoveries with real-world care
  • The Call to Translational Medicine: Turning science into patient impact
  • Early Leadership: Rising from fellow to faculty and learning to lead
  • Innovation in Cancer Vaccines: Pioneering a new era in immunotherapy
  • Building a Cancer Center Abroad: Launching Jordan’s King Hussein Cancer Center

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Strategies for Cancer Vaccine Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2914453/
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38086815/
Recent Advances in the Development and Efficacy of Anti-Cancer Vaccines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266115/
Unlocking Cancer Vaccine Potential: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38564321/
Translational Research Program: https://dctd.cancer.gov/programs/trp

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
King Hussein Cancer Center: https://www.khcc.jo/en


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:38 Journey to the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
01:46 Early Days at NCI: Breaking Down Research Silos
05:44 Bridging Basic and Clinical Research at NIH
06:02 Forming a Translational Medicine Mindset
08:35 Transition from Fellowship to Faculty at NCI
09:11 The Origins of the King Hussein Cancer Center
10:41 The Invitation to Build a Cancer Center in Jordan
13:31 Challenges and Vision for Translational Cancer Care Abroad
19:01 Reflecting on Mentorship and Collaborative Leadership
22:46 Lessons in Innovation and Cancer Vaccine Development
27:12 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1705 “The way I have grown up in the field is not only to discover basic science findings, but also to have in mind always… how can we translate this discovery into a potential drug or an approach that could be given to patients.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares his inspiring journey from a formative fellowship at the National Cancer Institute—where he mastered bridging basic science and clinical care—to being handpicked to build the pioneering King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. Dr. Khleif’s story reveals how NCI’s culture of translating research into real-world impact shaped his vision for translational medicine and propelled him to bring world-class cancer care to new frontiers, overcoming formidable challenges along the way. “The way I have grown up in the field is not only to discover basic science findings, but also to have in mind always… how can we translate this discovery into a potential drug or an approach that could be given to patients.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares his inspiring journey from a formative fellowship at the National Cancer Institute—where he mastered bridging basic science and clinical care—to being handpicked to build the pioneering King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. Dr. Khleif’s story reveals how NCI’s culture of translating research into real-world impact shaped his vision for translational medicine and propelled him to bring world-class cancer care to new frontiers, overcoming formidable challenges along the way. No No 🧬 Boy Scout Values & Refugee Resilience: Building Biotech Leadership | Samir Khleif (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8ll2r68-samir-khleif-part-1 🧬 Boy Scout Values & Refugee Resilience: Building Biotech Leadership | Samir Khleif (Part 1/4) 160 No No x1l6jwp1 "Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy. Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy. 

Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease.

Key topics covered:

  • Education as Liberation: Early inspiration from family values and education fueling lifelong ambition
  • From Refuge to Purpose: Refugee experiences and a love for science transformed adversity into impact
  • Leadership Through Action: Building leadership muscles for biotech by starting organizations from scratch
  • Character Under Pressure: Childhood adversity and scouting forged core values of logic, discipline, and fairness
  • The Healer's Evolution: A journey from clinical oncology to biotech pioneer and global health leadership

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/
Georgia Cancer Center: https://www.augusta.edu/cancer/
Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy: https://www.parkerici.org/
Arab Global Scholars Program: https://www.qf.org.qa/arab-global-scholars

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:18 Welcome and Introduction of Guest
04:25 Early Family Life & Formative Influences
07:43 Parental and Boy Scouts’ Impact on Character
08:23 Lessons in Work Ethic and Fairness
10:56 Growing Up as a Refugee: Perspective & Values
13:45 Early Entry into Medical School
16:09 Founding Student Organizations
18:51 Transition from Clinical Practice to Leadership Roles
25:21 Exploring Immunology and Cancer Research
29:46 Founding Georgiamune: Motivation and Vision
33:40 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2089 "Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy. Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease. "Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy. Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease. No No 🧬 Multi-Edit CAR T-Cells: The Crazy Science That Might Cure Brain Cancer | Aaron Edwards (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833x108--aaron-edwards-part-4 🧬 Multi-Edit CAR T-Cells: The Crazy Science That Might Cure Brain Cancer | Aaron Edwards (Part 4/4) 159 No No m0jp98k0 “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards, co-founder of KiraGen Bio, shares how a Harvard Business School class project ignited the launch of a pioneering biotech taking on solid tumors with a bold, unconventional CAR T-cell therapy. He unpacks the real-world challenges of building KiraGen—navigating fundraising, assembling a strong team, and leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and machine learning—while highlighting how focus, discipline, and authentic leadership can set a startup apart, even when it means breaking from industry norms. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards, co-founder of KiraGen Bio, shares how a Harvard Business School class project ignited the launch of a pioneering biotech taking on solid tumors with a bold, unconventional CAR T-cell therapy. 

He unpacks the real-world challenges of building KiraGen—navigating fundraising, assembling a strong team, and leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and machine learning—while highlighting how focus, discipline, and authentic leadership can set a startup apart, even when it means breaking from industry norms.

Key topics covered:

  • The Origin of KiraGen: Born from an HBS pitch deck, KiraGen set out to tackle immune suppression in solid tumors.
  • Contrarian CAR T-Cell Design: Bold multi-edit strategy to outsmart tumor microenvironments and hit glioblastoma.
  • Focus and Discipline: Lean operations, every dollar counts, eyes on clinical milestones.
  • Creative Fundraising and Partnerships: Unconventional funding, academic alliances, and patient-driven capital.
  • Authenticity and Team Building: Realness, inclusivity, and mentorship at the core—paying it forward in biotech.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Base Editing & CRISPR 2.0: https://beamtx.com/science/base-editing/
Biotech Studio Program: https://www.2048.vc/blog/bio-studio

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Beam Therapeutics: https://www.beamtx.com/
2048 Ventures: https://www.2048.vc/
Thermo Fisher Scientific: https://www.thermofisher.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:39 The Origin Story of KiraGen
07:15 From Bluebird to Beam: Learning Cell Therapy
15:51 Finding Product-Market Fit in Glioblastoma
20:59 The Importance of Focus and Discipline
24:20 Early Company Building and Lab Setup
28:16 Building the Team and Hiring Strategy
38:27 Creative Fundraising and Partnership Strategies
45:06 Two-Year Vision: IND Filing and Clinical Data
51:22 Shoutouts to Mentors and Supporters
55:50 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Authenticity as a Superpower
01:00:09 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3836 “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards, co-founder of KiraGen Bio, shares how a Harvard Business School class project ignited the launch of a pioneering biotech taking on solid tumors with a bold, unconventional CAR T-cell therapy. He unpacks the real-world challenges of building KiraGen—navigating fundraising, assembling a strong team, and leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and machine learning—while highlighting how focus, discipline, and authentic leadership can set a startup apart, even when it means breaking from industry norms. “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards, co-founder of KiraGen Bio, shares how a Harvard Business School class project ignited the launch of a pioneering biotech taking on solid tumors with a bold, unconventional CAR T-cell therapy. He unpacks the real-world challenges of building KiraGen—navigating fundraising, assembling a strong team, and leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and machine learning—while highlighting how focus, discipline, and authentic leadership can set a startup apart, even when it means breaking from industry norms. No No 🧬 Non-Traditional Leadership & Knowledge Sharing: The New Edge in Biotech | Aaron Edwards (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m7rzq8-non-traditional-leadership-knowledge-sharing-the-new-edge-in-biotech-aaron-edwards-part-3-4 🧬 Non-Traditional Leadership & Knowledge Sharing: The New Edge in Biotech | Aaron Edwards (Part 3/4) 158 No No 70v5y8v1 “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In part three of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee and Aaron Edwards dive into the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, spotlighting the power of non-traditional career paths, self-awareness, and creative knowledge sharing. They unpack how embracing new tools, fostering open debate, and democratizing information through platforms like Notion, ELNs, and social media can drive both personal growth and startup success. The conversation highlights the importance of capital efficiency, authentic community engagement, and building a culture where diverse perspectives fuel innovation in today’s fast-evolving life sciences landscape. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.”

In part three of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee and Aaron Edwards dive into the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, spotlighting the power of non-traditional career paths, self-awareness, and creative knowledge sharing. They unpack how embracing new tools, fostering open debate, and democratizing information through platforms like Notion, ELNs, and social media can drive both personal growth and startup success. 

The conversation highlights the importance of capital efficiency, authentic community engagement, and building a culture where diverse perspectives fuel innovation in today’s fast-evolving life sciences landscape.

Key topics covered:

  • Non-Traditional Paths to Leadership: Diverse backgrounds spark fresh biotech innovation.
  • Institutionalizing Knowledge: Notion, ELNs, and Loom keep team wisdom accessible.
  • Capital Efficiency & Execution: Build lean, use what works, skip reinvention.
  • Democratization of Information: Open platforms put insights within everyone’s reach.
  • Authenticity & Community: Self-awareness and real talk drive growth and connection.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:19 Non-Traditional Paths to Leadership: Aaron’s Journey
02:31 The Value of Diverse Experiences in Biotech
03:48 Creativity and First Principles Thinking
05:53 Leadership, Self-Awareness, and Therapy
08:09 Building a Safe Space for Debate and Growth
12:37 Institutionalizing Knowledge: Tools and Practices
14:05 Notion, ELNs, and Modern Documentation
16:04 Democratization of Information and Community
23:15 Capital Efficiency and Execution in Startups
26:27 Authenticity, Community, and Digital Engagement
38:07 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2396 “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In part three of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee and Aaron Edwards dive into the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, spotlighting the power of non-traditional career paths, self-awareness, and creative knowledge sharing. They unpack how embracing new tools, fostering open debate, and democratizing information through platforms like Notion, ELNs, and social media can drive both personal growth and startup success. The conversation highlights the importance of capital efficiency, authentic community engagement, and building a culture where diverse perspectives fuel innovation in today’s fast-evolving life sciences landscape. “This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.” In part three of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee and Aaron Edwards dive into the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, spotlighting the power of non-traditional career paths, self-awareness, and creative knowledge sharing. They unpack how embracing new tools, fostering open debate, and democratizing information through platforms like Notion, ELNs, and social media can drive both personal growth and startup success. The conversation highlights the importance of capital efficiency, authentic community engagement, and building a culture where diverse perspectives fuel innovation in today’s fast-evolving life sciences landscape. No No 🧬 Why Most Biotech Startups Fail (And How to Survive Market Crashes) | Aaron Edwards (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0v5y6n-aaron-edwards-part-2-4 🧬 Why Most Biotech Startups Fail (And How to Survive Market Crashes) | Aaron Edwards (Part 2/4) 157 No No p1kn57z0 "You might not have developed it. You might not know where that is. But you're finding what that North Star is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards shares how a bold cold email launched him from Kentucky to a cutting-edge mRNA vaccine lab in Boston, setting the stage for a dynamic biotech career. He explores the culture shock of city life, how curiosity fueled his leadership, and the key lessons learned navigating academia, big pharma, and nimble startups—ultimately revealing how market cycles, organizational models, and operational discipline drive innovation and resilience in biotech. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You might not have developed it. You might not know where that is. But you're finding what that North Star is."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards shares how a bold cold email launched him from Kentucky to a cutting-edge mRNA vaccine lab in Boston, setting the stage for a dynamic biotech career. 

He explores the culture shock of city life, how curiosity fueled his leadership, and the key lessons learned navigating academia, big pharma, and nimble startups—ultimately revealing how market cycles, organizational models, and operational discipline drive innovation and resilience in biotech.

Key topics covered:

  • The Power of Curiosity: Asking bold questions and staying curious drives growth and leadership.
  • Academia vs. Industry: Adapting to the culture shock and pace of labs, pharma, and startups.
  • Organizational Models: Big company structure vs. startup agility—what works, what doesn’t.
  • Market Cycles & Resilience: Surviving booms and busts by staying lean and creative.
  • Finding Your North Star: Embracing uncertainty to carve your own path in biotech.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Eli Lilly’s Subsidiary Model: https://www.lilly.com/subsidiaries

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Beam Therapeutics https://beamtx.com/ 
Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:36 Culture Shock: Moving from Kentucky to Boston
05:40 Landing in an mRNA Vaccine Lab via Cold Email
07:36 The Power of Passion and Finding Your “North Star”
10:57 Lessons from Academia: Knowing What Doesn’t Fit
14:44 Curiosity and the Disconnect Between Science and Business
19:30 First Industry Role at Novartis Vaccines
23:52 Big Pharma vs. Startups: Pros, Cons, and Organizational Models
24:33 Subsidiaries, Integration, and the Eli Lilly Example
27:43 Bluebird Bio and Beam Therapeutics: Platform vs. Focus
29:32 Surviving Market Cycles and Building Resilience
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2766 "You might not have developed it. You might not know where that is. But you're finding what that North Star is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards shares how a bold cold email launched him from Kentucky to a cutting-edge mRNA vaccine lab in Boston, setting the stage for a dynamic biotech career. He explores the culture shock of city life, how curiosity fueled his leadership, and the key lessons learned navigating academia, big pharma, and nimble startups—ultimately revealing how market cycles, organizational models, and operational discipline drive innovation and resilience in biotech. "You might not have developed it. You might not know where that is. But you're finding what that North Star is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards shares how a bold cold email launched him from Kentucky to a cutting-edge mRNA vaccine lab in Boston, setting the stage for a dynamic biotech career. He explores the culture shock of city life, how curiosity fueled his leadership, and the key lessons learned navigating academia, big pharma, and nimble startups—ultimately revealing how market cycles, organizational models, and operational discipline drive innovation and resilience in biotech. No No 🧬 Embracing Identity & Curiosity: Being Different Fuels Innovation | Aaron Edwards (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n33ym4n-aaron-edwards-part-1 🧬 Embracing Identity & Curiosity: Being Different Fuels Innovation | Aaron Edwards (Part 1/4) 156 No No m1jpy2z1 "There was something else there that I needed to keep searching for... and that's a theme in my life." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative journey of Aaron Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of KiraGen Bio, as he shares how curiosity, conviction, and challenging convention led him from a small town in Kentucky to the forefront of biotech innovation in Boston. Aaron reflects on his upbringing with pharmacist parents, the impact of early mentors, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and scientific vision. Listeners will hear how Aaron’s path was shaped by balancing competitive athletics with academic pursuits, navigating personal identity in a close-knit community, and seizing opportunities that broadened his perspective beyond traditional career paths. From his first wet lab experience with butterfly genetics to transformative internships in cancer research, Aaron’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to make a difference in oncology. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"There was something else there that I needed to keep searching for... and that's a theme in my life."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative journey of Aaron Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of KiraGen Bio, as he shares how curiosity, conviction, and challenging convention led him from a small town in Kentucky to the forefront of biotech innovation in Boston. Aaron reflects on his upbringing with pharmacist parents, the impact of early mentors, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and scientific vision.

Listeners will hear how Aaron’s path was shaped by balancing competitive athletics with academic pursuits, navigating personal identity in a close-knit community, and seizing opportunities that broadened his perspective beyond traditional career paths. From his first wet lab experience with butterfly genetics to transformative internships in cancer research, Aaron’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to make a difference in oncology.

Key topics covered:

  • Early Curiosity & Upbringing: Sparked a passion for science in rural Kentucky with pharmacist parents and inspiring teachers.
  • Visibility & Identity: Navigated being a gay student in a small town, seeking authentic environments.
  • Academic & Athletic Balance: Learned discipline and leadership by balancing competitive swimming with rigorous academics.
  • Formative Research Experiences: Gained direction from hands-on internships in cancer research and translational science.
  • Leadership & Company Building: Drew lessons from biotech roles and business school to shape a people-first, adaptable leadership style.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity https://www.phikappatau.org/ 
Governor’s Scholars Program https://gsp.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx 
Emerging Technologies Attracting VC Investment in Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/blog/emerging-technologies-attracting-vc-investment-in-life-sciences 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Beam Therapeutics https://beamtx.com/ 
Moffitt Cancer Center https://www.moffitt.org/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:50 Aaron's Background and Early Curiosity in Science
07:15 Growing Up with Pharmacist Parents and Asking Questions
11:55 Kentucky Science and Math Academy Experience
15:11 Visibility, Identity, and College Choices
19:01 Balancing Athletics and Academics
21:21 Summer Research Internships at Moffitt Cancer Center
25:15 First Wet Lab Experience and Western Blots
28:36 Connecting Research to Patient Impact
33:20 Early Biotech Experience at Bluebird Bio
43:43 Harvard Business School and Case Method Learning
48:04 Outro 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2959 "There was something else there that I needed to keep searching for... and that's a theme in my life." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative journey of Aaron Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of KiraGen Bio, as he shares how curiosity, conviction, and challenging convention led him from a small town in Kentucky to the forefront of biotech innovation in Boston. Aaron reflects on his upbringing with pharmacist parents, the impact of early mentors, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and scientific vision. Listeners will hear how Aaron’s path was shaped by balancing competitive athletics with academic pursuits, navigating personal identity in a close-knit community, and seizing opportunities that broadened his perspective beyond traditional career paths. From his first wet lab experience with butterfly genetics to transformative internships in cancer research, Aaron’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to make a difference in oncology. "There was something else there that I needed to keep searching for... and that's a theme in my life." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative journey of Aaron Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of KiraGen Bio, as he shares how curiosity, conviction, and challenging convention led him from a small town in Kentucky to the forefront of biotech innovation in Boston. Aaron reflects on his upbringing with pharmacist parents, the impact of early mentors, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and scientific vision. Listeners will hear how Aaron’s path was shaped by balancing competitive athletics with academic pursuits, navigating personal identity in a close-knit community, and seizing opportunities that broadened his perspective beyond traditional career paths. From his first wet lab experience with butterfly genetics to transformative internships in cancer research, Aaron’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to make a difference in oncology. No No 🧬 Growth Without Venture Capital: The Bootstrapped Bioscience Playbook | Ivan Liachko (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80v5rm8-ivan-liachko-part-4-4 🧬 Growth Without Venture Capital: The Bootstrapped Bioscience Playbook | Ivan Liachko (Part 4/4) 155 No No p0kn5qk1 "It's not a brute force approach. It's a cleverness-based approach. It's a new kind of information that lets us do new things." Host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, to unpack how clever, constraint-driven science turned a scrappy, bootstrapped lab into a genomics powerhouse. Ivan explains how their breakthrough technology—capturing the physical proximity of DNA—opened new frontiers in genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and cancer diagnostics, all propelled by a lean, scientist-led team and organic growth. The episode dives into Phase’s evolution into a data-driven research leader, its focus on non-dilutive funding over venture capital, and its vision for clinical impact and therapeutic spinouts—all fueled by a passion for unlocking powerful new biological information. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

Episode Description:

"It's not a brute force approach. It's a cleverness-based approach. It's a new kind of information that lets us do new things."

Host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, to unpack how clever, constraint-driven science turned a scrappy, bootstrapped lab into a genomics powerhouse. Ivan explains how their breakthrough technology—capturing the physical proximity of DNA—opened new frontiers in genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and cancer diagnostics, all propelled by a lean, scientist-led team and organic growth. 

The episode dives into Phase’s evolution into a data-driven research leader, its focus on non-dilutive funding over venture capital, and its vision for clinical impact and therapeutic spinouts—all fueled by a passion for unlocking powerful new biological information.

Key topics covered:

  • Constraint-Driven Innovation: Creative solutions born from limited resources.
  • Breakthrough Genomic Applications: Proximity ligation transforms genome assembly, microbiome, and cancer research.
  • Bootstrapping & Organic Growth: Science-driven sales and grants fuel growth—minimal outside investment.
  • Strategic Vision & Spinouts: Building a research powerhouse and launching new ventures from unique data.
  • Advice for Scientists & Founders: Prioritize complementary teams, embrace uncertainty, and stay passionate.
If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Ivan Liachko, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Phase Genomics’ Three Core Applications
08:27 Meeting Co-founder and Early Team Formation
11:28 Bootstrapping with eBay Lab Gear
12:55 Scrappy, MVP-Driven Product Development
17:02 Core Customers and Clinical Use Cases
22:34 Evolving into a Research Institute with Spinouts
25:29 Non-dilutive Funding and Fundraising Approach
29:59 Clinical Vision and Anti-infective Focus
31:33 Shout-outs and Advice for Young Scientists
32:59 Staying Passionate Through Uncertainty
33:54 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2195 "It's not a brute force approach. It's a cleverness-based approach. It's a new kind of information that lets us do new things." Host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, to unpack how clever, constraint-driven science turned a scrappy, bootstrapped lab into a genomics powerhouse. Ivan explains how their breakthrough technology—capturing the physical proximity of DNA—opened new frontiers in genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and cancer diagnostics, all propelled by a lean, scientist-led team and organic growth. The episode dives into Phase’s evolution into a data-driven research leader, its focus on non-dilutive funding over venture capital, and its vision for clinical impact and therapeutic spinouts—all fueled by a passion for unlocking powerful new biological information. "It's not a brute force approach. It's a cleverness-based approach. It's a new kind of information that lets us do new things." Host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, to unpack how clever, constraint-driven science turned a scrappy, bootstrapped lab into a genomics powerhouse. Ivan explains how their breakthrough technology—capturing the physical proximity of DNA—opened new frontiers in genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and cancer diagnostics, all propelled by a lean, scientist-led team and organic growth. The episode dives into Phase’s evolution into a data-driven research leader, its focus on non-dilutive funding over venture capital, and its vision for clinical impact and therapeutic spinouts—all fueled by a passion for unlocking powerful new biological information. No No 🧬 How 3D Genome Mapping is Changing Everything We Know About DNA | Ivan Liachko (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4lpqmn-ivan-liachko-part-3-4 🧬 How 3D Genome Mapping is Changing Everything We Know About DNA | Ivan Liachko (Part 3/4) 154 No No x06ry260 "If you get a new kind of information, suddenly you can do something with it that you couldn't do before at all." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko shares how scientific curiosity and unexpected collaborations took him from DNA replication research in yeast at Cornell to a breakthrough in 3D genome mapping and the founding of Phase Genomics. Embracing Hi-C technology at the University of Washington, Ivan and his team unlocked a new kind of biological information, enabling scientists to assemble genomes and map complex microbial communities and their viruses—transforming what was once impossible into a new standard for genomics. His journey highlights how creativity, collaboration, and seizing serendipitous moments can drive the most impactful scientific innovations. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you get a new kind of information, suddenly you can do something with it that you couldn't do before at all."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko shares how scientific curiosity and unexpected collaborations took him from DNA replication research in yeast at Cornell to a breakthrough in 3D genome mapping and the founding of Phase Genomics. 

Embracing Hi-C technology at the University of Washington, Ivan and his team unlocked a new kind of biological information, enabling scientists to assemble genomes and map complex microbial communities and their viruses—transforming what was once impossible into a new standard for genomics. His journey highlights how creativity, collaboration, and seizing serendipitous moments can drive the most impactful scientific innovations.

Key topics covered:

  • Scientific Serendipity: Collaborations and chance encounters that propelled Ivan’s career
  • Comparative Biology: Probing DNA replication by comparing diverse yeast “machines”
  • The Move to Genomics: Shifting from classic genetics to high-throughput genomics at UW
  • 3D Genome Mapping: Hi-C technology unlocking the secrets of genome structure
  • Microbiome and Phage Discovery: Sequencing breakthroughs revealing hidden microbial worlds

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Ivan Liachko, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Genome Startup Day: https://genomestartupday.com/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:12 Ivan’s early research at Cornell on DNA replication and yeast biology
05:52 Move to University of Washington and postdoc opportunity
09:49 Life and culture in the Pacific Northwest
13:04 Experimental evolution and comparative biology in yeast
17:16 Discovering Hi-C technology and 3D genome mapping
24:40 Using Hi-C for genome assembly and the jigsaw puzzle analogy
30:23 Applications of Hi-C in microbiome research and phage discovery
33:04 Mapping phages and plasmids to their microbial hosts
34:23 Founding of Phase Genomics and commercialization of technology
34:29 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2130 "If you get a new kind of information, suddenly you can do something with it that you couldn't do before at all." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko shares how scientific curiosity and unexpected collaborations took him from DNA replication research in yeast at Cornell to a breakthrough in 3D genome mapping and the founding of Phase Genomics. Embracing Hi-C technology at the University of Washington, Ivan and his team unlocked a new kind of biological information, enabling scientists to assemble genomes and map complex microbial communities and their viruses—transforming what was once impossible into a new standard for genomics. His journey highlights how creativity, collaboration, and seizing serendipitous moments can drive the most impactful scientific innovations. "If you get a new kind of information, suddenly you can do something with it that you couldn't do before at all." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko shares how scientific curiosity and unexpected collaborations took him from DNA replication research in yeast at Cornell to a breakthrough in 3D genome mapping and the founding of Phase Genomics. Embracing Hi-C technology at the University of Washington, Ivan and his team unlocked a new kind of biological information, enabling scientists to assemble genomes and map complex microbial communities and their viruses—transforming what was once impossible into a new standard for genomics. His journey highlights how creativity, collaboration, and seizing serendipitous moments can drive the most impactful scientific innovations. No No 🧬 Startup Survival Skills: Resilience, Frugality & Real Talk in Biotech | Ivan Liachko (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kl7q9n-ivan-liachko-part-2 🧬 Startup Survival Skills: Resilience, Frugality & Real Talk in Biotech | Ivan Liachko (Part 2/4) 153 No No 71wj6qx0 “Every time you think you’re right and somebody puts you in your place and you learn from it, eventually you’re like, that guy gave me the greatest gift… You learn to love it.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, delivers an unfiltered look at the realities of building a biotech company, revealing how the mental toll of leadership, managing egos, and embracing frugality shaped his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Through candid stories of scrappy problem-solving and bootstrapping Phase Genomics, Ivan and host Jon Chee highlight the surprising overlap between science and business, the importance of knowing which game you’re playing, and why resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure are crucial for startup success. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“Every time you think you’re right and somebody puts you in your place and you learn from it, eventually you’re like, that guy gave me the greatest gift… You learn to love it.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, delivers an unfiltered look at the realities of building a biotech company, revealing how the mental toll of leadership, managing egos, and embracing frugality shaped his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. 

Through candid stories of scrappy problem-solving and bootstrapping Phase Genomics, Ivan and host Jon Chee highlight the surprising overlap between science and business, the importance of knowing which game you’re playing, and why resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure are crucial for startup success.

Key topics covered:

  • The Emotional Toll of Leadership: Handling conflict, building resilience, and staying mentally tough.
  • From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Turning scientific know-how into business savvy.
  • Frugality & Resourcefulness: Scrappy solutions over spending sprees.
  • Knowing Your Game: Avoiding hype and matching strategy to your company’s reality.
  • Embracing Discomfort and Failure: Growing by learning from mistakes and challenging expert advice.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Ivan Liachko, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Ultra-Long-Range Genomic Information: https://www.ark-invest.com/podcast/phase-genomics

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Cornell University: https://www.cornell.edu/
Brandeis University: https://www.brandeis.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:06 Mental Toll of Startup Leadership
07:03 Learning from Conflict and Managing People
13:00 Immigrant Experience and Grad School Survival
15:18 Starting Phase Genomics and Budgeting
18:52 Frugality: Instant Pot as Autoclave
22:49 Knowing Your Game: Startup Growth Strategies
25:57 Saying No to Expert Advice
28:02 Grad School Selection and Cornell Experience
30:04 Moving to Seattle and Postdoc Life
30:32 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1889 “Every time you think you’re right and somebody puts you in your place and you learn from it, eventually you’re like, that guy gave me the greatest gift… You learn to love it.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, delivers an unfiltered look at the realities of building a biotech company, revealing how the mental toll of leadership, managing egos, and embracing frugality shaped his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Through candid stories of scrappy problem-solving and bootstrapping Phase Genomics, Ivan and host Jon Chee highlight the surprising overlap between science and business, the importance of knowing which game you’re playing, and why resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure are crucial for startup success. “Every time you think you’re right and somebody puts you in your place and you learn from it, eventually you’re like, that guy gave me the greatest gift… You learn to love it.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, delivers an unfiltered look at the realities of building a biotech company, revealing how the mental toll of leadership, managing egos, and embracing frugality shaped his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Through candid stories of scrappy problem-solving and bootstrapping Phase Genomics, Ivan and host Jon Chee highlight the surprising overlap between science and business, the importance of knowing which game you’re playing, and why resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure are crucial for startup success. No No 🧬 Passion Is Chaos: Grit, Curiosity, & the Biotech Breakthrough Mindset | Ivan Liachko (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnll44pn-ivan-liachko-part-1 🧬 Passion Is Chaos: Grit, Curiosity, & the Biotech Breakthrough Mindset | Ivan Liachko (Part 1/4) 152 No No x0l6yyx0 "Passion is chaos. You're doing unreasonable things sometimes for reasons you can't explain to anyone why. That's just what I want.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, to reveal how a childhood passion for genetics, relentless family support, and Ivan’s trademark persistence—“better to be annoying than forgotten”—helped him break into science as an immigrant and rise to biotech leadership. Ivan shares candid lessons on embracing unpredictability, turning setbacks into opportunities, and the parallels between research and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of authentic curiosity, running toward problems, and leading with bold optimism. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Passion is chaos. You're doing unreasonable things sometimes for reasons you can't explain to anyone why. That's just what I want.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, to reveal how a childhood passion for genetics, relentless family support, and Ivan’s trademark persistence—“better to be annoying than forgotten”—helped him break into science as an immigrant and rise to biotech leadership.

Ivan shares candid lessons on embracing unpredictability, turning setbacks into opportunities, and the parallels between research and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of authentic curiosity, running toward problems, and leading with bold optimism.

Key topics covered:

  • Ivan’s childhood in Kyiv and early passion for genetics
  • Moving and adapting to a new country and system
  • Breaking into science with grit and curiosity
  • His transition from the lab to launching Phase Genomics
  • Navigating setbacks and uncertainty in a leadership role

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Ivan Liachko, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Ultra-Long-Range Genomic Information: https://www.ark-invest.com/podcast/phase-genomics
The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing: https://www.biochemjournal.com/archives/2024/vol8issue1S/PartG/S-8-1-92-790.pdf
Connect My Variant: https://connectmyvariant.org/
The Phage Atlas Project: https://phage.directory/atlas

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
University of Pennsylvania: https://www.upenn.edu/
Brandeis University: https://www.brandeis.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:40 Early Interest in Science and Upbringing in Kyiv
05:27 First Lab Experiences and Persistence in Science
07:37 The Power of Passion in Scientific Careers
09:47 Family Support and Academic Encouragement
10:37 The Value of Persistence and Grit
13:10 Navigating College Applications as an Immigrant
15:59 Choosing Brandeis University and Embracing New Opportunities
17:36 Maximizing Luck and Serendipity in Career Choices
19:13 Breaking Out of Academic Silos and Embracing Opportunity
34:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2143 "Passion is chaos. You're doing unreasonable things sometimes for reasons you can't explain to anyone why. That's just what I want.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, to reveal how a childhood passion for genetics, relentless family support, and Ivan’s trademark persistence—“better to be annoying than forgotten”—helped him break into science as an immigrant and rise to biotech leadership. Ivan shares candid lessons on embracing unpredictability, turning setbacks into opportunities, and the parallels between research and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of authentic curiosity, running toward problems, and leading with bold optimism. "Passion is chaos. You're doing unreasonable things sometimes for reasons you can't explain to anyone why. That's just what I want.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, CEO and co-founder of Phase Genomics, to reveal how a childhood passion for genetics, relentless family support, and Ivan’s trademark persistence—“better to be annoying than forgotten”—helped him break into science as an immigrant and rise to biotech leadership. Ivan shares candid lessons on embracing unpredictability, turning setbacks into opportunities, and the parallels between research and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of authentic curiosity, running toward problems, and leading with bold optimism. No No 🧬 AI, Mentors & the Future of Biotech: Teambuilding, Investing, & Innovation | Johnny Hu (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nxzxyln-johnny-hu-part-4 🧬 AI, Mentors & the Future of Biotech: Teambuilding, Investing, & Innovation | Johnny Hu (Part 4/4) 151 No No 61mkj9y1 “It's the partnership all the way down, and everyone needs to be around the table to enable the ecosystem.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Johnny Hu reflects on his path to becoming a Principle at Menlo Ventures, what it's been like returning to gene editing after years away, and how he's thinking about unlocking true platform potential in life sciences. He also shares his outlook on early-stage biotech, the importance of mentorship, intellectual range and curiosity, and what's ahead as he continues building at the intersection of biology, computation, and company creation 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“It's the partnership all the way down, and everyone needs to be around the table to enable the ecosystem.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Johnny Hu reflects on his path to becoming a Principle at Menlo Ventures, what it's been like returning to gene editing after years away, and how he's thinking about unlocking true platform potential in life sciences. He also shares his outlook on early-stage biotech, the importance of mentorship, intellectual range and curiosity, and what's ahead as he continues building at the intersection of biology, computation, and company creation

Key topics covered:

  • Firm building: Building a venture firm from the ground up
  • AI & Bio: Looking at the intersection of AI and Biology
  • Gene Editing: The clinical success of gene editing
  • Mentorship: The importance of mentors and advisors
  • Career Advice: Tips and common pitfalls to avoid when starting a career in venture investing

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Johnny Hu, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Institute for Protein Design: https://www.bakerlab.org/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Menlo Ventures: https://www.menlovc.com/
Recursion Pharmaceuticals: https://www.recursion.com/
Beam Therapeutics: https://beamtx.com/
Protein Data Bank: https://www.rcsb.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:14 Building Boston Office at Omega Funds
03:34 Move to West Coast and Joining Menlo Ventures
13:34 Current State of Life Sciences Venture Landscape
15:00 Focus on AI and Life Sciences Intersection
18:26 Most Fun and Least Fun Aspects of Venture Investing
20:04 Advice for Aspiring Venture Investors
23:19 Future Plans and Return to Gene Editing
25:01 Clinical Success and Market Challenges in Gene Editing
30:01 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Intellectual Curiosity
35:58 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2367 “It's the partnership all the way down, and everyone needs to be around the table to enable the ecosystem.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Johnny Hu reflects on his path to becoming a Principle at Menlo Ventures, what it's been like returning to gene editing after years away, and how he's thinking about unlocking true platform potential in life sciences. He also shares his outlook on early-stage biotech, the importance of mentorship, intellectual range and curiosity, and what's ahead as he continues building at the intersection of biology, computation, and company creation “It's the partnership all the way down, and everyone needs to be around the table to enable the ecosystem.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Johnny Hu reflects on his path to becoming a Principle at Menlo Ventures, what it's been like returning to gene editing after years away, and how he's thinking about unlocking true platform potential in life sciences. He also shares his outlook on early-stage biotech, the importance of mentorship, intellectual range and curiosity, and what's ahead as he continues building at the intersection of biology, computation, and company creation No No 🧬 Biotech Investing Unlocked: Mindset Shift, Risk, and Founder-First Lessons | Johnny Hu (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nr7yjp8-johnny-hu-part-3 🧬 Biotech Investing Unlocked: Mindset Shift, Risk, and Founder-First Lessons | Johnny Hu (Part 3/4) 150 No No 815rpjm0 "Sometimes you don't know what you don't know. And frankly, this is a journey that's long, and you'll learn a lot of things along the way. A lot of things, it's the first time you'll be doing that thing. Your job as an entrepreneur is to ultimately listen, then decide, and own that decision.” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principle at Menlo Ventures, takes us inside his journey from scientist to venture capitalist, revealing how adapting to new mindsets, operational discipline, and calculated risk-taking are crucial in biotech. He breaks down the differences between the lab and the investment world, shares lessons from mentors at Omega Funds, and explains how founder-first investing and clear communication drive his approach at Menlo Ventures. Johnny also explores the challenges of fundraising, the realities of board dynamics, and how AI is reshaping biotech, all while emphasizing the value of curiosity and adaptability in a field defined by complexity and constant change. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Sometimes you don't know what you don't know. And frankly, this is a journey that's long, and you'll learn a lot of things along the way. A lot of things, it's the first time you'll be doing that thing. Your job as an entrepreneur is to ultimately listen, then decide, and own that decision.”

In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principle at Menlo Ventures, takes us inside his journey from scientist to venture capitalist, revealing how adapting to new mindsets, operational discipline, and calculated risk-taking are crucial in biotech. He breaks down the differences between the lab and the investment world, shares lessons from mentors at Omega Funds, and explains how founder-first investing and clear communication drive his approach at Menlo Ventures. 

Johnny also explores the challenges of fundraising, the realities of board dynamics, and how AI is reshaping biotech, all while emphasizing the value of curiosity and adaptability in a field defined by complexity and constant change.

Key topics covered:

  • Navigating the transition from scientist to venture capitalist: Adapting to new mindsets
  • The importance of operational discipline, capital efficiency, and decision-making in biotech startups: Stretching every dollar
  • Lessons learned from mentors and experiences at Omega Funds: Start with the end in mind
  • The value of founder-first investing and building intentional, transparent relationships with entrepreneurs: Build trust and clarity
  • The impact of AI and technological innovation on biotech, and the unique challenges of risk assessment in life sciences: Managing risk in complex systems

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Johnny Hu, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Janelia Research Campus: https://www.janelia.org/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Menlo Ventures: https://www.menlovc.com/
Gilead Sciences: https://www.gilead.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:16 Credit vs VC Mindset: Finding Opportunity in Complexity
07:07 Operational Discipline and Capital Efficiency in Biotech Startups
16:26 Board Dynamics and Decision-Making in Startups
19:23 Challenges of Risk and Complexity in Life Sciences
22:45 AI's Role in Biotech and Investment
25:42 Johnny Hu's Career Path and Mentorship at Omega Funds
28:12 Working Backwards: Strategy and Product-Market Fit
31:25 Risk Management and Personal Tolerance in Venture Investing
35:23 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2226 "Sometimes you don't know what you don't know. And frankly, this is a journey that's long, and you'll learn a lot of things along the way. A lot of things, it's the first time you'll be doing that thing. Your job as an entrepreneur is to ultimately listen, then decide, and own that decision.” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principle at Menlo Ventures, takes us inside his journey from scientist to venture capitalist, revealing how adapting to new mindsets, operational discipline, and calculated risk-taking are crucial in biotech. He breaks down the differences between the lab and the investment world, shares lessons from mentors at Omega Funds, and explains how founder-first investing and clear communication drive his approach at Menlo Ventures. Johnny also explores the challenges of fundraising, the realities of board dynamics, and how AI is reshaping biotech, all while emphasizing the value of curiosity and adaptability in a field defined by complexity and constant change. "Sometimes you don't know what you don't know. And frankly, this is a journey that's long, and you'll learn a lot of things along the way. A lot of things, it's the first time you'll be doing that thing. Your job as an entrepreneur is to ultimately listen, then decide, and own that decision.” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principle at Menlo Ventures, takes us inside his journey from scientist to venture capitalist, revealing how adapting to new mindsets, operational discipline, and calculated risk-taking are crucial in biotech. He breaks down the differences between the lab and the investment world, shares lessons from mentors at Omega Funds, and explains how founder-first investing and clear communication drive his approach at Menlo Ventures. Johnny also explores the challenges of fundraising, the realities of board dynamics, and how AI is reshaping biotech, all while emphasizing the value of curiosity and adaptability in a field defined by complexity and constant change. No No 🧬 The Shelf Life of Innovation: CRISPR, Biotech Culture & Winning Teams | Johnny Hu (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68r7y2pn-johnny-hu-part-2 🧬 The Shelf Life of Innovation: CRISPR, Biotech Culture & Winning Teams | Johnny Hu (Part 2/4) 149 No No 805rp7m1 "Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation. He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great”

In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation. 

He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet.

Key topics covered:

  • The Value of Academic Culture: Cambridge’s traditions and cross-disciplinary thinking fueled Johnny’s passion for building tools and deep scientific exploration.
  • The Rise of CRISPR: Inside the early, high-energy days of gene editing’s rapid ascent.
  • Boston Biotech Ecosystem: How a dense, connected community unlocked opportunities in startups and venture capital.
  • Company Culture & Team Dynamics: Why setting culture early shapes how teams execute and succeed.
  • Investing in Biotech: The real work of weighing risk, building strong boards, and making tough calls in venture.
If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Johnny Hu, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Menlo Ventures: https://www.menlovc.com/
Beam Therapeutics: https://beamtx.com/
University of Cambridge: https://www.cam.ac.uk/
Harvard University: https://www.harvard.edu/
Harvard Medical School: https://hms.harvard.edu/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:23 UK Academic Ecosystem and Cambridge Experience
04:10 Focus on Tool Building in Neuroscience
08:00 DNA Origami and Early CRISPR Exposure
10:57 Technology Shelf Life and Progress
16:05 Boston Biotech Ecosystem and Company Incubation
20:00 Importance of Company Culture in Startups
24:00 Team Dynamics and Organizational Structure
29:15 Venture Capital Culture and Collaboration
32:22 Investment Decision-Making and Risk
35:50 Board Role and Execution in Biotech Startups
36:14 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 29 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2285 "Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation. He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet. "Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great” In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation. He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet. No No 🧬 NASA, Harvard & Biotech: A Journey to Investing at Menlo Ventures | Johnny Hu (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v8wpylzn-johnny-hu-part-1 🧬 NASA, Harvard & Biotech: A Journey to Investing at Menlo Ventures | Johnny Hu (Part 1/4) 148 No No 80x258y0 “Every startup starts the journey at zero, and you’re just building from scratch. Day by day, you do a little bit better, and eventually, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into the formative journey of Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, tracing his path from a childhood spent on a UK university campus to the heart of biotech investing. Johnny shares how early exposure to academia, a move to Alabama near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a deep curiosity for science and business shaped his worldview. He reflects on pivotal moments—from hands-on research in structural biology at Harvard and a summer at Genentech, to witnessing the evolution of biotech tools and infrastructure. Throughout, Johnny offers candid insights on the power of mentorship, the non-linear nature of discovery, and the incremental progress that fuels both scientific breakthroughs and startup success. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“Every startup starts the journey at zero, and you’re just building from scratch. Day by day, you do a little bit better, and eventually, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into the formative journey of Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, tracing his path from a childhood spent on a UK university campus to the heart of biotech investing. Johnny shares how early exposure to academia, a move to Alabama near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a deep curiosity for science and business shaped his worldview. 

He reflects on pivotal moments—from hands-on research in structural biology at Harvard and a summer at Genentech, to witnessing the evolution of biotech tools and infrastructure. Throughout, Johnny offers candid insights on the power of mentorship, the non-linear nature of discovery, and the incremental progress that fuels both scientific breakthroughs and startup success.

Key topics covered:

  • Academic Roots: Early immersion in campus life sparked a passion for science and discovery.
  • Transatlantic Perspective: Moving from the UK to Alabama, NASA’s influence broadened his horizons.
  • Interdisciplinary Curiosity: Juggled chemical biology, economics, and programming at Harvard.
  • Research Evolution: Experienced the grind of structural biology and witnessed AI revolutionizing the field.
  • Startup Realities: Saw firsthand how mentorship and modern infrastructure now supercharge biotech innovation.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Johnny Hu, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Janelia Research Campus: https://www.janelia.org/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Gilead Sciences: https://www.gilead.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:48 Early Life and Academic Roots
08:30 Move to Alabama and NASA Influence
11:11 Harvard Admission and Interdisciplinary Interests
18:38 Undergraduate Lab Experience in Structural Biology
31:07 Summer at Genentech
33:57 Comparing Academic and Industry Labs
36:17 Startup Realities and Biotech Infrastructure
39:08 Incremental Progress in Biotech Startups
42:08 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 26 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2634 “Every startup starts the journey at zero, and you’re just building from scratch. Day by day, you do a little bit better, and eventually, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into the formative journey of Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, tracing his path from a childhood spent on a UK university campus to the heart of biotech investing. Johnny shares how early exposure to academia, a move to Alabama near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a deep curiosity for science and business shaped his worldview. He reflects on pivotal moments—from hands-on research in structural biology at Harvard and a summer at Genentech, to witnessing the evolution of biotech tools and infrastructure. Throughout, Johnny offers candid insights on the power of mentorship, the non-linear nature of discovery, and the incremental progress that fuels both scientific breakthroughs and startup success. “Every startup starts the journey at zero, and you’re just building from scratch. Day by day, you do a little bit better, and eventually, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into the formative journey of Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, tracing his path from a childhood spent on a UK university campus to the heart of biotech investing. Johnny shares how early exposure to academia, a move to Alabama near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a deep curiosity for science and business shaped his worldview. He reflects on pivotal moments—from hands-on research in structural biology at Harvard and a summer at Genentech, to witnessing the evolution of biotech tools and infrastructure. Throughout, Johnny offers candid insights on the power of mentorship, the non-linear nature of discovery, and the incremental progress that fuels both scientific breakthroughs and startup success. No No 🧬 Simulating Life & Accelerating Discovery: Deep Origin’s Biotech Vision | Michael Antonov (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28xzy5j8-michael-antonov-part-4 🧬 Simulating Life & Accelerating Discovery: Deep Origin’s Biotech Vision | Michael Antonov (Part 4/4) 147 No No 60mk9wp0 "If you really want to understand biology, you need to be able to represent it in the computer. If you can’t model it, you can’t really predict its behavior” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, returns for the fourth installment of his series to share how his vision for holistic biological simulation evolved from Formic Labs into Deep Origin. Michael discusses the challenges of building a unified R&D platform for biotech, the current suite of Deep Origin’s products, and how the company is making advanced drug discovery tools accessible to organizations of every size. He also dives into the company’s philosophy, the lessons learned from previous ventures, and what’s next as Deep Origin continues to scale its impact on the life sciences sector. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you really want to understand biology, you need to be able to represent it in the computer. If you can’t model it, you can’t really predict its behavior”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, returns for the fourth installment of his series to share how his vision for holistic biological simulation evolved from Formic Labs into Deep Origin. 

Michael discusses the challenges of building a unified R&D platform for biotech, the current suite of Deep Origin’s products, and how the company is making advanced drug discovery tools accessible to organizations of every size. He also dives into the company’s philosophy, the lessons learned from previous ventures, and what’s next as Deep Origin continues to scale its impact on the life sciences sector.

Key topics covered:

  • The Evolution from Formic Labs to Deep Origin: Transforming a bold simulation vision into a focused biotech platform.
  • Building a Unified R&D Platform: Tackling integration hurdles to streamline biological modeling.
  • Deep Origin’s Product Suite: Delivering cutting-edge, accessible tools for drug discovery and research.
  • Company Philosophy & Culture: Fostering innovation, impact, and research-driven teamwork.
  • What’s Next for Deep Origin: Productizing novel tools, deepening partnerships, and expanding access.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Antonov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:



Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:14 Formic Labs and Deep Origin Origins
08:33 Early Team and Status Quo Disruption
17:56 Challenges in Biotech Tool Ecosystem
19:06 Deep Origin's Product Suite Overview
24:31 Target Customers and Accessibility
28:24 Company Philosophy and Fundraising
34:53 Future Plans and Productization
38:45 Shout Outs and Supporters
39:25 Advice to Younger Self
41:08 Closing Remarks and Thanks
41:40 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 22 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2698 "If you really want to understand biology, you need to be able to represent it in the computer. If you can’t model it, you can’t really predict its behavior” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, returns for the fourth installment of his series to share how his vision for holistic biological simulation evolved from Formic Labs into Deep Origin. Michael discusses the challenges of building a unified R&D platform for biotech, the current suite of Deep Origin’s products, and how the company is making advanced drug discovery tools accessible to organizations of every size. He also dives into the company’s philosophy, the lessons learned from previous ventures, and what’s next as Deep Origin continues to scale its impact on the life sciences sector. "If you really want to understand biology, you need to be able to represent it in the computer. If you can’t model it, you can’t really predict its behavior” In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, returns for the fourth installment of his series to share how his vision for holistic biological simulation evolved from Formic Labs into Deep Origin. Michael discusses the challenges of building a unified R&D platform for biotech, the current suite of Deep Origin’s products, and how the company is making advanced drug discovery tools accessible to organizations of every size. He also dives into the company’s philosophy, the lessons learned from previous ventures, and what’s next as Deep Origin continues to scale its impact on the life sciences sector. No No 🧬 Debugging Aging: How a VR Pioneer is Revolutionizing Longevity | Michael Antonov (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/489mw5y8-michael-antonov-part-3 🧬 Debugging Aging: How a VR Pioneer is Revolutionizing Longevity | Michael Antonov (Part 3/4) 146 No No v17r98y0 "My mind is analytical – so I wondered ‘what is the most exciting, impactful thing I could do?’ I felt we’re all growing older, so where is the technology of aging? How well do we understand the biochemistry of us as humans?" In this episode, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, shares his bold leap from pioneering virtual reality to tackling the complexities of human aging and biotech innovation. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about biology and the mysteries of longevity, Michael reveals how his software background inspired him to "debug" biology, build better research tools, and launch Formic Ventures to back high-risk, high-reward startups. He discusses his vision for integrating computational and biological approaches, the promise of cellular reprogramming, and his mission to create a new ecosystem that empowers researchers and accelerates breakthroughs in extending human healthspan. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"My mind is analytical – so I wondered ‘what is the most exciting, impactful thing I could do?’ I felt we’re all growing older, so where is the technology of aging? How well do we understand the biochemistry of us as humans?"

In this episode, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, shares his bold leap from pioneering virtual reality to tackling the complexities of human aging and biotech innovation. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about biology and the mysteries of longevity, Michael reveals how his software background inspired him to "debug" biology, build better research tools, and launch Formic Ventures to back high-risk, high-reward startups.

He discusses his vision for integrating computational and biological approaches, the promise of cellular reprogramming, and his mission to create a new ecosystem that empowers researchers and accelerates breakthroughs in extending human healthspan.

Key topics covered:

  • From Oculus to Biotech: Michael Antonov’s leap from VR pioneer to longevity-focused founder
  • Debugging Biology: Using software logic to unravel aging’s complexity
  • Investment Philosophy: Formic Ventures’ bold bets on transformative biotech
  • Cellular Reprogramming: Rejuvenating cells to fight aging at its core
  • Building Deep Origin: Unifying platforms to supercharge drug discovery and research

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Antonov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Longevity.Technology: https://www.longevity.technology/
The Michael Antonov Foundation: https://antonovfoundation.org/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Oculus (Meta Quest): https://www.meta.com/quest/
Formic Ventures: https://formic.vc/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Joining Facebook and Acquisition Experience
05:01 Resource Abundance and Internal Politics
06:41 Working at Facebook and Priorities
09:41 Early Fascination with Biology of Aging
15:17 Studying Biology at Berkeley Extension
17:39 Starting Biotech Investing
21:57 Learning the Ins and Outs of Investing
25:19 Challenges in Biotech Investing
26:24 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 19 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1691 "My mind is analytical – so I wondered ‘what is the most exciting, impactful thing I could do?’ I felt we’re all growing older, so where is the technology of aging? How well do we understand the biochemistry of us as humans?" In this episode, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, shares his bold leap from pioneering virtual reality to tackling the complexities of human aging and biotech innovation. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about biology and the mysteries of longevity, Michael reveals how his software background inspired him to "debug" biology, build better research tools, and launch Formic Ventures to back high-risk, high-reward startups. He discusses his vision for integrating computational and biological approaches, the promise of cellular reprogramming, and his mission to create a new ecosystem that empowers researchers and accelerates breakthroughs in extending human healthspan. "My mind is analytical – so I wondered ‘what is the most exciting, impactful thing I could do?’ I felt we’re all growing older, so where is the technology of aging? How well do we understand the biochemistry of us as humans?" In this episode, Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, shares his bold leap from pioneering virtual reality to tackling the complexities of human aging and biotech innovation. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about biology and the mysteries of longevity, Michael reveals how his software background inspired him to "debug" biology, build better research tools, and launch Formic Ventures to back high-risk, high-reward startups. He discusses his vision for integrating computational and biological approaches, the promise of cellular reprogramming, and his mission to create a new ecosystem that empowers researchers and accelerates breakthroughs in extending human healthspan. No No 🧬 Building Oculus: Innovation, Grit & the $2 Billion VR Revolution | Michael Antonov (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnqwy1rn-michael-antonov-part-2 🧬 Building Oculus: Innovation, Grit & the $2 Billion VR Revolution | Michael Antonov (Part 2/4) 145 No No 81nv5pj1 "We were a small team, just a handful of people, trying to solve problems that had stumped the industry for decades. Every day felt like we were building the future from scratch." In this episode, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, Michael Antonov shares the inside story of how he and a small, driven team transformed virtual reality from a niche dream into a billion-dollar industry. From his early days at Scaleform to the rapid growth of Oculus, Michael recounts overcoming daunting technical and business challenges, the thrill of their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, and the relentless innovation that led to Oculus’s $2 billion acquisition by Facebook. Listeners get a rare look at the mindset and decision-making behind one of tech’s most remarkable startup journeys, packed with lessons for entrepreneurs everywhere. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"We were a small team, just a handful of people, trying to solve problems that had stumped the industry for decades. Every day felt like we were building the future from scratch."

In this episode, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, Michael Antonov, shares the inside story of how he and a small, driven team transformed virtual reality from a niche dream into a billion-dollar industry. 

From his early days at Scaleform to the rapid growth of Oculus, Michael recounts overcoming daunting technical and business challenges, the thrill of their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, and the relentless innovation that led to Oculus’s $2 billion acquisition by Facebook. Listeners get a rare look at the mindset and decision-making behind one of tech’s most remarkable startup journeys, packed with lessons for entrepreneurs everywhere.

Key topics covered:

  • The early days at Scaleform and the transition to founding Oculus: Game tools to VR visionaries
  • Overcoming technical hurdles in VR hardware and software development: Solving tough VR challenges
  • Launching and scaling through the Oculus Rift Kickstarter campaign: Crowdfunding breakthrough
  • Navigating rapid company growth and organizational challenges: Fast growth, big changes
  • The acquisition process with Facebook and the future of virtual reality: $2B deal, new horizons

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Antonov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Oculus (Meta Quest): https://www.meta.com/quest/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Moving to Orange County & Joining Autodesk
04:23 The Oculus Origin Story: Meeting Palmer Luckey
11:46 Early Prototypes and the Power of Kickstarter
16:31 Fulfilling Orders and Building the Team
20:06 Funding Realities and Internal Seed Round
23:08 Technical Breakthroughs: Tracking and Blurriness
28:33 Collaboration and Competition with Valve
29:43 Deciding to Build vs. Buy VR Tech
32:10 Raising Capital & Facebook’s Interest
34:01 First Acquisition Offer from Facebook
35:15 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 15 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2174 "We were a small team, just a handful of people, trying to solve problems that had stumped the industry for decades. Every day felt like we were building the future from scratch." In this episode, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, Michael Antonov shares the inside story of how he and a small, driven team transformed virtual reality from a niche dream into a billion-dollar industry. From his early days at Scaleform to the rapid growth of Oculus, Michael recounts overcoming daunting technical and business challenges, the thrill of their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, and the relentless innovation that led to Oculus’s $2 billion acquisition by Facebook. Listeners get a rare look at the mindset and decision-making behind one of tech’s most remarkable startup journeys, packed with lessons for entrepreneurs everywhere. "We were a small team, just a handful of people, trying to solve problems that had stumped the industry for decades. Every day felt like we were building the future from scratch." In this episode, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, Michael Antonov shares the inside story of how he and a small, driven team transformed virtual reality from a niche dream into a billion-dollar industry. From his early days at Scaleform to the rapid growth of Oculus, Michael recounts overcoming daunting technical and business challenges, the thrill of their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, and the relentless innovation that led to Oculus’s $2 billion acquisition by Facebook. Listeners get a rare look at the mindset and decision-making behind one of tech’s most remarkable startup journeys, packed with lessons for entrepreneurs everywhere. No No 🧬 The Borrowed Computer That Built Oculus - An Unlikely Biotech Journey | Michael Antonov (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2ryzpn-michael-antonov-part-1 🧬 The Borrowed Computer That Built Oculus - An Unlikely Biotech Journey | Michael Antonov (Part 1/4) 144 No No 2199jvm1 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“There was this moment when I was 13 where a family friend brought a computer and I really liked games. It was just so fascinating. And then I could learn and write simple statements and logic. So that was like a little precursor, anything electronics, anything computers excited me. And biology was something I would hear about, but not really pay a lot of attention to.”

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive into the remarkable journey of Michael Antonov, Co-Founder of Oculus and Founder & CEO of Deep Origin, as he shares how growing up in post-Soviet Russia, surrounded by scarcity and a family of biologists, shaped his resourcefulness and ambition. A chance encounter with a borrowed computer sparked his lifelong passion for programming, steering him away from biology and into the world of software innovation. Michael recounts building foundational technologies in gaming and VR, co-founding Scaleform and Oculus, and navigating the challenges of scaling startups, forging pivotal partnerships, and eventually being acquired by Autodesk. 

His story is a testament to curiosity, resilience, and the power of seizing unexpected opportunities on the path from immigrant to influential entrepreneur in biotech and beyond.

Key topics covered:

  • Growing up in post-Soviet Russia: Scarcity, grit, and a family of biologists
  • Discovering computers and programming: A creative escape and new direction
  • Building and pivoting Scaleform: Dorm-room startup to game industry staple
  • Securing major clients and networking: Landing deals through conferences and connections
  • Navigating acquisition by Autodesk: Startup freedom meets corporate reality

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Antonov, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Game Developers Conference: https://gdconf.com/

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Oculus (Meta Quest): https://www.meta.com/quest/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:47 Growing Up in Post-Soviet Russia
04:33 Family’s Background in Biology
06:56 First Encounter with Computers and Programming
09:45 High School in Maryland and Early Programming Projects
11:49 Choosing Computer Science and College Experience
15:32 Meeting Cofounder and Starting Scaleform
20:54 Building and Pivoting the Scaleform Product
23:31 Landing First Customers and Early Growth
28:16 Securing Big Clients and Gaining Industry Momentum
32:23 Deciding to Sell and the Autodesk Acquisition
36:35 Navigating Corporate Culture Post-Acquisition
40:29 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2536 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. No No 🧬 The Secret to Biotech Success: Time, Tools & Teamwork | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jy99zn-bogdan-knezevic-part-4 🧬 The Secret to Biotech Success: Time, Tools & Teamwork | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 4/4) 143 No No 41pq88k0 "It's not about avoiding failure. It's about avoiding every scenario where you look back and say, ‘I could have done this differently and we wouldn't be here.’" In this episode, host Jon Chee talks with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, about how smart R&D infrastructure decisions can make or break biotech startups. Bogdan shares his journey from scientist to founder and explains how Kaleidoscope empowers teams to harness their data, streamline collaboration, and extend their runway. The conversation spotlights real-world examples of how operational efficiency and the right tools create compounding advantages, why time is the true currency in biotech, and how accelerating drug development can have a profound impact for patients. Bogdan also reflects on the importance of learning by doing and paying it forward in the entrepreneurial journey. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"It's not about avoiding failure. It's about avoiding every scenario where you look back and say, ‘I could have done this differently and we wouldn't be here.’"

In this episode, host Jon Chee talks with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, about how smart R&D infrastructure decisions can make or break biotech startups. Bogdan shares his journey from scientist to founder and explains how Kaleidoscope empowers teams to harness their data, streamline collaboration, and extend their runway. 

The conversation spotlights real-world examples of how operational efficiency and the right tools create compounding advantages, why time is the true currency in biotech, and how accelerating drug development can have a profound impact for patients. Bogdan also reflects on the importance of learning by doing and paying it forward in the entrepreneurial journey.

Key topics covered:
  • Building the “nerve center” for biotech R&D: Centralizing and streamlining operations.
  • Why early infrastructure decisions are critical for biotech startups: Early choices shape growth.
  • The compounding value of operational efficiency and smart tooling: Small gains drive big advantages.
  • How saving time and capital can mean the difference between success and failure: Time and cash are everything.
  • Personal lessons on mentorship, paying it forward, and learning by doing: Give back and take action.
If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Bogdan Knezevic, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Tips for Managing Cash Runway After Seed or Series A Financing https://www.excedr.com/blog/managing-cash-runway-after-seed-or-series-a-financing 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Creative Destruction Lab: https://creativedestructionlab.com/
Entrepreneur First: https://www.joinef.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:02 Kaleidoscope’s mission and focus
05:15 Real-world platform use and data management
10:24 Early infrastructure decisions and tool adoption
15:25 Incremental improvements and operational efficiency
18:51 Time and capital as critical resources in biotech
22:21 Extending runway with equipment leasing and software
26:26 Kaleidoscope’s future and enterprise readiness
32:21 Impact on patient outcomes and urgency
38:15 Paying it forward and mentorship
39:38 Advice to aspiring founders
41:25 Closing remarks and outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 08 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2628 "It's not about avoiding failure. It's about avoiding every scenario where you look back and say, ‘I could have done this differently and we wouldn't be here.’" In this episode, host Jon Chee talks with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, about how smart R&D infrastructure decisions can make or break biotech startups. Bogdan shares his journey from scientist to founder and explains how Kaleidoscope empowers teams to harness their data, streamline collaboration, and extend their runway. The conversation spotlights real-world examples of how operational efficiency and the right tools create compounding advantages, why time is the true currency in biotech, and how accelerating drug development can have a profound impact for patients. Bogdan also reflects on the importance of learning by doing and paying it forward in the entrepreneurial journey. "It's not about avoiding failure. It's about avoiding every scenario where you look back and say, ‘I could have done this differently and we wouldn't be here.’" In this episode, host Jon Chee talks with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, about how smart R&D infrastructure decisions can make or break biotech startups. Bogdan shares his journey from scientist to founder and explains how Kaleidoscope empowers teams to harness their data, streamline collaboration, and extend their runway. The conversation spotlights real-world examples of how operational efficiency and the right tools create compounding advantages, why time is the true currency in biotech, and how accelerating drug development can have a profound impact for patients. Bogdan also reflects on the importance of learning by doing and paying it forward in the entrepreneurial journey. No No 🧬 Purpose-Driven Innovation: Building Teams to Solve Biotech Problems | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj01mkn-bogdan-knezevic-part-3 🧬 Purpose-Driven Innovation: Building Teams to Solve Biotech Problems | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 3/4) 142 No No 40pm23z1 "Until you experience a thing, you don’t know a thing. That’s something that bothers me a lot with the investor world-unless you’ve done it, you don’t really know what the grind feels like." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, unpacks how hands-on experience-from the grind at Frequency Therapeutics to launching the Rhodes Incubator-shaped his passion for biotech startups and team building. He shares the pivotal role of serendipity and authentic networking at Creative Destruction Lab and Entrepreneur First, which ultimately set the stage for founding Kaleidoscope. Bogdan dives into the challenges of innovating biotech R&D infrastructure, the importance of collaboration, and why tackling meaningful problems drives his mission in a rapidly evolving industry. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Until you experience a thing, you don’t know a thing. That’s something that bothers me a lot with the investor world-unless you’ve done it, you don’t really know what the grind feels like."

In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, unpacks how hands-on experience-from the grind at Frequency Therapeutics to launching the Rhodes Incubator-shaped his passion for biotech startups and team building. 

He shares the pivotal role of serendipity and authentic networking at Creative Destruction Lab and Entrepreneur First, which ultimately set the stage for founding Kaleidoscope. Bogdan dives into the challenges of innovating biotech R&D infrastructure, the importance of collaboration, and why tackling meaningful problems drives his mission in a rapidly evolving industry.

Key topics covered:

  • Experiential Learning: Nothing beats firsthand experience in understanding biotech’s real challenges.
  • Building Teams: Founding the Rhodes Incubator showed what truly makes teams thrive.
  • Serendipity and Networking: Authentic outreach and chance meetings unlock major opportunities.
  • From Academia to Entrepreneurship: The leap means tackling real-world problems that matter.
  • Innovating Biotech Infrastructure: Kaleidoscope is digitizing R&D to speed up breakthroughs.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Bogdan Knezevic, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Creative Destruction Lab: https://creativedestructionlab.com/
Entrepreneur First: https://www.joinef.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:00 Discovering a love for startups at Frequency Therapeutics
06:13 Launching the Rhodes Incubator and learning what makes teams work
08:01 Gaining startup know-how through student-run organizations
10:51 Building strong co-founder bonds and the value of team chemistry
13:38 Leading the AI stream at Creative Destruction Lab
17:31 Embracing serendipity and authentic networking
20:00 Helping launch Entrepreneur First’s Toronto program
22:35 Committing to start Kaleidoscope with longtime friends
25:41 Defining Kaleidoscope’s purpose and picking meaningful problems
29:34 Tackling biotech’s digital transformation and leaving paper behind
31:13 Shaping the future of biotech with next-gen product vision
34:55 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 05 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2150 "Until you experience a thing, you don’t know a thing. That’s something that bothers me a lot with the investor world-unless you’ve done it, you don’t really know what the grind feels like." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, unpacks how hands-on experience-from the grind at Frequency Therapeutics to launching the Rhodes Incubator-shaped his passion for biotech startups and team building. He shares the pivotal role of serendipity and authentic networking at Creative Destruction Lab and Entrepreneur First, which ultimately set the stage for founding Kaleidoscope. Bogdan dives into the challenges of innovating biotech R&D infrastructure, the importance of collaboration, and why tackling meaningful problems drives his mission in a rapidly evolving industry. "Until you experience a thing, you don’t know a thing. That’s something that bothers me a lot with the investor world-unless you’ve done it, you don’t really know what the grind feels like." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, unpacks how hands-on experience-from the grind at Frequency Therapeutics to launching the Rhodes Incubator-shaped his passion for biotech startups and team building. He shares the pivotal role of serendipity and authentic networking at Creative Destruction Lab and Entrepreneur First, which ultimately set the stage for founding Kaleidoscope. Bogdan dives into the challenges of innovating biotech R&D infrastructure, the importance of collaboration, and why tackling meaningful problems drives his mission in a rapidly evolving industry. No No 🧬 Letting Go to Level Up: Oxford, Identity, & Tenacity in Biotech | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnymrjzn-bogdan-knezevic-part-2 🧬 Letting Go to Level Up: Oxford, Identity, & Tenacity in Biotech | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 2/4) 141 No No l14n2vx1 "If you think you're above whatever-taking out the proverbial trash or doing the proverbial dishes or the laundry, whatever-that's when a company is cooked." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic shares his journey from undergrad in Calgary to winning a Rhodes Scholarship and pursuing a PhD at Oxford, reflecting on the personal motivations, cultural shifts, and tough choices that shaped his path-including stepping away from elite swimming and ultimately realizing academia wasn’t for him. He opens up about the isolating yet magical environment of Oxford, the challenge of redefining his identity, and the gritty realities of working in early-stage biotech, emphasizing the importance of humility and hands-on work for startup founders. The conversation offers a candid look at how self-discovery, setbacks, and a willingness to “do the dishes” can shape a leader’s growth in biotech. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you think you're above whatever-taking out the proverbial trash or doing the proverbial dishes or the laundry, whatever-that's when a company is cooked."

In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic shares his journey from undergrad in Calgary to winning a Rhodes Scholarship and pursuing a PhD at Oxford, reflecting on the personal motivations, cultural shifts, and tough choices that shaped his path-including stepping away from elite swimming and ultimately realizing academia wasn’t for him. He opens up about the isolating yet magical environment of Oxford, the challenge of redefining his identity, and the gritty realities of working in early-stage biotech, emphasizing the importance of humility and hands-on work for startup founders. 

The conversation offers a candid look at how self-discovery, setbacks, and a willingness to “do the dishes” can shape a leader’s growth in biotech.

Key topics covered:
  • The Rhodes Scholarship decision: Chasing big dreams, family inspiration, and Oxford’s legendary pull
  • Life at Oxford: A magical, isolating, and truly global grad experience
  • Transitioning from elite athletics: Letting go of swimming to discover a new sense of self
  • Academia vs. industry: Swapping academic uncertainty for the fast pace of biotech startups
  • The value of humility and grit: Rolling up your sleeves and doing the unglamorous work that makes startups thrive

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Bogdan Knezevic, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning Courses: https://www.coursera.org/collections/machine-learning

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Frequency Therapeutics (Korro Bio): https://www.korrobio.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:00 Early ambitions, family roots, and the Rhodes Scholarship spark
04:12 Chasing Oxford: Inspired by books and family legacy
07:01 Arriving at Oxford: Awe, isolation, and timelessness
10:42 Oxford life: Constant change, global mix, and “town vs. gown”
13:37 Adjusting to the UK: New ways to communicate and grow
16:24 Leaving swimming: Letting go and finding a new identity
19:43 Starting over at Oxford: Redefining success and self
23:07 Grad school grind: Uncertainty and academic culture shock
27:11 First taste of biotech: Startup life over academia
29:09 Startup reality: Humility, grit, and doing the dirty work
32:19 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2056 "If you think you're above whatever-taking out the proverbial trash or doing the proverbial dishes or the laundry, whatever-that's when a company is cooked." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic shares his journey from undergrad in Calgary to winning a Rhodes Scholarship and pursuing a PhD at Oxford, reflecting on the personal motivations, cultural shifts, and tough choices that shaped his path-including stepping away from elite swimming and ultimately realizing academia wasn’t for him. He opens up about the isolating yet magical environment of Oxford, the challenge of redefining his identity, and the gritty realities of working in early-stage biotech, emphasizing the importance of humility and hands-on work for startup founders. The conversation offers a candid look at how self-discovery, setbacks, and a willingness to “do the dishes” can shape a leader’s growth in biotech. "If you think you're above whatever-taking out the proverbial trash or doing the proverbial dishes or the laundry, whatever-that's when a company is cooked." In this episode, Bogdan Knezevic shares his journey from undergrad in Calgary to winning a Rhodes Scholarship and pursuing a PhD at Oxford, reflecting on the personal motivations, cultural shifts, and tough choices that shaped his path-including stepping away from elite swimming and ultimately realizing academia wasn’t for him. He opens up about the isolating yet magical environment of Oxford, the challenge of redefining his identity, and the gritty realities of working in early-stage biotech, emphasizing the importance of humility and hands-on work for startup founders. The conversation offers a candid look at how self-discovery, setbacks, and a willingness to “do the dishes” can shape a leader’s growth in biotech. No No 🧬Immigrant Grit & Athletic Discipline: Building a Biotech Legacy | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnymr2zn-bogdan-knezevic-part-1-4 🧬Immigrant Grit & Athletic Discipline: Building a Biotech Legacy | Bogdan Knezevic (Part 1/4) 140 No No l14n2qx1 "You have to do what you have to do to get to where you want to be, and work under the constraints you have. That means swallowing your ego and just realizing that's just the reality of it. You have to grind away if you're going to hit that success." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, shares how his family’s escape from war-torn Serbia to Canada forged his relentless work ethic and sense of purpose. He recounts adapting to a new culture, the foundational support of family and mentors, and how his passion for science and math flourished in Canada’s diverse schools. As an elite swimmer and academic standout, Bogdan learned discipline and balance, skills that now drive his mission to make scientific research more collaborative and impactful. The conversation highlights his commitment to paying it forward by building supportive ecosystems in science and business for future generations 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You have to do what you have to do to get to where you want to be, and work under the constraints you have. That means swallowing your ego and just realizing that's just the reality of it. You have to grind away if you're going to hit that success."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, shares how his family’s escape from war-torn Serbia to Canada forged his relentless work ethic and sense of purpose. He recounts adapting to a new culture, the foundational support of family and mentors, and how his passion for science and math flourished in Canada’s diverse schools. 

As an elite swimmer and academic standout, Bogdan learned discipline and balance, skills that now drive his mission to make scientific research more collaborative and impactful. The conversation highlights his commitment to paying it forward by building supportive ecosystems in science and business for future generations

Key topics covered:
  • The Immigrant Experience: Family’s move from Serbia to Canada fueled drive and determination
  • Building Resilience & Grit: Learned perseverance from parents’ sacrifices and adapting to change
  • Early Academic Influences: Sparked love for science and math in a diverse setting
  • Discipline Through Athletics: Juggled elite swimming and studies, forging lasting discipline
  • The Power of Mentorship & Paying It Forward: Mentors shaped his path; now he empowers others

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Bogdan Knezevic, at these links: 
 
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:38 Bogdan's Upbringing in Serbia and Family's Immigration to Canada
05:40 Parents' Sacrifices and Building Resilience
10:30 Adapting to Canada: Culture Shock and Language Barriers
16:19 Early Schooling in Canada and Discovering Science/Math
21:24 Choosing Neuroscience and University Path
24:20 Balancing Elite Swimming with Academics
28:23 The Demanding Discipline of Competitive Swimming
34:23 Undergraduate Lab Experiences and Foundational Research Skills
38:31 The Power of Mentorship: Working with Ken Lukowiak
40:10 Paying It Forward in Science and Entrepreneurship
43:31 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2669 "You have to do what you have to do to get to where you want to be, and work under the constraints you have. That means swallowing your ego and just realizing that's just the reality of it. You have to grind away if you're going to hit that success." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, shares how his family’s escape from war-torn Serbia to Canada forged his relentless work ethic and sense of purpose. He recounts adapting to a new culture, the foundational support of family and mentors, and how his passion for science and math flourished in Canada’s diverse schools. As an elite swimmer and academic standout, Bogdan learned discipline and balance, skills that now drive his mission to make scientific research more collaborative and impactful. The conversation highlights his commitment to paying it forward by building supportive ecosystems in science and business for future generations "You have to do what you have to do to get to where you want to be, and work under the constraints you have. That means swallowing your ego and just realizing that's just the reality of it. You have to grind away if you're going to hit that success." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, shares how his family’s escape from war-torn Serbia to Canada forged his relentless work ethic and sense of purpose. He recounts adapting to a new culture, the foundational support of family and mentors, and how his passion for science and math flourished in Canada’s diverse schools. As an elite swimmer and academic standout, Bogdan learned discipline and balance, skills that now drive his mission to make scientific research more collaborative and impactful. The conversation highlights his commitment to paying it forward by building supportive ecosystems in science and business for future generations No No 🧬 Redefining Biotech: Building Enduring Value Beyond Acquisition | Rabia Khan (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xn14zj18-rabia-khan-part-4 🧬 Redefining Biotech: Building Enduring Value Beyond Acquisition | Rabia Khan (Part 4/4) 139 No No 703p53w1 "If you are that person, if you feel like you can't find your box and you're off doing these random things that no one else seems to find interesting, it's okay. Embrace it. It's who you are and it's going to be your superpower someday." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, to discuss her journey from Sensyne Health to building a data-driven biotech company pioneering RNA-targeted drug discovery. Rabia shares how she overcame scientific and operational hurdles, navigated contract research limitations, and boldly moved Serna Bio from the UK to San Francisco. She also reveals her intentional approach to company culture, frugality, and long-term impact—emphasizing her vision to create a biotech business built for enduring innovation, not just acquisition. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you are that person, if you feel like you can't find your box and you're off doing these random things that no one else seems to find interesting, it's okay. Embrace it. It's who you are and it's going to be your superpower someday."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, to discuss her journey from Sensyne Health to building a data-driven biotech company pioneering RNA-targeted drug discovery. Rabia shares how she overcame scientific and operational hurdles, navigated contract research limitations, and boldly moved Serna Bio from the UK to San Francisco. She also reveals her intentional approach to company culture, frugality, and long-term impact—emphasizing her vision to create a biotech business built for enduring innovation, not just acquisition.

Key topics covered:
  • Breaking Industry Molds: Serna Bio puts RNA at the center, challenging protein-focused norms.
  • Data-First Biotech: Massive RNA datasets drive unique insights.
  • Lean Operations & Frugality: Every dollar fuels innovation.
  • Company Building for Endurance: Built for long-term value, not quick exits.
  • Authentic Leadership: Bold, authentic leadership for lasting impact.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Rabia Khan, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Principles by Ray Dalio: https://www.principles.com/
Amazon’s Six-Page Memo & Culture of Frugality: https://www.larksuite.com/en_us/blog/amazon-6-pager
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13530973-antifragile

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Bridgewater Associates: https://www.bridgewater.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:01 Leaving Sensyne & Founding Serna Bio
03:52 The Vision: Drugging RNA with Small Molecules
09:46 Challenging the Status Quo of Protein-Centric Drug Discovery
12:30 Building the Serna Toolkit: Data, Models, and Assays
15:14 Operational Hurdles: Working with CROs & Building In-House Labs
22:03 Leadership Philosophy: Frugality, Creativity & Building Culture
28:35 Building Labs: UK vs. SF & Strategic Evolution
36:56 Vision for Serna: Building an Enduring Biotech Company
43:19 Advice to Founders: Embrace Discomfort & Authenticity
45:53 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2876 "If you are that person, if you feel like you can't find your box and you're off doing these random things that no one else seems to find interesting, it's okay. Embrace it. It's who you are and it's going to be your superpower someday." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, to discuss her journey from Sensyne Health to building a data-driven biotech company pioneering RNA-targeted drug discovery. Rabia shares how she overcame scientific and operational hurdles, navigated contract research limitations, and boldly moved Serna Bio from the UK to San Francisco. She also reveals her intentional approach to company culture, frugality, and long-term impact—emphasizing her vision to create a biotech business built for enduring innovation, not just acquisition. "If you are that person, if you feel like you can't find your box and you're off doing these random things that no one else seems to find interesting, it's okay. Embrace it. It's who you are and it's going to be your superpower someday." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee sits down with Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, to discuss her journey from Sensyne Health to building a data-driven biotech company pioneering RNA-targeted drug discovery. Rabia shares how she overcame scientific and operational hurdles, navigated contract research limitations, and boldly moved Serna Bio from the UK to San Francisco. She also reveals her intentional approach to company culture, frugality, and long-term impact—emphasizing her vision to create a biotech business built for enduring innovation, not just acquisition. No No 🧬 Sales Skills & Resilience: Hidden Drivers of Biotech Success | Rabia Khan (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r87yxyq8-rabia-khan-part-3 🧬 Sales Skills & Resilience: Hidden Drivers of Biotech Success | Rabia Khan (Part 3/4) 138 No No k08m3mx1 "You have to be curious. You have to enjoy the problems as opposed to view them as problems. You can view them as puzzle pieces that you get to put together, which is a lot of fun." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her approach to biotech innovation, from her time at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health to building and leading high-performance teams at the intersection of biology, machine learning, and clinical data. Rabia discusses the challenges of aligning scientists and engineers around a shared language, the importance of integrating platform and program development, and the cultural shifts needed to drive real innovation in drug discovery. She also reflects on the value of curiosity, risk-taking, and the lessons learned from managing major pharma partnerships and scaling teams under intense pressure. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"You have to be curious. You have to enjoy the problems as opposed to view them as problems. You can view them as puzzle pieces that you get to put together, which is a lot of fun."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her approach to biotech innovation, from her time at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health to building and leading high-performance teams at the intersection of biology, machine learning, and clinical data. Rabia discusses the challenges of aligning scientists and engineers around a shared language, the importance of integrating platform and program development, and the cultural shifts needed to drive real innovation in drug discovery. She also reflects on the value of curiosity, risk-taking, and the lessons learned from managing major pharma partnerships and scaling teams under intense pressure.

Key topics covered:

  • Bridging Biology & Machine Learning: Breaking barriers to spark drug discovery innovation.
  • Platform vs. Program Development: Integrate or stagnate—unite teams to win in biotech.
  • Building & Leading Teams: Scaling fast and thriving in high-stakes pharma.
  • The Power of Curiosity & Risk-Taking: Question, risk, and grow—breakthroughs follow.
  • Sales & Resilience in Biotech: Master selling and stay tough to succeed in science.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Rabia Khan, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
ICD-10 Codes and the Classification of Disease: https://icd.who.int/browse10/2019/en
The Economist’s Approach to Business Clarity and Value Creation: https://businesslibrary.uflib.ufl.edu/economicsbooks

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:04 The Importance of Shared Language Across Disciplines
03:02 Platform vs. Program Development in Biotech
06:02 The Platform-Program Dichotomy and Capital Market Perspectives
07:29 Aligning Machine Learning Engineers and Biologists
09:30 Changing the Culture of Biology to Embrace Engineering Practices
11:07 The Role of Curiosity and Naivety in Innovation
12:18 Starting a Company: Risk-Taking and Support Systems
17:11 Transition from BenevolentAI to Sensyne Health
22:16 Challenges of Working with Clinical Data and ICD-10 Codes
25:17 Building and Scaling a Machine Learning Team at Sensyne Health
31:03 Leadership, Mentorship, and Hiring for Growth
33:14 The Underrated Power of Sales Skills in Biotech
36:57 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2260 "You have to be curious. You have to enjoy the problems as opposed to view them as problems. You can view them as puzzle pieces that you get to put together, which is a lot of fun." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her approach to biotech innovation, from her time at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health to building and leading high-performance teams at the intersection of biology, machine learning, and clinical data. Rabia discusses the challenges of aligning scientists and engineers around a shared language, the importance of integrating platform and program development, and the cultural shifts needed to drive real innovation in drug discovery. She also reflects on the value of curiosity, risk-taking, and the lessons learned from managing major pharma partnerships and scaling teams under intense pressure. "You have to be curious. You have to enjoy the problems as opposed to view them as problems. You can view them as puzzle pieces that you get to put together, which is a lot of fun." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her approach to biotech innovation, from her time at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health to building and leading high-performance teams at the intersection of biology, machine learning, and clinical data. Rabia discusses the challenges of aligning scientists and engineers around a shared language, the importance of integrating platform and program development, and the cultural shifts needed to drive real innovation in drug discovery. She also reflects on the value of curiosity, risk-taking, and the lessons learned from managing major pharma partnerships and scaling teams under intense pressure. No No 🧬 Rabia Khan - Serna Bio: Bridging Science & Tech—PhDs, MBAs, & Biotech Innovation (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08j01098-rabia-khan-part-2 🧬 Rabia Khan - Serna Bio: Bridging Science & Tech—PhDs, MBAs, & Biotech Innovation (Part 2/4) 137 No No 41pm2m80 “I wish someone had told me when I was starting my PhD to sit down and say, ‘what do I want out of this?’ and [then] write it down. Because, unlike the UK, where PhDs are three years and time bound, in Canada, they are neither time bound nor three years. And so you can meander." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, joins host Jon Chee to reflect on her unconventional journey through academia, business, and biotech innovation. Rabia shares how her curiosity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty shaped her journey through a PhD in genetics and an MBA. She discusses the emotional challenges of working with animal models, the benefits and limits of business school for scientists, and personal struggles, including her father’s illness. She recounts early setbacks, like rejected consulting jobs, and how a cold email landed her at Meta (now part of Chan Zuckerberg Biohub). Rabia emphasizes “manufacturing serendipity,” differences between founder and employee mindsets, and lessons from her work at BenevolentAI, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary communication and challenging industry norms 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“I wish someone had told me when I was starting my PhD to sit down and say, ‘what do I want out of this?’ and [then] write it down. Because, unlike the UK, where PhDs are three years and time bound, in Canada, they are neither time bound nor three years. And so you can meander."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, joins host Jon Chee to reflect on her unconventional journey through academia, business, and biotech innovation. Rabia shares how her curiosity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty shaped her journey through a PhD in genetics and an MBA. She discusses the emotional challenges of working with animal models, the benefits and limits of business school for scientists, and personal struggles, including her father’s illness.

She recounts early setbacks, like rejected consulting jobs, and how a cold email landed her at Meta (now part of Chan Zuckerberg Biohub). Rabia emphasizes “manufacturing serendipity,” differences between founder and employee mindsets, and lessons from her work at BenevolentAI, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary communication and challenging industry norms.

Key topics covered:
  • PhD Realities: Tackling emotional and practical research challenges
  • Dual-Degree Insights: Balancing PhD and MBA, knowing business limits
  • Personal Adversity: Turning family illness into resilience
  • Career Breakthroughs: Creating and seizing biotech startup chances
  • Bridging Disciplines: Fusing biology and ML to expand drug targets


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Rabia Khan, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies): https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-021-00056-9

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Francis Crick Institute: https://www.crick.ac.uk/
Meta (Acquired by Chan Zuckerberg Biohub): https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/23/chan-zuckerberg-initiative-meta/ 
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline): https://www.gsk.com/
Thermo Fisher Scientific: https://www.thermofisher.com/
Sensyne Health: https://www.sensyne.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:49 Rabia’s PhD Experience and Challenges
06:07 Comparing PhD Systems in Canada vs. UK
08:21 MBA Insights and Frameworks
14:28 Personal Adversity and Career Impact
17:05 Coping with Family Illness and Career Decisions
21:26 First Job at Meta and Serendipity
30:00 Postdoc at Francis Crick Institute
35:10 Joining BenevolentAI and Early Experiences
39:24 Challenges in Drug Discovery and Druggable Genome
43:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:43:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2683 “I wish someone had told me when I was starting my PhD to sit down and say, ‘what do I want out of this?’ and [then] write it down. Because, unlike the UK, where PhDs are three years and time bound, in Canada, they are neither time bound nor three years. And so you can meander." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, joins host Jon Chee to reflect on her unconventional journey through academia, business, and biotech innovation. Rabia shares how her curiosity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty shaped her journey through a PhD in genetics and an MBA. She discusses the emotional challenges of working with animal models, the benefits and limits of business school for scientists, and personal struggles, including her father’s illness. She recounts early setbacks, like rejected consulting jobs, and how a cold email landed her at Meta (now part of Chan Zuckerberg Biohub). Rabia emphasizes “manufacturing serendipity,” differences between founder and employee mindsets, and lessons from her work at BenevolentAI, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary communication and challenging industry norms “I wish someone had told me when I was starting my PhD to sit down and say, ‘what do I want out of this?’ and [then] write it down. Because, unlike the UK, where PhDs are three years and time bound, in Canada, they are neither time bound nor three years. And so you can meander." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Rabia Khan, founder and CEO of Serna Bio, joins host Jon Chee to reflect on her unconventional journey through academia, business, and biotech innovation. Rabia shares how her curiosity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty shaped her journey through a PhD in genetics and an MBA. She discusses the emotional challenges of working with animal models, the benefits and limits of business school for scientists, and personal struggles, including her father’s illness. She recounts early setbacks, like rejected consulting jobs, and how a cold email landed her at Meta (now part of Chan Zuckerberg Biohub). Rabia emphasizes “manufacturing serendipity,” differences between founder and employee mindsets, and lessons from her work at BenevolentAI, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary communication and challenging industry norms No No 🧬 Rabia Khan - Serna Bio: Unraveling the Genetics of AI-Driven Drug Discovery (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1820v298-rabia-khan-part-1 🧬 Rabia Khan - Serna Bio: Unraveling the Genetics of AI-Driven Drug Discovery (Part 1/4) 136 No No 209qw480 "I was born and raised in a developing country. I was born and raised in Pakistan. And it's very interesting when you're born in a developing country. That's your world. Right? That's all you know." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Rabia Khan's remarkable journey from her childhood in Pakistan to founding Serna Bio, an AI-enabled drug discovery company. Rabia shares how her early experiences in a developing country, her aunt's battle with schizophrenia, and the sequencing of the human genome in 2000 sparked her passion for genetics and healthcare. She recounts how her career options were either medicine or engineering, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to pioneering work at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. Rabia describes her transition to McGill University in Montreal, facing the shock of -40°C weather with only a leather jacket while navigating life as an international student with no support system. Despite these challenges, she pursued dual interests in biology and economics, finding her first research opportunity in a schizophrenia lab where she started by pipetting water and washing dishes. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I was born and raised in a developing country. I was born and raised in Pakistan. And it's very interesting when you're born in a developing country. That's your world. Right? That's all you know."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Rabia Khan's remarkable journey from her childhood in Pakistan to founding Serna Bio, an AI-enabled drug discovery company. Rabia shares how her early experiences in a developing country, her aunt's battle with schizophrenia, and the sequencing of the human genome in 2000 sparked her passion for genetics and healthcare. She recounts how her career options were either medicine or engineering, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to pioneering work at the intersection of AI and biotechnology.

Rabia describes her transition to McGill University in Montreal, facing the shock of -40°C weather with only a leather jacket while navigating life as an international student with no support system. Despite these challenges, she pursued dual interests in biology and economics, finding her first research opportunity in a schizophrenia lab where she started by pipetting water and washing dishes. 

Key topics covered:

  • Formative Influences: Shaped by Pakistan upbringing, aunt's schizophrenia, and genome sequencing
  • Educational Journey: Balancing biology and economics at McGill
  • First Research Experiences: From lab basics to discovering a disease-causing gene
  • Decision-Making Frameworks: Applying economics principles to business decisions
  • Family Influence: Mother's practicality and father's entrepreneurial drive guided her path

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Rabia Khan, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Hydatidiform Moles Research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459155/ 

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Meta: https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/23/chan-zuckerberg-initiative-meta/  
BMS (Bristol Myers Squibb): https://www.bms.com/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:18 Upbringing in Pakistan and Early Influences
07:27 Formative Experiences: Human Genome Sequencing and Aunt's Schizophrenia
13:49 Educational Experience: British System and Academic Rigor
17:21 Economics and Biology: Dual Interests and Decision Making Frameworks
23:31 Decision Making: Opportunity Cost and Probabilistic Thinking
28:51 International Education: Choosing McGill University
34:09 First Lab Experience: Working in a Schizophrenia Research Lab
40:43 Undergraduate Research: Discovering the Gene for Hydatidiform Moles
45:43 Father's Influence on PhD Decision
48:31 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2864 "I was born and raised in a developing country. I was born and raised in Pakistan. And it's very interesting when you're born in a developing country. That's your world. Right? That's all you know." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Rabia Khan's remarkable journey from her childhood in Pakistan to founding Serna Bio, an AI-enabled drug discovery company. Rabia shares how her early experiences in a developing country, her aunt's battle with schizophrenia, and the sequencing of the human genome in 2000 sparked her passion for genetics and healthcare. She recounts how her career options were either medicine or engineering, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to pioneering work at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. Rabia describes her transition to McGill University in Montreal, facing the shock of -40°C weather with only a leather jacket while navigating life as an international student with no support system. Despite these challenges, she pursued dual interests in biology and economics, finding her first research opportunity in a schizophrenia lab where she started by pipetting water and washing dishes. "I was born and raised in a developing country. I was born and raised in Pakistan. And it's very interesting when you're born in a developing country. That's your world. Right? That's all you know." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Rabia Khan's remarkable journey from her childhood in Pakistan to founding Serna Bio, an AI-enabled drug discovery company. Rabia shares how her early experiences in a developing country, her aunt's battle with schizophrenia, and the sequencing of the human genome in 2000 sparked her passion for genetics and healthcare. She recounts how her career options were either medicine or engineering, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to pioneering work at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. Rabia describes her transition to McGill University in Montreal, facing the shock of -40°C weather with only a leather jacket while navigating life as an international student with no support system. Despite these challenges, she pursued dual interests in biology and economics, finding her first research opportunity in a schizophrenia lab where she started by pipetting water and washing dishes. No No 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Revolutionizing Biopharma Data & Mastering Enterprise Sales (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnq2qz38-alfredo-andere-part-4 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Revolutionizing Biopharma Data & Mastering Enterprise Sales (Part 4/4) 135 No No 81nkyn20 "Focus and commitment to niche ideas have huge payoffs." In part four of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we explore how the company evolved from a simple workflow orchestrator into a comprehensive platform serving biopharma companies and solution providers. Alfredo shares his approach to enterprise sales, emphasizing the importance of speed, focus, and building strong relationships with customers. He also delves into his philosophy on fundraising and the pivotal role of iterative development in creating impactful biotech solutions. Alfredo reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in niche markets, explaining why deep commitment and loyalty to specific problems are essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building, selling, and scaling in the biotech space. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Focus and commitment to niche ideas have huge payoffs."

In part four of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we explore how the company evolved from a simple workflow orchestrator into a comprehensive platform serving biopharma companies and solution providers. Alfredo shares his approach to enterprise sales, emphasizing the importance of speed, focus, and building strong relationships with customers. He also delves into his philosophy on fundraising and the pivotal role of iterative development in creating impactful biotech solutions.

Alfredo reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in niche markets, explaining why deep commitment and loyalty to specific problems are essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building, selling, and scaling in the biotech space.

Key topics covered:
  • Iterative product development: Expanding LatchBio’s platform from workflows to data storage and analysis
  • Biopharma vs. solution providers: How LatchBio serves these distinct customer groups
  • Enterprise sales best practices: Qualifying leads and acting as a consultant to customer problems
  • Fundraising strategies: Why early-stage rounds focus on vision and team, while later rounds prioritize traction
  • The power of focus: Avoiding the trap of optionality and scaling only when ready

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

Find our guest, Alfredo Andere, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr:

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:

Resources & Articles:
Viktor Frankl's "Man’s Search for Meaning": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning
Lux Capital’s Article: Why High-Throughput Bio Research Needs Better Tools: Immediately: https://www.luxcapital.com/content/why-high-throughput-bio-research-needs-better-tools-immediately
Paul Graham’s "How to Raise Money": https://www.paulgraham.com/fr.html

Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Oxford Nanopore Technologies: https://nanoporetech.com
Fluent BioSciences: https://www.fluentbio.com/ 


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:56 LatchBio’s Evolution and Iterative Development
08:20 Biopharma vs. Solution Providers
14:01 Enterprise Sales Philosophy
23:38 Fundraising Strategies and Team Building
34:59 Future Vision for LatchBio
39:36 Closing Thoughts and Shoutouts
43:46 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self
46:21 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2925 "Focus and commitment to niche ideas have huge payoffs." In part four of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we explore how the company evolved from a simple workflow orchestrator into a comprehensive platform serving biopharma companies and solution providers. Alfredo shares his approach to enterprise sales, emphasizing the importance of speed, focus, and building strong relationships with customers. He also delves into his philosophy on fundraising and the pivotal role of iterative development in creating impactful biotech solutions. Alfredo reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in niche markets, explaining why deep commitment and loyalty to specific problems are essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building, selling, and scaling in the biotech space. "Focus and commitment to niche ideas have huge payoffs." In part four of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we explore how the company evolved from a simple workflow orchestrator into a comprehensive platform serving biopharma companies and solution providers. Alfredo shares his approach to enterprise sales, emphasizing the importance of speed, focus, and building strong relationships with customers. He also delves into his philosophy on fundraising and the pivotal role of iterative development in creating impactful biotech solutions. Alfredo reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in niche markets, explaining why deep commitment and loyalty to specific problems are essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building, selling, and scaling in the biotech space. No No 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Building Biotech Data Tools to Revolutionize Life Sciences (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn55q46n-alfredo-andere-part-3 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Building Biotech Data Tools to Revolutionize Life Sciences (Part 3/4) 134 No No 80qqnxv0 "A lot of decisions when you're doing a startup come down to being naive enough to not know how hard it's going to be—and taking that leap of faith." In part three of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we dive into the early days of building a biotech startup from scratch. Alfredo shares how his team’s chemistry and blind faith led them to drop out of college and fully commit to solving biotech’s data infrastructure challenges. He details their rigorous market research process, which involved conducting hundreds of user interviews, and how this groundwork helped them raise an oversubscribed $5 million seed round led by Lux Capital. Alfredo also reflects on the stark contrast between cutting-edge data tools at tech giants like Google and the outdated methods still used in biotech, emphasizing the massive opportunity to revolutionize life sciences. 🧬The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Reduce upfront equipment costs. Accelerate R&D. Reach commercial milestones faster.

🎁TBSP listeners get exclusive offers through Excedr’s partner network—including special discounts, promos, and more: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"A lot of decisions when you're doing a startup come down to being naive enough to not know how hard it's going to be—and taking that leap of faith."

In part three of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we dive into the early days of building a biotech startup from scratch. Alfredo shares how his team’s chemistry and blind faith led them to drop out of college and fully commit to solving biotech’s data infrastructure challenges. He details their rigorous market research process, which involved conducting hundreds of user interviews, and how this groundwork helped them raise an oversubscribed $5 million seed round led by Lux Capital.

Alfredo also reflects on the stark contrast between cutting-edge data tools at tech giants like Google and the outdated methods still used in biotech, emphasizing the massive opportunity to revolutionize life sciences.

Key topics covered:
  • Building trust and chemistry as a founding team: The decision to drop out and go all-in on LatchBio
  • Biotech’s data problem: Why outdated tools are holding back life sciences innovation
  • Market research done right: 200+ pages of notes and six paying customers before launching a product
  • Raising $5M in seed funding: How preparation and customer validation gave LatchBio a competitive edge
  • Lessons on naivete in entrepreneurship: Why bold risks are essential for tackling big problems

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Alfredo Andere, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources and articles:
Viktor Frankl's "Man’s Search for Meaning": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning
The Acquired Podcast featuring Jensen Huang: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/jensen-huang
Taiwan Incubator Program: https://startup.sme.gov.tw/en/ia

Companies, universities, & people mentioned:
Facebook (Meta): https://www.facebook.com
Vivos Therapeutics: https://www.vivos.com


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:56 Team Chemistry and Founding Relationships
04:30 Exploring Different Project Ideas
06:34 The Decision to Drop Out of College
09:00 The Role of Naivete in Entrepreneurship
11:38 Biotech vs. Computer Science: Understanding Complex Systems
13:14 Taiwan Incubator Experience
17:22 Market Research: 200+ Pages of User Interviews
21:05 Biotech's Data Infrastructure Problem
25:21 Raising an Oversubscribed $5M Seed Round
29:38 The Future of Biotech Data Analysis
30:30 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1889 "A lot of decisions when you're doing a startup come down to being naive enough to not know how hard it's going to be—and taking that leap of faith." In part three of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we dive into the early days of building a biotech startup from scratch. Alfredo shares how his team’s chemistry and blind faith led them to drop out of college and fully commit to solving biotech’s data infrastructure challenges. He details their rigorous market research process, which involved conducting hundreds of user interviews, and how this groundwork helped them raise an oversubscribed $5 million seed round led by Lux Capital. Alfredo also reflects on the stark contrast between cutting-edge data tools at tech giants like Google and the outdated methods still used in biotech, emphasizing the massive opportunity to revolutionize life sciences. "A lot of decisions when you're doing a startup come down to being naive enough to not know how hard it's going to be—and taking that leap of faith." In part three of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we dive into the early days of building a biotech startup from scratch. Alfredo shares how his team’s chemistry and blind faith led them to drop out of college and fully commit to solving biotech’s data infrastructure challenges. He details their rigorous market research process, which involved conducting hundreds of user interviews, and how this groundwork helped them raise an oversubscribed $5 million seed round led by Lux Capital. Alfredo also reflects on the stark contrast between cutting-edge data tools at tech giants like Google and the outdated methods still used in biotech, emphasizing the massive opportunity to revolutionize life sciences. No No 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: College Friends, Biotech Beginnings & Thoughtful Persistence (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v855qk68-alfredo-andere-part-2 🧬Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: College Friends, Biotech Beginnings & Thoughtful Persistence (Part 2/4) 133 No No 81qqnrv1 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. "You will be surprised what you can achieve with thoughtful persistence."

In part two of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, co-founder of LatchBio, we dive into his transformative journey at UC Berkeley, where he developed a passion for machine learning and neuroscience. Alfredo shares how his persistence and curiosity helped him join the highly competitive Machine Learning at Berkeley club, which became a pivotal moment in shaping his entrepreneurial mindset. He reflects on the lessons learned from internships at Facebook, UCSF, and Google Brain, and how these experiences clarified his desire to pursue startup life over a traditional tech career.

Alfredo also recounts the early days of working with his co-founders on ambitious projects, including their first failed startup attempt, and how those challenges led them to explore opportunities in biotech. This episode offers valuable insights into navigating uncertainty, embracing trial and error, and building meaningful collaborations.

Key topics covered:
  • The power of thoughtful persistence: How Alfredo's determination led to joining a top-tier student organization at UC Berkeley.
  • Lessons from internships: Insights gained from working at Facebook, UCSF, and Google Brain—and why he ultimately chose startups.
  • The importance of community: How Machine Learning at Berkeley shaped Alfredo's leadership skills and introduced him to like-minded peers.
  • Early startup lessons: The challenges of building a product without understanding the market and the value of user research.
  • Transitioning to biotech: How Alfredo’s passion for neuroscience evolved into tackling critical problems in life sciences with his co-founders.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Alfredo Andere, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources and articles:
Machine Learning at Berkeley (ML@B): https://ml.berkeley.edu/
Viktor Frankl's "Man’s Search for Meaning": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning
TensorFlow by Google Brain: https://www.tensorflow.org/

Companies, universities, & people mentioned:
Dyno Therapeutics: https://www.dynotx.com/ 
Facebook (Meta): https://www.facebook.com
Google Brain (now part of Google DeepMind): https://research.google/brain
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF): https://www.ucsf.edu

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:28 College Friendships and Early Seeds of LatchBio
03:46 Joining Machine Learning at Berkeley: Challenges and Growth
07:01 Transformational Impact of Student Organizations
12:08 Running the Machine Learning Club at Berkeley: Leadership Lessons
18:14 Introduction to Neuroscience and Life Sciences
21:38 Internships at Facebook, UCSF, and Google Brain
26:36 Lessons from Early Startup Attempts
29:12 Dropping Out of Berkeley to Pursue Entrepreneurship Full-Time
32:05 Balancing Academic and Entrepreneurial Pursuits
33:11 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2051 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. No No 🧬 Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Conquering Berkeley's EECS & Building a Global Vision (Part 1) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj0165n-alfredo-andere-part-1 🧬 Alfredo Andere - LatchBio: Conquering Berkeley's EECS & Building a Global Vision (Part 1) 132 No No 40pm2591 "I had to make a decision because I knew that if nothing changed, I was just gonna fail out of EECS. I remember EECS actually sent me a letter where they were like, 'Hey, if your GPA continues this low, you will be kicked out next semester.'" In part one of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, we delve into his journey from Mexico to the prestigious EECS program at UC Berkeley. Alfredo shares his early fascination with technology, the challenges of adapting to a new educational system, and the pivotal moments that shaped his academic and personal growth. Raised in various cities across Mexico, Alfredo's passion for technology was sparked by reading biographies of tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he organized a forum that attracted high-profile speakers, including former Mexican presidents, to his all-boys Catholic high school. Despite initial struggles with calculus at Berkeley, Alfredo's determination and commitment to his studies ultimately led to his success in the competitive EECS program. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I had to make a decision because I knew that if nothing changed, I was just gonna fail out of EECS. I remember EECS actually sent me a letter where they were like, 'Hey, if your GPA continues this low, you will be kicked out next semester.'"

In part one of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, we delve into his journey from Mexico to the prestigious EECS program at UC Berkeley. Alfredo shares his early fascination with technology, the challenges of adapting to a new educational system, and the pivotal moments that shaped his academic and personal growth.

Raised in various cities across Mexico, Alfredo's passion for technology was sparked by reading biographies of tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he organized a forum that attracted high-profile speakers, including former Mexican presidents, to his all-boys Catholic high school. Despite initial struggles with calculus at Berkeley, Alfredo's determination and commitment to his studies ultimately led to his success in the competitive EECS program.

Key topics covered:
  • Upbringing in Mexico: Moving between cities and experiencing different cultures
  • Early tech inspiration: Impact of reading biographies and following Apple keynotes
  • High school innovation: Creating a forum with 4,000 attendees and notable speakers
  • Transition to US education: Challenges of applying to and choosing Berkeley
  • Academic resilience: Overcoming initial struggles in EECS through intense dedication

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Alfredo Andere, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources and articles:
AWS (Amazon Web Services): https://aws.amazon.com/
GCP (Google Cloud Platform): https://cloud.google.com/ 
Dyno Therapeutics: https://www.dynotx.com/

Companies, universities, & people mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:50 Alfredo's upbringing in Mexico and early influences
05:24 Reading biographies of tech leaders and early inspirations
08:09 Developing interest in technology and Apple
11:51 High school experience in Mexico
15:40 The importance of relationships in Mexican business culture
20:10 Creating a forum that attracted high-profile speakers
23:13 The power of persistence and networking
27:10 Application process to US universities and choosing Berkeley
31:22 First experiences at Berkeley and academic challenges
35:14 Struggling with calculus and the pivotal decision to commit
35:39 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2251 "I had to make a decision because I knew that if nothing changed, I was just gonna fail out of EECS. I remember EECS actually sent me a letter where they were like, 'Hey, if your GPA continues this low, you will be kicked out next semester.'" In part one of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, we delve into his journey from Mexico to the prestigious EECS program at UC Berkeley. Alfredo shares his early fascination with technology, the challenges of adapting to a new educational system, and the pivotal moments that shaped his academic and personal growth. Raised in various cities across Mexico, Alfredo's passion for technology was sparked by reading biographies of tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he organized a forum that attracted high-profile speakers, including former Mexican presidents, to his all-boys Catholic high school. Despite initial struggles with calculus at Berkeley, Alfredo's determination and commitment to his studies ultimately led to his success in the competitive EECS program. "I had to make a decision because I knew that if nothing changed, I was just gonna fail out of EECS. I remember EECS actually sent me a letter where they were like, 'Hey, if your GPA continues this low, you will be kicked out next semester.'" In part one of our conversation with Alfredo Andere, we delve into his journey from Mexico to the prestigious EECS program at UC Berkeley. Alfredo shares his early fascination with technology, the challenges of adapting to a new educational system, and the pivotal moments that shaped his academic and personal growth. Raised in various cities across Mexico, Alfredo's passion for technology was sparked by reading biographies of tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he organized a forum that attracted high-profile speakers, including former Mexican presidents, to his all-boys Catholic high school. Despite initial struggles with calculus at Berkeley, Alfredo's determination and commitment to his studies ultimately led to his success in the competitive EECS program. No No 🧬 Michael Paliotti - MilliporeSigma: Master Biotech Sales & Build High-Performance Teams (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nx06vvn-michael-paliotti-Part-4 🧬 Michael Paliotti - MilliporeSigma: Master Biotech Sales & Build High-Performance Teams (Part 4/4) 131 No No 61m6vzz0 "I see myself as a player coach. I really try to do what I can to be in the trenches as much as I can. I'm out on the field." In the final part of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his extensive experience in biotech sales and leadership. Michael shares insights on the nuances of working with different types of clients, from academia to large pharma and emerging biotech companies. He discusses his transition into management during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approach to leading and developing his team. Michael's leadership philosophy emphasizes building strong relationships, both with clients and team members. He stresses the importance of empathy, trust, and removing barriers for his team to succeed. His approach to management is rooted in his own experiences as a sales representative, allowing him to relate to his team's challenges and provide meaningful support. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"I see myself as a player coach. I really try to do what I can to be in the trenches as much as I can. I'm out on the field."

In the final part of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his extensive experience in biotech sales and leadership. Michael shares insights on the nuances of working with different types of clients, from academia to large pharma and emerging biotech companies. He discusses his transition into management during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approach to leading and developing his team.

Michael's leadership philosophy emphasizes building strong relationships, both with clients and team members. He stresses the importance of empathy, trust, and removing barriers for his team to succeed. His approach to management is rooted in his own experiences as a sales representative, allowing him to relate to his team's challenges and provide meaningful support.

Key topics covered:
  • Tailoring sales approaches for different client types: academia, large pharma, and emerging biotech
  • Transitioning from individual contributor to team manager during the pandemic
  • Leadership philosophy focused on relationship-building and empathy
  • Developing and retaining talent in a competitive industry
  • Long-term career aspirations and the importance of mentorship in biotech

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Paliotti, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Resources and articles:
Kodak's Research and Development Division: https://www.kodak.com/en/company/page/innovation/

Companies, universities, & people mentioned:
University of Pittsburgh: https://www.pitt.edu/
Johnson & Johnson (J&J): https://www.jnj.com/
University of California, San Diego (UCSD): https://ucsd.edu/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:11 Differences in working with academia, large pharma, and small biotechs
06:52 Impact of white glove service on emerging companies
09:25 The interconnected nature of the biotech ecosystem
12:26 Transitioning from individual contributor to team manager
18:09 Leadership philosophy and approach to managing a team
23:23 Long-term mindset and developing institutional knowledge
25:17 Shoutouts to supporters along the way
27:10 Advice to 21-year-old self
28:27 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1819 "I see myself as a player coach. I really try to do what I can to be in the trenches as much as I can. I'm out on the field." In the final part of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his extensive experience in biotech sales and leadership. Michael shares insights on the nuances of working with different types of clients, from academia to large pharma and emerging biotech companies. He discusses his transition into management during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approach to leading and developing his team. Michael's leadership philosophy emphasizes building strong relationships, both with clients and team members. He stresses the importance of empathy, trust, and removing barriers for his team to succeed. His approach to management is rooted in his own experiences as a sales representative, allowing him to relate to his team's challenges and provide meaningful support. "I see myself as a player coach. I really try to do what I can to be in the trenches as much as I can. I'm out on the field." In the final part of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his extensive experience in biotech sales and leadership. Michael shares insights on the nuances of working with different types of clients, from academia to large pharma and emerging biotech companies. He discusses his transition into management during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approach to leading and developing his team. Michael's leadership philosophy emphasizes building strong relationships, both with clients and team members. He stresses the importance of empathy, trust, and removing barriers for his team to succeed. His approach to management is rooted in his own experiences as a sales representative, allowing him to relate to his team's challenges and provide meaningful support. No No 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Blending Science, Sales, and Side Hustles in Biotech (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18pv99p8-michael-paliotti-part-4 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Blending Science, Sales, and Side Hustles in Biotech (Part 3/4) 130 No No z1r3wwv0 “Trust takes time—but it lasts longer than any sale.” In part three of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we dive into his transition from field application scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma. He opens up about his initial hesitation, how he overcame it, and why relationship-building—not quotas—became the foundation of his sales approach. Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, from going the extra mile for colleagues to finding interests to genuinely connect over. For him, great sales isn’t about pushing products—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and being present. He also talks about how this philosophy led to unexpected opportunities, like launching a winery with close friends during the pandemic. What started as a casual wine-tasting class turned into a business rooted in the same values that guide his sales career. An experienced team leader, Michael emphasizes coaching through effort and empathy—encouraging his reps to focus on relationships as much as results. His story is a reminder that in biotech sales, success often comes from being helpful, human, and in it for the long haul. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.


“Trust takes time—but it lasts longer than any sale.”


In part three of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we dive into his transition from field application scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma. He opens up about his initial hesitation, how he overcame it, and why relationship-building—not quotas—became the foundation of his sales approach.


Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, from going the extra mile for colleagues to finding interests to genuinely connect over. For him, great sales isn’t about pushing products—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and being present.


He also talks about how this philosophy led to unexpected opportunities, like launching a winery with close friends during the pandemic. What started as a casual wine-tasting class turned into a business rooted in the same values that guide his sales career.


An experienced team leader, Michael emphasizes coaching through effort and empathy—encouraging his reps to focus on relationships as much as results. His story is a reminder that in biotech sales, success often comes from being helpful, human, and in it for the long haul.


Key topics covered:
  • Shifting from scientist to sales and making it work
  • Turning casual conversations into lasting trust
  • Helping customers by going the extra mile
  • Meeting goals without losing the human touch
  • Coaching teams to lead with effort and empathy


If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.


Subscribe to the podcast:


Find our guest, Michael Paliotti, at these links: 


Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 


Learn more about Excedr


Resources and articles:
Excedr equipment leasing: https://www.excedr.com/leasing


Companies, universities, & people mentioned:
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: https://www.cdrewu.edu/
UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Program: https://www.ucdavis.edu/majors/viticulture-and-enology


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:50 Getting into biotech sales and and getting interested in winemaking
04:35 Starting a winery during COVID and the story behind it
10:19 Networking in the wine industry and the power of showing up
14:14 Working at MilliporeSigma, embracing relationship-driven strategies
20:45 Building trust through informal conversations
27:47 Going the extra mile for customers and building trust through service
32:46 Transitioning from field scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma
37:12 Coaching sales teams and focusing on long-term value over short-term wins
40:15 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2478 “Trust takes time—but it lasts longer than any sale.” In part three of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we dive into his transition from field application scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma. He opens up about his initial hesitation, how he overcame it, and why relationship-building—not quotas—became the foundation of his sales approach. Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, from going the extra mile for colleagues to finding interests to genuinely connect over. For him, great sales isn’t about pushing products—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and being present. He also talks about how this philosophy led to unexpected opportunities, like launching a winery with close friends during the pandemic. What started as a casual wine-tasting class turned into a business rooted in the same values that guide his sales career. An experienced team leader, Michael emphasizes coaching through effort and empathy—encouraging his reps to focus on relationships as much as results. His story is a reminder that in biotech sales, success often comes from being helpful, human, and in it for the long haul. “Trust takes time—but it lasts longer than any sale.” In part three of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we dive into his transition from field application scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma. He opens up about his initial hesitation, how he overcame it, and why relationship-building—not quotas—became the foundation of his sales approach. Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, from going the extra mile for colleagues to finding interests to genuinely connect over. For him, great sales isn’t about pushing products—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and being present. He also talks about how this philosophy led to unexpected opportunities, like launching a winery with close friends during the pandemic. What started as a casual wine-tasting class turned into a business rooted in the same values that guide his sales career. An experienced team leader, Michael emphasizes coaching through effort and empathy—encouraging his reps to focus on relationships as much as results. His story is a reminder that in biotech sales, success often comes from being helpful, human, and in it for the long haul. No No 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating Biotech Careers & Building Lasting Relationships (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v855yjr8-michael-paliotti-navigating-biotech-careers-building-lasting-relationships-part-2-4 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating Biotech Careers & Building Lasting Relationships (Part 2/4) 129 No No 81qq4391 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. "Success in this industry isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you connect with people, bring value, and build lasting relationships."

In part two of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his journey from academic research to industry, and his eventual transition into sales within the biotech sector. Michael shares his experiences working at startups like Cellomics and larger organizations like Novartis, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his career path. He discusses the challenges and opportunities that came with each role, emphasizing the importance of relationships and personal branding in his success.

Michael's background in both science and business, coupled with his MBA, uniquely positioned him to understand the needs of researchers and effectively communicate the value of products. His transition to a field application scientist role at Millipore, and later to a full-time sales position, showcases his ability to adapt and find his niche in the biotech industry. Michael's approach to sales, focusing on building genuine connections and becoming a trusted resource, led to his recognition as rep of the year and his reputation as an "institution" in the San Diego biotech ecosystem.

Key topics covered:
  • Transitioning from academia to roles at Cellomics and Novartis
  • Balancing business education with a biotech career
  • Moving from field application scientist to a full-time sales role
  • Learning to communicate value beyond product features and build trust with customers
  • Making bold moves, from cross-country relocation to industry shifts

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Paliotti, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency): https://www.darpa.mil/
Novartis GPR 119 diabetes research: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5859088/
Stanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine: https://www.sanfordconsortium.org/

Companies & people mentioned:
EMD MilliporeSigma: https://www.emdmillipore.com/
Thermo Fisher Scientific: https://www.thermofisher.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:06 Michael's interest in industry and joining Cellomics
04:59 Working on DARPA grant and biosensors
07:10 Experience during 9/11 and FBI visit
10:26 Importance of product communication and marketing
14:23 Transition to Novartis and larger organization experience
18:52 Pursuing MBA while working at Novartis
22:16 Moving to field application scientist role at Millipore
25:39 Transition to full-time sales position
30:17 Building relationships and personal brand in sales
35:23 Success as a sales representative and becoming an "institution"
41:39 Reflections on career journey and finding the right niche
41:58 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:13:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2571 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science. As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners. No No 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating a Winding Path to Biotech Success (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4x1jpn-michael-paliotti-part-1 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating a Winding Path to Biotech Success (Part 1/4) 128 No No x06lqzy0 "Growing up in a science-driven environment influenced my trajectory, from my father's chemistry background at Kodak to my own experiences in academia and research." In part one of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, Regional Sales Director at Millipore Sigma, we explore his journey from a science-driven upbringing to his early career in research and forensics. Michael shares how his father's work as an organic chemist at Kodak influenced his path into science, his academic experiences at the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University, and his unexpected detour into optometry school before finding his true calling in research. Michael holds a degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Duquesne University. Before joining Millipore Sigma, he honed his skills in academic research at the University of Pittsburgh, forensic science with the Pennsylvania State Police, and biotech startups. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Growing up in a science-driven environment influenced my trajectory, from my father's chemistry background at Kodak to my own experiences in academia and research."

In part one of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, Regional Sales Director at Millipore Sigma, we explore his journey from a science-driven upbringing to his early career in research and forensics. Michael shares how his father's work as an organic chemist at Kodak influenced his path into science, his academic experiences at the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University, and his unexpected detour into optometry school before finding his true calling in research.

Michael holds a degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Duquesne University. Before joining Millipore Sigma, he honed his skills in academic research at the University of Pittsburgh, forensic science with the Pennsylvania State Police, and biotech startups.

Key topics covered:
  • Growing up in a science-driven environment: The influence of Kodak and Rochester's tech industry
  • Navigating academic uncertainty: From pre-med aspirations to finding passion in biology research
  • Hands-on lab experience: Learning the "old-fashioned way" during graduate studies
  • Unexpected career detours: A brief stint in optometry school and forensic science
  • Building professional networks: The importance of mentorship and connections in career progression

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Michael Paliotti, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Science Program: https://www.upb.pitt.edu/academics/forensic-science-bs
Kodak's Research and Development Division: https://www.kodak.com/en/company/page/innovation/

Companies & people mentioned:
University of Pittsburgh: https://www.pitt.edu/
Pennsylvania State Police: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp.html
MilliporeSigma (formerly EMD Millipore): https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:23 Michael's background and upbringing in Rochester, NY
07:46 Early exposure to science and the Kodak influence
11:09 University years and initial career aspirations
14:46 Unexpected detour to optometry school
17:35 Post-graduation job at Xerox Business Services
22:00 Decision to pursue a master's degree at Duquesne University
26:35 Graduate school experiences and hands-on lab work
29:03 First job as a research associate at University of Pittsburgh
31:29 Brief stint as a forensic scientist with Pennsylvania State Police
37:35 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2426 "Growing up in a science-driven environment influenced my trajectory, from my father's chemistry background at Kodak to my own experiences in academia and research." In part one of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, Regional Sales Director at Millipore Sigma, we explore his journey from a science-driven upbringing to his early career in research and forensics. Michael shares how his father's work as an organic chemist at Kodak influenced his path into science, his academic experiences at the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University, and his unexpected detour into optometry school before finding his true calling in research. Michael holds a degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Duquesne University. Before joining Millipore Sigma, he honed his skills in academic research at the University of Pittsburgh, forensic science with the Pennsylvania State Police, and biotech startups. "Growing up in a science-driven environment influenced my trajectory, from my father's chemistry background at Kodak to my own experiences in academia and research." In part one of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, Regional Sales Director at Millipore Sigma, we explore his journey from a science-driven upbringing to his early career in research and forensics. Michael shares how his father's work as an organic chemist at Kodak influenced his path into science, his academic experiences at the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University, and his unexpected detour into optometry school before finding his true calling in research. Michael holds a degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Duquesne University. Before joining Millipore Sigma, he honed his skills in academic research at the University of Pittsburgh, forensic science with the Pennsylvania State Police, and biotech startups. No No 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Transforming Data Management (Part 4/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnq27048-stavros-papadopoulos-part-4 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Transforming Data Management (Part 4/4) 127 No No 81nkm4x0 In this final part of our conversation with Stavros, founder and CEO of TileDB, we explore the challenges and opportunities in transforming data management within the life sciences sector. Stavros discusses how smaller organizations often lag behind in adopting innovative solutions due to lack of awareness and reliance on existing tools, while larger companies like big pharma are more proactive in seeking advanced technologies. Stavros highlights the importance of behavioral change in technology adoption, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core competencies rather than building infrastructure. He draws parallels with AWS, which revolutionized server management by allowing companies to focus on their products rather than infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the moral obligation of life sciences companies to optimize efficiency, given the impact on human lives. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"In life sciences, time is more important for all stakeholders. Because if you're working in life sciences, you have an obligation. You have a moral obligation to be very efficient, if not optimal." 

In this final part of our conversation with Stavros, founder and CEO of TileDB, we explore the challenges and opportunities in transforming data management within the life sciences sector. Stavros discusses how smaller organizations often lag behind in adopting innovative solutions due to lack of awareness and reliance on existing tools, while larger companies like big pharma are more proactive in seeking advanced technologies.

Stavros highlights the importance of behavioral change in technology adoption, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core competencies rather than building infrastructure. He draws parallels with AWS, which revolutionized server management by allowing companies to focus on their products rather than infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the moral obligation of life sciences companies to optimize efficiency, given the impact on human lives.

Key topics covered:
  • Challenges for Smaller Organizations: Overcoming barriers to adopting new technologies due to limited awareness and resources.
  • Adoption Contrast: Big pharma vs. smaller organizations in embracing innovative solutions.
  • Behavioral Change in Technology Adoption: The need for mindset shifts in leveraging external solutions.
  • Efficiency in Life Sciences: The moral obligation to optimize time and resources in the sector.
  • Parallels with AWS: How outsourcing infrastructure can accelerate innovation and focus on core competencies.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Stavros Papadopoulos, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Azure (Microsoft's cloud computing service): https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/

Companies & people mentioned:
AWS (Amazon Web Services): https://aws.amazon.com/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:10 Discussion on working with smaller companies and scalable products
02:16 Stavros explains how TileDB can replace solution architects
05:07 Discussion on freeing up resources for high ROI initiatives
06:22 Stavros highlights the difficulty of behavioral changes in adopting new technologies
10:16 Jon reflects on the importance of valuing time in life sciences
12:57 Introduction of TileDB's new product, Carrara
18:16 Discussion on meeting users where they are with Carrara
20:06 Stavros shares his vision for TileDB's future adoption
23:30 Jon expresses enthusiasm for TileDB's impact on health outcomes
26:15 Shoutouts to supporters and team members
29:32 Advice to his 21-year-old self
30:30 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2007 In this final part of our conversation with Stavros, founder and CEO of TileDB, we explore the challenges and opportunities in transforming data management within the life sciences sector. Stavros discusses how smaller organizations often lag behind in adopting innovative solutions due to lack of awareness and reliance on existing tools, while larger companies like big pharma are more proactive in seeking advanced technologies. Stavros highlights the importance of behavioral change in technology adoption, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core competencies rather than building infrastructure. He draws parallels with AWS, which revolutionized server management by allowing companies to focus on their products rather than infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the moral obligation of life sciences companies to optimize efficiency, given the impact on human lives. In this final part of our conversation with Stavros, founder and CEO of TileDB, we explore the challenges and opportunities in transforming data management within the life sciences sector. Stavros discusses how smaller organizations often lag behind in adopting innovative solutions due to lack of awareness and reliance on existing tools, while larger companies like big pharma are more proactive in seeking advanced technologies. Stavros highlights the importance of behavioral change in technology adoption, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core competencies rather than building infrastructure. He draws parallels with AWS, which revolutionized server management by allowing companies to focus on their products rather than infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the moral obligation of life sciences companies to optimize efficiency, given the impact on human lives. No No 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Scaling TileDB & Revolutionizing Data Infrastructure (Part 3/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28x06qr8-stavros-papadopoulos-part-3 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Scaling TileDB & Revolutionizing Data Infrastructure (Part 3/4) 126 No No 60m6v3q1 "We're wasting money. You're wasting money as an organization, like, hundreds of millions of dollars that can save you that money easily. But you have to start reasoning a little bit differently." In this third part of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder and CEO of TileDB, we delve into the company's ambitious vision to revolutionize data management in the life sciences sector. Stavros shares the journey of TileDB from its inception as a highly technical solution to its current position as a potential game-changer in how organizations handle diverse data types. He discusses the challenges of selling innovative solutions to large pharmaceutical companies and the stark contrast in adoption between big pharma and smaller organizations. Stavros, with his background as a technologist from MIT, details the early days of TileDB, emphasizing the intense focus on technological innovation and performance optimization. He describes the company's evolution from a small team of highly skilled engineers to securing significant funding and attracting major customers in the life sciences sector. Throughout the conversation, Stavros highlights the philosophical aspect of TileDB's mission, stressing its potential impact on accelerating scientific discovery and ultimately saving lives. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"We're wasting money. You're wasting money as an organization, like, hundreds of millions of dollars that can save you that money easily. But you have to start reasoning a little bit differently."

In this third part of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder and CEO of TileDB, we delve into the company's ambitious vision to revolutionize data management in the life sciences sector. Stavros shares the journey of TileDB from its inception as a highly technical solution to its current position as a potential game-changer in how organizations handle diverse data types. He discusses the challenges of selling innovative solutions to large pharmaceutical companies and the stark contrast in adoption between big pharma and smaller organizations.

Stavros, with his background as a technologist from MIT, details the early days of TileDB, emphasizing the intense focus on technological innovation and performance optimization. He describes the company's evolution from a small team of highly skilled engineers to securing significant funding and attracting major customers in the life sciences sector. Throughout the conversation, Stavros highlights the philosophical aspect of TileDB's mission, stressing its potential impact on accelerating scientific discovery and ultimately saving lives.

Key topics covered:
  • TileDB's Vision for a Multimodal Database: Replacing fragmented data management systems
  • Challenges in Selling Innovative Solutions: Large pharmaceutical companies as a target market
  • The Contrast Between Big Pharma & Smaller Organizations: Adopting new technologies
  • The Philosophical Drive Behind TileDB's Mission: Accelerating scientific discovery
  • Organizational Inertia & Decision-Making Complexities: Enterprise software adoption

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Stavros Papadopoulos, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Intel's Parallel Computing Lab: https://faculty.cc.gatech.edu/~echow/ipcc/
Intel Science and Technology Center for Big Data at MIT CSAIL: http://hammer.csail.mit.edu/
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: https://hkust.edu.hk/ 
AWS (Amazon Web Services): https://aws.amazon.com/
Azure (Microsoft's cloud computing service): https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/

Companies & people mentioned:
Silicon Valley Bank: https://www.svb.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:18 Early days of TileDB and its mission
06:36 Building a high-performance team and securing early customers
09:22 Discussing the vision behind TileDB
12:11 The problem of data infrastructure complexity
16:26 TileDB as a multimodal database for discovery
19:27 The inefficiency of in-house database solutions in pharmaceuticals
23:09 Overcoming organizational inertia in adopting new technologies
28:20 The necessity of TileDB for drug discovery
29:48 Differences in working with smaller vs. larger organizations
33:21 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2118 "We're wasting money. You're wasting money as an organization, like, hundreds of millions of dollars that can save you that money easily. But you have to start reasoning a little bit differently." In this third part of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder and CEO of TileDB, we delve into the company's ambitious vision to revolutionize data management in the life sciences sector. Stavros shares the journey of TileDB from its inception as a highly technical solution to its current position as a potential game-changer in how organizations handle diverse data types. He discusses the challenges of selling innovative solutions to large pharmaceutical companies and the stark contrast in adoption between big pharma and smaller organizations. Stavros, with his background as a technologist from MIT, details the early days of TileDB, emphasizing the intense focus on technological innovation and performance optimization. He describes the company's evolution from a small team of highly skilled engineers to securing significant funding and attracting major customers in the life sciences sector. Throughout the conversation, Stavros highlights the philosophical aspect of TileDB's mission, stressing its potential impact on accelerating scientific discovery and ultimately saving lives. "We're wasting money. You're wasting money as an organization, like, hundreds of millions of dollars that can save you that money easily. But you have to start reasoning a little bit differently." In this third part of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder and CEO of TileDB, we delve into the company's ambitious vision to revolutionize data management in the life sciences sector. Stavros shares the journey of TileDB from its inception as a highly technical solution to its current position as a potential game-changer in how organizations handle diverse data types. He discusses the challenges of selling innovative solutions to large pharmaceutical companies and the stark contrast in adoption between big pharma and smaller organizations. Stavros, with his background as a technologist from MIT, details the early days of TileDB, emphasizing the intense focus on technological innovation and performance optimization. He describes the company's evolution from a small team of highly skilled engineers to securing significant funding and attracting major customers in the life sciences sector. Throughout the conversation, Stavros highlights the philosophical aspect of TileDB's mission, stressing its potential impact on accelerating scientific discovery and ultimately saving lives. No No 🧬Stavros Papadopoulos: How Serendipity Sparked TileDB's Startup Journey (Part 2/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kmx408-stavros-papadopoulos-part-2 🧬Stavros Papadopoulos: How Serendipity Sparked TileDB's Startup Journey (Part 2/4) 125 No No 71w7y3p1 "Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal." In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data. Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal."

In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data.

Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning.

Key topics covered:
  • Transition from academia to entrepreneurship: Seizing opportunities at MIT and Intel
  • Developing TileDB: Creating a novel database system for complex data types
  • Fundraising journey: From angel investors to venture capital
  • Challenges of starting a database company: High costs and talent requirements
  • Importance of mentorship and building win-win relationships in tech entrepreneurship: Key strategies for success

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Stavros Papadopoulos, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Mentions:

Resources & Articles:
Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet: https://www.d-eship.com/
MIT Technology Licensing Office: https://tlo.mit.edu/
Broad Institute's VCF (Variant Call Format): https://www.broadinstitute.org/publications/broad12186
Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM): https://radygenomics.org/begin-ngs-newborn-sequencing/

Companies & People:
Nexus Venture Partners: https://nexusvp.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:24 Transitioning from Hong Kong to MIT/Intel
11:30 The importance of proactivity and hustle in seizing opportunities
20:59 Working on database systems at MIT/Intel
29:08 The serendipitous encounter that led to starting TileDB
32:16 Developing TileDB: A database for non-tabular data and machine learning
35:30 Solving scalability issues for the Broad Institute
36:55 Raising initial funding and spinning out TileDB from MIT/Intel
37:26 Challenges of starting a database business
38:15 Structuring TileDB's launch as a win-win for all stakeholders
39:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2500 "Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal." In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data. Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning. "Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal." In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data. Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning. No No 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: A Journey in Computer Science & Data Management (Part 1/4) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m51yx8-stavros-papadopoulos-part-1 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: A Journey in Computer Science & Data Management (Part 1/4) 124 No No 70vlz420 "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Stavros Papadopoulos' transformative journey from Greece to Hong Kong, exploring his experiences as a PhD student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Stavros shares how a chance encounter on a bus and his professor's last-minute recommendation led him to pursue his doctorate in Hong Kong, a decision that would shape his career and personal life. Stavros describes Hong Kong as the "best city in the world," highlighting the perfect balance between intense academic rigor and vibrant city life. He explains how the university's unique environment, with students working late into the night and a campus integrated into the natural landscape, fostered both hard work and adventure. Stavros also touches on his research focus, which evolved from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography, and how he learned valuable skills that continue to shape his career to this day. accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is."

In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Stavros Papadopoulos' transformative journey from Greece to Hong Kong, exploring his experiences as a PhD student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Stavros shares how a chance encounter on a bus and his professor's last-minute recommendation led him to pursue his doctorate in Hong Kong, a decision that would shape his career and personal life.

Stavros describes Hong Kong as the "best city in the world," highlighting the perfect balance between intense academic rigor and vibrant city life. He explains how the university's unique environment, with students working late into the night and a campus integrated into the natural landscape, fostered both hard work and adventure. Stavros also touches on his research focus, which evolved from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography, and how he learned valuable skills that continue to shape his career to this day.

Key topics covered:
  • The Power of Mentorship: How guidance from family, professors, and peers influenced Stavros' academic journey
  • Choosing Hong Kong: Balancing academic excellence with quality of life in selecting a PhD program
  • HKUST Experience: Rigorous academics, supportive professors, and a vibrant student community
  • Research Evolution: Transitioning from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography
  • Work-Life Balance: Maintaining high academic performance while enjoying Hong Kong's unique offerings

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Stavros Papadopoulos, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Venture Capital Funding for Tech Startups:  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/venturecapital.asp


Companies & people mentioned:
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: https://hkust.edu.hk/


Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Early Inclination Towards Learning and Competitiveness
03:52 Grandmother's Gift of First Computer
07:23 Cousin's Advice: A Plan for Computer Science and Silicon Valley
12:23 Mentorship and Guidance
17:18 University Experience and Disappointment
21:34 Tips for Getting into Top US Schools
27:36 Serendipitous Encounter on a Bus: Hong Kong Beckons
36:10 Balancing Hard Work and Enjoyment
42:24 Hong Kong's Unique Appeal and University Life
48:20 Research Focus: Spatiotemporal Databases and Data Security
53:06 Data Security and Cryptographic Techniques
53:36 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3223 "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Stavros Papadopoulos' transformative journey from Greece to Hong Kong, exploring his experiences as a PhD student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Stavros shares how a chance encounter on a bus and his professor's last-minute recommendation led him to pursue his doctorate in Hong Kong, a decision that would shape his career and personal life. Stavros describes Hong Kong as the "best city in the world," highlighting the perfect balance between intense academic rigor and vibrant city life. He explains how the university's unique environment, with students working late into the night and a campus integrated into the natural landscape, fostered both hard work and adventure. Stavros also touches on his research focus, which evolved from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography, and how he learned valuable skills that continue to shape his career to this day. "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Stavros Papadopoulos' transformative journey from Greece to Hong Kong, exploring his experiences as a PhD student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Stavros shares how a chance encounter on a bus and his professor's last-minute recommendation led him to pursue his doctorate in Hong Kong, a decision that would shape his career and personal life. Stavros describes Hong Kong as the "best city in the world," highlighting the perfect balance between intense academic rigor and vibrant city life. He explains how the university's unique environment, with students working late into the night and a campus integrated into the natural landscape, fostered both hard work and adventure. Stavros also touches on his research focus, which evolved from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography, and how he learned valuable skills that continue to shape his career to this day. No No 🧬 Becky Beattie: Scaling LaunchBio & Democratizing Biotech Entrepreneurship (Part 2/2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnymj02n-becky-beattie-part-2 🧬 Becky Beattie: Scaling LaunchBio & Democratizing Biotech Entrepreneurship (Part 2/2) 123 No No l14nvpq1 "If I'm not building something, then I'm probably not going to be doing it for long. That's the fun part." In part two of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we explore her journey scaling a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting early-stage life science founders. Becky shares how she transitioned from BioLabs to LaunchBio, initially joining what she jokingly calls "a lunch club," and eventually stepping into leadership during the pandemic. She details LaunchBio's evolution from local programming to a national organization connecting biotech entrepreneurs with critical resources and capital. Becky's background in both science and real estate uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges of biotech startups, particularly around shared lab spaces and ecosystem development. Her leadership at LaunchBio has focused on creating targeted connections between founders and investors while expanding into new markets and launching initiatives for underrepresented entrepreneurs. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

"If I'm not building something, then I'm probably not going to be doing it for long. That's the fun part."

In part two of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we explore her journey scaling a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting early-stage life science founders. Becky shares how she transitioned from BioLabs to LaunchBio, initially joining what she jokingly calls "a lunch club," and eventually stepping into leadership during the pandemic. She details LaunchBio's evolution from local programming to a national organization connecting biotech entrepreneurs with critical resources and capital.

Becky's background in both science and real estate uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges of biotech startups, particularly around shared lab spaces and ecosystem development. Her leadership at LaunchBio has focused on creating targeted connections between founders and investors while expanding into new markets and launching initiatives for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Key topics covered:
  • Building LaunchBio: From "lunch club" to national nonprofit supporting early-stage life science founders
  • Navigating leadership challenges: Taking the CEO role during a pandemic and pivoting to virtual programming
  • Creating Investor Connect: Developing curated matchmaking between startups and appropriate VCs
  • Expanding biotech ecosystems: Building thriving life science hubs in emerging markets like Dallas
  • Launching HiveBio: A new accelerator program for underrepresented founders in the life sciences

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Becky Beattie, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Resources & articles mentioned:
UCSD Gene Therapy Initiative https://genetherapy.ucsd.edu/ 

Companies & people mentioned:
Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com/ 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:09 Returning to life sciences and meeting Susie Harborth
04:47 Joining BioLabs and the shared lab space movement
07:33 The origins of LaunchBio as a "lunch club"
12:47 Challenges of shared lab spaces and building biotech ecosystems
20:01 Joining LaunchBio and focusing on early-stage life science founders
25:11 Transitioning LaunchBio during COVID and scaling nationally
31:22 Taking on the CEO role at LaunchBio during the pandemic
37:51 Launching Investor Connect to strategically match startups with VCs
40:17 Building biotech ecosystems in Dallas and other emerging markets
45:17 Launching HiveBio, an accelerator for underrepresented founders
51:20 The Invest in Cures Forum and rare disease funding initiatives
55:54 Closing reflections and shoutouts
01:03:24 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3936 "If I'm not building something, then I'm probably not going to be doing it for long. That's the fun part." In part two of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we explore her journey scaling a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting early-stage life science founders. Becky shares how she transitioned from BioLabs to LaunchBio, initially joining what she jokingly calls "a lunch club," and eventually stepping into leadership during the pandemic. She details LaunchBio's evolution from local programming to a national organization connecting biotech entrepreneurs with critical resources and capital. Becky's background in both science and real estate uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges of biotech startups, particularly around shared lab spaces and ecosystem development. Her leadership at LaunchBio has focused on creating targeted connections between founders and investors while expanding into new markets and launching initiatives for underrepresented entrepreneurs. "If I'm not building something, then I'm probably not going to be doing it for long. That's the fun part." In part two of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we explore her journey scaling a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting early-stage life science founders. Becky shares how she transitioned from BioLabs to LaunchBio, initially joining what she jokingly calls "a lunch club," and eventually stepping into leadership during the pandemic. She details LaunchBio's evolution from local programming to a national organization connecting biotech entrepreneurs with critical resources and capital. Becky's background in both science and real estate uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges of biotech startups, particularly around shared lab spaces and ecosystem development. Her leadership at LaunchBio has focused on creating targeted connections between founders and investors while expanding into new markets and launching initiatives for underrepresented entrepreneurs. No No 🧬 Becky Beattie: From Rural Beginnings to Building a National Biotech Network (Part 1) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nx0690n-becky-beattie-part-1 🧬 Becky Beattie: From Rural Beginnings to Building a National Biotech Network (Part 1) 122 No No 61m6vx60 In part one of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we trace her unconventional path from rural San Jose pig farmer to biotech ecosystem builder. Becky shares how her early entrepreneurial grit, scientific curiosity, and business acumen converged to shape her career – including surviving a life-altering spinal injury and pioneering shared lab spaces. Becky holds dual degrees in molecular biology and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before leading LaunchBio, she honed her skills in life science sales (SeraCare, Eppendorf), strategic marketing (Comprendia), and real estate innovation (ROC Shared Workspace). 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing or having fun, why are you doing it? Combine that with hard work and you can achieve cool things.”

In part one of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we trace her unconventional path from rural San Jose pig farmer to biotech ecosystem builder. Becky shares how her early entrepreneurial grit, scientific curiosity, and business acumen converged to shape her career – including surviving a life-altering spinal injury and pioneering shared lab spaces.

Becky holds dual degrees in molecular biology and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before leading LaunchBio, she honed her skills in life science sales (SeraCare, Eppendorf), strategic marketing (Comprendia), and real estate innovation (ROC Shared Workspace).

Key topics covered:

  • Growing up in 4-H raising pigs: Early lessons in economics and grit
  • Mixing science & business: Blending molecular biology training with business strategy at CU Boulder
  • Cold-calling challenges: Cutting teeth in biotech sales at SeraCare Life Sciences
  • Pivoting through crisis: How a spinal cord injury reshaped career priorities
  • Building the shared lab space movement: Pre-WeWork innovation for life sciences

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Becky Beattie, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & Mentions:

Resources & articles mentioned:
LaunchBio’s Larger Than Life Program: https://www.launchbio.org/programs/larger-than-life 
Founder Circle Peer Advisory Forums: https://launchbio.org/programs/founders-circle/ 
Build to Scale Grant Program: https://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunies 
UCSD Gene Therapy Initiative: https://healthsciences.ucsd.edu/innovation 

Companies & people mentioned:

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
03:15 Becky's early life and entrepreneurial experiences
05:55 College years and combining science with business
11:45 First job in biotech sales at SeraCare Life Sciences
16:44 Transition to Eppendorf and capital equipment sales
24:50 Balancing career and family after having children
31:03 Spinal cord injury and two-year recovery period
36:22 Return to work in real estate with ROC shared workspace
42:26 Lessons learned from sales and relationship-building
46:52 The importance of marketing and business strategy
51:23 Reflections on career pivots and personal growth
55:05 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3762 In part one of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we trace her unconventional path from rural San Jose pig farmer to biotech ecosystem builder. Becky shares how her early entrepreneurial grit, scientific curiosity, and business acumen converged to shape her career – including surviving a life-altering spinal injury and pioneering shared lab spaces. Becky holds dual degrees in molecular biology and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before leading LaunchBio, she honed her skills in life science sales (SeraCare, Eppendorf), strategic marketing (Comprendia), and real estate innovation (ROC Shared Workspace). In part one of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we trace her unconventional path from rural San Jose pig farmer to biotech ecosystem builder. Becky shares how her early entrepreneurial grit, scientific curiosity, and business acumen converged to shape her career – including surviving a life-altering spinal injury and pioneering shared lab spaces. Becky holds dual degrees in molecular biology and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before leading LaunchBio, she honed her skills in life science sales (SeraCare, Eppendorf), strategic marketing (Comprendia), and real estate innovation (ROC Shared Workspace). No No 🧬 Dr. Kate Yen: Scaling a Biotech, Running Lean, & Utilizing Translational Biology (Part 2) https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8ymjz28-kate-yen-part-2 🧬 Dr. Kate Yen: Scaling a Biotech, Running Lean, & Utilizing Translational Biology (Part 2) 121 No No l04nvxq0 “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but when I couldn’t find a company doing what I believed in, I built my own.” In part two of our conversation with Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics, we explore her journey from leading a novel cancer therapy program at Agios to founding her own biotech company. Kate shares insights into drug development, clinical trials, and the business of biotech, highlighting the importance of translational biology, strategic partnerships, and lean operations in building a successful biotech startup. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. Before Auron, she held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.

As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

“I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but when I couldn’t find a company doing what I believed in, I built my own.”

In part two of our conversation with Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics, we explore her journey from leading a novel cancer therapy program at Agios to founding her own biotech company. 

Kate shares insights into drug development, clinical trials, and the business of biotech, highlighting the importance of translational biology, strategic partnerships, and lean operations in building a successful biotech startup. 

Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. Before Auron, she held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.

Key topics covered:

  • Navigating clinical trials from discovery to FDA approval with a biomarker-driven approach
  • The importance of translational biology and how Auron integrates it from day one
  • Building a lean biotech startup, from early fundraising to assembling a high-impact team
  • Securing big pharma partnerships in a challenging biotech market
  • Leveraging AI and machine learning to map cancer biology and identify new drug targets

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

Subscribe to the podcast:

Find our guest, Kate Yen, at these links: 

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Learn more about Excedr

Resources & articles mentioned:
The Role of Translational Biology in Drug Development: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359644612004060
Building & Running a Lean Biotech Startup: https://www.lablaunch.org/post/building-a-lean-biotech-startup
Biotech Partnerships - How Partnerships Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
How to Choose the Right CRO for Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations
Top VC Firms for Biotech in 2024 - Supporting Innovation & Growth: https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
50 Biotech Seed & Angel Investors to Check Out in 2025: https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotech-seed-and-angel-investors

Companies & people mentioned:
Auron Therapeutics: https://www.aurontx.com/
Agios Pharmaceuticals: https://www.agios.com/
Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:10 Kate Yen’s transition into leadership at Agios
05:39 Navigating clinical trials and biomarker-driven decision-making
10:29 The importance of translational biology in drug development
14:19 Taking the leap to start Auron Therapeutics
18:36 Raising early funding and building a lean biotech startup
26:41 Leveraging AI and machine learning in cancer drug discovery
30:58 Running a biotech startup with a sustainable and transparent culture
41:07 Fundraising strategies to expanding Auron’s platform beyond oncology
47:08 Closing questions for Kate
49:35 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3096 “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but when I couldn’t find a company doing what I believed in, I built my own.” In part two of our conversation with Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics, we explore her journey from leading a novel cancer therapy program at Agios to founding her own biotech company. Kate shares insights into drug development, clinical trials, and the business of biotech, highlighting the importance of translational biology, strategic partnerships, and lean operations in building a successful biotech startup. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. Before Auron, she held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but when I couldn’t find a company doing what I believed in, I built my own.” In part two of our conversation with Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics, we explore her journey from leading a novel cancer therapy program at Agios to founding her own biotech company. Kate shares insights into drug development, clinical trials, and the business of biotech, highlighting the importance of translational biology, strategic partnerships, and lean operations in building a successful biotech startup. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. Before Auron, she held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. No No 🧬 Kate Yen - Part 1 | From Academia to Biotech Leader | Translating Research into Cancer Therapies | Early Days at Merck & Agios https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v855ypq8-kate-yen-part-1 🧬 Kate Yen - Part 1 | From Academia to Biotech Leader | Translating Research into Cancer Therapies | Early Days at Merck & Agios 120 No No 81qq4pn1 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics. Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics.

Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis.

Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.

With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Kate Yen’s journey from aspiring physician to PhD researcher at UCLA
  • How her postdoc in Charles Sawyers’ lab sparked her passion for translational research
  • Transitioning from academia to industry and learning drug discovery at Merck
  • Taking the leap to join Agios Pharmaceuticals and leading the IDH program
  • The role of collaboration in biotech, from academia to CRO partnerships

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.


Find Our Guest, Kate Yen, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Auron Therapeutics: https://www.aurontx.com/
Agios Pharmaceuticals: https://www.agios.com/
Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/

People Mentioned:
00:00 Intro
03:01 Kate Yen’s background and Auron Therapeutics’ mission
04:40 Early influences and passion for research
06:27 Choosing academia over medicine, attending UCLA grad school
13:11 Postdoc with Charles Sawyers and translational research
16:58 Transitioning to industry and joining Merck
24:44 Learning drug discovery and pharma culture at Merck
32:32 Taking the leap to Agios Pharmaceuticals
37:42 Leading the IDH program and cancer research
44:43 Collaborating with academic labs and CROs
50:28 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3093 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics. Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable. Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics. Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development. With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable. No No 🧬 Oguzhan Atay - Part 2 | From Immigrant to Biotech Innovator | Battling Deportation with Nobel Laureate Support | Building a $140M Prenatal Testing Empire https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vqr0vn-oguzhan-atay-part-2 🧬 Oguzhan Atay - Part 2 | From Immigrant to Biotech Innovator | Battling Deportation with Nobel Laureate Support | Building a $140M Prenatal Testing Empire 119 No No 70y7l9r0 Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. Oguzhan not only combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, but he also has an incredibly inspirational immigrant journey, which makes this series a must-listen for first-time founders, scientists, and industry leaders alike. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy.

Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics.

Oguzhan not only combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, but he also has an incredibly inspirational immigrant journey, which makes this series a must-listen for first-time founders, scientists, and industry leaders alike.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
  • Oguzhan's journey from Turkey to Stanford
  • BillionToOne's origin, including Y Combinator's role and initial funding challenges
  • The company's innovative prenatal testing approach
  • Expansion into oncology with blood tests for therapy selection and monitoring
  • Oguzhan's personal struggles with immigration issues while starting the company and the support of his mentors

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Oguzhan Atay, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Common Mistakes Biotechs Make & How to Avoid Them https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps: 
00:00 - Intro
02:28 - The origin of BillionToOne and early challenges
06:48 - Y Combinator's role and initial funding struggles
12:24 - Meeting co-founders and pivoting based on market needs
17:17 - Realizing the importance of the problem in the United States
24:11 - Building physical infrastructure and scaling operations
32:04 - Company culture, hiring philosophy, and growth strategy
38:55 - Expanding into oncology and future product lines
46:40 - Plans for going public and becoming a generational company
53:42 - Shoutouts to supporters and overcoming immigration challenges
59:34 - Advice to his 21-year-old self: keeping an open mind
01:02:51 - Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3896 Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. Oguzhan not only combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, but he also has an incredibly inspirational immigrant journey, which makes this series a must-listen for first-time founders, scientists, and industry leaders alike. Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. Oguzhan not only combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, but he also has an incredibly inspirational immigrant journey, which makes this series a must-listen for first-time founders, scientists, and industry leaders alike. No No 🧬 Oguzhan Atay - Part 1 | From Small-Town Turkey to Stanford PhD | Solving Cell Cycle Mysteries | Building a Biotech During a Global Pandemic https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnq2m018-oguzhan-atay-part-1 🧬 Oguzhan Atay - Part 1 | From Small-Town Turkey to Stanford PhD | Solving Cell Cycle Mysteries | Building a Biotech During a Global Pandemic 118 No No 81nk64p0 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy.

Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics.

Oguzhan not only combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, but he also has an incredibly inspirational immigrant journey, which makes this series a must-listen for first-time founders, scientists, and industry leaders alike.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
  • Oguzhan's upbringing in a small Turkish town
  • His early passion for science, deciding to become a scientist at just 10 years old
  • Oguzhan's experience in Turkey's rigorous education system
  • His transition to studying at Princeton
  • Oguzhan's PhD journey at Stanford

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!

Find Our Guest, Oguzhan Atay, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Common Mistakes Biotechs Make & How to Avoid Them https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes 

People Mentioned:
00:00 - Intro
05:41 - Oguzhan's upbringing in Turkey and his parents' emphasis on education
10:22 - Competitive nature of the Turkish education system
15:18 - Oguzhan's decision to attend Princeton for undergraduate studies
21:28 - Integrated science program at Princeton and interdisciplinary approach
26:57 - Oguzhan's experience at the University of Oxford
32:20 - Choosing Stanford for PhD studies
38:21 - Oguzhan's PhD research at Stanford in cell cycle control
43:24 - The importance of resilience in scientific research and entrepreneurship
48:54 - BillionToOne's challenges and creative solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic
55:47 - How overcoming challenges led to unprecedented growth for BillionToOne
59:41 - Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3646 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Oguzhan Atay, Co-founder & CEO of BillionToOne. BillionToOne is a precision diagnostics company that quantifies biology to create powerful molecular diagnostics. They work to improve disease detection by counting molecules with their proprietary molecular counting platform. They place patients at the forefront of everything they do and are currently applying their proprietary technology to non-invasive prenatal screening and liquid biopsy. Oguzhan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford in Systems Biology, where he implemented machine learning algorithms and mathematical models to solve specific problems in cellular biology and developed a data-driven mathematical framework to simplify the analysis of complex biological networks. He also has a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton, as well as minors in Computer Science, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. No No 🧬 Parag Shah - Part 2 | Scaling a Multi-Billion Dollar Life Sciences Fund | Culture, Capital & Entrepreneurship | The K2 HealthVentures Story https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nx07j4n-parag-shah-part-2 🧬 Parag Shah - Part 2 | Scaling a Multi-Billion Dollar Life Sciences Fund | Culture, Capital & Entrepreneurship | The K2 HealthVentures Story 117 No No 61m6npr0 Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare.

Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. 

With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • How Parag scaled Hercules Capital into a multi-billion-dollar life sciences fund
  • The challenges of building a strong company culture in investment firms
  • Why evergreen capital structures can be a game-changer for biotech startups
  • The founding story of K2 HealthVentures and its mission-driven approach
  • How balancing work, family, and entrepreneurship leads to long-term success

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com/
Life Science Cares: https://lifesciencecares.org/
Debt vs. Equity Financing for Biotech Startups: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startup

People Mentioned:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Early days at Hercules and the challenge of biotech debt
06:14 Scaling Hercules, taking it public, and leadership lessons
11:34 Public vs. private investment funds: Key trade-offs and pressures
19:18 Leaving Hercules, taking a break, and redefining priorities
25:35 Avoiding burnout: Balancing work, family, and entrepreneurship
29:04 How time and capital constraints drive better decision-making
33:52 Founding K2 HealthVentures and reshaping biotech venture debt
39:01 Evergreen investment structure and why it benefits startups
46:59 The importance of co-founders, team culture, and shared vision
53:32 Scaling K2, launching a foundation, and investing with purpose
01:02:24 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3867 Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. Part 2 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. No No 🧬 Parag Shah - Part 1 | Rethinking Biotech Startup Funding | Building Smarter Capital Strategies | Risk, Reward & Leadership in Investing https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n20l6wn-parag-shah-part-1 🧬 Parag Shah - Part 1 | Rethinking Biotech Startup Funding | Building Smarter Capital Strategies | Risk, Reward & Leadership in Investing 116 No No 219qk6r1 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare.

Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. 

With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • How Parag’s NYC upbringing shaped his leadership and risk-taking mindset
  • His transition from molecular biology to finance and investing
  • Key lessons from his early career in credit and venture lending
  • How he helped shape biotech venture credit and redefine startup financing
  • When to use debt vs. equity in life sciences fundraising

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com/
BankBoston (now part of Bank of America): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BankBoston
Imperial Bank (acquired by Comerica):  https://www.comerica.com/
Risk-Taking & Leadership in Startups:

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:59 Parag’s background and early career in finance
06:24 Growing up in NYC and how his parents influenced his mindset
09:42 The impact of education and key mentors in shaping his path
15:11 Transitioning from science to finance, why he left the lab
19:56 Lessons from Bank Boston and entering the world of credit investing
24:32 Moving to Argentina and unexpected entry into banking
29:56 Joining Imperial Bank and the challenges of building biotech venture credit
36:37 Understanding risk-taking and decision-making in biotech financing
42:52 When startups should use debt vs. equity and how venture debt fits into biotech funding
46:02 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2830 Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare. Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding. No No 🧬 Jason C. Foster - Part 2 | Manufacturing Brighter Futures | From Richmond to London: Building a Biotech Empire | Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08j0rll8-jason-c-foster-part-2 🧬 Jason C. Foster - Part 2 | Manufacturing Brighter Futures | From Richmond to London: Building a Biotech Empire | Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast 115 No No 41pmvrr0 Part 2 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments.

Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. 

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Jason Foster's journey from Virginia to London
  • The critical role of culture in company success
  • Ori Biotech's mission to increase accessibility of cell therapies by developing scalable manufacturing solutions
  • Challenges in commercializing cell therapies and the need to consider commercial viability alongside safety and efficacy
  • Jason's leadership insights, including the concept of being a "trusted advisor" and the importance of transparency in team building

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Jason C. Foster, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
05:21 - Early days of expanding the business in Europe
10:37 - Reflections on entrepreneurship within a large organization
15:44 - The importance of culture in building a successful company
20:35 - Jason's journey to founding Ori Biotech
27:22 - Building Ori Biotech from the ground up
33:35 - The challenges and potential of cell therapy
39:51 - Ori Biotech's approach to go-to-market strategy
46:09 - The importance of being a trusted advisor to clients
51:10 - Hiring for cultural fit and building a strong team
55:17 - Future plans for Ori Biotech
57:59 - Shoutouts to mentors and supporters
1:00:05 - Advice to his 21-year-old self
1:02:48 - Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3898 Part 2 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. Part 2 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. No No 🧬 Jason C. Foster - Part 1 | From Paper Routes to Pharma | Navigating the Dot-Com Bubble | Building a $1B Addiction Medicine Business in 4 Years https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nzxvm3n-jason-foster-part-1 🧬 Jason C. Foster - Part 1 | From Paper Routes to Pharma | Navigating the Dot-Com Bubble | Building a $1B Addiction Medicine Business in 4 Years 114 No No 80z79m51 Part 1 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments.

Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. 

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Jason Foster's early entrepreneurship, from paper routes to creative ventures
  • His transformative time at Columbia Business School, learning valuable lessons about decision-making and international perspectives
  • Jason's entry into healthcare through Merck-Medco
  • His experience growing a small pharmaceutical company from 5 to 400 employees, focusing on addiction medicine
  • The decision to move his family to London to start the European branch of the business

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Jason Foster, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
University of Virginia https://www.virginia.edu/ 
Columbia University https://www.columbia.edu/ 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:51 Early years and entrepreneurial experiences
10:10 College decision process and time at the University of Virginia
18:05 Jason's experience in Washington D.C. and introduction to healthcare policy
20:57 Jason's decision to pursue an MBA at Columbia University
25:04 Memorable lessons from Columbia MBA program
30:47 Jason's transition to the private sector and joining Merck Medco
36:41 Insights on effective sales techniques in the pharmaceutical industry
43:19 Jason's career progression after Columbia and joining Medco Health Solutions
51:02 Jason's move to a small pharmaceutical company in Richmond, Virginia
54:59 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3344 Part 1 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. Part 1 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments. Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. No No 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 4 | Lessons in Scaling a Biotech Startup | Using AI to Transform Cancer Diagnostics | The Genialis Supermodel & krasID https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08j0rpl8-rafael-rosengarten-part-4 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 4 | Lessons in Scaling a Biotech Startup | Using AI to Transform Cancer Diagnostics | The Genialis Supermodel & krasID 113 No No 41pmv6r0 Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.

Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Scaling Genialis during COVID-19 and refining the company’s mission
  • The importance of company culture and building a motivated, cohesive team
  • Developing krasID and the Genialis supermodel to advance cancer diagnostics
  • Raising Series A funding amid biotech market challenges
  • The role of leadership and innovation in driving biotech success and shaping the future of precision oncology.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
Cheng Wu (Founding Partner, Taiwania Capital): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheng-wu-4614a8a/
Tiasha Stanković (COO, Head of People at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjasakk/?originalSubdomain=si
Luka Ausec (Chief Discovery Officer at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/luka-ausec-378009150/
Miha Štajdohar (Co-founder, CTO at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstajdohar/
Marinka Zitnik (AI Researcher, Associate Professor of Bioinformatics): https://dbmi.hms.harvard.edu/people/marinka-zitnik

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:04 Scaling Genialis during COVID-19 and adapting as CEO
04:27 How pivotal clients influence a startup’s growth path
07:15 Addressing critical mistakes in clinical data pipelines
09:43 Redefining Genialis’ mission and fostering strong culture
12:19 Adapting to remote work while reinforcing team values
14:57 Raising Series A funding amid challenging market conditions
20:50 The importance of team culture and resilience
25:37 The Genialis supermodel and its impact on oncology AI
29:12 Two-year vision for Genialis and its three pillars
32:59 Closing questions and advice for entrepreneurs
38:59 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2452 Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. No No 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 3 | Leveraging AI in Precision Medicine | How Predictive Biomarkers Transform Oncology | Lessons from Scaling a Startup https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n924578-rafael-rosengarten-part-3 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 3 | Leveraging AI in Precision Medicine | How Predictive Biomarkers Transform Oncology | Lessons from Scaling a Startup 112 No No v07vn861 Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.

Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Rafael’s move to Baylor College of Medicine and Houston’s vibrant medical community
  • Innovations in molecular cloning and synthetic biology tools at Baylor
  • Bridging biology and AI through collaborations with University of Ljubljana researchers
  • Founding Genialis and shifting its focus to predictive biomarker development
  • Lessons from biotech pivots that shaped Genialis as a leader in precision oncology

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Baylor College of Medicine: https://www.bcm.edu/
University of Ljubljana: https://www.uni-lj.si/en/university
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup

People Mentioned:
00:00 Intro
02:11 Rafael’s move to Houston and postdoc at Baylor College of Medicine
04:09 Collaborating with mentors and early breakthroughs in molecular cloning
07:01 Joining the Gulf Coast Consortium and blending bench science with computational tools
09:44 Transformative partnership with AI pioneers from the University of Ljubljana
13:30 How early machine learning tools shaped Rafael’s career and perspective
17:04 Founding Genialis and the early challenges of pivoting its focus
19:59 Learning from failures and how they shaped Genialis’ mission
23:21 The role of predictive biomarkers in oncology and their real-world impact
27:59 Lessons learned from biotech pivots and navigating the startup world
31:16 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1936 Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. No No 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 2 | From Marine Biology to Synthetic Biology | Building Biofuel Tools at JBEI | When Academic Labs Embrace Entrepreneurship https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nrrxwvn-rafael-rosengarten-part-2-from-marine-biology-to-synthetic-biology-building-biofuel-tools-at-jbei-when-academic-labs-embrace-entrepreneurship 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 2 | From Marine Biology to Synthetic Biology | Building Biofuel Tools at JBEI | When Academic Labs Embrace Entrepreneurship 111 No No 81562l50 Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.

Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Rafael's graduate studies at Yale, where mentors fostered his independent research approach
  • His diverse marine biology and genomics projects, preparing him for synthetic biology
  • Rafael's transition to the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) for synthetic biology and biofuels research
  • The collaborative environment at JBEI, including access to cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics tool development
  • Rafael's insights on choosing the right lab environment and the growing acceptance of entrepreneurship in academia

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) https://www.jbei.org/ 
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:56 - Rafael's experience with his graduate advisors and diverse research projects
07:45 - Comparison of grad school experience to company building and board members
08:59 - Discussion about Jonathan Rothberg and sequencing developments at Yale
10:06 - Rafael's transition from Yale to the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)
12:46 - The importance of showing up and making connections in person
16:39 - The value of face-to-face interactions in business and collaboration
20:19 - Challenges in the biotech market and the need for in-person networking
23:11 - Rafael's work at JBEI in synthetic biology and tool development
28:22 - Key takeaways from Rafael's experience at JBEI
30:25 - The importance of entrepreneurship in academia and industry
33:55 - Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2088 Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. No No 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 1 | From Salt Marsh to Biotech CEO | Snorkeling into Science | Choosing Marine Biology Over Cooking on a Mediterranean Yacht https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0ql568-rafael-rosengarten-part-1 🧬 Rafael Rosengarten - Part 1 | From Salt Marsh to Biotech CEO | Snorkeling into Science | Choosing Marine Biology Over Cooking on a Mediterranean Yacht 110 No No p1kp25z0 Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.

Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Rafael's upbringing in rural South Carolina, influenced by his parents' intellectual hippie activist background and nature
  • How his French cell biologist uncle sparked his love for science through snorkeling 
  • Rafael's journey at Dartmouth, initially pursuing chemistry but ultimately finding his passion in evolutionary biology and ecology
  • His post-college experiences alternating between scientific research and culinary pursuits
  • The pivotal decision to attend a marine biology program at Friday Harbor instead of accepting an offer to cook on a private yacht

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Friday Harbor Laboratories https://fhl.uw.edu/ 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:49 Intro
02:48 Rafael's upbringing in rural South Carolina and early influences
05:50 Discussing the impact of Rafael's upbringing on his business philosophy
07:44 Rafael's decision to attend Dartmouth College
10:27 Family influence on Rafael's academic pursuits
12:04 Rafael's experiences at Dartmouth and choosing his major
14:30 Summer internship at Bay Wolf restaurant in Oakland
16:55 Influential professors and classmates at Dartmouth
18:22 Post-graduation experiences and working at Yale
23:20 Comparing cooking experiences on the West Coast and East Coast
26:38 Entering Yale's biomedical program and the Friday Harbor experience
29:48 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1836 Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI. Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics. No No 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 4 | Revolutionizing Cancer Detection & Therapy | Harnessing Synthetic Biology to Reshape Diagnostics | Solving Biotech’s Toughest Problems https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkm377n-cyriac-roeding-part-4 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 4 | Revolutionizing Cancer Detection & Therapy | Harnessing Synthetic Biology to Reshape Diagnostics | Solving Biotech’s Toughest Problems 109 No No 70w78660 Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. 

Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • How a Thanksgiving article about Dr. Sam Gambhir inspired the founding of Earli
  • Earli’s groundbreaking approach to revolutionizing cancer detection using synthetic biology
  • The challenges of translating scientific discoveries into real-world clinical applications
  • Overcoming obstacles and achieving breakthroughs in diagnostics and therapeutics
  • Cyriac’s unwavering commitment to transforming cancer into a manageable condition

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/
Andreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.com/
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:08 How a Thanksgiving article about Dr. Sam Gambhir inspired Earli’s founding
05:43 Meeting Dr. Gambhir and learning biology as a non-scientist entrepreneur
09:02 Discovering the “one idea” that led to Earli’s revolutionary synthetic biology approach
12:54 Earli’s mission to transform cancer detection and diagnostics
17:30 Overcoming major challenges and achieving breakthroughs in diagnostics accuracy
21:54 The emotional and scientific legacy of Dr. Gambhir and its impact on Earli’s vision
26:28 Earli’s innovative approach to bridging diagnostics and therapeutics
30:05 The business potential of Earli’s platform for cancer and other diseases
33:04 Cyriac’s advice on taking the road less traveled as an entrepreneur
35:41 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2265 Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Part 4 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. No No 🧬Cyriac Roeding - Part 3 | Founding Shopkick During the 2008 Financial Crisis | Transforming Retail with Mobile Tech | Exploring AI’s Use in Clinical Trials & Reshaping Drug Development https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0qy7k8-cyriac-roeding-part-3 🧬Cyriac Roeding - Part 3 | Founding Shopkick During the 2008 Financial Crisis | Transforming Retail with Mobile Tech | Exploring AI’s Use in Clinical Trials & Reshaping Drug Development 108 No No p1kp7w90 Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. 

Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • Launching Shopkick during the 2008 financial crisis and securing funding against the odds
  • Partnering with Best Buy, Macy’s, and Target to pioneer in-store rewards using ultrasound technology
  • Overcoming GPS limitations with innovative hardware solutions
  • Switching from retail tech to life sciences, with a focus on AI and engineering
  • Cyriac’s vision for digital clinical trials to accelerate drug development

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
AI in Drug Development & Clinical Trials: https://www.earli.com/post/how-ai-is-powering-earlis-mission

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:58 Joining Kleiner Perkins as an entrepreneur-in-residence
05:43 Developing the idea for Shopkick
08:20 Securing Best Buy as a partner and navigating retailer challenges
11:11 Using ultrasound technology to solve GPS limitations for in-store tracking
13:25 Partnering with major brands and scaling Shopkick to profitability
16:25 Transitioning to life sciences and shifting focus to biology and AI
20:18 Exploring the potential of digital clinical trials
24:05 The intersection of biology, engineering, and software as the next frontier
27:57 Cyriac’s vision for the future of drug development
31:30 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1945 Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. Part 3 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. No No 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 2 | From Digital Clocks to Global Mobile Marketing | Cracking Coca-Cola's 160 Million Bottle Code | Silicon Valley's Pine-Scented Entrepreneurship | Leapfrogging Technology in the Amazon Jungle https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkm6xpn-cyriac-roeding-part-2 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 2 | From Digital Clocks to Global Mobile Marketing | Cracking Coca-Cola's 160 Million Bottle Code | Silicon Valley's Pine-Scented Entrepreneurship | Leapfrogging Technology in the Amazon Jungle 107 No No 70w7myl0 Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. 

Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
  • How Cyriac's early fascination with technology manifested through building a digital clock from scratch
  • The transformative experience in Tokyo that served as a "reset button," exposing him to radical cultural differences
  • His strategic career progression from Roland Berger to McKinsey
  • The pivotal move from a failing mobile auction business to pioneering "mobile marketing" 
  • The challenging transition to CBS Mobile, where starting from zero employees allowed him to leapfrog competitors by implementing innovative features 

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!

Links

Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and recap of previous episode with Cyriac Roeding
02:06 Cyriac's experience moving to Japan and cultural observations
03:58 Early technology interests: building digital clocks and programming robots
07:44 Discussion on trial and error in business and innovation
09:21 First job experiences at Roland Berger consulting in Tokyo and Munich
12:14 Journey to McKinsey and writing "The Secrets of Software Success"
14:09 First visit to Silicon Valley and falling in love with the entrepreneurial spirit
16:20 Starting a mobile technology company during the dot-com era
20:26 Success with Coca-Cola mobile marketing campaign and company profitability
22:01 Moving to CBS and initial challenges in Los Angeles
25:06 Building CBS Mobile strategy and innovative mobile initiatives
27:06 World travels observing mobile phone usage across different cultures
29:52 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1850 Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. No No 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 1 | From Flea Market Entrepreneur to Silicon Valley CEO | Reinvention During an Exchange Year | Finding Perspective in Japanese Business Culture https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn5523xn-cyriac-roeding-part-1-from-flea-market-entrepreneur-to-silicon-valley-ceo-reinvention-during-an-exchange-year-finding-perspective-in-japanese-business-culture 🧬 Cyriac Roeding - Part 1 | From Flea Market Entrepreneur to Silicon Valley CEO | Reinvention During an Exchange Year | Finding Perspective in Japanese Business Culture 106 No No 80qq2m60 Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker - overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. 

Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • How Cyriac's entrepreneurial journey began at age 8 selling at flea markets, leading to selling his first computer program at 15 to a newspaper company
  • His transformative exchange year in Texas at age 16 and how it allowed Cyriac to reset his identity
  • How his graduation event transformed his school into a beach with Coca-Cola sponsorship and TV coverage
  • How he created and hosted a late-night radio show, balancing academic demands with creative pursuits
  • How his experience studying in Japan revealed valuable lessons about cultural perspectives

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology https://www.kit.edu/english/index.php 

People Mentioned:
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:06 Early life in Germany and first entrepreneurial experiences at local flea markets
05:03 First job experience at a newspaper company and selling software at age 15
08:59 Exchange student experience in Texas and transformation from German school life
10:52 Life with host families in Texas and personal growth
14:29 Return to Germany and fresh start at a new school
16:31 Early business ventures, teaching computer skills and running a company at 17
20:14 High school graduation and organizing a Coca-Cola sponsored beach event
21:37 University decisions and pursuing industrial engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
26:54 Journey to studying in Japan and securing a scholarship
30:44 Cultural lessons in Japan: experiencing different value systems and problem-solving approaches
36:30 Outro

The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 30 Dec 2024 11:31:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2244 Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker - overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker - overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups. No No 🧬 Kate Neville - Part 4 | Balancing IP Enforcement & Licensing | Leveraging Shelved Pharma Assets | Building Resilient IP Portfolios https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnm5q7mn-kate-neville-part-4 🧬 Kate Neville - Part 4 | Balancing IP Enforcement & Licensing | Leveraging Shelved Pharma Assets | Building Resilient IP Portfolios 105 No No 71vlv5r1 Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. 

Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • Why securing a patent is only the first step in IP protection
  • Weighing litigation versus licensing to safeguard your IP
  • Leveraging technology transfer and academic collaborations for innovation
  • Driving innovation through incremental advancements in your IP portfolio
  • Kate’s journey from scientist to partner, with insightful advice for those navigating career transitions

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Marshall Gerstein: https://www.marshallip.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:04 The challenges of enforcing IP protections
03:46 Balancing litigation and licensing as a business decision
07:13 Technology transfer breakdown and how to secure your next big idea
09:07 Exploring shelved pharma compounds as IP opportunities
11:29 Avoiding common IP pitfalls for biotech startups
14:10 The value of fresh perspectives in biotech entrepreneurship
16:35 Challenges of transitioning from the bench to law practice
20:52 Insights into life as a partner in an IP law firm
23:09 2-year vision at Marshall Gerstein
26:42 Closing questions and advice for biotech founders
29:47 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1908 Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. No No 🧬Kate Neville - Part 3 | Fundamentals of IP Strategy for Biotechs | Safeguarding Discoveries & Technology | Aligning Science with Patents | Navigating Global Patent Considerations https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18209jx8-kate-neville-part-3 🧬Kate Neville - Part 3 | Fundamentals of IP Strategy for Biotechs | Safeguarding Discoveries & Technology | Aligning Science with Patents | Navigating Global Patent Considerations 104 No No 209q82l0 Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. 🧬The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. 

Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • Building a strong foundation for your IP and the importance of well-crafted provisional applications.
  • Aligning scientific advancements with proactive patent strategies to maximize long-term value.
  • The critical timing for startups to address IP concerns, from tech transfer to scaling operations.
  • The nuances of international patenting and strategic decisions on global protections.
  • Practical tips for founders on prioritizing IP investments to strengthen their company and attract investors.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!


Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Marshall Gerstein: https://www.marshallip.com/
Resources for Biotech Startups: https://www.excedr.com/resources/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:09 How to approach intellectual property (IP) as a biotech startup
05:06 When to start thinking about your IP portfolio and strategy
08:52 How much time does it take to protect your IP, and what are the phases?
11:26 Some best practices for global IP protections
14:07 Importance of patents to investors, and the timing behind raising capital
15:54 How does IP strategy differ from company to company?
17:37 Patent offices’ outlook on broad platform protections
22:18 Thought process behind picking which IP to hold or sell
25:01 Fundamental aspects of a solid IP strategy
29:08 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1793 Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. No No 🧬Kate Neville - Part 2 | Navigating Law School as a Scientist | From Patent Agent to Lawyer | Thriving at the Intersection of Science & Law | Continuous Learning in Diverse Scientific Fields https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2092xn-kate-neville-part-2 🧬Kate Neville - Part 2 | Navigating Law School as a Scientist | From Patent Agent to Lawyer | Thriving at the Intersection of Science & Law | Continuous Learning in Diverse Scientific Fields 103 No No 219q84l1 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. 🧬The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. 

Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Kate's transition from patent agent to lawyer, highlighting challenges of pursuing a law degree while working full-time
  • The culture shock scientists face in law school, adjusting to ambiguity and lack of definitive answers
  • The extensive reading required in law school compared to scientific literature, requiring a different approach
  • The collegial culture at Kate's law firm, fostering an environment where former scientists can thrive
  • How patent law work provides exposure to diverse scientific fields, offering continuous learning opportunities

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.


Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun https://www.marshallip.com/ 

Intellectual Property 101: Types & Uses https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide 
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:24 Kate discusses taking the patent bar and transitioning from patent agent to pursuing law school
04:14 Experience of working full-time while attending law school at night
06:56 Challenges scientists face when transitioning to law school, particularly dealing with ambiguity
09:28 Discussion about the different types of reading required in law school versus scientific papers
12:20 Kate describes her law firm's culture and what made her stay throughout her career
16:02 Benefits of having broad scientific knowledge and crossdisciplinary experience
18:49 Working with scientist clients and keeping up with evolving technologies
20:05 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1250 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. No No 🧬 Kate Neville - Part 1 | From Youngest of Six to Patent Law Pioneer | When Chemistry Sets Spark Scientific Careers | Leading Through Autonomy | Serendipitous Path from Lab Bench to IP Law https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80qy57n-kate-neville-part-1 🧬 Kate Neville - Part 1 | From Youngest of Six to Patent Law Pioneer | When Chemistry Sets Spark Scientific Careers | Leading Through Autonomy | Serendipitous Path from Lab Bench to IP Law 102 No No p0kp75w1 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • How growing up as youngest of six influenced Kate's leadership style of giving autonomy while providing guidance
  • How early exposure to science through her father's engineering and a chemistry set ignited her scientific interests
  • The research at Michigan's yeast lab and Northwestern's MS research that developed key multitasking abilities
  • Kate’s unexpected shift from bench science to patent law through colleagues at Marshall Gerstein
  • How career paths in science evolved from strictly academic to broader acceptance of industry and alternative paths

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.


Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun https://www.marshallip.com/ 
Northwestern University https://www.northwestern.edu/ 

Intellectual Property 101: Types & Uses https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide 
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:26 Kate's background growing up as the youngest of six children
05:36 Kate's leadership style and approach to management
07:33 Early exposure to science and developing an interest in chemistry
09:27 Exploring different scientific fields in university
11:56 Considering career paths and deciding on graduate school
12:54 Undergraduate lab experiences and summer research program
15:29 Choosing Northwestern for PhD and focus on immunology
18:29 Challenges and triumphs during graduate studies
21:43 Serendipitous introduction to patent law as a career path
25:05 Changing perceptions of non-academic career paths in science
27:22 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1681 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law. No No 🧬 Barry Ticho - Part 4 | Founding Verve Therapeutics Over Breakfast | Gene Editing for Cardiovascular Disease | Leadership Lessons From a First-Time Founder | Stoke’s Vision for RNA-Based Medicines https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vqxz9n-barry-ticho-part-4 🧬 Barry Ticho - Part 4 | Founding Verve Therapeutics Over Breakfast | Gene Editing for Cardiovascular Disease | Leadership Lessons From a First-Time Founder | Stoke’s Vision for RNA-Based Medicines 101 No No 70y7x630 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.

With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.

Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Founding Verve Therapeutics and pioneering gene editing for cardiovascular disease
  • Tackling medicine adherence with one-and-done gene therapies
  • Leadership lessons from starting and scaling biotech startups
  • How patient stories inspire innovation in genetic medicine
  • Stoke’s vision for genetic medicine and transformative treatments for diseases like Dravet syndrome

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.


Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/
Google Ventures: https://www.gv.com/
Mass General Hospital: https://www.massgeneral.org/
Brigham and Women’s Hospital: https://www.brighamandwomens.org/
University of Pennsylvania: https://www.upenn.edu/
RNA-Based Medicines for Rare Disease Treatment: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-022-05075-2
Scaling Biotechs to Meet Key Milestones with Leasing: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-leasing-helps-biotechs-scale-efficiently

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:15 Founding Verve Therapeutics over breakfast
05:31 Gene editing for cardiovascular disease: The PCSK9 story
07:49 Barry’s experience as a first-time CEO
12:01 Joining Stoke Therapeutics and exploring RNA-based medicines
16:56 Building strong networks and the value of professional connections
22:09 Transitioning Stoke from private to public company
26:29 Hiring wisely and making difficult decisions quickly
30:09 Chief medical officer lessons: patient focus and team amplification
33:25 Stoke’s future: Dravet syndrome trials and pipeline expansion
35:12 Shouts and advice to younger self
37:23 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2380 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. No No 🧬 Barry Ticho - Part 3 | Lessons From Rigorous Drug Development | Industry vs. Academic Research Standards | A Patient-Centered Approach to Clinical Trials | How RNA is Shaping Modern Medicine https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28x01rj8-barry-ticho-part-3 🧬 Barry Ticho - Part 3 | Lessons From Rigorous Drug Development | Industry vs. Academic Research Standards | A Patient-Centered Approach to Clinical Trials | How RNA is Shaping Modern Medicine 100 No No 60m6lqp1 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.

With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.

Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Barry’s switch from academia to industry, and the challenges of his role at Merck
  • Navigating drug development and the rigorous standards of pharmaceutical research
  • Leading patient-centered clinical development at Biogen to create impactful therapies
  • Exploring the potential of RNA medicine at Pfizer and Moderna
  • Working on Moderna’s lipid nanoparticle technology, the basis for the COVID-19 vaccine

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.

Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Topics Mentioned:
Wave Biosciences: https://wavelifesciences.com/ 
Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/ 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:06 Transitioning from academia to Merck
03:41 Rigorous drug development processes at Merck
06:00 Industry vs. academia: reproducibility and research quality in pharma
08:35 Patient-centered clinical trials at Biogen
09:45 Phases of clinical trials and ensuring patient access
14:06 Challenges in drug approval: biology, regulations, and precision medicine
18:24 Biogen’s focus on impactful therapies for severe diseases
23:14 Joining Pfizer for cardiovascular research and RNA exploration
27:04 Exploring RNA therapeutics at Pfizer and transitioning to Moderna
30:21 Driving lipid nanoparticle breakthroughs at Moderna
36:23 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2229 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. No No 🧬Barry Ticho - Part 2 | Zebrafish Hearts & Pediatric Cardiology | Balancing Lab Work & Clinical Practice | Navigating Academic Medicine's Challenges | The Draw of Biopharma & Translational Medicine https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnlxv1rn-barry-ticho-part-2-zebrafish-hearts-pediatric-cardiology-balancing-lab-work-clinical-practice-navigating-academic-medicine-s-challenges-the-draw-of-biopharma-translational-medicine 🧬Barry Ticho - Part 2 | Zebrafish Hearts & Pediatric Cardiology | Balancing Lab Work & Clinical Practice | Navigating Academic Medicine's Challenges | The Draw of Biopharma & Translational Medicine 99 No No x0lnzmw0 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.

With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.

Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Pioneering research using transparent zebrafish embryos to study cardiac development
  • Helping establish the myCHOICE program at University of Chicago
  • Managing concurrent roles at Harvard Medical School and Mass General
  • Gaining invaluable crisis management experience as a pediatric cardiologist leading emergency resuscitations
  • Making the strategic career transition to biopharma to combine basic science with clinical work

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.


Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
University of Chicago https://www.uchicago.edu/en 
Harvard Medical School https://hms.harvard.edu/ 
Boston Children's Hospital https://www.childrenshospital.org/ 
Massachusetts General Hospital https://www.massgeneral.org/
Northwestern University https://www.northwestern.edu/ 

Medical Imaging: Modalities & Types of Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-imaging-and-radiology-overview 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro 
02:16 Transitioning from grad school to Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital
04:19 The importance of rotations and exploring different career paths
06:48 Fascination with cardiac development: From four cells to a complex organ
08:24 Advice on continuous learning and career exploration
10:49 The shift in academia: From textbooks to startups
12:09 Zebrafish research: Transparent insights into cardiac development
14:44 The rewards and challenges of practicing pediatric cardiology
16:57 Learning from brilliant colleagues: "Steel sharpens steel"
18:18 Avoiding comparison: "Comparison is the thief of joy"
20:59 Gaining perspective on emergencies: From cardiac arrests to business crises
23:46 The catalyst for transitioning to industry: Combining science and clinical interests
26:27 The changing landscape of medicine and the appeal of biopharma
27:18 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1684 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. No No 🧬Barry Ticho - Stoke Therapeutics - Part 1 | From Family of Physicians to Vision-Driven Scientist | Barry’s MD-PhD Journey | Leadership Through Critical Thinking & Resilience | The Journey From Academia to Industry https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkm9pkn-barry-ticho-stoke-therapeutics-part-1 🧬Barry Ticho - Stoke Therapeutics - Part 1 | From Family of Physicians to Vision-Driven Scientist | Barry’s MD-PhD Journey | Leadership Through Critical Thinking & Resilience | The Journey From Academia to Industry 98 No No 70w7xlz0 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.

With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.

Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Barry's upbringing as one of five boys in a family of physicians
  • A transformative moment watching a child regain sight that crystallized his career path
  • His foundational experiences at Haverford College where he discovered his passion for biology
  • His journey through the MD-PhD program at the University of Chicago
  • How education, critical thinking, and resilience shaped his leadership approach

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.


Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Haverford University https://www.haverford.edu/ 
University of Chicago https://www.uchicago.edu/en 
Harvard Medical School https://hms.harvard.edu/ 
Boston Children's Hospital https://www.childrenshospital.org/ 


People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:04 Barry's background and introduction
03:37 Growing up in a family of Holocaust survivor physicians
05:29 Four out of five brothers choosing medicine
07:14 Early exposure to ophthalmology and patient care
09:27 The transformative moment: witnessing a child regain sight
12:45 Choosing Haverford and discovering biology
14:06 Early laboratory experiences and liberal arts education
19:05 The path to University of Chicago's MD-PhD program
22:13 First research experiences with RNA and transcription
23:55 Graduate school years: freedom and scientific method
30:15 Mentorship style and thesis advisor's influence
33:05 Leadership lessons from graduate training
36:28 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:23:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2224 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines. With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas. Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field. No No 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 4 | Partnership Strategies with Big Pharma | Balancing Science & Business | Leveraging AI in Drug Discovery | The Vision for Transcripta Bio https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnlxvprn-chris-moxham-transcripta-bio-part-4 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 4 | Partnership Strategies with Big Pharma | Balancing Science & Business | Leveraging AI in Drug Discovery | The Vision for Transcripta Bio 97 No No x0lnzxw0 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide.

With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities.

Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • The complexities of building partnerships with Big Pharma as a startup
  • Insights on developing relationships with larger organizations and patient foundations
  • The importance of mutual goals and the art of aligning incentives 
  • Transcripta’s progress with their groundbreaking Drug-Gene Atlas, combining genetics, AI, and high-throughput data to redefine the future of drug discovery

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.


Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Eli Lilly & Company: https://www.lilly.com/
Fulcrum Therapeutics: https://www.fulcrumtx.com/

People Mentioned:
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and recap
02:09 Partnering with Big Pharma and the urgency of startups
04:13 Learning business development and building successful partnerships
06:18 Understanding stakeholder involvement and approval layers in Big Pharma
09:42 Transcripta's collaborations with patient foundations and medical institutions
11:31 Ideal partnerships with academic institutions and aligning incentives
15:53 The importance of partnership alignment, building trust within the org
20:47 Transcripta Bio's vision for the future
21:52 Shoutouts and advice to younger self
24:45 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:18:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1591 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. No No 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 3 | Embracing the Startup Challenge | Mastering Science-to-Business Communication | Building a Scalable Discovery Engine | Leveraging AI & Genetics in Drug Development https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m529z8-chris-moxham-transcripta-bio-part-3 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 3 | Embracing the Startup Challenge | Mastering Science-to-Business Communication | Building a Scalable Discovery Engine | Leveraging AI & Genetics in Drug Development 96 No No 70vlxw80 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide.

With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities.

Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Chris’ transition from Eli Lilly to the startup world, embracing the excitement and uncertainty of a smaller company.
  • Navigating investor relations and honing the skill of translating science into business language.
  • Developing Transcripta Bio’s discovery engine, a scalable approach to drug discovery.
  • Leveraging AI, genetics, and high-throughput data to reduce failure points in drug development.

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.


Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Eli Lilly & Company: https://www.lilly.com/
Fulcrum Therapeutics: https://www.fulcrumtx.com/
Transcripta Bio’s Discovery Engine: https://www.transcriptabio.com/what-we-do

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:12 Chris's Transition to Fulcrum: moving from Big Pharma to a smaller Biotech
03:42 Mastering investor relations and learning to translate science into business language
06:07 Lessons from an IPO and building rapport with investors
08:00 Life as CSO of a Public Company and the importance of media training
14:57 Building Transcripta Bio’s Discovery Engine and repurposing to accelerate value creation
20:08 Leveraging AI in drug discovery and creating new opportunities in CNS and oncology
23:52 Scaling drug discovery innovation and building the Drug-Gene Atlas
25:09 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1553 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities. Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders. No No 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 2 | From Eli Lilly Recruit to NYC Lab Builder | Leading High-Stakes Drug Discovery | Pioneering Quantitative Biology | "Making the Trains Run on Time" https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1820q1j8-chris-moxham-transcripta-bio-part-2 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 2 | From Eli Lilly Recruit to NYC Lab Builder | Leading High-Stakes Drug Discovery | Pioneering Quantitative Biology | "Making the Trains Run on Time" 95 No No 209q5p20 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world.

Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. 

Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • How he got recruited to Eli Lilly through persistent outreach by VP Jose Caro, who recognized Chris's potential 
  • How Chris advanced rapidly from obesity research to heading lead generation biology at Lilly Indianapolis
  • His experience successfully leading a complex $20M lab buildout in NYC after Lilly's ImClone acquisition
  • Transitioning to biotech as CSO at Fulcrum Therapeutics, where he gained valuable experience in investor relations and helped raise $200M in public markets
  • What it means to serve as CEO developing an innovative "drug machine" platform that combines machine learning with wet lab approaches 

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.


Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Fulcrum Therapeutics https://www.fulcrumtx.com/

Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:49 Intro
02:31 "The Power of Persistence in Recruiting" - How Jose Caro's personal outreach convinced Chris to join Eli Lilly
05:31 Early days at Lilly: Transitioning from obesity research to high-throughput screening platforms
08:18 Leadership evolution: Key lessons in scaling from small teams to managing 45+ scientists
12:16 Cultural contrasts: Navigating the different environments between Merck and Eli Lilly
14:48 "Making Your Own Opportunities" - How Chris engineered his move to Lilly's NYC labs
17:31 Building from the ground up: Creating Quantitative Biology for antibody discovery despite initial resistance
20:20 The biotech leap: Transitioning to Fulcrum and experiencing the startup world
23:07 Leading a $20M lab buildout: Unexpected challenges in construction and coordination
27:23 "Making the trains run on time" - Critical lessons in project management and execution
28:50 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1774 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. No No 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 1 | From Long Island to Biotech Pioneer | Cornell's Pivotal Role in Research Passion | Strategic Leap to Pharma Industry | Cultivating Effective Leadership in Science https://podcasts.fame.so/e/58zxk328-chris-moxham-transcripta-bio-part-1 🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 1 | From Long Island to Biotech Pioneer | Cornell's Pivotal Role in Research Passion | Strategic Leap to Pharma Industry | Cultivating Effective Leadership in Science 94 No No 81z7x5p0 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world.

Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. 

Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Chris’ childhood growing up on Long Island and his experience with early heart surgery at 12 years old
  • How those early experiences shaped his passion for science and medicine 
  • His pivotal experiences at Cornell University, where a summer fellowship studying insulin signaling sparked his transition from pre-med to research 
  • His groundbreaking PhD research at SUNY Stony Brook developing transgenic mice, leading to publications in Science and Nature 
  • The strategic decision to pursue pharmaceutical research over academia, leveraging key connections to launch his industry career at Wyeth 
  • His leadership philosophy’s emphasis on respect, teamwork, and balancing immediate results with long-term vision

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.

Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
SUNY Stony Brook https://www.stonybrook.edu/ 

Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research

Timestamps:
00:49 Intro
03:18 Chris's upbringing as the youngest of 7 children on Long Island
06:07 The influence of Chris's parents on his leadership style
08:20 Family dynamics and expectations growing up in a large household
11:06 Choosing Cornell University and the path to pre-med
14:30 Securing research opportunities and working with scientific luminaries as an undergraduate
16:28 PhD experience at SUNY Stony Brook in Craig Malbon's lab
18:36 The impact of mentorship and the drive for impactful research
20:55 Craig Malbon's lab structure and management style
22:49 Balancing immediate results with long-term planning in research
24:35 Transitioning from academia to industry: Chris's first opportunity at Wyeth
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1924 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world. Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities. Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech. No No 🧬Michael Chen - Nuclera - Part 2 | From Grad Student to Biotech CEO | Unique Challenges Combining Science & Business | Developing Breakthrough Products | Building Partnerships with Big Pharma | Creating a Biotech GTM Strategy https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj0y1kn-michael-chen-nuclera-part-2 🧬Michael Chen - Nuclera - Part 2 | From Grad Student to Biotech CEO | Unique Challenges Combining Science & Business | Developing Breakthrough Products | Building Partnerships with Big Pharma | Creating a Biotech GTM Strategy 93 No No 40pmq2z1 Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 2: Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. 

Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field.

Michael’s experiences at the lab bench and as a CEO make this conversation one you don’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Michael’s journey from graduate studies to co-founding Nuclera
  • The unique challenges scientists encounter in the business world
  • The importance of adaptability and key lessons in developing/marketing a breakthrough product
  • Michael’s insights into navigating big pharma’s lengthy sales cycles and building successful partnerships
  • Creating a Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for a biotech and identifying early adopters

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Michael Chen.

Links:


Find Our Guest, Michael Chen, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:


Topics Mentioned:
Nuclear’s Protein Platform: https://www.nuclera.com/technology/
eProtein Discovery Instrument: https://www.nuclera.com/system/instrument/
Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:

00:49 Intro
02:44 Key differences between graduate studies and entrepreneurship
06:21 Succeeding as a startup: idea vs. ability to execute
07:43 Nuclera's mission and the importance of de novo DNA synthesis
11:09 Where the DNA synthesis market is headed and Nuclera's evolution
14:19 Do you want to compete with or empower the protein maker?
16:35 Conceptualizing Nuclera's Go-to-Market strategy
21:20 Figuring out how to explain and market Nuclera's technology
31:52 Building successful partnerships with Big Pharma
39:21 Excedr's leading indicators of commercial success
45:40 Nuclera's sales enablement and focus on in-person events
55:29 Michael's goals for Nuclera and improving operations, sales, marketing, etc.
58:31 Shout-outs and advice to younger self
01:03:00 Outro


The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:42:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3871 Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field. Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field. No No 🧬Michael Chen - Nuclera - Part 1 | Influence of a Data-Driven Family | Do the Dishes in a Lab | NIH-Oxford Cambridge Scholarship Program | What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n92mj38-michael-chen-nuclera-part-1 🧬Michael Chen - Nuclera - Part 1 | Influence of a Data-Driven Family | Do the Dishes in a Lab | NIH-Oxford Cambridge Scholarship Program | What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There 92 No No v07vrw21 Part 1 of 2: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings his rich background and insights to our podcast. Before becoming the Co-Founder of Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his Ph,D in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. Having worked under some of the leading scientists in their field Michael also has 9 scientific publications to his name. His past experiences both at the lab bench and as a CEO make these episodes ones you don’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 2: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings his rich background and insights to our podcast.

Before becoming the Co-Founder of Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his Ph,D in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. Having worked under some of the leading scientists in their field Michael also has 9 scientific publications to his name. His past experiences both at the lab bench and as a CEO make these episodes ones you don’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • The influence of growing up in a data-driven family
  • Learning to do the damn dishes in the lab
  • Getting into the NIH Oxford Cambridge Scholarship Program
  • Learning that what got us here won’t get us to where we need to be
  • Differences between lab work in the UK versus the US

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Michael Chen!


Find Our Guest, Michael Chen, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Enriched Notes

Topics Mentioned:
Emory University
NIH Oxford Cambridge Scholars Program: https://oxcam.gpp.nih.gov/ 
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture: https://www.iita.org/ 

How Core Lab Support Science Research: https://www.excedr.com/blog/core-labs 
What Type of Equipment is Used in Chemistry Research: https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-type-of-equipment-is-used-in-chemistry-research 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:

00:49 Intro
02:44 Growing up in a technical, data-driven family and other early life influences
06:24 Choosing appearances over function in elementary school
09:52 Family background of Jon Chee and how the Bay Area influenced Excedr
11:34 How researching crop science sparked an interest in scientific research
16:27 The secret of getting access to Emory's labs via Georgia Tech
18:02 Learning to "Do the damn dishes" in the lab at Georgia Tech
23:00 Getting his PhD through the NIH Oxford Cambridge Scholarship Program
29:01 Challenges and culture shock of doing research in Nigeria
32:57 Lessons of resilience entrepreneurs can learn from having limited resources
36:31 Running a startup is like spinning lots of plates
40:15 "What got us here won't get us there" and knowing when it's time to spend
45:49 What it was like working in labs in the UK versus the US
48:08 Differences between the UK and US Ph.D tracks
52:11 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3171 Part 1 of 2: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings his rich background and insights to our podcast. Before becoming the Co-Founder of Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his Ph,D in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. Having worked under some of the leading scientists in their field Michael also has 9 scientific publications to his name. His past experiences both at the lab bench and as a CEO make these episodes ones you don’t want to miss. Part 1 of 2: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings his rich background and insights to our podcast. Before becoming the Co-Founder of Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his Ph,D in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. Having worked under some of the leading scientists in their field Michael also has 9 scientific publications to his name. His past experiences both at the lab bench and as a CEO make these episodes ones you don’t want to miss. No No 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 4 | Transitioning to Seattle Genetics & Business Development | Insights from Roche’s Acquisition | Building a Transformative Oncology Pipeline with Bonum Therapeutics https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvqlxx8-neela-patel-bonum-therapeutics-part-4 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 4 | Transitioning to Seattle Genetics & Business Development | Insights from Roche’s Acquisition | Building a Transformative Oncology Pipeline with Bonum Therapeutics 91 No No 71y7pxx1 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. Part 4 of 4: 

Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development.

Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. 

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Neela’s transition from AbbVie to Seattle Genetics and business development
  • Her meeting with Good Therapeutics CEO and how it changed her career trajectory
  • Her move to Good Therapeutics as Chief Business Development Officer
  • Neela’s experience leading Good through its acquisition by Roche, and the importance of strategic deal structuring
  • Her current role as CBO of Bonum Therapeutics and focus on developing cytokine therapies for oncology

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Neela Patel!


Find Our Guest, Neela Patel, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Bonum Therapeutics: https://bonumtx.com/
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations

People Mentioned:

Timestamps: 
00:00 Intro
02:03 Neela’s motivation to join Good Therapeutics, meeting CEO John Mulligan
04:12 Evaluating startup teams and the importance of board alignment
07:01 Building trust with the board and John Mulligan’s approach
09:24 Structuring the Roche deal for streamlined transition
10:46 Good Therapeutics’ culture and team transition to Bonum
13:08 Understanding investor motivations and startup priorities
14:48 Reflections on shifting from buy-side to sell-side
21:46 Bonum’s focus on reducing toxicity in oncology and their clinical pipeline goals
27:37 Shout-outs to career mentors and advice for younger self
31:02 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1970 Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 3 | Developing Pipeline Strategy at Poniard Pharmaceuticals | Business & Corporate Development in Oncology | Transitioning from Abbott to AbbVie to Seagen https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n3m3qkn-neela-patel-bonum-therapeutics-part-3 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 3 | Developing Pipeline Strategy at Poniard Pharmaceuticals | Business & Corporate Development in Oncology | Transitioning from Abbott to AbbVie to Seagen 90 No No m1j2p4v1 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. Part 3 of 4: 

Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development.

Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. 

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Neela’s transition from Genentech to Poniard Pharmaceuticals
  • Her collaboration with Greg Hageman on age-related macular degeneration
  • Raising $37 million in Series A financing
  • Neela’s role at Poniard developing pipeline strategy with the head of chemistry
  • Her experiences at Abbott and AbbVie as Director of Global External Research and Search & Evaluation, respectively.

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Neela Patel!


Find Our Guest, Neela Patel, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Antibody Drug Conjugates (Prime Antibody): https://www.excedr.com/resources/primary-antibody

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:50 Starting a company after Genentech experience
02:36 Greg Hageman’s key gene discovery and securing Series A funding
05:32 Developing pipeline strategy at Poniard
06:43 Transitioning to BD (Search and Evaluation) at Abbott
12:31 Spinning out AbbVie, Neela’s continued focus on Oncology
14:58 Fostering innovation and external ideas at AbbVie
16:51 Evaluating small companies & the biggest challenge of Search and Evaluation
20:13 Key factors for startups looking to partner with big pharma
26:32 Transitioning to Seattle Genetics (Seagen) and Corporate Development
29:28 Neela’s CorpDev experience, navigating unique challenges
34:03 Understanding how to diversify revenue streams and navigate cycles
39:01 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2406 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 2 | Leading an Academic Microbiology Lab | The Value of Personal Relationships in the Workplace | Leading a Team & Learning on the Job | The Volatility of an Acquisition https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m57lv8-neela-patel-bonum-therapeutics-part-2 🧬Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 2 | Leading an Academic Microbiology Lab | The Value of Personal Relationships in the Workplace | Leading a Team & Learning on the Job | The Volatility of an Acquisition 89 No No 70vl5j30 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 4: 

Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development.

Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. 

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Choosing Roche to help make small molecule drugs
  • Reflecting on first major management role
  • The communication required to work as an advisor to biotech companies
  • Working for SUGEN but getting a different job than the one she applied for
  • Dealing with the volatility of an acquisition

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Neela Patel!



Find Our Guest, Neela Patel, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:


Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:52 Choosing Roche because of its pedigree and ability to make small molecule drugs
03:34 Leading an academic microbiology lab and learning to work in that environment
06:46 Neela asking people for 45 minutes of their time to teach her.what she doesn’t know
10:22 Reflecting on her first major management role and some lessons she learned
12:53 Working as an adviser to cerebral biotech companies requires great communication
14:39 The value of getting to know your professional colleagues on a personal level
15:53 Transitioning to SUGEN (Pfizer) but getting a different job than the one she applied for
18:41 Being made team lead and having to quickly learn all about the product
22:02 The benefits of sales and why the negative stereotypes aren’t always right
24:01 What lead to changes in how companies view and treat their acquisitions
27:17 How pharma companies view the value of acquired companies technology
30:58 Dealing with the volatility of an acquisition and the value of past experiences
32:41 Looking back at her time at SUGEN and her accomplishments there
37:19 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2307 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development. Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 1 | Growing Up in an Intellectual Household | How One Biology Class Inspired Her | Working With Influential Scientists at DNAX | Pursuing the Intersection of Science & Business https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8ym7vp8-neela-patel-bonum-therapeutics-part-1 🧬 Neela Patel - Bonum Therapeutics - Part 1 | Growing Up in an Intellectual Household | How One Biology Class Inspired Her | Working With Influential Scientists at DNAX | Pursuing the Intersection of Science & Business 88 No No l04nr6j0 The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization. Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸. Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 1 of 4: 

Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Neela Patel, Chief Business Officer at Bonum Therapeutics who are developing protein therapeutics to be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Neela is a seasoned scientist and business development executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in drug discovery and development.

Before her time at Bonum Therapeutics Neela worked as the CBO at Good Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops cutting-edge protein-based drugs. Her impressive career also includes pivotal roles at Seattle Genetics, AbbVie, Abbott, and Genentech. Her extensive experience as both a scientist and business person give her unique insights you won’t want to miss. 

Join us this week to hear about:

  • How a college biology class lead to a Genentech internship
  • Getting inspired to pursue her PhD 
  • Working with influential scientists at DNAX
  • Joining an investment club and pursuing the intersection of science and business
  • Transitioning out of DNAX and cold calling people for her next opportunity

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Neela Patel!

Find Our Guest, Neela Patel, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:


People Mentioned:
Timestamps:

00:28 Intro
02:31 Growing up in an intellectual household with engaged, socially aware parents
07:08 How a college biology class lead to an internship at Genentech
10:06 Finding that lab work at Genentech was a perfect balance of togetherness and independence
13:05 Similarities between drug discovery and Neela’s cross disciplinary undergrad studies
16:18 Getting inspired by Genentech to pursue her PhD at UCLA
19:22 Choosing a lab focused on studying C. Elegans 
20:48 Looking at the progress of technology and the overall business environment over her career
25:18 Dealing with the steep learning curve of a PhD program and learning to not give up
27:24 Contemplating her next steps into her professional life and finally settling on DNAX
30:14 Working with influential scientists at DNAX Research Institute
32:18 Joining an investment club while pursuing the intersection of science and business
35:41 Transitioning out of DNAX and manually going through a directory searching for her next opportunity
40:02 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2462 The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization. Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸. Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization. Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸. Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. No No 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 4 | Building Ecotone AI to Cure Rare Diseases | Diffusion Transformers in Genomics | Synthetic Genomes for AI Training | Long-Term Vision for Genetic Breakthroughs https://podcasts.fame.so/e/l8q2wrzn-emalick-njie-ph-d-ecotone-part-4 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 4 | Building Ecotone AI to Cure Rare Diseases | Diffusion Transformers in Genomics | Synthetic Genomes for AI Training | Long-Term Vision for Genetic Breakthroughs 87 No No 80nkvjn1 Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. 

In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Ecotone AI's mission: leveraging AI to decode the human genome and address rare genetic diseases.
  • Ecotone's approach: using diffusion transformers to model genomes and generate synthetic genomic data.
  • eMalick’s focus on intentional company building to ensure sustainable growth.
  • Ecotone’s upcoming advancements in AI and genetics.

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Dr. eMalick Njie.

Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
St. Jude’s Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/
University of Florida: https://www.ufl.edu/
Language Models - Autoregressive vs. Diffusion-Based AI Models: https://sander.ai/2023/01/09/diffusion-language.html

People Mentioned:
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:49 Ecotone’s Mission and Goals
05:42 AI Models: Diffusion Transformers
10:41 AI’s Impact on Modern Biotech
12:09 Early Achievements and Company Momentum
14:56 Synthetic Genomes for Rare Genetic Diseases and the future of AI adoption
19:19 Future Plans: DNA Sora Development
24:12 Shoutouts and Personal Reflections
26:24 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self
28:42 Outro

#biotech #startups #podcast #biotechstartupspodcast #lifesciences #sciencepodcast #neuroscience #AI #ArtificiaIntelligence #genomics #genomes
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1841 Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬 eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 3 | Founding an AI-Powered Biotech | Overcoming Challenges & Personal Sacrifices | Importance of Team Alignment | Combining AI, Genetics, & Population Studies https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vqlw6n-emalick-njie-ph-d-ecotone-part-3 🧬 eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 3 | Founding an AI-Powered Biotech | Overcoming Challenges & Personal Sacrifices | Importance of Team Alignment | Combining AI, Genetics, & Population Studies 86 No No 70y7pvz0 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. 

In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Founding Genetic Intelligence and its mission to combine AI and genetics
  • Challenges of founding a company, personal sacrifices, and breakthroughs leading to NSF recognition
  • How company culture and leadership shifts led eMalick to leave Genetic Intelligence
  • The importance of building teams aligned with the original vision
  • Discovering population genetics through AI and the birth of Ecotone

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Dr. eMalick Njie!


Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Genetic Intelligence (now Genetic Leap): https://www.genetic-leap.com/
National Science Foundation (NSF): https://www.nsf.gov/
McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/
Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu/
Andreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.com/

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Introduction
01:58 Founding Genetic Intelligence
03:23 Early struggles, learning from challenges, and staying lean
08:32 The universal approximator and the role of AI at Genetic Intelligence
11:56 Early adoption of AI and growing momentum
16:30 AI and paradigm shifts
18:00 Scaling and growing a team, and the pitfalls of doing so
28:38 Building culture and hiring for vision
33:38 Launching think-tank Neurostorm and learning from failure
37:09 Transition to independent research
44:11 Discovering population genetics through AI
47:30 The birth of Ecotone and AI transformers
51:54 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3180 Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. Part 3 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 2 | What is Memory? | Playing “Stump the Professor” | Lab Coat Labs vs Sandals Labs | Wanting to Help People at Scale https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28x0zpv8-emalick-njie-ph-d-ecotone-part-2 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 2 | What is Memory? | Playing “Stump the Professor” | Lab Coat Labs vs Sandals Labs | Wanting to Help People at Scale 85 No No 60m6k2z1 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. 

In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Answering the question “What is memory?”
  • How playing “Stump the Professor” led eMalick to Columbia
  • Studying C Eligans in a sandals-wearing lab
  • The wide applicable uses for AI and ML in research
  • Wanting to help people at scale

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Dr. eMalick Njie!


Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:52 Moving to Florida and dealing with massive shifts in weather and culture
04:48 Experience working to answer the questions, “What is memory,” 
06:21 Studying the other extreme edge of memory, Alzheimer’s disease
10:43 Investigating possible plaque busting proteins
13:43 Benefits of having more freedom and other differences between MIT and Borchelt's Lab
16:25 Playing “Stump The Professor” with Martin Chalfie 
20:06 Getting both invited and challenged to write a proposal to study at Columbia
25:47 Learning to love the constant surprises and level of people in New York
29:46 Going from a lab coat lab to a sandals lab to study C Eligans at Columbia 
34:25 Researching neurons responsible for touch sensitivity in C Eligans
38:30 Martin Chalfie’s mentorship brilliant mentorship style allowing his students to grow
43:43 How a data deluge stemming from one of his experiments started his AI/ML journey 
49:53 Choosing the entrepreneurship path and wanting to help people at scale
54:27 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3303 Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a healthcare company that is using AI to find cures for inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 1 | Growing Up in the Gambia | The Unending Book of Neuroscience | Being a Professional Scientist | How to Lose Your MIT Recommendation Letter: 101 https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vql46n-emalick-njie-ph-d-ecotone-part-1-growing-up-in-the-gambia-the-unending-book-of-neuroscience-being-a-professional-scientist-how-to-lose-your-mit-recommendation-letter-101 🧬eMalick Njie, Ph.D - Ecotone - Part 1 | Growing Up in the Gambia | The Unending Book of Neuroscience | Being a Professional Scientist | How to Lose Your MIT Recommendation Letter: 101 84 No No 70y7pjz0 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a company that is looking to use AI to find cures for rare inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a company that is looking to use AI to find cures for rare inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. 

In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Growing up with hippie parents in the Gambia
  • Being in the first neuroscience class in the country at Northeastern University
  • Lessons learned in one on one conversations with a CEO
  • Experience working with Dr. Alice Ting while at MIT
  • Sticking to his principles and leaving MIT

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Dr. eMalick Njie!


Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:
Ecotone AI: https://ecotone.ai/ 

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:12 Early upbringing in the Gambia, early childhood, and how his unusual hippie parents shaped him into the scientist and entrepreneur he is today
04:32 Following his curiosity to his undergrad program Northeastern University to study the “unending book” of neuroscience
06:51 Being part of the first neuroscience class in the country and starting the trend of working under Nobel Prize winners, and/or those trained by Nobel Laureates 
11:17 First exposure to professional scientists while interning at Millennium Pharmaceuticals 
14:03 Lessons learned during his humanizing one-on-one conversations with the CEO
17:52 Comparing and contrasting his industry experience with his academia experience
19:58 Getting to MIT after graduating from NEU and working with Dr. Alice Ting
23:24 Dealing with challenging periods in your life and learning to persevere
25:28 Memorable and humbling challenge while working in Dr. Ting’s lab
30:18 “How do you lose your recommendation letter to MIT: 101” 
32:38 Choosing to moving on to University of Florida
36:51 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2271 Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a company that is looking to use AI to find cures for rare inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, eMalick Njie, CEO of Ecotone AI, a company that is looking to use AI to find cures for rare inherited diseases. eMalick is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur who has focused on blending his expertise in neuroscience with his knowledge of AI. In addition to founding two AI companies, Ecotone and Genetic Intelligence, eMalick received his PhD in Neurobiology and Neuroscience from the University of Florida. His extensive and diverse experience from being a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia university to being the CEO of the AI thinktank NeuroStorm makes our conversation with him one you won’t want to miss. No No 🧬Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 4 | Barbara’s Pivot into Banking | The Power of Mentorship & Resilience | Seizing Unexpected Opportunities | The Challenges of Building a Career in Science & Finance https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj0y91n-barbara-alcaraz-silva-j-p-morgan-part-4 🧬Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 4 | Barbara’s Pivot into Banking | The Power of Mentorship & Resilience | Seizing Unexpected Opportunities | The Challenges of Building a Career in Science & Finance 83 No No 40pmq821 Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara brings a wealth of experience as a former researcher, entrepreneur, and industry veteran. She has worked extensively with startups and early-stage ventures. Her scientific background is in Telomeres and DNA Repair research. Prior to her role at J.P. Morgan, Barbara advised biotech and medtech companies at Manos Accelerator, served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, and co-founded BioChron, an AI-driven biological aging tracking company. Her unique combination of scientific knowledge, business acumen, and investment/finance expertise makes her an invaluable resource for founders in the biotech space. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.

Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara brings a wealth of experience as a former researcher, entrepreneur, and industry veteran. She has worked extensively with startups and early-stage ventures. Her scientific background is in Telomeres and DNA Repair research. 

Prior to her role at J.P. Morgan, Barbara advised biotech and medtech companies at Manos Accelerator, served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, and co-founded BioChron, an AI-driven biological aging tracking company. Her unique combination of scientific knowledge, business acumen, and investment/finance expertise makes her an invaluable resource for founders in the biotech space.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Barbara’s unexpected pivot into banking
  • Her transition from SVB to J.P. Morgan
  • Her unique life sciences and entrepreneurial backgrounds
  • The importance of mentorship, resilience, and seizing unexpected opportunities
  • Navigating the challenges of building a career in both science and finance

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barbara Alcaraz Silva!



Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Excedr Socials & Website

Enriched Notes: 

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:18 Pivoting from Life Sciences Angels to SVB
10:24 Joining the Life Sciences practice and establishing the Early-Stage division
13:22 Transitioning to Private Equity and J.P. Morgan
16:16 The power of mentorship and mentor networks
17:46 Barbara Reflects on her pivot from Life Sciences Angels to J.P. Morgan
19:17 Why J.P. Morgan stands out and the impact of Barbara's group
23:58 The importance of business partners who understand the Life Sciences
27:55 How J.P. Morgan supports Growth-Stage companies
30:57 Barbara’s 2-year vision
34:34 Barbara’s shoutouts and advice to younger self
37:00 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:17:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2331 Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara brings a wealth of experience as a former researcher, entrepreneur, and industry veteran. She has worked extensively with startups and early-stage ventures. Her scientific background is in Telomeres and DNA Repair research. Prior to her role at J.P. Morgan, Barbara advised biotech and medtech companies at Manos Accelerator, served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, and co-founded BioChron, an AI-driven biological aging tracking company. Her unique combination of scientific knowledge, business acumen, and investment/finance expertise makes her an invaluable resource for founders in the biotech space. Jon Chee hosts our latest guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara brings a wealth of experience as a former researcher, entrepreneur, and industry veteran. She has worked extensively with startups and early-stage ventures. Her scientific background is in Telomeres and DNA Repair research. Prior to her role at J.P. Morgan, Barbara advised biotech and medtech companies at Manos Accelerator, served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, and co-founded BioChron, an AI-driven biological aging tracking company. Her unique combination of scientific knowledge, business acumen, and investment/finance expertise makes her an invaluable resource for founders in the biotech space. No No 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 3 | From Academia to Entrepreneurship, Investing, & Advising | Co-Founding a Startup | Challenges of Early-Stage Company Building | Improve Your Investor Pitch & Connect with the Right People https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn555yrn-barbara-alcaraz-silva-j-p-morgan-part-3 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 3 | From Academia to Entrepreneurship, Investing, & Advising | Co-Founding a Startup | Challenges of Early-Stage Company Building | Improve Your Investor Pitch & Connect with the Right People 82 No No 80qqq490 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara is a former researcher and entrepreneur, and an accomplished industry veteran. Her career has revolved around startups and early-stage ventures. As a graduate student, she focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Barbara was an advisor for biotech and medtech companies at the Manos Accelerator, where she provided mentorship in business development, fundraising, and other key areas. She also served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, where she invested in emerging biotechs and managed investor relationships. Additionally, Barbara co-founded BioChron, a company that leveraged AI and machine learning to track biological aging. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization. Lease the equipment you need with Excedr. Extend your runway, hit your milestones.

Know anyone who needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program.

Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara is a former researcher and entrepreneur, and an accomplished industry veteran. Her career has revolved around startups and early-stage ventures. As a graduate student, she focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair.
 
Before joining J.P. Morgan, Barbara was an advisor for biotech and medtech companies at the Manos Accelerator, where she provided mentorship in business development, fundraising, and other key areas. She also served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, where she invested in emerging biotechs and managed investor relationships. Additionally, Barbara co-founded BioChron, a company that leveraged AI and machine learning to track biological aging.

Barbara’s dedication to fostering a strong community in the biotech space, combined with her expertise in science, business, and investing, makes her conversation invaluable for founders.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Barbara’s transition from academia to entrepreneurship and industry 
  • Her experience co-founding Biochron, which built technologies to track biological aging using AI/ML
  • The challenges of early-stage company building
  • Her time as a mentor at the Manos Accelerator, and investment experience in early-stage ventures as a Senior Fellow at Life Science Angels
  • Advice for improving your investor pitch and connecting with the right people

Please enjoy my conversation with Barbara Alcaraz Silva.

Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research: https://divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:54 The story behind Barbara’s decision to create a startup
07:33 Experience as a Program Manager at UCSF
10:43 Key lessons learned from running a startup and working as a PM
16:03 Landing investment and advisory roles at the Manos Accelerator, Life Sciences Angels
21:49 Crash course in investing and company assessment
26:21 Advice for improving your investor pitch, connecting with the right people
33:33 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2080 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara is a former researcher and entrepreneur, and an accomplished industry veteran. Her career has revolved around startups and early-stage ventures. As a graduate student, she focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Barbara was an advisor for biotech and medtech companies at the Manos Accelerator, where she provided mentorship in business development, fundraising, and other key areas. She also served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, where she invested in emerging biotechs and managed investor relationships. Additionally, Barbara co-founded BioChron, a company that leveraged AI and machine learning to track biological aging. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. Barbara is a former researcher and entrepreneur, and an accomplished industry veteran. Her career has revolved around startups and early-stage ventures. As a graduate student, she focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Barbara was an advisor for biotech and medtech companies at the Manos Accelerator, where she provided mentorship in business development, fundraising, and other key areas. She also served as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, where she invested in emerging biotechs and managed investor relationships. Additionally, Barbara co-founded BioChron, a company that leveraged AI and machine learning to track biological aging. No No 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 2 | Mentorship & Research at the Beckman Laser Institute | An Entrepreneurial PhD Experience | Exploring Stem Cell Biology in London | Navigating Networking & Postdoc Opportunities https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnq22my8-barbara-alcaraz-silva-j-p-morgan-part-2 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 2 | Mentorship & Research at the Beckman Laser Institute | An Entrepreneurial PhD Experience | Exploring Stem Cell Biology in London | Navigating Networking & Postdoc Opportunities 81 No No 81nkk650 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization. Lease the equipment you need with Excedr. Extend your runway, hit your milestones.

Know anyone who needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s Referral Program.

Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.

Get your unique referral link by going to refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. 

After her time at Life Science Angels, Barbara became the Director of Early-Stage West Coast Life Science and Healthcare banking at SVB and is currently the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan, where she is leading the national life sciences and healthcare practice. Barbara’s dedication to building a strong community in the biotech space and her expertise in science, management, and investing make her conversation one that founders don’t want to miss.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Barbara’s academic journey and graduate school lab experience at UC Irvine
  • Her insights from her time at the Beckman Laser Institute and her groundbreaking research on DNA repair using lasers
  • Her international fellowship at King's College London, where she explored stem cell biology
  • How her transition to entrepreneurship was shaped by navigating different lab environments and overcoming funding challenges

Please enjoy my conversation with Barbara Alcaraz Silva.

Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes

Topics Mentioned:
UC Irvine: https://uci.edu/ 
Minority Science Program: https://msp.bio.uci.edu/
Beckman Laser Institute https://www.bli.uci.edu/
King’s College London https://www.kcl.ac.uk/

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:59 Episode starts, applying to grad school
06:07 Starting at the Beckman Laser Institute
12:18 Barbara’s first time managing a team during her PhD
16:24 Fellowship at King’s College London, postdoc experience at UCSF
19:31 Barbara shares her outreach efforts for postdoc positions and responses she received
23:46 Barbara discusses her experience at UCSF and the differences in lab culture
26:36 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:18:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1663 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. No No 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 1 | Living the American Dream & Emigrating From Mexico | Soaking Up Experiences & Embracing Opportunities | Researching at the Harvard of Mexico | Presenting In Spanish at a National Conference https://podcasts.fame.so/e/183mm3x8-barbara-alcaraz-silva-j-p-morgan-part-1 🧬 Barbara Alcaraz Silva - J.P. Morgan - Part 1 | Living the American Dream & Emigrating From Mexico | Soaking Up Experiences & Embracing Opportunities | Researching at the Harvard of Mexico | Presenting In Spanish at a National Conference 80 No No m0j22p90 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. 

After her time at Life Science Angels, Barbara became the Director of Early-Stage West Coast Life Science and Healthcare banking at SVB and is currently the Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan, where she is leading the national life sciences and healthcare practice. Barbara’s dedication to building a strong community in the biotech space and her expertise in science, management, and investing make her conversation one that founders don’t want to miss.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Barbara’s immigrant journey and how her upbringing played an important role in her lead-up to becoming a scientist-entrepreneur. 
  • Her path from community college to UC Irvine, where she gained essential lab experience, secured a research position in Plant Biology.
  • Her travels abroad to the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Please enjoy my conversation with Barbara Alcaraz Silva.

Find Our Guest, Barbara Alcaraz Silva, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes

Topics Mentioned:
UC Irvine: https://uci.edu/ 
Minority Science Program: https://msp.bio.uci.edu/
Sanitor Corporation: https://www.sanitorcorp.com/

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:24 Episode starts, Barbara's adolescence and immigrant upbringing, the start of community college in Orange County
10:08 Professors and classmates who built bonds and inspired the pursuit of science and chemistry, the struggle of learning English
15:31 Moving from the academic realm to industry and the cultural adjustments of becoming a project manager at Sanitor Corporation
19:58 The bumpy transfer from community college to UC Irvine and the unexpected love of biology
25:39 Lab experiences at UC Irvine, the opportunity of being a part of the Minority Science Program
31:03 Doing research abroad in Mexico at UNAM
35:46 Next steps after Mexico research and applying to grad school
37:18 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2299 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Barbara Alcaraz Silva, Executive Director of Early Stage Life Sciences and Healthcare, Startup Banking at J.P. Morgan. She is also a former scientist-entrepreneur whose graduate studies focused on Telomeres and DNA Repair. Barbara has worked with many startups, including co-founding her own company, BioChron. While at the Manos Accelerator, she worked as an advisor for Biotech and Medtech companies, providing mentorship in business, fundraising, and capital, and offering guidance to startup companies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Senior Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels, investing in up-and-coming biotechs and managing investor relationships. No No 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 4 | Building & Scaling Xcelience | Buy-Side vs. Sell-Side of M&A | The Importance of Continuous Learning | Transition into Investing & Board Member Work https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84xxxk8-derek-hennecke-kincell-bio-part-4 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 4 | Building & Scaling Xcelience | Buy-Side vs. Sell-Side of M&A | The Importance of Continuous Learning | Transition into Investing & Board Member Work 79 No No x16lllw1 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. Derek eventually sold Xcelience to Capsugel (now Lonza) in 2016. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.

In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. Derek eventually sold Xcelience to Capsugel (now Lonza) in 2016. 

His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • The process of building and scaling Xcelience, from leveraging innovative technology to disrupt the market to navigating the impact of the 2008 Recession
  • Derek’s experience with strategic buy-side and sell-side transactions 
  • His commitment to continuous learning
  • His transition into investing and work as a board member

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.

Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Lonza (Capsugel’s Parent Company): https://www.lonza.com/

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:48 Disrupting the market with Xcelience
03:34 Derek’s M&A experience and acquisition strategy on the buy-side
04:36 Financing Xcelience’s acquisition of another micronization company
06:32 Derek’s sell-side experience with Capsugel
12:03 Challenges of work and life post-acquisition; Working with Lonza
14:32 Going back to school, starting as an investor, and transitioning to board work
17:35 Bringing confidence and decision-making skills to board member roles
20:21 Running effective board meetings and finding CEO mentorship
26:53 Final reflections and Derek’s advice for founders
30:11 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 19 Sep 2024 11:17:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1932 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. Derek eventually sold Xcelience to Capsugel (now Lonza) in 2016. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. Derek eventually sold Xcelience to Capsugel (now Lonza) in 2016. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. No No 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 3 | Starting an Operations Role in Egypt | The Importance of Teamwork | Moving into Biologics & Overseeing GMP Operations | Buying a Business & Founding Xcelience https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84xxq38-derek-hennecke-kincell-bio-part-3 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 3 | Starting an Operations Role in Egypt | The Importance of Teamwork | Moving into Biologics & Overseeing GMP Operations | Buying a Business & Founding Xcelience 78 No No x16ll281 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.

In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Derek’s transition from commercial roles to Operations, managing a challenging site in Egypt, and the teamwork that turned it around
  • His move to a Biologics site in Montreal and the hurdles he faced there overseeing GMP Operations
  • The start of his entrepreneurial journey: buying a portion of a business and founding Xcelience.

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.

Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
MDS Pharma Services: https://www.mdsps.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:50 Starting a role in Operations
04:01 Derek’s move to Egypt; Improving safety, performance, and cost structure
08:03 Scaling the Egypt site and expanding into other markets; Improving product quality and employee safety
10:01 Moving back to Montreal, Canada; Dealing with a site failure, deciding to leave the company
13:50 Lessons learned from leaving, the importance of saying “no,” and communicating clearly
20:16 Becoming VP of GMP Operations of MDS Pharma; Overseeing multiple locations
25:08 Navigating the hurdles of a closing business; Buying one of the units in Tampa, Florida
27:45 Derek’s jump into entrepreneurship: Founding Xcelience
30:00 Early days of running the company, looking into a sales-leaseback, and securing capital
38:21 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2365 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO specializing in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive pharma and cell therapy expertise makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. No No 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 2 | Taking Risks and Jumping for the Right Opportunity | The Willingness To Do, Opens Doors | Your Job is More than the Products It is Producing | Building Trust in Other Countries https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80qq43n-derek-hennecke-kincell-bio-part-2 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 2 | Taking Risks and Jumping for the Right Opportunity | The Willingness To Do, Opens Doors | Your Job is More than the Products It is Producing | Building Trust in Other Countries 77 No No p0kppm41 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.

In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Derek’s early challenges and financial hurdles he faced after moving to Europe for his MBA
  • His first role in business development
  • His managing transition, learning the ropes of leadership, and his joint venture experience in Mexico
  • Derek’s intricacies of managing a matrix organization and his experience as a product manager

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.

Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:50 Episode starts, starting with business development with Gist-brocades and then quickly moving to area business development manager
03:00 Derek’s definition of business development and tips and tricks
06:27 The trials of traveling back and forth to North America and Derek’s first time managing a team
11:20 The challenges of moving and running a joint venture in Mexico, the willingness to do new things
16:47 The balancing act of leading a 50/50 venture, communication, and building trust
24:18 Strategy to expand almost worldwide, buying a penicillin factory in Mexico City
26:59 Becoming a product manager and the roles it entailed, defining a matrix organization
31:18 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:46:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1943 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. No No 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 1 | Sales Means Having Two Ears and One Mouth | The Support of a Partner Can Make or Break a Career | Skip the MBA https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1npvvpxn-derek-hennecke-kincell-bio-part-1 🧬 Derek Hennecke - Kincell Bio - Part 1 | Sales Means Having Two Ears and One Mouth | The Support of a Partner Can Make or Break a Career | Skip the MBA 76 No No z0r33v51 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.

In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Derek’s childhood and his early interest in history and science
  • His academic journey in microbiology at the University of Alberta, where he shifted from chemistry to biology, and his eventual move into sales.
  • His MBA experience in the Netherlands and his current outlook on the degree.

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.

Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
02:13 Episode starts, Derek's early upbringing as a military kid and learning how to adapt to moving every 4 years
06:33 Having an interest in history but ultimately falling in love with science, Studying microbiology as an undergraduate at the University of Alberta
08:50 Undergraduate lab experience
14:04 Professors and mentors who were influential
15:40 Next steps after Undergraduate microbiology, going from academia to sales at Boehringer Mannheim
22:02 Introvert vs. Extrovert in Sales
24:28 Decision to move to the Netherlands to pursue a masters in business
28:20 The rarity of getting an MBA and using it to move into a new country to network
30:18 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1878 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors. In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from. No No 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 4 | The Challenges of Running a Public Company | Transforming Psychiatric Treatments Through Psychedelic Compounds | Developing Breakthrough Therapies in Depression & Anxiety https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n20047n-doug-drysdale-cybin-part-4 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 4 | The Challenges of Running a Public Company | Transforming Psychiatric Treatments Through Psychedelic Compounds | Developing Breakthrough Therapies in Depression & Anxiety 75 No No 219qq7n1 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. 

Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 

Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. His extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from. 

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Doug’s first-time experience running a public company: the challenges of hitting quarterly numbers and juggling the pressure of share price volatility
  • His move to Cybin, a startup transforming psychiatric treatments through psychedelic compounds
  • Cybin’s recent progress, including some key acquisitions, taking the company public, and their breakthrough therapies in depression and anxiety.

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:50 Doug’s first experience running a public company, Pernix Therapeutics
06:51 Leaving Pernix for a private company and a break from public scrutiny
08:22 Joining Cybin, going public, and raising $300MM; quickly developing therapy and IP assets
11:34 Cybin’s mission and focus; the co-founders and the team behind the technology
15:08 The DEA’s outlook on psychedelics and the development of SSRI alternatives
17:26 Doug’s experience working with the FDA
19:39 Cybin’s IP and partnership strategies; building out a core team and retaining talent
24:00 Cybin’s 2-year vision
24:58 Shoutouts and advice to 21-year old self
26:37 Outro

Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Psychedelic Compounds for Therapies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592297/
Cybin’s Developmental Pipeline: https://cybin.com/development-pipeline/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 05 Sep 2024 11:30:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1696 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. No No 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 3 | Jumping from BD to M&A | Leveraging Debt for Strategic Acquisitions | The Importance of Cultural Fit in Successful Deals | Making an Impact at Norwich, Alvogen, & Pernix Therapeutics https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nzxx34n-doug-drysdale-cybin-part-3 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 3 | Jumping from BD to M&A | Leveraging Debt for Strategic Acquisitions | The Importance of Cultural Fit in Successful Deals | Making an Impact at Norwich, Alvogen, & Pernix Therapeutics 74 No No 80z77561 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. 

Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 

Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. His extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Doug’s transition from BD to leading M&A at Actavis
  • His insights on leveraging debt for acquisitions
  • The importance of cultural fit in successful deals
  • Doug’s strategic acquisitions at Actavis and the turnaround at Norwich Pharmaceuticals & Alvogen
  • His challenges and successes at Pernix Therapeutics, the first public company Doug worked for

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:48 How to get into M&A as a scientist; what makes a successful M&A transaction?
05:19 Doug’s experience raising credit facilities to support M&A activity
07:46 Memorable challenges and triumphs at Actavis
12:24 How do you find good investment opportunities? Things to keep an eye out for
14:36 Doug’s move from Actavis to Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen
18:10 Growth strategies at Norwich/Alvogen: M&A and Licensing
19:14 Key lessons and takeaways from Doug’s time at Norwich/Alvogen; the importance of people and cultural fits
24:33 Turning things around with Pernix Therapeutics, a public company
26:50 Outro

Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Sales and Marketing Strategies for Startups: https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1677 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. No No 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 2 | Deals Only Get Done in Person | Learning Financing Through a Company’s Hardship | Bureaucracy in the Workplace | How to Educate Yourself to Determine Good Licensing Deals https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vnw4k978-doug-drysdale-cybin-part-2 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 2 | Deals Only Get Done in Person | Learning Financing Through a Company’s Hardship | Bureaucracy in the Workplace | How to Educate Yourself to Determine Good Licensing Deals 73 No No 81x7nrq0 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director, and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised and invested around $4 billion of public and private capital. Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director, and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised and invested around $4 billion of public and private capital. 

Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. Doug’s extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Doug’s experience in business development
  • His move from crunching numbers to leading deals
  • The challenges of global BD strategies
  • Doug’s move from the UK to San Diego
  • His intricacies of licensing and acquisitions in the pharma industry, and his experiences with Elan, Alpharma, and Actavis 

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:48 Episode starts, Doug defines business development and how a scientist can break into BD
04:21 Global vs. Regional BD, Immersing in travels 3 months at a time, Moving to the US
08:09 Memorable deals at Elan, getting a crash course in financing while going through a layoff period
14:34 Determining when to move on from Elan and start Alkensa
18:33 Next journey after Alkensa to Forest Laboratories, Doug's first experience of bureaucracy in the workplace
22:31 Moving from big pharma to generics at Alpharma, becoming head of M&A
27:28 Doug's advice on identifying what you want to license and what makes for a good licensing deal, fundraising types at Alpharma
29:15 Sell side vs. acquisition side
30:23 Outro

Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
How to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Biotech Funding for Startups: What Are Your Options? https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Equipment Leasing vs. Financing: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-leasing-vs-financing
Top VC Firms for Biotech in 2024: Supporting Innovation & Growth https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
VC Term Sheets: Definition, Key Components & More https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets
What Is Series A, B, & C Funding? Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1889 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director, and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised and invested around $4 billion of public and private capital. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director, and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised and invested around $4 billion of public and private capital. No No 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 1 | One Teacher Can Change Your Whole Perspective | The Forefront of the Human Genome Project | How Loss Taught Him Not to Take Life For Granted | Learning How to Be Personable in Sales https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8km09r8-doug-drysdale-cybin-part-1 🧬 Doug Drysdale - Cybin - Part 1 | One Teacher Can Change Your Whole Perspective | The Forefront of the Human Genome Project | How Loss Taught Him Not to Take Life For Granted | Learning How to Be Personable in Sales 72 No No 71w7pxn1 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 

Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. Doug’s extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Doug’s upbringing in a working-class setting
  • His life-changing scholarship and his early passion for the life sciences
  • Doug’s pivotal moments in the lab and his transition to sales at DuPont Merck
  • His time at Elan, where he combined his scientific and commercial expertise to excel in BD

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:33 Episode starts, Doug’s early upbringing and how a teacher helped change his life and perspective at only 10 years old
06:40 Doug finding his spark for science, his gravitation toward biology, working a government job in a hospital pathology lab out of high school
11:53 Getting a degree in molecular biology and being able to work with the cutting-edge human genome project
13:13 Transitioning out of government wet lab and into full-time study at University of East Anglia
15:38 Mentors and professors who inspired Doug’s journey in STEM, a family loss swaying Doug to get out of academia and go into sales
20:36 How an opportunity at DuPont Merck came about and the joint venture experience at this startup
23:04 Memorable challenges and triumphs in pharmaceutical sales
26:44 First-time experience as a commercial marketing manager, being recruited into Elan in a marketing role
30:10 Outro


Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
How to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:02:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1870 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. No No 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 4 | How Searching for Investors is Like Finding a Life Partner | Luck In Fundraising | The Optimal Features of the Immune System | The Advice to Take More Risks https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80q2qxn-noam-solomon-immunai-part-4 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 4 | How Searching for Investors is Like Finding a Life Partner | Luck In Fundraising | The Optimal Features of the Immune System | The Advice to Take More Risks 71 No No p0kprpj1 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 

Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about: 
  • Noam's unique dynamics of working with academic institutions and the alignment of incentives that come with collaborating with top researchers
  • The importance of strategic partnerships and the meticulous analysis involved in selecting the right collaborators
  • Noam’s fundraising journey
  • The technological advancements at Immunai
  • The application of AI in optimizing drug development processes

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Episode starts, screening for the right business partners and determining what projects to take on and which ones to pass
07:40 Noam’s philosophy and tips on fundraising
15:47 What to expect of Immunai in the next year or two
19:30 Shout outs for help along his journey
21:47 Advice to your 21-year old self
24:15 Outro

Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Biotech Funding for Startups: What Are Your Options? https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
How to Get Funding for Lab Research in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
What Is Series A, B, & C Funding? Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
How to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations

People Mentioned
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1619 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. No No 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 3 | Deciphering the Book That is the Human Immune System | Building Immunai’s Team | The Importance of Single Cell Multi-Omics | Big Pharma & Dancing With Gorillas https://podcasts.fame.so/e/58zx9438-noam-solomon-immunai-part-3 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 3 | Deciphering the Book That is the Human Immune System | Building Immunai’s Team | The Importance of Single Cell Multi-Omics | Big Pharma & Dancing With Gorillas 70 No No 81z7k650 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 

Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about: 
  • How the human genome project gave us the alphabet to read the book that is the human immune system
  • Immunai’s philosophy of doing what's right even if they don’t know what they’re doing
  • Balancing a CEO’s naivete with being selective about who’s advise to take
  • What single cell multi-omics, the technology behind Immunai, really means
  • Why working with different pharma companies is like dancing with a gorilla

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.

Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro
02:04 Episode starts, the human genome project and the alphabet used to read the book of the human immune system
05:10 Bringing an outsider's perspective to Immunai and their unique approach
08:07 Building the the Immunai team with both immunology and computer science experts who are not afraid to ask the stupid questions
12:10 Observing the hospital, pharma, AI landscape and how that shaped their philosophy of doing what's right even if they don’t know what they’re doing
19:00 Balancing both your naivete as a CEO with judging who’s advice to take
20:03 What is single cell multi-omics, the technology behind Immunai and what they learned from Netflix
24:44 How to embrace failure without creating a failure culture and other lessons learned from setting up their first lab
28:22 “Do you know how you dance with a gorilla?” and how to work with different pharma companies
33:05: Outro

Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide 
Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasing

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2053 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. No No 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 2 | The Value of Attending Prestigious Institutions | Immunai’s Genesis | AI, Machine Learning, & Their Applications in the Life Sciences | Mapping the Human Immune System https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18203568-noam-solomon-immunai-part-2 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 2 | The Value of Attending Prestigious Institutions | Immunai’s Genesis | AI, Machine Learning, & Their Applications in the Life Sciences | Mapping the Human Immune System 69 No No 209qz360 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 

Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about: 
  • The impact of attending prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT on his career and networking opportunities
  • The genesis of Immunai, inspired by personal experiences and focused on precision medicine in cancer treatment
  • Explaining AI and Machine Learning, their distinctions, and the current state of AI in biology and drug development
  • The complexity of the immune system and Immunai's ambitious goal to map it completely
  • The convergence of technological advancements (single-cell technology, computing power, and AI models) that created the "perfect storm" for founding Immunai

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:00 Episode starts, Noam’s decision to pursue postdoctoral studies at Harvard and MIT
03:31 The value of pedigree and superficial evaluations in business
04:33 Moving to Boston and the cultural experience at Harvard and MIT
06:47 Humility in mathematics and the inspiration from academic environments
08:19 Incubation of Immunai and the motivation behind its founding
11:41 The role of AI and ML in life sciences and common misconceptions
14:39 Progress in AI, ML, and their implications in drug development
18:46 Early days of Immunai and developing the technology platform
24:03 Mapping the human immune system and the complexity involved
25:05 Outro

Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/

Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide 
Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasing
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 15 Aug 2024 10:04:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1571 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. No No 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 1 | Attending Undergrad at 14 Year Old | How Mathematics Can Make You a Lone Wolf | The Difference Between Noam’s Two PhDs | The Resilience Required for Entrepreneurship https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8km0yp8-noam-solomon-immunai-part-1 🧬 Noam Solomon - Immunai - Part 1 | Attending Undergrad at 14 Year Old | How Mathematics Can Make You a Lone Wolf | The Difference Between Noam’s Two PhDs | The Resilience Required for Entrepreneurship 68 No No 71w7pvl1 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 

Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about: 
  • Noam's early years and how his upbringing shaped his high standards and competitive spirit which led him to excel in the world of academia
  • His unique experience of starting university at the age of 14
  • His early love for mathematics
  • His pursuit of multiple PhDs in math and computer science
  • The importance of resilience, critical thinking, and creativity needed as an entrepreneur

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.

Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro
02:11 Episode starts, upbringing in Israel with high family standards, the push into education and STEM
05:58 Becoming an undergraduate at 14 and the attraction to math, the enjoyment of finding creative solutions with sets
10:03 Mentors and professors who were inspirational, those who helped drive the inspiration of education
12:32 Determining next steps after undergrad, being drafted into the Army and decision to be a mathematician
14:43 Software engineering in the Army
16:16 Decision to pursue PhD in math and methodical science, Fermat's Last Theorem
18:48 Experience in grad school and the difficulties with solitude, how these skills benefitted being a CEO of a startup
21:35 Determining what to do after the PhD, postdoc, letting go of a childhood dream
23:46 Another PhD focused on computer science, more of a collaborative experience
27:32 Skill sets that were acquired during and finishing his postdoc in math
30:45 Outro

Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/

Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasing
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1905 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. No No 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 4 | Finding Foundational Intrapreneurship at P&G | Early Innovation in Drug Discovery & Development | Community & Diversity Leadership in Arts & STEM https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvqz4z8-shekhar-mitra-innopreneur-p-g-part-4 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 4 | Finding Foundational Intrapreneurship at P&G | Early Innovation in Drug Discovery & Development | Community & Diversity Leadership in Arts & STEM 67 No No 71y76j61 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. 

Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. 

Post retirement from P&G, Shekhar spent several years as a board member and strategic adviser to several Fortune 500 corporations, new ventures, and private equity companies developing transformational new ideas, business strategies, and organization capabilities to drive growth.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Shekhar’s experience at Procter & Gamble and the intrapreneurial opportunities he found there, sharing how these experiences laid the foundation for his future endeavors as an entrepreneur and mentor.
  • His involvement in developing an innovative drug from natural sources.
  • His involvement in new ventures, from a company creating an innovative mouth piece to a plant extract rejuvenating mitochondria
  • His work with the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, highlighting his commitment to community, diversity, creativity, and leadership in both the arts and STEM fields.

Shekhar’s an expert with an exceptional track record in creating and developing game changing technology platforms and formulating disruptive innovation strategies, whose extensive background in R&D offers unique insights that listeners can benefit from. Please enjoy my conversation with Shekhar Mitra.

Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro 
02:10 Leaving P&G, joining different boards, and honing in on a new role 
05:49 Shekhar’s goals while working with breakthrough ventures as an advisor 
07:45 Shekhar and his wife’s involvement with the Cincinnati Art Museum 
14:50 Co-founding the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) 
19:18 Shekhar’s mission as a SASE co-founder 
22:08 Creating new opportunities for jobs, training, and intrapreneurial roles 
26:46 Future plans for InnoPreneur, new learnings as an advisor, and Shekhar’s involvement in developing drugs from natural sources 
31:55 Closing questions: Shoutouts and advice to 21-year old self 
40:35 Outro

Find Our Guest, Shekhar Mitra, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE): https://www.saseconnect.org/
Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process: https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:40:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2541 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. No No 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 3 | The First Big Innovation Center in Asia | The Whole Work of Leadership | Noticeability Driven Through Technology | Developing Emotional Drivers https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkmr6zn-shekhar-mitra-innopreneur-p-g-part-3-the-first-big-innovation-center-in-asia-the-whole-work-of-leadership-noticeability-driven-through-technology-developing-emotional-drivers 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 3 | The First Big Innovation Center in Asia | The Whole Work of Leadership | Noticeability Driven Through Technology | Developing Emotional Drivers 66 No No 70w7nm20 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. 

Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. Post retirement from P&G, Shekhar spent several years as a board member and strategic adviser to several Fortune 500 corporations, new ventures, and private equity companies developing transformational new ideas, business strategies, and organization capabilities to drive growth. With over 50 patents awarded in different fields, Shekhar’s an expert with an exceptional track record in creating and developing game changing technology platforms and formulating disruptive innovation strategies, whose extensive background in R&D offers unique insights that listeners can benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • The challenges of building the first big innovation center in Asia
  • Giving people a chance to impress you and what the whole work of leadership is
  • Building emotional bonds and noticeability in your customer base 
  • The importance and impact of developing emotional drivers in your customers 
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Shekhar Mitra.

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
01:52 Episode starts, working as Director of R&D in Asia for Procter & Gamble and the challenge of building the first big innovation center in Asia
05:20 Bringing the developments and innovations learned in China to the global markets
08:54 No one does it alone, and the sacrifices others had to make to support the risks they needed to take to ultimately succeed
11:50 The whole work of leadership is giving people a chance to impress you, supporting them but also hold them responsible for their mistakes
14:55 Needing a game-changing breakthrough every two to three years to maintain a prestige brand
19:36 P&G’s cyclohexane perfume innovation and having your product’s noticeability driven through technology
28:13 Developing emotional drivers with your customers through things like scent, their pets, and the comfort of their babies
33:49 Outro

Find Our Guest, Shekhar Mitra, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

What is DNA Extraction?
What Types of Equipment is Used in Molecular Biology Research?

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 05 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2095 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. No No 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 2 | Columbia & Yale: Collaborating with Top Physicists | Moving from Academia to Procter & Gamble | Navigating Challenges, Celebrating Successes | Leading Clinical Trials & Working with the FDA https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n92vxj8-shekhar-mitra-innopreneur-p-g-part-2 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 2 | Columbia & Yale: Collaborating with Top Physicists | Moving from Academia to Procter & Gamble | Navigating Challenges, Celebrating Successes | Leading Clinical Trials & Working with the FDA 65 No No v07v5zw1 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. 

Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. 

Post retirement from P&G, Shekhar spent several years as a board member and strategic adviser to several Fortune 500 corporations, new ventures, and private equity companies developing transformational new ideas, business strategies, and organization capabilities to drive growth.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Shekar’s time at Columbia and Yale collaborating with top-notch physicists, and his involvement in the Jane Coffin Fellowship
  • His move from Academia and laser light studies to Procter & Gamble
  • Navigating the challenges, failures, and successes along the way
  • His experience leading key clinical investigations and working with the FDA

Shekhar’s an expert with an exceptional track record in creating and developing game changing technology platforms and formulating disruptive innovation strategies, whose extensive background in R&D offers unique insights that listeners can benefit from. Please enjoy my conversation with Shekhar Mitra.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro 
01:46 From Colombia to Yale, the Jane Coffin Fellowship, and help from grants and Professors
06:02 Collaborating with top-notch physicists; on track to become a faculty member 
10:18 Lessons in innovation breakthroughs and the importance of multi-functional teams 
13:10 Leaving academia for Procter & Gamble 
18:50 P&G’s impressive research and enzyme engineering prowess; the application of research in everyday life 
23:26 Navigating challenges and successes at Procter & Gamble 
30:34 Learning from mistakes and getting encouragement at the right moment 
34:00 Collaborating with Barry Marshall, Nobel Laureate, and leading clinical investigations 37:37 The importance of having the opportunity to take big swings in research 
41:52 Consumer is the boss, but so is the FDA: Shekhar’s experience working with the agency 
47:29 The value of listening to and empathizing with those around you 
50:48 Outro


Find Our Guest, Shekhar Mitra, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu/
Yale University: https://www.yale.edu/
Procter & Gamble: https://us.pg.com/
Jane Coffin Fellowship: https://www.jccfund.org/

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3114 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. No No 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 1 | Growing Up in a Multigenerational Household | Undergraduate Experience at IIT | Groundbreaking Lab Research at Columbia | Diverse Experiences in New York City https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84x45x8-shekhar-mitra-innopreneur-p-g-part-1 🧬 Shekhar Mitra - InnoPreneur & P&G - Part 1 | Growing Up in a Multigenerational Household | Undergraduate Experience at IIT | Groundbreaking Lab Research at Columbia | Diverse Experiences in New York City 64 No No x16l93l1 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. 

Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. Post retirement from P&G, Shekhar spent several years as a board member and strategic adviser to several Fortune 500 corporations, new ventures, and private equity companies developing transformational new ideas, business strategies, and organization capabilities to drive growth. With over 50 patents awarded in different fields, Shekhar’s an expert with an exceptional track record in creating and developing game changing technology platforms and formulating disruptive innovation strategies, whose extensive background in R&D offers unique insights that listeners can benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Shekhar’s upbringing in a multigenerational household and the values that instilled in him
  • His journey through graduate school
  • The groundbreaking research he conducted investigating complex biological systems
  • His diverse experiences in New York City from intense lab work to exploring the city’s vibrant cultural scene
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Shekhar Mitra.

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
02:40 Episode starts, early years, growing up in a joint family of immigrants
09:38 Lessons learned about leadership from managing family relationships and experience in sports 
12:23 Attending the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur and focusing on biophysical chemistry, undergraduate lab experience at IIT
17:43 Decision to move to New York City from India to pursue a Master’s and PhD at Columbia University, experiences in a new city as an immigrant
24:57 Appreciating the difficult moments and finding joy in all circumstances in both life and business
30:01 Experiences and opportunities working in the lab at Columbia studying biological proteins in cells
38:58 Taking risks and being willing to fail in order to grow and make a meaningful impact
43:07 Outro

Find Our Guest, Shekhar Mitra, at this link: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Columbia University
National Academy of Sciences
Journal of Biological Chemistry

What is DNA Extraction?
What Types of Equipment is Used in Molecular Biology Research?
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2647 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. No No 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 4 | Data Integration & Automation in the Life Sciences | Building a Technical Team & Go-To-Market Motion | Creating Efficient Data Infrastructures | Automating Complex Workflows https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kmrp28-nathan-clark-ganymede-part-4 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 4 | Data Integration & Automation in the Life Sciences | Building a Technical Team & Go-To-Market Motion | Creating Efficient Data Infrastructures | Automating Complex Workflows 63 No No 71w7nlr1 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production.

Prior to founding Ganymede, Nathan was Product Manager for several of Benchling's data products, including the Insights BI tool and Machine Learning team. Before Benchling, Nathan worked at Affirm as a Senior Product Manager and was also a Trader at Goldman Sachs.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Nathan’s experience with data integration and automation in the life sciences and building a product for bioinformatics engineers and data scientists 
  • His experience building the technical team and creating a go-to-market motion
  • His vision for Ganymede in the years to come
  • The challenges biotech companies face managing and analyzing large amounts of data 
  • The importance of streamlining processes through automation and data integration

Nathan’s extensive background in machine learning and data systems across financial and lab technology and knowledge of their applications in the life sciences offers unique insights for founders to benefit from. Please enjoy my conversation with Nathan Clark.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:56 Empowering bioinformatics engineers with data integration and automation 
04:38 The vision for Ganymede’s developer platform; automating wet lab data 
06:39 The key to Ganymede’s quick growth: faster integrations 
08:18 Nathan’s go-to-market motion at Ganymede; explaining your product 
10:29 Which companies benefit the most from Ganymede? 
14:23 Data strategies, modern data stacks, and building a data lake 
20:21 Future vision for Ganymede; expanding platform features and reducing bugging cycles 27:02 Automating complex workflows to unlock the next level of R&D 
29:40 Shout-outs and advice for 21-year old self 
33:29 Outro


Find Our Guest, Nathan Clark, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
Nicholas (Nicky) Ksiezopolski https://www.linkedin.com/in/nksiezopolski/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:07:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2147 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. No No 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 3 | Parallels Between Benchling & Salesforce | Getting Customers to Fully Buy-In | Managing the “Writhing Snake of Data” | Ganymede Achieves Escape Velocity Growth https://podcasts.fame.so/e/489204yn-nathan-clark-ganymede-part-3 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 3 | Parallels Between Benchling & Salesforce | Getting Customers to Fully Buy-In | Managing the “Writhing Snake of Data” | Ganymede Achieves Escape Velocity Growth 62 No No v17v4ny0 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production.

Prior to founding Ganymede, Nathan was Product Manager for several of Benchling's data products, including the Insights BI tool and Machine Learning team. Before Benchling, Nathan worked at Affirm as a Senior Product Manager and was also a Trader at Goldman Sachs. Nathan’s extensive background in machine learning and data systems across financial and lab technology and knowledge of their applications in the life sciences offers unique insights for founders to benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Parallels between Benchling and Salesforce
  • How solving problems his customers didn’t even know were there encouraged them to fully adopt his products
  • The importance of managing the writhing snake of data for scientists
  • Ganymede’s journey to achieving escape velocity type growth
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Nathan Clark.

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
01:51 Episode starts, working as a product manager at Benchling, Benchling vs Salesforce
08:21 How spending time seeing what customers built helped to identify their critical pain points
11:31 Showing customers things they didn’t realize they wanted and other tactics to encourage customers to fully adopt your product 
17:05 The original spark behind Ganymede and the importance of managing the “writhing snake of data” for scientists
23:19 Watching people rebuilding the exact same tech stacks in labs over and over again inspiring Nathan to create Ganymede
26:33 Ganymede finds product resonance and reaches escape velocity growth 
28:25 Outro

Find Our Guest, Nathan Clark, at these links: 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes

Topics Mentioned:

The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1771 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. No No 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 2 | Moving from Goldman Sachs to Fintech | Exploring Product Management at Affirm | Leveraging Data & Building Tech Solutions| Impacting Scientific Progress at Benchling https://podcasts.fame.so/e/48920rln-nathan-clark-ganymede-part-2-moving-from-goldman-sachs-to-fintech-exploring-product-management-at-affirm-leveraging-data-building-tech-solutions-impacting-scientific-progress-at-benchling 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 2 | Moving from Goldman Sachs to Fintech | Exploring Product Management at Affirm | Leveraging Data & Building Tech Solutions| Impacting Scientific Progress at Benchling 61 No No v17v4pj0 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production.

Prior to founding Ganymede, Nathan was Product Manager for several of Benchling's data products, including the Insights BI tool and Machine Learning team. Before Benchling, Nathan worked at Affirm as a Senior Product Manager and was also a Trader at Goldman Sachs.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Nathan’s move from Goldman Sachs to a Product Management role at Affirm
  • His experience managing several data products at Benchling
  • The importance of understanding user needs, aligning product development with real-world problems, and accelerating scientific progress by addressing the challenges researchers face today.

Nathan’s extensive background in machine learning and data systems across financial and lab technology and knowledge of their applications in the life sciences offers unique insights for founders to benefit from. Please enjoy my conversation with Nathan Clark.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Recap & Episode Overview
01:51 Nathan's realization at Goldman Sachs; transitioning to Affirm
04:05 Discussion on securitization and capital markets
06:28 Differences between Fintech and Wall Street
10:31 Nathan’s introduction to product management and data infrastructure
14:18 Understanding user needs; aligning product development with real-world problems
18:14 Nathan’s decision to leave Affirm
19:35 Frustration with scientific progress; wanting to help accelerate Biology research
24:28 Joining Benchling: new responsibilities and experiences
26:33 Outro

Find Our Guest, Nathan Clark, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/clo.asp
 
People Mentioned:
Patrick Collison (Founder of Stripe) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Collison
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:16:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1659 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. No No 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 1 | Early Influence of Entrepreneurs | Developing Passions for Both Finance & Life Sciences | Fundamentals of Trading & Finances | Experiences & Opportunities at Goldman Sachs https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08j05qy8-nathan-clark-ganymede-part-1 🧬 Nathan Clark - Ganymede - Part 1 | Early Influence of Entrepreneurs | Developing Passions for Both Finance & Life Sciences | Fundamentals of Trading & Finances | Experiences & Opportunities at Goldman Sachs 60 No No 41pm9xq0 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production.

Prior to founding Ganymede, Nathan was Product Manager for several of Benchling's data products, including the Insights BI tool and Machine Learning team. Before Benchling, Nathan worked at Affirm as a Senior Product Manager and was also a Trader at Goldman Sachs. Nathan’s extensive background in machine learning and data systems across financial and lab technology and knowledge of their applications in the life sciences offers unique insights for founders to benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Nathan’s childhood and the influence of his entrepreneurial father
  • His experience studying business and finance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • His role at Goldman Sachs and the importance of liquidity, risk management, and attention to detail in the fast-paced trading environment
  • Transferable skills and lessons that can benefit entrepreneurs in any industry
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Nathan Clark.

Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro
2:18 Episode starts, early years, the influence of his entrepreneurial father, understanding there is no secret to business besides putting the work and effort in
7:23 The decision to move from a traditional career path to building a startup, developing a passion for life sciences and biology
11:19 Decision to attend University of North Carolina and focus on business finances
15:34 The fundamentals of trading and the role of working as a trader
19:53 The intricacy and importance of liquidity to both early-stage ventures and corporations 
25:52 Experience and opportunities while working at Goldman Sachs and the importance of transferable skills
31:37 Working in the fast-paced environment of bond trading while evaluating risk management 
35:42 Outro

Find Our Guest, Nathan Clark, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
OpenWorm Science
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Goldman Sachs
Are Bonds a Good Investment?


Lab Equipment for Synthetic Biology Research
Lab Equipment List for Forensic Analysis
Lease Financing vs. Debt Financing
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2203 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Nathan Clark, Founder and CEO of Ganymede. Ganymede is the modern cloud data platform for the life sciences and manufacturing. Their Lab-as-Code technology allows you to quickly integrate and harmonize lab instruments and app data, automate analysis, visualize all your data in dashboards built over a powerful data lake, and ultimately speed up your operations to accelerate science or production. No No 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 4 | Mechanism Identification in Biotech | AI & ML in Drug Development | Creating a New Method for Drug Discovery | Fundraising for Meliora | Building a Foundational Startup Team https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n3mj5xn-david-li-meliora-therapeutics-part-4 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 4 | Mechanism Identification in Biotech | AI & ML in Drug Development | Creating a New Method for Drug Discovery | Fundraising for Meliora | Building a Foundational Startup Team 59 No No m1j2qn91 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. 

Before Meliora, David was Chief Business Officer at Everest Detection, an early detection liquid biopsy startup, and led commercial operations at Benchling, a life sciences software platform valued at $6 billion with over $500 million in funding.

David started his career in Goldman Sachs Healthcare Investment Banking Group and KKR's Private Equity Group, advising and investing in transactions exceeding $10 billion. His diverse financial and life sciences background offers valuable insights for founders.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • David’s transition from private equity to co-founding Meliora and using AI/ML in drug development
  • His fundraising experiences for Meliora and current outlook on the fundraising landscape in 2024 
  • His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and reflections on “thinking big” in biotech
  • Identifying mischaracterized mechanisms of action and establishing Meliora as a drug development company and computational platform

Please enjoy my conversation with David Li.

Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro 
02:00 Jason Scheltzer identifies mechanisms of action, the beginnings of Meliora 
05:08 David meets Jason Scheltzer, forming Meliora with a thesis, as David becomes founding CEO and initial fundraising begins 
07:20 David’s serendipitous meeting with Jason, getting on board as more than an investor
09:16 Building the early founding team at Meliora, establishing Meliora as a drug company
12:05 How Meliora is disrupting the status quo in drug discovery and development 
17:24 David’s approach to building an internal pipeline and BD partnerships 
19:49 David’s experience fundraising and his outlook on fundraising in 2024 
22:21 Meloria’s 2-year vision, transitioning from Seed to Series A 
24:03 Shoutouts and advice to 21-year old self 
26:23 Outro

Find Our Guest, David Li, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Drug candidates that were mischaracterized https://ergobio.substack.com/p/meliora-therapeutics-is-building

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1695 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. No No 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 3 | Developing a Blood-Based Lung Cancer Test | The Rifle-Shot Nature of Biotech | Software Vs. Biotech Product Market Fit | The Super Power all Startups Need https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n3mjlqn-david-li-meliora-therapeutics-part-3 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 3 | Developing a Blood-Based Lung Cancer Test | The Rifle-Shot Nature of Biotech | Software Vs. Biotech Product Market Fit | The Super Power all Startups Need 58 No No m1j2q541 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. 

Before Meliora, David served as Chief Business Officer at Everest Detection, an early detection liquid biopsy startup, and was head of commercial operations at Benchling, a life sciences software platform company which has achieved a $6 billion valuation and has attracted over $500 million in funding from firms such as Altimeter Capital, Tiger Global, Lone Pine Capital, Benchmark, Sequoia, Excel, Lux, and numerous others. David began his career in Goldman Sachs Healthcare Investment Banking Group and KKR's Private Equity Group, where he advised and invested in transactions worth over $10 billion in enterprise value. David's multifaceted experiences in the financial and life science sectors give him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Working at Everest Detection and developing a blood-based lung cancer test
  • Excelling in a non-iterative work environment
  • How software and biotech companies think about product market fit differently
  • Why money is a super power for biotech startups today
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with David Li.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:54 Episode Starts. Starting at Everest Detection and developing a early detection blood-based lung cancer test
05:04 Learning to work with scientists and experiencing a non-iterative business cadence that is more like a rifle shot
07:19 How David approaches projects where you do not have as much room for error or experimentation
10:01 Difference in how software and life science companies think about product market fit
14:30 Using parallel experiments to optimize your learnings rather than just, swapping chairs on the titanic
16:19 The difference in mentality of raising money in a software company vs a biotech company and why money is a super power
18:34 How the size and scale of your business changes how you view your preclinical tests
19:08 Outro

Find Our Guest, David Li, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes

Topics Mentioned:
Everest Detection https://everestdetection.com/ 

Strategies for Better Cash Flow Management https://www.excedr.com/blog/cash-flow-management-strategies
How do Core Labs Support Life Science Research? https://www.excedr.com/blog/core-labs

People Mentioned
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:01:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1214 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. No No 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 2 | From Finance to Biotech Entrepreneurship | Building Solid Teams & Navigating Market Dynamics | Lessons in Early-Stage Startups https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28x0rp48-david-li-meliora-therapeutics-part-2 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 2 | From Finance to Biotech Entrepreneurship | Building Solid Teams & Navigating Market Dynamics | Lessons in Early-Stage Startups 57 No No 60m6q2r1 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. 

Before Meliora, David served as Chief Business Officer at Everest Detection, an early detection liquid biopsy startup, and was head of commercial operations at Benchling, a life sciences software platform company which has achieved a $6 billion valuation and has attracted over $500 million in funding.

David began his career in Goldman Sachs Healthcare Investment Banking Group and KKR's Private Equity Group, where he advised and invested in transactions worth over $10 billion in enterprise value. His multifaceted experiences in the financial and life science sectors give him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • David’s pivot from finance roles at Goldman Sachs and KKR to early-stage entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences
  • The challenges of moving from private equity to startups
  • Aligning personal values with career choices, building solid teams, and the role of luck in success.
  • His time at Benchling as Head of Commercial Operations and at Everest Detection as the Chief Business Officer

Please enjoy my conversation with David Li.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:56 Working in Finance at Goldman Sachs and KKR, rethinking how to make an impact
04:59 Switching to early-stage entrepreneurship, prioritizing team strength and market dynamics
06:25 Experience at Benchling, data software issues & digitization in the life sciences
11:09 The role of luck in success, figuring out what you can and can’t control
14:02 Challenges and lessons working in startups, maintaining internal conviction
17:43 Contemplating a new role after Benchling, joining Everest Detection
20:25 The different skills David learned while building a team, getting wins early on
23:56 Outro

Find Our Guest, David Li, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1501 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. No No 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 1 | Childhood in China and Kentucky | Early Opportunities in Research & Biology | Benefits of Dual Degrees | Experiences & Opportunities while Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08j0lrl8-david-li-meliora-therapeutics-part-1 🧬 David Li - Meliora Therapeutics - Part 1 | Childhood in China and Kentucky | Early Opportunities in Research & Biology | Benefits of Dual Degrees | Experiences & Opportunities while Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs 56 No No 41pmrvr0 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. 

Before Meliora, David served as Chief Business Officer at Everest Detection, an early detection liquid biopsy startup, and was head of commercial operations at Benchling, a life sciences software platform company which has achieved a $6 billion valuation and has attracted over $500 million in funding from firms such as Altimeter Capital, Tiger Global, Lone Pine Capital, Benchmark, Sequoia, Excel, Lux, and numerous others. David began his career in Goldman Sachs Healthcare Investment Banking Group and KKR's Private Equity Group, where he advised and invested in transactions worth over $10 billion in enterprise value. David's multifaceted experiences in the financial and life science sectors give him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • David's childhood in China and Kentucky 
  • Developing a passion for biology and chemistry at a young age
  • His experience in the University of Pennsylvania Life Sciences Management Program
  • His experience at Goldman Sachs, insights he's gained from Fortune 500 CEOs, his mentorship through Need You in New York City
  • His ongoing commitment to innovation and patient impact
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with David Li.

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
2:39 Episode starts, early years in China and Kentucky, developing a passion for biology and chemistry
9:58 Decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania and study biology and finance through the Roy Vagelos Life Science and Management Program
13:41 Experience and opportunities at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker
15:47 The role of investment banking, the integration of career paths with life sciences and biotech, and the value of analysis across fields
21:08 Balancing capital formation vs. innovation while keeping patient impact as the North Star of a company’s purpose
24:27 Insights gained from exposure to Fortune 500 or Fortune 100 CEOs and the impact of mentorships while at Goldman
27:44 David’s experience as a mentor through the New York Needs You program
29:01 Outro

Long-Form Video Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
2:10 Episode starts, early years in China and Kentucky, developing a passion for biology and chemistry
11:34 Decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania and study biology and finance through the Roy Vagelos Life Science and Management Program
16:16 Experience and opportunities at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker
18:52 The role of investment banking, the integration of career paths with life sciences and biotech, and the value of analysis across fields
25:26 Balancing capital formation vs. innovation while keeping patient impact as the North Star of a company’s purpose
30:03 Insights gained from exposure to Fortune 500 or Fortune 100 CEOs and the impact of mentorships while at Goldman
34:18 David’s experience as a mentor through the New York Needs You program
35:53 Outro

Find Our Guest, David Li, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Research in Biological Science at the University of Chicago Summer Program
University of Pennsylvania - Roy Vagelos Life Science and Management Program
Andrew Fire and Craig Mello - Nobel Prize Winners for RNA interference
Tide Pharma 
Goldman Sachs
New York Needs You Program

Lab Equipment for Biochemistry Research
Strategies for Better Cash Flow Management
How do Core Labs Support Life Science Research?
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1802 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is David Li, CEO and co-founder of Meliora Therapeutics. Meliora's goal is to develop life-saving cancer therapies using cutting-edge science and machine learning. The company derives a comprehensive picture of how drugs interact with cancer biology by combining biofunctional readouts from numerous modalities using advanced machine learning and other computational techniques. No No 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 4 | Democratizing Access to Cells & the Evolution of bit.bio | A Financial Journey from Angel Investment to IPO | Building a Tech Bio Platform & Mark’s 10-Year Vision https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n205j6n-mark-kotter-bit-bio-part-4 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 4 | Democratizing Access to Cells & the Evolution of bit.bio | A Financial Journey from Angel Investment to IPO | Building a Tech Bio Platform & Mark’s 10-Year Vision 55 No No 219q3261 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. He has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. The company applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. He has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. 

Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. The company applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others.

Mark is also the co-founder of Meatable, scientific founder and chairman of rejuvenation startup clock.bio, and co-founder and trustee of Myelopathy.org, the first charity dedicated to a common yet often overseen condition causing a slow-motion spinal cord injury. His diverse experience as an academic and serial entrepreneur offers a wealth of insights aspiring scientist founders can draw from. 

Join us this week and hear about:

  • The evolution of bit.bio and their mission to democratize access to human cells and therapies
  • Building a solid infrastructure and hiring the right people
  • The early hurdles of securing funding and managing co-founder dynamics and bit.bio’s financial journey from angel investments to institutional funding 
  • Mark’s plans to take the company public

Please enjoy my conversation with Mark Kotter.

Timestamps
00:28 Intro
01:52 Democratizing access to cells, the core mission of bit.bio
04:06 A new paradigm of creating batches of cells
06:26 Creating a new market out of a disruptive product
09:20 The business initiatives at bit.bio and Mark’s driving philosophies
11:28 The journey of new modality platforms like bit.bio’s & the IP landscape
15:02 Building the infrastructure and engine powering bit.bio, finding the right people
23:05 Financing bit.bio early on and their financial journey from a small, scrappy lab
26:56 Raising larger funds from institutional investors, bit.bio’s Series A and B
28:56 Mark’s future plans and 10-year vision for bit.bio
31:16 The 2-year vision, what will happen at bit.bio in the near future
34:16 Shout outs and advice to 21-year old self
36:05 Outro

Find Our Guest, Mark Kotter, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Charles River Laboratories https://www.criver.com/
University of Cambridge https://www.cam.ac.uk/

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2283 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. He has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. The company applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. He has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. The company applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. No No 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 3 | Success in Academia vs. Industry | Vital Things All Founders Should Know | The Importance of Company Culture | bit.bio & the Operating System of Life https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8ymv548-mark-kotter-bit-bio-part-3 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 3 | Success in Academia vs. Industry | Vital Things All Founders Should Know | The Importance of Company Culture | bit.bio & the Operating System of Life 54 No No l04n6y90 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others.

In addition to bit.bio, Mark is also the co-founder of Meatable, scientific founder and chairman of rejuvenation startup clock.bio, and co-founder and trustee of Myelopathy.org, the first charity dedicated to a common yet often overseen condition causing a slow-motion spinal cord injury. Mark has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. His diverse experience as an academic and serial entrepreneur offers a wealth of insights aspiring scientist founders can draw from. 

Join us this week and hear about:
  • Gene expression discoveries and the technology bit.bio is developing around them
  • Vital questions and concepts that every founder should know before they start developing their company
  • The benefits of founder-led companies and their relentless focus on their mission
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Mark Kotter.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:55 Explaining the technology they developed while at the stem cell institute 
03:26 An unexpected gene expression discovery and dealing with the issues that followed
05:32 Comparing what it means to be successful in academia vs industry
06:53 The dangers of having a misalignment of objectives while building a company and other lessons learned by Mark 
10:18 Vital things that founders need to address before taking their idea from the lab and building a company around it
14:08 How Mark and his COO’s skill sets compliment each other 
15:29 The importance of company culture and how it can affect both building a company and investing in one
17:55 Benefits to the relentless objective-based focus that some founder-led companies have over professionally managed ones
19:44 Parallels between Excedr’s all-in origins and bit.bio’s complete dedication to its mission
21:47 What Mark’s operating system of life is, what are its applications, and why it fuels bit.bio’s culture
24:07 Outro

Find Our Guest, Mark Kotter, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Cambridge Stem Cell Institute https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/ 
University of Cambridge https://www.cam.ac.uk/

Single Cell Analysis: Considerations & Applications
Lab Equipment for Genetic Engineering Research
What is Live-Cell Imaging & How Does It Work?
Common Lab Equipment for Life Sciences Research in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-lab-equipment 

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1513 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. No No 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 2 | Navigating Between the Clinical & Research Worlds | Lessons in Combining Different Fields | The Evolution of Cell Therapies | Transitioning from Academia to Entrepreneurship https://podcasts.fame.so/e/183m94p8-mark-kotter-bit-bio-part-2 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 2 | Navigating Between the Clinical & Research Worlds | Lessons in Combining Different Fields | The Evolution of Cell Therapies | Transitioning from Academia to Entrepreneurship 53 No No m0j2xzl0 Part 2 of 4. My guest today is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and Founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene-targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.


Part 2 of 4.

My guest today is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and Founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery and cell therapy. 

Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene-targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types.

In addition to bit.bio, Mark is also the Co-Founder of Meatable, Scientific Founder and Chairman of rejuvenation start-up clock.bio, and Co-Founder and trustee of Myelopathy.org, the first charity dedicated to a common yet often overseen condition causing a “slow motion spinal cord injury.” 

Mark has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. His diverse experience as an academic and serial entrepreneur offers a wealth of insights aspiring scientist-founders can draw from. 

Join us this week and hear about Mark’s:
  • Transition from his PhD studies at Cambridge to the Medical University of Vienna, where he became a resident in neurosurgery and ran his own research group
  • Experience at the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine
  • Return to Cambridge, where he combined clinical practice with research
  • Shift from academia to entrepreneurship, which led to the founding of his first biotech startup

Please enjoy my conversation with Mark Kotter.

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro 
01:54 Mark’s spinal cord injury research in Vienna, setting up a lab, and avoiding rigid hierarchy
03:26 Working at the Max Planck Institute, getting noticed again at Cambridge 
04:34 Going from no supervisor to teaching PhD students while running a lab 
05:36 Starting a new role at Cambridge, the impact of sharing information 
08:11 Two different worlds: the research world and the clinical world 
09:57 The value of being exposed to and combining the newest tech and patient samples 
11:37 Complexity around protocols, cell programming history, and contradictory data 
14:18 The translation gap between research and the clinic 
16:34 Juggling a teaching role at Cambridge while conducting research, studying in Toronto
18:56 Shifting to the startup world from academia and clinical research 
20:23 Starting a family business, understanding financial models and cash flow 
21:58 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine https://maxplanckneuroscience.org/institute/mpi-exp-medicine/
University of Cambridge https://www.cam.ac.uk/
Opti-ox Technology https://www.bit.bio/platform

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1385 Part 2 of 4. My guest today is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and Founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene-targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Part 2 of 4. My guest today is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and Founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene-targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. No No 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 1 | Childhood Experiences in Different Countries | Overcoming Dyslexia & Developing Math Skills | Pivoting His Career to Science and Medicine | Facilitating Curiosity Via Research & Lab Experiences https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8ym94w8-mark-kotter-bit-bio-part-1 🧬 Mark Kotter - bit.bio - Part 1 | Childhood Experiences in Different Countries | Overcoming Dyslexia & Developing Math Skills | Pivoting His Career to Science and Medicine | Facilitating Curiosity Via Research & Lab Experiences 52 No No l04nm9k0 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others.

In addition to bit.bio, Mark is also the co-founder of Meatable, scientific founder and chairman of rejuvenation startup clock.bio, and co-founder and trustee of Myelopathy.org, the first charity dedicated to a common yet often overseen condition causing a slow-motion spinal cord injury. Mark has also been a professor and researcher at Cambridge for more than 15 years. His diverse experience as an academic and serial entrepreneur offers a wealth of insights aspiring scientist founders can draw from. 

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Mark's upbringing as a curious child in Canada and his exposure to a broad range of cultures and perspectives
  • His experiences growing up with dyslexia and how it led him to focus on science and mathematics at an early age 
  • His experience as a researcher and PhD student at Cambridge, where he transitioned from medicine to synthetic biology and stem cell research
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Mark Kotter.

Find Our Guest, Mark Kotter, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
2:42 Episode starts, early days experiencing different countries and cultures, family influence as entrepreneurs, growing up with dyslexia 
7:14 Despite strong mathematical skills, Mark’s desire to make an impact leads to a pivot to medicine
10:38 The impact of experiences in other countries while overcoming the struggles of dyslexia
12:29 Developing a passion for science and medicine, Mark’s exposure to spinal cord injuries as a nursing assistant
14:39 Changes in academic career at the University of Graz in Austria to pursue medicine
18:26 Experience at the University of Cambridge as a researcher
23:21 The culture at Cambridge supporting a sense of curiosity, lab experience as a PhD student
28:45 Understanding your purpose while navigating unique opportunities 
30:52 Outro

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
What is Dyslexia?
Spinal Cord Injuries
University of Graz
University of Cambridge

Single Cell Analysis: Considerations & Applications
Lab Equipment for Genetic Engineering Research
What is Live-Cell Imaging & How Does It Work?
Common Lab Equipment for Life Sciences Research in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-lab-equipment 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1912 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and CEO and founder of bit.bio. Bit.bio is an award-winning human synthetic biology company providing human cells for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Bit.bio applies a patented safe harbor gene targeting approach to inducibly express transcription factor combinations that reprogram human-induced pluripotent stem cells into highly defined and mature human cell types. Bit.bio spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 and has since raised approximately $200 million from Arch Ventures, Foresight Capital, Milky Way, Charles River Laboratories, National Resilience, Tencent, and Pulau Capital, among others. No No 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 4 | Quin’s Journey Through Y Combinator | The Role of Empathy in Team Dynamics | Adapting in a Shifting Biotech Industry | Ochre Bio’s Fundraising Journey & Future Plans https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8ym91m8-quin-wills-ochre-bio-part-4 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 4 | Quin’s Journey Through Y Combinator | The Role of Empathy in Team Dynamics | Adapting in a Shifting Biotech Industry | Ochre Bio’s Fundraising Journey & Future Plans 51 No No l04nmln0 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.


Part 4 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications.

In addition to his work at Ochre, Quin is also a highly accomplished academic with a medical degree from Witwatersrand University and doctoral degrees from Cambridge and Oxford in computational biology, mathematics, and statistical genomics. 

Along with his academic accomplishments, Quin also co-founded SimuGen and has worked at the University College London, the Mayo Clinic, and Novo Nordisk before he went on to co-found Ochre Bio. Quin's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights that everyone can draw inspiration from.

Join us this week and hear about Quin’s:

  • Unique journey through Y Combinator and its impact
  • Thoughts about empathy’s role in organizational and team dynamics
  • Strategies for adapting as an entrepreneur in a shifting biotech landscape
  • Experience expanding Ochre Bio globally and the challenges of scaling
  • Fundraising journey and his unconventional tips for aspiring entrepreneurs

Please enjoy my conversation with Quin Wills.

Find Our Guest, Quin Wills, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
00:28 Intro
01:46 Applying to and joining Y Combinator
03:19 Building a full stack solution for Ochre Bio and generating critical data
05:04 The impact of COVID-19, expanding globally to Taiwan and the US
08:48 Day-to-day operations and scientific structure of Ochre Bio
09:42 Investing in chemistry, establishing XLAB and its role in innovation and decision-making
11:42 Balancing innovation and value-driven projects, defining metrics of success
12:38 Quin’s fundraising journey, insights, and philosophy
13:49 The importance of focus and ending unproductive projects quickly
16:11 Ochre Bio’s evolution and future plans
17:19 Quin’s shoutouts and advice to his 21-year-old self
20:03 Outro

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1346 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. No No 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 3 | University of Oxford’s Single Cell Consortium | The Pitfalls of Californian Entrepreneurships | Dinner Table Origins of Ochre Bio | The Laws that Guide Ochre Bio https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj0p0zn-quin-wills-part-3 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 3 | University of Oxford’s Single Cell Consortium | The Pitfalls of Californian Entrepreneurships | Dinner Table Origins of Ochre Bio | The Laws that Guide Ochre Bio 50 No No 40pm6mk1 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications.

In addition to his work at Ochre, Quin is also a highly accomplished academic with a medical degree from Witwatersrand University and doctoral degrees from Cambridge and Oxford in computational biology, mathematics, and statistical genomics. 

Along with his academic accomplishments, Quin also co-founded SimuGen and has worked at the University College London, the Mayo Clinic, and Novo Nordisk before he went on to co-found Ochre Bio. Quin's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights that everyone can draw inspiration from.

Join us this week and hear about Quin’s:

  • Working at the Mayo Clinic’s Single Cell Consortium at The University of Oxford
  • The dynamics of collaboration between academia and industry, including lessons learned from his time at Novo Nordisk
  • The founding principles and evolution of Ochre Bio
  • Pivoting towards a bioinformatics approach

Please enjoy my conversation with Quin Wills.

Find Our Guest, Quin Wills, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps: 
00:28 Intro
01:46 Dealing with a rapidly evolving company and Quin’s decision to move to America
02:58 Transitioning from the Mayo Clinic back to Oxford to work at their Single Cell Consortium
04:51 Learning when to make waves and when to ride the waves and the pitfalls of “Californian entrepreneurship” 
08:10 Experience working at Novo Nordisk in collaboration with Oxford and building an innovation center that behaved like a biotech
11:35 Learning to focus more on the people element of building his department and other lessons learned from Novo Nordisk
12:57 How a chance dinner table conversation turned into Ochre Bio
14:36 Finding his co-founder and how they built Ochre from an idea to a company
17:11 The deceptively simple laws that Ochre Bio is built upon and why a good failure culture is so important to innovation
20:10 Outro

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Common Mistakes of First-Time Founders & Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1277 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. No No 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 2 | Pursuing Dual Masters at Oxford & Cambridge | Moving from Genomics to RNA Research | Balancing Academia & Entrepreneurship | The Challenges of Product-Market Fit in Biotech https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nzxyy9n-quin-wills-ochre-bio-part-2-pursuing-dual-masters-at-oxford-cambridge-moving-from-genomics-to-rna-research-balancing-academia-entrepreneurship-the-challenges-of-product-market-fit-in-biotech 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 2 | Pursuing Dual Masters at Oxford & Cambridge | Moving from Genomics to RNA Research | Balancing Academia & Entrepreneurship | The Challenges of Product-Market Fit in Biotech 49 No No 80z788k1 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications.

In addition to his work at Ochre, Quin is also a highly accomplished academic with a medical degree from Witwatersrand University and doctoral degrees from Cambridge and Oxford in computational biology, mathematics, and statistical genomics. 

Along with his academic accomplishments, Quin also co-founded SimuGen and has worked at the University College London, the Mayo Clinic, and Novo Nordisk before he went on to co-found Ochre Bio. Quin's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights that everyone can draw inspiration from.

Join us this week and hear about Quin’s:

  • Early interest for bioinformatics and genomics
  • Pursuit of dual degrees in Computational Mathematics and Biology at Oxford University at Cambridge, respectively
  • Exploration of single-cell genomics, RNA, and gene regulation
  • Experience founding SimuGen during his graduate studies

Please enjoy my conversation with Quin Wills.

Find Our Guest, Quin Wills, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:52 Pursuing dual masters at Oxford and Cambridge in computational biology and mathematics
05:16 Quin’s experience at Oxford studying genomics
06:22 Studying single-cell genomics and gene regulation
09:16 Academia’s early views on entrepreneurship and spinning out a startup
11:19 Founding SimuGen as a graduate student, balancing studies with entrepreneurship
13:04 SimuGen’s approach to drug development, the lessons learned from a lack of product-market fit
14:35 Common mistakes of a first-time scientific founder
16:21 Lessons learned from 1st wave of bioinformatics, the importance of having a clear vision
18:19 The value of understanding complex systems and learning by doing
19:05 Outro

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Oxford University https://www.ox.ac.uk/
University of Cambridge https://www.cam.ac.uk/
Common Mistakes of First-Time Founders & Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1213 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. No No 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 1 | Childhood Moments in Johannesburg | A Passion for Science Grows with an Evolving Society | Academic Experience in Biology and Genetics | Exposure to Bioinformatics and Big Data https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2n613kl8-quin-wills-ochre-bio-part-1 🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 1 | Childhood Moments in Johannesburg | A Passion for Science Grows with an Evolving Society | Academic Experience in Biology and Genetics | Exposure to Bioinformatics and Big Data 48 No No j022x6l0 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.


Part 1 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications.

 In addition to his work at Ochre, Quin is also a highly accomplished academic with a medical degree from Witwatersrand University and doctoral degrees from Cambridge and Oxford in computational biology, mathematics, and statistical genomics. Along with his academic accomplishments, Quin also co-founded SimuGen and has worked at the University College London, the Mayo Clinic, and Novo Nordisk before he went on to co-found Ochre Bio. Quin's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights that everyone can draw inspiration from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Quin's childhood, the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, and challenging the status quo
  • His time at the University College London (UCL) 
  • Transitioning from medical school to studying genetics while at Witwatersrand University
  • Getting his MPhil in biology at Cambridge
  • Early exposure and passion for bioinformatics and big data during the Human Genome Project era
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Quin Wills.

Find Our Guest, Quin Wills, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
2:22 Episode starts, childhood experiences in Johannesburg that influenced Quin’s leadership philosophy, being an action-prone scientist, and challenging the status quo 
7:07 Developing a passion for science in connection to the evolution of society
9:33 Undergraduate academic experience with genetics, microbiology, and lab-based work
11:51 Decision to leave South Africa to attend University College London (UCL), passion for bioinformatics and big data during the Human Genome Project era
15:06 Learning that taking steps back is sometimes necessary to move forward
17:38 Outro

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
What is Bioinformatics?
Human Genome Project
Witwatersrand University
University College London
University of Cambridge

Lab Equipment for Genetic Engineering Research
What is Live-Cell Imaging & How Does It Work?
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Mon, 03 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1120 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Quin Wills, CSO and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio, a pioneering biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using a combination of genomic deep phenotyping, precision RNA medicine, and testing in live human donor livers, Ochre is developing therapies for liver health challenges ranging from increasing donor liver supply to reducing cirrhosis complications. No No 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 3 | Meeting His Co-Founder at Entrepreneur First | Importance of Sales to the Scientific Community | Disrupting the Petrochemical Industry | The Dark Horse of Biology, Synthetic Biology https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nrr4mmn-grant-aarons-fabricnano-part-3 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 3 | Meeting His Co-Founder at Entrepreneur First | Importance of Sales to the Scientific Community | Disrupting the Petrochemical Industry | The Dark Horse of Biology, Synthetic Biology 47 No No 81569yy0 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. 

Before FabricNano, Grant was a Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and while pursuing his PhD at the London Business School, became an Entrepreneur In Residence at Entrepreneur First, an international business accelerator that has created over 300 companies worth over $10 billion. Grant's diverse experience gives him a unique perspective on the startup ecosystem that everyone can benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Grant’s experience at Entrepreneur First and how FabricNano started
  • Why sales is such an underrated part of the scientific community
  • How show and tell helped Grant learn at a young age how to pitch to VCs
  • What a future powered by enzymes might look like and how to disrupt the petrochemical market
  • Tips on how entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to life even in difficult economic times

Please enjoy my conversation with Grant Aarons.

Find Our Guest, Grant Aaron, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:36 What Entrepreneur First was like and the mentality one should have while in an accelerator
02:58 Meeting his co-founder and the spark of curiosity that ended up never dying
05:01 Launching FabricNano and learning how to properly run an email marketing campaign
07:43 The underrated value of sales in the biotech/scientific community and how show and tell helped Grant learn how to talk to VCs
09:39 Why FabricNano wants a future powered by enzymes and biology misconceptions
14:40 The current state of the biology market and why petrochemistry is so important to it
17:49 How do we move away from petrochemicals and what is FabricNano's role in that
21:00 What is FabricNano's go-to-market strategy and why now is the right time to disrupt the petrochemical market
24:29 Tips to other founders on how to navigate difficult economic markets and bring your innovative ideas to life
25:53 What is on the horizon for FabricNano
27:21 Teaching people about the dark horse of the industrial biology industry, synthetic biology
28:39 Grant shouts out his mentors, FabricNano, family, and why no founder gets to where they are on their own
30:17 Advice to a younger Grant
31:39 Outro

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Entrepreneur First https://www.joinef.com/ 


People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 29 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2013 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. No No 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 2 | The Defensibility of Software Companies | Studying Econometrics at London Business School | Joining Entrepreneur First | Becoming a Biotech Startup CEO & Navigating the Startup Journey https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn55v94n-grant-aarons-fabricnano-part-2 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 2 | The Defensibility of Software Companies | Studying Econometrics at London Business School | Joining Entrepreneur First | Becoming a Biotech Startup CEO & Navigating the Startup Journey 46 No No 80qq8lx0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.


Part 2 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. 

Before FabricNano, Grant was a Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and while pursuing his PhD at the London Business School, became an Entrepreneur In Residence at Entrepreneur First, an international business accelerator that has created over 300 companies worth over $10 billion. Grant's diverse experience gives him a unique perspective on the startup ecosystem that everyone can benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about Grant’s:

  • Thoughts on the defensibility of software vs. hardware companies and the importance of capital expenditure and continuous business development
  • Decision to attend London Business School and pursue his PhD
  • Econometrics and grad school research endeavors in predictive modeling
  • Learnings from the accelerator experience at Entrepreneur First, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship.

Please enjoy my conversation with Grant Aarons.

Find Our Guest, Grant Aaron, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:38 Software companies will no longer be defensible; Intel’s hardware strategy, Nvidia’s success
04:46 CapEx investments, market-capture, and FabricNano’s focus on stability and yield
07:38 How hardware companies are servicing the software industry and accumulating value
09:08 Grant’s econometrics research, DSGE mentors, and support network 
12:26 The importance of learning, decision to attend London Business School
14:58 UK mentors, their impacts on Grant’s education, and the power of opportunity
19:26 Grad school research: asset pricing, econometrics models, micro and macroeconomics
23:10 Grant’s decision to leaving the PhD program and the encouragement he received
25:25 Resonating with an investment style, The Power Law, and hardware investors
31:01 Getting involved in Entrepreneur First and the randomness of creating startups
36:23 The various approaches accelerators use to create startups, Entrepreneur First’s thesis
38:48 Management and philosophy styles, how co-founders help each other and the organization
40:33 Outro

Social & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/ 

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Federal Reserve https://www.federalreserve.gov/
London Business School https://www.london.edu/
Entrepreneur First https://www.joinef.com/

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 22 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2498 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform, providing highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Their approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. No No 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 1 | How NYC Shaped a Love of Engineering | Benefitting from Great Diversity at Cooper Union | Experiences & Opportunities at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York | Impact of the Economy on Deep Tech https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n20444n-grant-aarons-fabricnano-part-1 🧬 Grant Aarons - FabricNano - Part 1 | How NYC Shaped a Love of Engineering | Benefitting from Great Diversity at Cooper Union | Experiences & Opportunities at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York | Impact of the Economy on Deep Tech 45 No No 219q7771 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform. With clients ranging from startups to multinationals like Sumitomo Chemical Company, FabricNano provides highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform. With clients ranging from startups to multinationals like Sumitomo Chemical Company, FabricNano provides highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. FabricNano's approach starts with novel immobilization engineering for enzyme stabilization, followed by budget-conscious protein engineering and process engineering to reach their clients' targets for commercialization of their new biochemical production process. Before FabricNano, Grant was a Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and while pursuing his PhD at the London Business School, became an Entrepreneur In Residence at Entrepreneur First, an international business accelerator that has created over 300 companies worth over $10 billion. Grant's diverse experience gives him a unique perspective on the startup ecosystem that everyone can benefit from.

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Benefitting from diverse experiences while studying engineering at Cooper Union
  • Embracing experiences at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a research analyst
  • The impact of the economy on deep tech companies 
  • Tips for embracing capital dependency, intensity, and efficiency
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Grant Aarons.

Find Our Guest, Grant Aaron, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
2:29 Episode starts, early days, growing up in upstate New York and New York City’s influence on Grant’s career path
5:42 Decision to attend The Cooper Union and study engineering
7:38 Undergrad experience with physical and chemical labs, courses about new inventions
11:45 The value of diverse work experiences in coding, mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP), and economics, experience as an Android developer
17:28 The challenges of a slow feedback loop in engineering and its impact on his career choice
19:10 Experiences and opportunities at The New York Federal Reserve Bank, the opportunity to attend research presentations and being employed as a research analyst
23:39 How times of uncertainty and stress at The Fed led to innovation, new tools, new models
25:53 The purpose of the Federal Reserve Bank and its goals to keep inflation in check and keep unemployment low
30:02 The current state of the economy, coming off zero, and its impact on deep tech and innovative technology businesses
34:29 Benefits of deep tech embracing capital dependency with capital intensity and efficiency
37:02 Outro

Social & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Federal Reserve Bank of New York ​​https://www.newyorkfed.org/
Mechanical Electrical Plumbing
What is debugging?
Tappan zee Bridge Replacement Project
DSGE Model-Based Forecast
New York Fed Nowcast

What Is an Operating Lease? https://www.excedr.com/blog/operating-lease 

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 15 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2295 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform. With clients ranging from startups to multinationals like Sumitomo Chemical Company, FabricNano provides highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Grant Aarons, Co-Founder and CEO of FabricNano, a London-based biotech whose mission is to transform industrial chemical processes using cell-free biomanufacturing. FabricNano empowers users with the world's most advanced, flexible, and easily scalable biocatalyst platform. With clients ranging from startups to multinationals like Sumitomo Chemical Company, FabricNano provides highly stable and performant biocatalysts to enable profitable production of sustainable and biobased chemicals. No No 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 3 | Assurex’s Journey From Garage to GeneSight | Keeping a Team Together Through the M&A Process | Building a Diagnostics Company During Covid | What Sherlock & Netflix Have in Common https://podcasts.fame.so/e/18pvy028-bryan-dechairo-sherlock-biosciences-part-3 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 3 | Assurex’s Journey From Garage to GeneSight | Keeping a Team Together Through the M&A Process | Building a Diagnostics Company During Covid | What Sherlock & Netflix Have in Common 44 No No z1r36q70 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.


Part 3 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health.

Before Sherlock, and most recently, Bryan was Executive VP at Myriad Genetics and CSO and CMO at Assurex Health. His extensive career spans over two decades and also includes prominent positions at Medco Health, Pfizer, Oxagen, Sequana Therapeutics, and Roche. Bryan's vast experience working at both startups and Fortune 500 companies gives him unique insights that any entrepreneur can benefit from. 

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Scaling Assurex Health out of a garage to developing a best-in-class pharmacogenomic test, GeneSight
  • Working for multiple companies that had gone through the M&A process
  • Developing Sherlock Biosciences’s home diagnostics test during Covid-19
  • Tips and advice to other CEOs on how to raise capital in a challenging economic environment
  • And much more!

Please enjoy my conversation with Bryan Dechairo.

Find Our Guest, Bryan Dechairo, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro and episode overview
01:23 Getting acquired by Express Scripts and dealing with new ownership
03:34 Working on a small team that got their start out of a garage and helping them scale
06:23 Pitfalls to avoid while scaling your business and other tips for growing companies
07:47 Why scientists do not always make the best biotech CEO's and the value of having a diverse knowledge base
11:56 Myriad Genetics's acquisition of Assurex and keeping his team together through the M&A process
15:60 Leaving Myriad Genetics and figuring out why Sherlock Biosciences was the right move
19:26 What the home diagnostics environment was like during Covid
22:20 Deciding on what would be the first over-the-counter test Sherlock would focus on
25:15 Adapting diagnostic testing to the modern convenience world we live in today
27:37 Why did this brilliant idea take so long to get to where it is today?
31:12 Comparing the system used to distribute at-home Covid tests with Sherlock's and how they improved on it
32:56 Tips for other business owners on how to develop and maintain your company's talent
35:59 Advice for raising capital while in lean economic environments from a biotech CEO's point of view
40:17 Sherlock Biosciences acquisition of Sense Biodetection and why the move made sense
43:45 What on the horizon for Sherlock Biosciences and what Sherlock and Netflix have in common
47:18 Shout outs, thank you's, and advice to younger Bryan
48:38 Outro

Social & Website

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Assurex/GeneSight https://genesight.com/ 
Myriad Genetics https://myriad.com/ 
Sherlock Biosciences https://sherlock.bio/ 

Marketing and Sales Strategies for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs 
What is a C-Corp & Why Do Investors Prefer it? https://www.excedr.com/resources/c-corp-investors-prefer
How to Write a Business Plan for Your Biotech Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs 

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 08 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3028 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. No No 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 2 | Transitioning From a Small Startup to Pfizer | Big Data's Role in Modern Genetics | Building & Leading Dynamic Teams | The Evolution of Personalized Medicine https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kmj3q8-bryan-dechairo-sherlock-biosciences-part-2 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 2 | Transitioning From a Small Startup to Pfizer | Big Data's Role in Modern Genetics | Building & Leading Dynamic Teams | The Evolution of Personalized Medicine 43 No No 71w798q1 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health.

Before Sherlock, and most recently, Bryan was Executive VP at Myriad Genetics and CSO and CMO at Assurex Health. His extensive career spans over two decades and also includes prominent positions at Medco Health, Pfizer, Oxagen, Sequana Therapeutics, and Roche. Bryan's vast experience working at both startups and Fortune 500 companies gives him unique insights that any entrepreneur can benefit from. 

Join us this week and hear about:

  • Bryan’s move from a small startup to Pfizer
  • The crucial nature of big data in modern genetics
  • Bryan’s experience at Medco Health (an American Pharmacy Benefits Management company)
  • The importance of accessible, affordable, and accurate diagnostics resources

Please enjoy my conversation with Bryan Dechairo.

Find Our Guest, Bryan Dechairo, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Timestamps
00:28 Intro and episode overview
01:53 Bryan’s transition from academia and a small startup to Pfizer
02:37 The role and impact of big data in Bryan's career
05:20 Building a team and fostering the right environment for employees
06:56 Supporting team growth, helping individual contributors succeed
09:37 Reflections on career development, key learning points from working at startups
12:08 Adjusting to Pfizer, finding the right fit, and dealing with anxiety
15:07 Discussing strategic decision-making and incorporating new technologies
16:23 Managing different teams and the matrix-based organizational structure
19:49 Start with the Problem Statement: identify a need, then create a solution
24:40 Transitioning from Pfizer to Medco Health and learning about personalized medicine
27:17 Evolving role of pharmacy benefit managers in healthcare and diagnostics reimbursement
30:38 Closing thoughts on the healthcare industry and advancements in Diagnostics
33:10 Outro

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 01 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2054 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. No No 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 1 | A Love of Science Blossoming from a 10-Acre Hobby Farm | Experiencing Great Diversity at UC Berkeley | Growth & Enjoyment of Startups | Unexpected Travels to Pursue a Dream Overseas https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n3mzv9n-bryan-dechairo-sherlock-biosciences-part-1- 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 1 | A Love of Science Blossoming from a 10-Acre Hobby Farm | Experiencing Great Diversity at UC Berkeley | Growth & Enjoyment of Startups | Unexpected Travels to Pursue a Dream Overseas 42 No No m1j26rx1 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. Together, they provide an unparalleled set of capabilities that are transforming molecular diagnostics in clinical and non-clinical settings. Before Sherlock, and most recently, Bryan was Executive VP at Myriad Genetics and CSO and CMO at Assurex Health. His extensive career spans over two decades and also includes prominent positions at Medco Health, Pfizer, Oxagen, Sequana Therapeutics, and Roche. Bryan's vast experience working at both startups and Fortune 500 companies gives him unique insights that any entrepreneur can benefit from.

Join us as we sit down with Bryan as he discusses his early years growing up on a 10-acre hobby farm in Valley Center, Southern California, his decision to study integrative biology at UC Berkeley, and his early exposure to clinical diagnostics at Roche. Bryan talks about his transition to a startup, Sequana Therapeutics, and his love for that familial environment all while pursuing his PhD. Lastly, Bryan recounts embracing a new cultural experience in the UK while studying at the University College London. Please enjoy my conversation with Bryan Dechairo.

Find Our Guest, Bryan Dechairo, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:20 Episode starts, early days and upbringing, growing up in the 70s on a Southern California hobby farm
04:33 Being raised around science and research, finding business inspiration while being on a farm
08:02 Bryan’s decision to attend Berkeley and study Integrated Biology
11:00 Undergrad lab experience with genetics, mushroom hunting, volunteering for free experiences
15:23 Experiences and opportunities at Roche post-graduation, the opportunity to collaborate with competitors
19:19 Determining what was next after Roche, attended a life-changing career fair that led to working at Sequana Therapeutics
22:21 The enjoyment and family dynamic of working with a startup
26:23 A surprising and exciting move to the UK to work with Oxagen Ltd and receive a PhD at the University College of London
32:08 Outro

Social & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
How PCR Systems Work & How We Save You Time & Money https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/pcr-systems
Genetic Vectors: Overview, Types, & Applications https://www.excedr.com/resources/genetic-vectors
Single-Cell Epigenomics: Changes to Genomes without DNA Alterations https://www.excedr.com/blog/single-cell-epigenomics

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1987 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. No No 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 3 | Transitioning to Vizgen From Akoya | What is Spatial Genomics | The Importance of Genetic Mapping | How to Grow Your Company During Turbulent Times https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x81rz77n-terry-lo-vizgen-part-3-transitioning-to-vizgen-from-akoya-what-is-spatial-genomics-the-importance-of-genetic-mapping-how-to-grow-your-company-during-turbulent-times 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 3 | Transitioning to Vizgen From Akoya | What is Spatial Genomics | The Importance of Genetic Mapping | How to Grow Your Company During Turbulent Times 41 No No 713z5yy0 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics.

Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products.

Join us as we conclude our conversation with Terry, where we talk about him working in the revolutionary fields of spatial biology and spatial genomics, the challenges of growing a five person company, and some of the exciting things that Vizgen has on the horizon. We also discuss the importance of genetic mapping, Terry gives some advice for weathering turbulent economic times, and we talk about the important influence his parents had on his development. Please enjoy my conversation with Terry Lo.

Find Our Guest, Terry Lo, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lo-034a034/
https://vizgen.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:25 Revolutionizing spatial biology and scaling up Akoya Bioscience's operations
04:30 Recognizing a new opportunity emerging in spatial genomics and transitioning from Akoya to Vizgen
06:09 How Vizgen came to be and what early development was like on a 5 person team
07:53 What the spatial genomics field was like at that time and what is it like now
09:32 Vizgen's go-to-market strategy and how it is different from others
12:25 How Vizgen communicates the technical aspects behind what makes their product so accurate
14:33 Meaning behind the statement "Every disease has a map, every cure has a path"
18:14 Tips for running a business during turbulent economic times
20:22 Dealing with fundraising while being a private company that isn't profitable yet, managing rapid growth of the company
22:48 Exciting developments for Vizgen in 2024
25:57 Terry shouts out his parents and talks about their influence on him
27:08 Terry's advice to his 21 year old self
28:26 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Spatial Genomics https://vizgen.com/what-is-spatial-genomics/
Spatial Biology https://www.akoyabio.com/why-spatial-biology/
Vizgen https://vizgen.com/
Akoya Bioscience https://www.akoyabio.com/
Cell Atlasing https://www.humancellatlas.org/

How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Unleashing Innovation https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-tax-credits-incentives
Biotech Partnerships https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
Pre-Money vs. Post-Money: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money
What Is Financial Modeling & How Can It Help with Fundraising? https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-financial-modeling
Equipment Leasing vs. Financing: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-leasing-vs-financing
Finance https://www.excedr.com/category/finance
What Is a C-Corp & Why Do Investors Prefer It? https://www.excedr.com/resources/c-corp-investors-prefer
What Is Due Diligence? How to Prepare For It & Avoid Mistakes https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-due-diligence
A Guide to Writing a Small Business Grant Proposal https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-write-a-small-business-grant-proposal
How to Write a Business Plan for Your Biotech Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs
How to get Funding for Lab Research in 2024  https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1805 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. No No 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 2 | Terry’s Move from Big Pharma to Diagnostics | Introduction to Spatial Biology | Navigating Regulatory & Reimbursement Challenges in Diagnostics | Balancing Multiple Roles in M&A Negotiations https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rn709j78-terry-lo-vizgen-part-2 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 2 | Terry’s Move from Big Pharma to Diagnostics | Introduction to Spatial Biology | Navigating Regulatory & Reimbursement Challenges in Diagnostics | Balancing Multiple Roles in M&A Negotiations 40 No No k18z46l1 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomic. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. Part 2 of 3.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics.

Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products.

Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Terry, where we talk about his transition from Big Pharma to diagnostics, the challenges of moving into the diagnostics industry, and the contrasts between drug and diagnostic development processes. Terry also discusses his experience at Roche, his time with Akoya Biosciences after PerkinElmer, and his involvement in the M&A process while balancing multiple roles. Please enjoy my conversation with Terry Lo.

Find Our Guest, Terry Lo, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:35 Leaving Bristol, joining Cytyc, and transitioning into International Strategy role 
03:48 The contrasts between Diagnostics and Big Pharma
05:28 Drug development vs. diagnostics development processes
09:27 Moving to China and adapting to his role change from International Strategy to Managing Director
10:43 Adjusting to life in China with his pregnant wife
13:25 Moving back to the US and joining Roche Molecular in California
15:26 Transitioning to PerkinElmer and Terry’s intro to spatial biology
17:28 The challenges and triumphs in this new field
20:25 The challenges of regulatory agencies and reimbursement in Diagnostics and getting a product through the FDA
24:58 Merging with Akoya Biosciences after PerkinElmer to support Terry’s platform
26:51 Terry’s experience with M&A of Akoya by PerkinElmer, balancing multiple roles
29:13 Outro ​

Social & Website:

Topics Mentioned:
Drug development vs. diagnostics development https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235489/
How Biotech & Big Pharma Partner to Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
Regulatory and reimbursement impacts in Pharma https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234312/ 
Drug approval with FDA
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:48:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1818 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomic. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomic. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market, with a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Hologic, and PerkinElmer. In addition to his two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products. No No 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 1 | Leveraging Passion for Science to Succeed in Finance | Sales Excellence as an Introvert Through Competition | Financial Modeling & Creating Proper Deal Structure | How Not To Be A Jack of All Trades https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1823lv3n-terry-lo-vizgen-part-1-leveraging-passion-for-science-to-succeed-in-finance-sales-excellence-as-an-introvert-through-competition-financial-modeling-creating-proper-deal-structure-how-not-to-be-a-jack-of-all-trades 🧬 Terry Lo - Vizgen - Part 1 | Leveraging Passion for Science to Succeed in Finance | Sales Excellence as an Introvert Through Competition | Financial Modeling & Creating Proper Deal Structure | How Not To Be A Jack of All Trades 39 No No 209zkwz1 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Vizgen’s technology will aid the acceleration of biological research and discovery to advance human health Part 1 of 3.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” at https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Vizgen’s technology will aid the acceleration of biological research and discovery to advance human health. Terry is a pioneer in the emerging Spatial Biology market and has a proven track record of driving exceptional growth across global life science organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hologic, Roche, PerkinElmer, and Akoya Biosciences. In addition to over two decades of experience scaling and building multinational biopharma and diagnostic groups, he is also an expert in developing business strategies for novel, innovative products.

Join us as we sit down with Terry as he talks about his early years, studying psychology and molecular genetics as an undergraduate at Ohio State and his later decision to pursue a master's in microbiology at Virginia Tech and then finance at the University of Chicago. Terry also discusses his transition from investment banking to corporate development and marketing roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, and highlights the importance of understanding customer needs and financial modeling in business development. Please enjoy my conversation with Terry Lo.

Find Our Guest, Terry Lo, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lo-034a034/
https://vizgen.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:10 Episode start, early experiences at Ohio State and Terry’s decision to pursue science
05:09 Terry's unique undergraduate lab experience in psychology and molecular biology
07:01 Terry's time at Virginia Tech as a molecular microbiology grad student running experiments
10:08 Terry mapping out his decision to go towards business after graduating from Virginia Tech
13:00 Terry's experience in sales after being in the lab
16:02 MBA at the University of Chicago and the decision that led Terry there
17:44 Key lessons and takeaways from being at the University of Chicago
19:28 Terry's experience in investment banking and financing, key takeaways, and learning financial modeling
25:28 Terry's time at Bristol-Myers Squibb in corporate development and experience in the marketing department
29:45 Terry's experience and transition to international business
31:50 Advice on business development
37:16 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Topics Mentioned:
An Equipment Leasing Program for Scientists https://www.excedr.com/leasing
How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Unleashing Innovation https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-tax-credits-incentives
Biotech Partnerships https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
Pre-Money vs. Post-Money: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money
What Is Financial Modeling & How Can It Help with Fundraising? https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-financial-modeling
Equipment Leasing vs. Financing: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-leasing-vs-financing
Finance https://www.excedr.com/category/finance
What Is a C-Corp & Why Do Investors Prefer It? https://www.excedr.com/resources/c-corp-investors-prefer
What Is Due Diligence? How to Prepare For It & Avoid Mistakes https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-due-diligence
A Guide to Writing a Small Business Grant Proposal https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-write-a-small-business-grant-proposal
How to Write a Business Plan for Your Biotech Startup
https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2295 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Vizgen’s technology will aid the acceleration of biological research and discovery to advance human health Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen. Vizgen is developing and commercializing the next generation of genomics tools to expand on the capabilities of spatially resolved transcriptomics. Vizgen’s technology will aid the acceleration of biological research and discovery to advance human health No No 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 3 | Don’t Fake it ‘Til you Make It | Cleaning Your Corporate “Underwear” | Thielsen’s Investment Philosophy | The Critical Importance of Alignment https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn02ljqn-mike-stadnisky-thielsen-capital-part-3 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 3 | Don’t Fake it ‘Til you Make It | Cleaning Your Corporate “Underwear” | Thielsen’s Investment Philosophy | The Critical Importance of Alignment 38 No No p1kr2xp0 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Part 3 of 3.
 
My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award.

Join us as we conclude our conversation with Mike Stadnisky as he discusses the important lessons that he learned from going through the M&A process, and how knowing about them early can benefit founders. We also discuss why it is essential for you to have the mentality that someone will see your corporate “underwear,” and why proper documentation is tedious yet vital to your company’s success. Finally, we conclude our interview with Mike by reviewing Thielsen Capital’s unique investment philosophy and the exciting things that are on the horizon for them. Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Stadnisky.

Find Our Guest, Mike Stadnisky, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikestadnisky/
https://www.thielsencapital.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:55 “Wouldn’t it be nice,” approach to calling in a favor
02:52 Be boldly innovative, but do not fake it till you make it
05:27 Learning the pitfalls of overpromising, being honest about what can and cannot be done
07:35 The importance of having loyalty and real excitement from your customer base
09:16 How social media is underutilized in the life sciences and what founders can learn from going through the M&A process
11:50 The importance of strategic optionality and other lessons learned from FlowJo’s acquisition
13:26 Decoding banker-speak and why you should always have the mentality that someone will see your corporate “underwear”
15:31 Lawyers, proper documentation, and other vital, yet unsexy, company hygiene practices
16:59 Write your own business case because you can never assume that another company understands it
19:48 Advice to startups about defining how your business will succeed and scale
22:13 Why a robust finance team and proper financial reporting are critical, even in the life sciences
24:40 Another of Mike’s financial modeling sins and being honest about how much capital your company really needs
27:01 How the M&A process inspired Mike to get into investing and start Thielsen Capital
29:57 Thielsen Capital’s objectives, mission, and what sets them apart from other VCs
31:44 Why Mike fundamentally disagrees with the 1:10 success rate model
34:02 How to maintain that founder magic and convincing people to operate in their own best interest
36:33 Paths other than the power law distribution VC route and why having optionality is important
39:55 Dangers of being in an over-capitalized environment and what getting on the venture treadmill means
42:29 Alignment and other important things founders must consider when they use alternatives fundraising sources
44:55 Finding the right people to match where your company is and why Thielsen’s focused investment philosophy is not for everyone
47:16 What's on the horizon for Thielsen Capital and the unique communal aspect of the life sciences industry
50:06 Why the work life science companies do is amazing despite their struggles to explain it to the public clearly
51:46 Mike shouts out his wife, mentors, and exceptional teams that he has worked with
54:05 Advice and perspective Mike would share with his younger self
55:47 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Thielsen Capital https://www.thielsencapital.com/
FlowJo Inc.  https://www.flowjo.com/
Phitonex https://www.linkedin.com/company/thermospectralcytometry/
Levi’s https://www.levistrauss.com/levis-history/

How Do Core Labs Support Life Science Research? https://www.excedr.com/blog/core-labs/
Top Cities for Biotech https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-cities-for-biotech/
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations/
What is Financial Modeling https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-financial-modeling
Software Tools for Keeping Startup Costs in Check https://www.excedr.com/blog/tools-for-keeping-startup-costs-in-check
Guide to Reducing Startup Costs & Expenses https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
What Is Equity Crowdfunding https://www.excedr.com/resources/equity-crowdfunding-in-biotech
How to get Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
Guide to Grant Funding for Biotech Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups
Biotech Startup Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
VC Term Sheets: What They Include & Why They Matter https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets/

Multi-Omics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiomics
Ultrarunning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultramarathon
Term sheets https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termsheet.asp
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mergersandacquisitions.asp
Business Development https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/090815/basics-business-development.asp
Decision-Makers vs. Technical Champions https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/champion-vs-decision-maker-whom-target-b2b-customer-frederik-vosberg/
What are KOLs
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-kol-marketing-key-opinion-leaders-retailboss/
Go-to-Market Strategy https://www.cognism.com/blog/what-is-a-go-to-market-strategy

People Mentioned:
Mario Roederer https://www.flowjo.com/about/company/founders
Alex Roederer https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-roederer-8562051b9/
Alvin Phitonex https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-lebeck-b626842/
Craig LaBonda https://www.linkedin.com/in/craiglaboda/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3478 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. No No 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 2 | Transitioning from Academia to Business | Breaking Into Business Development | Finding Decision Makers & Champions | Navigating Partnerships & Strategy https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68rk5ymn-mike-stadnisky-thielsen-capital-part-2 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 2 | Transitioning from Academia to Business | Breaking Into Business Development | Finding Decision Makers & Champions | Navigating Partnerships & Strategy 37 No No 805z3py1 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award.

Join us as we sit down with Mike Stadnisky as he discusses his transition from academia to business and how he learned about business development. He also discusses the importance of your peer group, and how thoroughly you should do your research before meeting potential business partners. Lastly, Mike discusses the complexity of finding decision makers, and the importance of differentiating between decision makers and champions in business partnerships. Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Stadnisky.

Find Our Guest, Mike Stadnisky, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikestadnisky/
https://www.thielsencapital.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:10 Transitioning from academia to FlowJo and the importance of networking
03:25 The usefulness of informational interviews, being pushy and following up
06:04 Interviewing with FlowJo, checking out Ashland, and meeting the team
08:43 How a significant others can provide the support and advice entrepreneurs need
10:40 Business partners, first-hires, mentors, and investors who create value will help you succeed
11:30 The importance of your peer group and who you surround yourself with
13:21 Joining FlowJo and wearing many hats on a small team
16:05 Defining business development and Mike’s advice for grad students interested in BD
22:04 Do your homework before you meet with potential business partners
25:05 The complexity of finding a decision-maker and the differences between technical champions
29:17 Bringing decision-makers and technical champions together
31:10 Mike’s additions to the recipe for successful business development
33:13 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
What Is Patent Licensing & How Does It Work? https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-works/
How Do Core Labs Support Life Science Research? https://www.excedr.com/blog/core-labs/
Multi-Omics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiomics
Ultrarunning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultramarathon
Top Cities for Biotech https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-cities-for-biotech/
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations/
Biotech Partnerships: Partnering with Big Pharma To Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research/
Business Development https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/090815/basics-business-development.asp
Go-to-Market Strategy https://www.cognism.com/blog/what-is-a-go-to-market-strategy
Decision-Makers vs. Technical Champions https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/champion-vs-decision-maker-whom-target-b2b-customer-frederik-vosberg/
Term sheets https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termsheet.asp
VC Term Sheets: What They Include & Why They Matter https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2086 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. No No 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 1 | Familial Exposure to Business & Science at a Young Age | The Importance of “Care Before You Share” | Actively Managing Your Time | A PhD is a 10,000 Hour Degree https://podcasts.fame.so/e/489xyw1n-mike-stadnisky-thielsen-capital-part-1 🧬 Mike Stadnisky - Thielsen Capital - Part 1 | Familial Exposure to Business & Science at a Young Age | The Importance of “Care Before You Share” | Actively Managing Your Time | A PhD is a 10,000 Hour Degree 36 No No v17zy9x0 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. Part 1 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award.

Join us as we sit down with Mike Stadnisky as he discusses his early exposure to leadership in business and the obsession that drew him to science. How he acquired critical and transformative skills as a student brand manager at Red Bull, his experience in Michael Brown’s lab at UVA, and his thoughts on the importance of lab culture and team dynamics in research environments. Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Stadnisky.

Find Our Guest, Mike Stadnisky, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:03 Episode starts, Mike’s upbringing and early exposure to private enterprises and leadership skills
07:46 How Mike’s early exposure to science sparked his obsession with it over business
10:10 Mike attending Clemson for Biochem and his lab experience as an undergraduate
15:14 Mike’s transformative experience working with Red Bull, learning the ability to interact with passionate people
25:28 Mike’s realization that his time at Red Bull was ending and how he knew it was time to go back to the lab to finish his PhD
31:07 Grad school at UVA and experiences in Michael Brown’s lab
39:09 Mike’s decision to not go down the academic path
42:28 Mike's advice on how to be successful in graduate school
49:52 Outro

Social & Website
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
What Type of Equipment Is Used in Chemistry Research? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-type-of-equipment-is-used-in-chemistry-research
Biology Lab Equipment List To Open Your New Lab in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/biology-lab-equipment-list
What Is Flow Cytometry & How Do Flow Cytometers Work? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-flow-cytometry-how-do-flow-cytometers-work
How Flow Cytometers Work & How We Save You Time & Money https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/flow-cytometer
17 Incubators for US-Based Biotech Startups in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-incubators

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 3051 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Mike Stadnisky, Managing Director of Thielsen Capital. Thielsen Capital is a seed-stage financing syndicate network bringing together life science investors, operators, and innovators to drive exceptional outcomes for founding teams, investors, and science. Before Thielsen, Mike was the CEO of Phitonex, which Thermo Fisher acquired. He was also VP & GM of Informatics at BD Life Sciences and was the CEO of FlowJo before its acquisition by BD. He has also taught at MIT Sloan, authored 10 patents, and won the 2019 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Innovation Award. No No 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 3 | Transitioning from Big Pharma to Biotech Startups | Lessons in Flexibility, Resilience, & Adaptability | Challenging Long-Held Beliefs in Drug Discovery | The Evolution & Future of iBio https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nrk7678-martin-brenner-ibio-part-3 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 3 | Transitioning from Big Pharma to Biotech Startups | Lessons in Flexibility, Resilience, & Adaptability | Challenging Long-Held Beliefs in Drug Discovery | The Evolution & Future of iBio 35 No No 815zrvr0 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Part 3 of 3. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. 

Martin is a seasoned executive and drug hunter with a unique journey spanning electrical engineering to veterinary medicine to scientific leadership roles. He has led drug discovery teams at several top global pharma companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck. Prior to his current role at iBio, Martin was VP and head of R&D at Stoke Therapeutics, CSO at Recursion, and CSO at Phoenix, which was eventually acquired by Ligon Pharmaceuticals. 

In part 3 of our conversation with Martin, we chat about his journey from working at large pharmaceutical companies to joining biotech startups. He discusses the importance of mental flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in the biotech industry and reflects on his experiences at Stoke Therapeutics, Recursion, and Pfenex Inc., highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building innovative biotech solutions. He also talks about the significance and importance of strong team dynamics, runway management, and the need to challenge long-held beliefs in the ever-evolving biotech landscape. Please enjoy my conversation with Martin Brenner.

Find Our Guest, Martin Brenner, at these links: 

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 
Timestamps:
00:00:29 Intro
00:01:13 Transitioning from Big Pharma to the startup world; startup needs
00:02:43 Joining the team at Stoke Therapeutics
00:03:35 Resilience & adaptability playing a key role in startups
00:04:34 Martin’s time working with Art Levin
00:07:10 Asking for help & leveraging AppleTree’s family of companies
00:10:45 Transitioning from Stoke Therapeutics to Recursion
00:12:17 The challenges at Recursion & starting fresh
00:13:33 Building a line-of-sight program
00:15:52 The challenge of questioning established processes
00:16:48 The idea & pitch behind Enveda Biosciences
00:18:55 The differences & similarities between entrepreneurs
00:20:16 Reflecting on processes & continuously learning
00:24:04 Martins’ move from Recursion to Pfenex Inc. & building the team
00:28:40 The importance of understanding personnel
00:30:17 Martin’s team at Pfenex & the Merger with Ligand
00:31:54 Going through the ups & downs of the M&A process
00:33:47 Post-acquisition integration & cultural resonance
00:35:05 Martin’s opportunity at iBio
00:37:17 The challenges at iBio & their strategy shift
00:41:17 iBio’s current technology & development of antibodies
00:51:46 iBio’s new direction & search for strategic partnerships
00:59:57 Martin’s experience running a publicly traded company
01:03:35 The importance of development & succession plans
01:05:56 Martin’s experience as CEO & learning how to speak finance
01:09:46 Hitting major milestones on iBio’s horizon
01:14:24 Martin thanks those who have supported him
01:17:02 The things Martin would tell his younger self: get into biotech sooner
01:19:02 Outro

Social & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/ 

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Understanding Debt & Equity Options for Your Funding: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startup

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 4864 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. No No 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 2 | Autonomy at Eli Lilly vs. Structure at Pfizer | Transitioning from AstraZeneca to Merck | Joys & Challenges When Relocating for Work | A Biotech Vision Leading to an Exit From Big Pharma https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4jxy1n-martin-brenner-ibio-part-2 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 2 | Autonomy at Eli Lilly vs. Structure at Pfizer | Transitioning from AstraZeneca to Merck | Joys & Challenges When Relocating for Work | A Biotech Vision Leading to an Exit From Big Pharma 34 No No x06zlnq0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Martin is a seasoned executive and drug hunter with a unique journey spanning electrical engineering to veterinary medicine to scientific leadership roles. He has led drug discovery teams at several top global pharma companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck. Prior to his current role at iBio, Martin was VP and head of R&D at Stoke Therapeutics, CSO at Recursion, and CSO at Pfenex, which was eventually acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Over the next three episodes, we cover a wide range of topics, including Martin's upbringing in Germany, his decision to pursue a DVM and a PhD in pharmacology, and his deep expertise with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and diabetic complications. Martin will also discuss his experience leading a modified mRNA therapeutics collaboration with Moderna.

Join us as we sit down with Martin Brenner as he talks about his transition from Eli Lilly to Boston where he rebuilt part of Pfizer, his move back overseas to Sweden with AstraZeneca, and his fascination with Moderna’s speedy biotech approach to pharmaceuticals. Martin discusses his vision of building a biotech within a large pharmaceutical company at Merck and how he ultimately decided to leave big pharma. Please enjoy my conversation with Martin Brenner.

Find Our Guest, Martin Brenner, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbrenner/
https://ibioinc.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:27 Episode starts, opportunities at Eli Lilly shrinking, Martin relocating to the US, the decision to rebuild in Massachusetts with Pfizer
08:11 The difference between Pfizer and Eli Lilly’s approaches
12:08 The process of rebuilding at Pfizer
16:09 Martin’s transition to AstraZeneca, a misalignment for big pharma employees
18:28 Martin's move to Sweden and his opportunity at AstraZeneca
22:28 The fascination with Moderna’s ability to develop, the personal decision to transition from AstraZeneca, moving back to the US
25:36 How the opportunity at Merck started, another move from New Jersey back to Boston, ultimately getting out of big pharma and going into industry
32:11 Changing the company environment and culture for the better, how to allow scientists freedom while staying on course
35:48 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Biotechnology Lab Essentials https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotechnology-lab-essentials
How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
What Is Guide RNA (gRNA)? https://www.excedr.com/resources/grna
What Is DNA Extraction? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-dna-extraction
A Guide to Grant Funding for Biotech Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups
Understanding the IND Application Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/ind-application-process

People Mentioned:
Saswata Talukdar https://www.linkedin.com/in/saswata-talukdar-3b20942a/
Marcus Schindler https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-schindler-a9b843a/
Carina Ämmälä https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceammala/
Stéphane Bancel https://www.linkedin.com/in/st%C3%A9phane-bancel-8185251/
Ying Zhang https://www.linkedin.com/in/ying-zhang-22b7988/
Roger M. Perlmutter https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-m-perlmutter-73033920a/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2213 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. No No 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 1 | How Childhood Influences Shape Career Paths | Unexpected Crossovers Between Engineering & Veterinary Clinics | Eli Lilly Nurturing His Professional Development | Communication Can Make or Break Leadership https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9xxw38-martin-brenner-ibio-part-1 🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 1 | How Childhood Influences Shape Career Paths | Unexpected Crossovers Between Engineering & Veterinary Clinics | Eli Lilly Nurturing His Professional Development | Communication Can Make or Break Leadership 33 No No v07zz921 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Martin is a seasoned executive and drug hunter with a unique journey spanning electrical engineering to veterinary medicine to scientific leadership roles. He has led drug discovery teams at several top global pharma companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck. Prior to his current role at iBio, Martin was VP and head of R&D at Stoke Therapeutics, CSO at Recursion, and CSO at Pfenex, which was eventually acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals.

Join us as we sit down with Martin Brenner as he discusses his early years and upbringing in Germany, his transition from electrical engineering at Ulm University to veterinarian medicine at LMU Munich, and the practical experience he gained from working in veterinary clinics. Martin discusses the discovery of his passion for pharmacology, the pursuit of his Ph.D. at Hanover, and his exciting time and professional development at Eli Lilly. Please enjoy my conversation with Martin Brenner.

Find Our Guest, Martin Brenner, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbrenner/
https://ibioinc.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:14 Episode starts, Martin’s upbringing in Germany and how it influenced his leadership style and business philosophy
06:23 Going to Ulm University for electrical engineering, then pivoting towards veterinarian medicine
10:34 Experiences while in veterinary school at LMU Munich
14:43 The difficulties of veterinarian school, his experiences with vet clinic work, Martin’s light-bulb inspiration about wanting to make medicine
18:58 Jumping right into his Ph.D. at Hanover, his decision to pursue pharmacology and a job opportunity with Eli Lilly
20:55 Jumping into practical work at Eli Lilly while still finishing coursework at Hanover
23:53 Deciding to stay with Eli Lilly instead of going toward academia
26:01 The comparative unusualness of a grad student finding mentors and resources easily
29:02 His evolution in professional development managing 20 people, how to be a great VP/CEO
34:32 Outro
Long-Form Video Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:46 Episode starts, Martin’s upbringing in Germany and how it influenced his leadership style and business philosophy
07:25 Going to Ulm University for electrical engineering, then pivoting towards veterinarian medicine
13:50 Experiences while in veterinary school at LMU Munich
18:47 The difficulties of veterinarian school, his experiences with vet clinic work, Martin’s light-bulb inspiration about wanting to make medicine
23:11 Jumping right into his Ph.D. at Hanover, his decision to pursue pharmacology and a job opportunity with Eli Lilly
25:34 Jumping into practical work at Eli Lilly while still finishing coursework at Hanover
29:11 Deciding to stay with Eli Lilly instead of going toward academia
31:42 The comparative unusualness of a grad student finding mentors and resources easily
35:16 His evolution in professional development managing 20 people, how to be a great VP/CEO
40:31 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
 
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
LMU Munich https://www.lmu.de/en/
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Biotechnology Lab Essentials https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotechnology-lab-essentials
How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
Understanding Tissue Culture https://www.excedr.com/blog/tissue-culture
Top Cities for Biotech https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-cities-for-biotech
Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide
Understanding the NDA Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/new-drug-application-process
Understanding the Abbreviated New Drug Application https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-abbreviated-new-drug-application
Lab Equipment Leasing https://www.excedr.com/leasing

People Mentioned:
Rohit Kulkarni https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-kulkarni-5a0a4b24/
Mike Coghlan https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-coghlan-1a64a146/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2011 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. No No 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 3 | Bucking the Status Quo | Raising Capital During Peak COVID | How To Find & Retain Great Talent | Building Partnerships with Distributors https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84j36k8-jeff-kim-slingshot-biosciences-part-3 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 3 | Bucking the Status Quo | Raising Capital During Peak COVID | How To Find & Retain Great Talent | Building Partnerships with Distributors 32 No No x16z8kw1 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded and run multiple successful companies, including Radiant Genomics, which was eventually acquired by Zymergen, and Pattern Ag, a company mapping soil microbes to help farmers grow their bottom line. Before Radiant, Jeff was a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and was the project lead for jet fuel development at Amyris Biotechnologies.

Join us as we sit down with Jeff as he discusses how he assembled his team at Slingshot in the early days, what it was like raising venture capital during the peak of COVID-19, and how as a team, they came up with their company culture and found their North Star. Jeff talks about his experiences working with distributors as part of their global expansion, and how the idea of picking distributors relies on forming a solid partnership. Lastly, Jeff discusses the exciting future in store for Slingshot and gives us a sneak peek into the growth of the business. Please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Kim.

Find Our Guest, Jeff Kim, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimjeff/
https://slingshotbio.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:20 How the team at Slingshot came to be, early days and the state of the market - how Slingshot bucked the status quo
06:19 Raising venture capital and fundraising during peak COVID
08:11 Slingshot’s company culture, finding/maintaining great talent
13:26 Expanding globally and this expansion coinciding with peak COVID
15:53 Picking distributors and cultivating partnerships, biggest challenges and triumphs of Slingshot
21:37 A sneak peek of the future of Slingshot
23:52 Shoutouts to supporters across his journey
27:29 Outro
Long-Form Video Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:52 How the team at Slingshot came to be, early days and the state of the market - how Slingshot bucked the status quo
06:35 Raising venture capital and fundraising during peak COVID
09:13 Slingshot’s company culture, finding/maintaining great talent
15:28 Expanding globally and this expansion coinciding with peak COVID
18:14 Picking distributors and cultivating partnerships, biggest challenges and triumphs of Slingshot
24:47 A sneak peek of the future of Slingshot
27:28 Shoutouts to supporters across his journey
31:38 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
How to Start a Lab in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-start-a-lab
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Guide to Reducing Startup Costs & Expenses https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations
First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Funding https://www.excedr.com/category/funding
Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
VC Firms for Biotech in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
Need a Co-founder? https://www.excedr.com/resources/do-you-need-a-co-founder-for-your-startup
How to Spin Out of Academia & Into a Startup in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup
Biotech Funding for Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
What Is Startup Valuation & Why Is It Important? https://www.excedr.com/resources/startup-valuations
Staffing Your Startup: Hiring Slowly & Intentionally https://www.excedr.com/blog/staffing-your-startup
How VC-Backed Startups Win When They Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-vc-backed-startups-win-when-they-lease
Cost of Capital: Definition, Significance, & Formula https://www.excedr.com/blog/cost-of-capital

People Mentioned:
Brian Shoichet https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-shoichet-0024061/
Andrej Sali https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-sali-113470273/
Tarun Kapoor https://www.rockefeller.edu/our-scientists/heads-of-laboratories/1187-tarun-kapoor/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1732 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. No No 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 2 | Working Toward One Goal In Industry | How Great Loss Prompted Professional Growth | Transitioning From a Basement Lab to a Thriving Company | A 6-Month Startup Idea Exceeding 12 Years of Operation https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r870v7mn-jeff-kim-slingshot-biosciences-part-2 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 2 | Working Toward One Goal In Industry | How Great Loss Prompted Professional Growth | Transitioning From a Basement Lab to a Thriving Company | A 6-Month Startup Idea Exceeding 12 Years of Operation 31 No No k08znlw0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded and run multiple successful companies, including Radiant Genomics, which was eventually acquired by Zymergen, and Pattern Ag, a company mapping soil microbes to help farmers grow their bottom line. Before Radiant, Jeff was a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and was the project lead for jet fuel development at Amyris Biotechnologies.

Join us as we sit down with Jeff as he discusses his transition to the West Coast to work for Amyris and his pivot from academia to industry. Jeff brings up how a personal loss pushed him to start not one, but two startups from his basement, including Radiant Genomics. He speaks to the acquisition discussions he had with Zymergen about merging Radiant Genomics into their portfolio. Jeff also discusses the slow growth and learning curve with his current company, Slingshot Biosciences. Please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Kim.

Find Our Guest, Jeff Kim, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimjeff/
https://slingshotbio.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:20 Episode starts, a fascinating opportunity moved Jeff to the West Coast, working as a team toward one goal in industry rather than competing in academia
05:28 Amyris job offer, the opportunity to work autonomously, and meeting his wife while there
06:53 Personal loss pushed him to start two startups, Radiant merging with Zymergen, getting into venture funding
09:51 Slingshot growing slowly out of Jeff’s basement, meeting with the Arch venture fund
12:17 Advising at Lawrence Berkeley, early days and business model of Radiant Genomics
19:28 The reason why Slingshot became a 12-year business instead of a 6-month build and sell
21:51 How an anecdote about going from the basement to the lab helped shape company infrastructure
26:07 First major sale with Zymergen, learning from hard lessons
30:19 Outro
Long-Form Video Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Episode starts, a fascinating opportunity moved Jeff to the West Coast, working as a team toward one goal in industry rather than competing in academia
05:34 Amyris job offer, the opportunity to work autonomously, and meeting his wife while there
07:10 Personal loss pushed him to start two startups, Radiant merging with Zymergen, getting into venture funding
10:40 Slingshot growing slowly out of Jeff’s basement, meeting with the Arch venture fund
13:53 Advising at Lawrence Berkeley, early days and business model of Radiant Genomics
22:30 The reason why Slingshot became a 12-year business instead of a 6-month build and sell
26:22 How an anecdote about going from the basement to the lab helped shape company infrastructure
32:10 First major sale with Zymergen, learning from hard lessons
29:51 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
An Equipment Leasing Program for Scientists & Researchers https://www.excedr.com/leasing
Common Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-lab-equipment
Types of Equipment Leases https://www.excedr.com/blog/types-of-equipment-leases
Purchasing Used Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/used-lab-equipment-equipnet
How to Apply for an Equipment Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-an-equipment-lease
How to Start a Lab in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-start-a-lab
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Guide to Reducing Startup Costs & Expenses https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
Delivery Methods to Maximize Genome https://www.excedr.com/resources/crispr-delivery-methods
Overview of Recombinase https://www.excedr.com/resources/recombinase-overview
What Is DNA Methylation? https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-dna-methylation
DNA Modification: Processes, Significance, & Implications https://www.excedr.com/resources/dna-modification-explained
What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations
First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
Funding https://www.excedr.com/category/funding
Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1883 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. No No 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 1 | Parental Freedom, Curiosity, & Self-Teaching | Music Accentuating a Passion for Science | The Benefits of Graduate Responsibilities as an Undergrad | Finding Fit & Balancing Research & the Arts https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x81r516n-jeff-kim-slingshot-biosciences-part-1 🧬 Jeff Kim - Slingshot Biosciences - Part 1 | Parental Freedom, Curiosity, & Self-Teaching | Music Accentuating a Passion for Science | The Benefits of Graduate Responsibilities as an Undergrad | Finding Fit & Balancing Research & the Arts 30 No No 713znw70 My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded and run multiple successful companies, including Radiant Genomics, which was eventually acquired by Zymergen, and Pattern Ag, a company mapping soil microbes to help farmers grow their bottom line. Before Radiant, Jeff was a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and was the project lead for jet fuel development at Amyris Biotechnologies.

Join us as we sit down with Jeff as he discusses his upbringing as the child of Korean immigrants, and how their hands-off approach fostered his curiosity and self-teaching mentality that led to his current path. Jeff talks about how he pivoted from pre-med, instead choosing to attend Rockefeller University where he had great opportunities and experiences as an undergrad. He also discusses his involvement in the thriving artist community in New York City while at university, and the role that music and art played in balancing his research pursuits. Please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Kim.

Find Our Guest, Jeff Kim, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimjeff/
https://slingshotbio.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
0:28 Intro
2:00 Episode starts, early days and upbringing, Korean immigrant parents teaching self-learning and curiosity
4:14 Music passion blooms and how it has helped in adult life, undergrad, and pre-med direction
7:41 Pivoting from med school to work in a lab in New York while pursuing music, Jeff’s independent research opportunity
10:28 Excellent undergraduate lab experiences, the ability to learn and explore like a grad student
12:50 RA opportunity at Rockefeller in New York, unstructured science experiences at Princeton
15:50 Natural progression to grad work and a Ph.D., his parents’ perspective on educational freedom
18:26 Determining med school wasn’t a fit, GRE, the last-minute decision between Rockefeller and UCSF
20:55 Joining Sean Brady’s lab, studying genes and DNA, experience as part of a startup lab
24:56 Finding a balance between non-profit passion for music and the grueling demand of grad research
27:33 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: khttps://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
An Equipment Leasing Program for Scientists & Researchers https://www.excedr.com/leasing
Common Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-lab-equipment
Types of Equipment Leases https://www.excedr.com/blog/types-of-equipment-leases
Purchasing Used Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/used-lab-equipment-equipnet
How to Apply for an Equipment Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-an-equipment-lease
How to Start a Lab in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-start-a-lab
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Guide to Reducing Startup Costs & Expenses https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
Delivery Methods to Maximize Genome https://www.excedr.com/resources/crispr-delivery-methods
Overview of Recombinase https://www.excedr.com/resources/recombinase-overview
What Is DNA Methylation? https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-dna-methylation
DNA Modification: Processes, Significance, & Implications https://www.excedr.com/resources/dna-modification-explained

People Mentioned:
Tarun Kapoor https://www.rockefeller.edu/our-scientists/heads-of-laboratories/1187-tarun-kapoor/
Alison Gammie https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-gammie-45072811/
George McLendon https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-mclendon-899a81150/
Brian Shoichet https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-shoichet-0024061/
Andrej Sali https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-sali-113470273/
Sean Brady https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-brady-4b365823a/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1712 My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. My guest for this week’s episode is Jeff Kim, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Biosciences. Slingshot designs and manufactures synthetic cells for R&D, clinical diagnostics, and engineered cell therapies, aiming to overcome supply chain and cost barriers that restrict access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. No No 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 3 | The Emergence of Crossover Rounds | Building & Explaining Your Investment Thesis | Creating a .600 Batting Average Investment Fund | Transparency Between Investor & Founder | How to Get LPs to Say “Yes” https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85l1mqn-stephanie-sirota-rtw-investments-part-3 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 3 | The Emergence of Crossover Rounds | Building & Explaining Your Investment Thesis | Creating a .600 Batting Average Investment Fund | Transparency Between Investor & Founder | How to Get LPs to Say “Yes” 29 No No 81q7wzn1 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Prior to joining RTW, she was a director at Valhalla Capital Advisors. She worked in the New York and London offices of Lehman Brothers, where she advised on various mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and capital market financing transactions for the firm's global corporate clients. Her deep insights into investment banking, strategic partnerships, and business development, offer founders many lessons.

Join us as I sit down with Stephanie to discuss RTW’s interest and investments into gene therapy and the biotech industry. Steph also touches on company development, and specifically why working with biotech companies as an investor is so important. Steph talks about RTW's approach to building an investment thesis that is laid out for both the investors and the entrepreneurs. She also speaks to the importance of transparency and trust between investors and founders. Finally, we also touch on why the biotech industry is on the brink of something special right now. Please enjoy my conversation with Steph Sirota.

Find Our Guest, Stephanie Sirota, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephsirota
http://www.rtwfunds.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:24 Episode starts, RTW’s early development, growth, and the emergence of the crossover round
03:55 Investing heavily in gene therapy, despite many challenges, selling the company for nearly 9 billion
06:34 Focusing on building a single company, which would become Rocket Pharma
09:29 Developing companies at extremely early stages and how RTW did this in China
11:32 How to form and then gain conviction in your investment thesis
14:08 Building a 5 billion dollar fund, explaining your thesis and getting LPs to say “yes”
17:48 Having a .600 batting average fund, managing investors through bear and bull markets
20:03 Why we might be living in a Berkshire Hathaway or Warren Buffet moment, excitement for the next few years
24:18 Investing in resiliency and why Steph is optimistic about the biotech industry
26:03 Shout outs to old tennis coaches, parents, mentors, and colleagues
28:25 Advice to Steph’s younger self about not being afraid to think ahead
29:42 End

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on www.excedr.com/rewards.

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Crossover Investing https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/crossoverinvestor.asp
Rocket Pharma https://rocketpharma.com/
JiXing Pharmaceuticals https://www.jixing.com/
Top Biotech Seed and Angel Investors 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotech-seed-and-angel-investors
What is Molecular Biology https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-molecular-biology
Top Pharma New Sites https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-pharma-blogs-websites-for-biopharma
Top Medical News Sites https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-news-sites
Biology Lab Equipment List https://www.excedr.com/blog/biology-lab-equipment-list
What Type of Equipment You Need for Molecular Biology Lab https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-type-of-equipment-is-used-in-molecular-biology-research
Importance of Preventative Maintenance https://www.excedr.com/blog/laboratory-equipment-maintenance-guide
Top VC Firms for Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
VC Term Sheets https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets
VC Term Sheet Clauses: A Glossary of Key Terms https://www.excedr.com/resources/vc-term-sheet-clauses-and-terms
What are Your Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Getting Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
Post vs Pre Money Valuations https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money
Marketing and Sales for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
What is Capital Outlay? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capital-outlay

People Mentioned:
Gaurav Shah  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-shah-md-a435baa
Ning Lin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ning-lin-31b5155/
Rod Wong https://www.linkedin.com/in/roderick-wong-543aa64/
Bryan Fiedler https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-fiedler-525485164/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1870 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. No No 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 2 | Understanding Investment Banking’s Role in the Biosciences | Finding the Benefits of Your Uniqueness | Unexpected Pivots & Finding Passion in Your Work | Advice on Dealing with Bear Markets https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnqkpl6n-stephanie-sirota-rtw-investments-part-2 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 2 | Understanding Investment Banking’s Role in the Biosciences | Finding the Benefits of Your Uniqueness | Unexpected Pivots & Finding Passion in Your Work | Advice on Dealing with Bear Markets 28 No No 81n78wq0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Prior to joining RTW, she was a director at Valhalla Capital Advisors. She worked in the New York and London offices of Lehman Brothers, where she advised on various mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and capital market financing transactions for the firm's global corporate clients. Her deep insights into investment banking, strategic partnerships, and business development, offer founders many lessons.

Join us as we sit down with Stephanie as she discusses her career journey from investment banking to the buy side, leveraging her journalism background to highlight her unique skills. She also discusses her time at Lehman Brothers and her transition to Valhalla Capital. Steph also talks about her unexpected passion for biotech and her belief in the sector's fundamental importance to the future. She shares the importance of staying proactive, avoiding complacency, and embracing new opportunities while highlighting how to view your uniqueness as an asset and how your distinct point of view is a benefit to your team. Please enjoy my conversation with Stephanie Sirota.

Find Our Guest, Stephanie Sirota, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephsirota/
http://www.rtwfunds.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:27 Episode starts, how the opportunity at London Lehman Brothers came about
04:39 What is investment banking, and how it differs from the buy side
07:06 Experiences at Lehman Brothers, hard truths, and dealing with constructive criticism
09:46 How a rude awakening as a junior banker led to a senior banker position, pivoting back to New York, starting all over again
11:56 Moving to the buy side at a new company, “institutionalizing” processes and building a team dynamic amongst individual contributors
15:44 Using your uniqueness to your advantage, the benefits of being an unconventional thinker in your specific field
19:27 Moving on from Valhalla, dealing with a global financial crisis, and shifting to science with RTW
23:16 Evaluating the science sector from a business perspective, why it is the most important sector going into the future
26:20 Takeaways from volatile markets and the cycles of bioscience, post-global finance crisis
28:37 Advice on how to survive a bear market, being confident in what you are investing in
31:36 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on excedr.com/rewards.

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Top VC Firms for Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
VC Term Sheets https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets
VC Term Sheet Clauses: A Glossary of Key Terms https://www.excedr.com/resources/vc-term-sheet-clauses-and-terms
What are Your Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Getting Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
Top Biotech Seed and Angel Investors 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotech-seed-and-angel-investors
What Type of Equipment You Need for Molecular Biology Lab https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-type-of-equipment-is-used-in-molecular-biology-research
What is Molecular Biology https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-molecular-biology
Legacy (All Blacks) (Book) - https://a.co/d/gwBezDW
Operating Expenses 101 - https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-opex

People Mentioned:
Rod Wong https://www.linkedin.com/in/roderick-wong-543aa64/
Bryan Fiedler https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-fiedler-525485164/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1962 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. No No 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 1 | Early Influences on Leadership Style | Competitive Tennis Fosters Professional Drive | The Inverse Importance of Coaching | The Ending of a Dream to Open New Doors | Organically Choosing Your Track https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn5lr1k8-stephanie-sirota-rtw-investments-part-1 🧬 Stephanie Sirota - RTW Investments - Part 1 | Early Influences on Leadership Style | Competitive Tennis Fosters Professional Drive | The Inverse Importance of Coaching | The Ending of a Dream to Open New Doors | Organically Choosing Your Track 27 No No 80q79wr0 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Prior to joining RTW, she was a director at Valhalla Capital Advisors. She worked in the New York and London offices of Lehman Brothers, where she advised on various mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and capital market financing transactions for the firm's global corporate clients. Her deep insights into investment banking, strategic partnerships, and business development, offer founders many lessons.

Join us as we sit down with Stephanie as she discusses her upbringing and early exposure to different cultures and how it influenced her business leadership style. She shares key insights into how being a high-level tennis player has armed her with the competitive mentality to help her succeed in investment banking. We discuss her path through academia at Columbia University, the value of not specializing too early and allowing yourself the opportunity to explore your interests, and how it led her to where she is today. Stephanie explains how these life experiences helped shape her career and how it led to the transition from journalism to investment banking. Please enjoy my conversation with Stephanie Sirota.

Find Our Guest, Stephanie Sirota, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephsirota/
http://www.rtwfunds.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:00
00:24 Intro
02:00 Episode starts, Steph’s upbringing and how it influenced her leadership and business style
06:33 How her love of tennis started, how her competitive mentality helped sharpen her professional resolve
10:44 How ego death in sports offers life lessons, more translatable lessons from sports to the business world
13:51 Balance of education and sports at SNU, sports career’s abrupt end, transitioning to the next phase of her life at Columbia
16:19 Studying literature at Columbia University, appreciation of the humanities, organically choosing your track
18:24 The value of a well-rounded education and being able to organically find what interests you
21:15 Steph’s progressed from a Master’s in journalism to investment banking with Lehman Brothers, finding the hook in your story
22:53 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Top VC Firms for Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech 
VC Term Sheets https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets 
VC Term Sheet Clauses: A Glossary of Key Terms https://www.excedr.com/resources/vc-term-sheet-clauses-and-terms 
What are Your Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options 
Getting Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research 
Post vs Pre Money Valuations https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money 
Marketing and Sales for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs 
What is Capital Outlay? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capital-outlay 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1443 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, a full lifecycle life sciences investment firm dedicated to solving the most challenging unmet patient needs. Stephanie is a seasoned expert and leader in business development, strategic partnerships, communications, and investor relations. No No 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 3 | Influence vs Control as a VC | Being a Leader in Venture vs a Leader in a Company | Starting Neotribe as a Passionate Rage Against the Status Quo | Sunk Cost vs Opportunity Cost | Optimizing Customer Acquisit https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnqk1kmn-kittu-kolluri-neotribe-ventures-part-3 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 3 | Influence vs Control as a VC | Being a Leader in Venture vs a Leader in a Company | Starting Neotribe as a Passionate Rage Against the Status Quo | Sunk Cost vs Opportunity Cost | Optimizing Customer Acquisit 26 No No 81n7p760 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO. As a Silicon Valley veteran with a career spanning three decades, Kittu has had numerous roles before his time at Neotribe Ventures. Some highlights include working as an engineer at Silicon Graphics, co-founding Healtheon/WebMD, being the founder and CEO of Neoteris, and investing in over four dozen successful companies as a general partner at NEA.

Join us for the conclusion to the conversation with Kittu as he discusses working at the VC firm NEA and how his risky initial investment paid off after the company sold for over a billion dollars. His thoughts on sourcing opportunities and the differences between being a leader in a venture and a leader at a company. Kittu also discusses his investment philosophy as well as the values that he instilled in Neotribe Ventures. We also cover the personal and professional struggles that Kittu had to overcome while founding Neotribe. Lastly, Kittu discusses his take on why personal networks are critically important for long-term success. Please enjoy my conversation with Kittu Kolluri.

Find Our Guest, Kittu Kolluri, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittukolluri/
https://www.neotribe.vc/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:15 Episode starts, starting at NEA and learning venture capital is about influence/control
04:07 Raising money at a Seed Stage, proof of value and proof of market, setting up a sales module
07:10 Sourcing opportunities, the differences between being a leader at a venture and a leader at a company
08:48 Partnership model differences in venture capital
10:33 First risky investment in Weatherbuild, growing his reputation with its billion-dollar success
14:00 Ranking the importance of product, market, and team before writing the check
15:38 Knowing when to start Neotribe, Neotribe as a “passionate rage against the status quo”
17:23 Pillars of Value at Neotribe and how they work with companies, building trust with entrepreneurs without feeling judged
20:45 Raising the first VC fund, the difficulties of building a company with personal struggles, the importance of a support network
26:44 Success is a function of two things, why a CEO can be considered an investor in their own company
29:16 The differences between operators and Venture Capitalists, optimizing customer acquisition
35:00 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Fooled By Randomness by Nassim Taleb https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fooled_by_Randomness
Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355
Go long or go short? A VC reveals when it’s time to sell and how to maximize buyer interest by Kittu Kolluri https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/22/go-long-or-go-short-a-vc-reveals-when-its-time-to-sell-and-how-to-maximize-buyer-interest/

Top VC Firms for Biotechs https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
VC Term Sheets https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets
VC Term Sheet Clauses: A Glossary of Key Terms https://www.excedr.com/resources/vc-term-sheet-clauses-and-terms
What are Your Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Getting Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
Post vs Pre Money Valuations https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money
Marketing and Sales for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
What is Capital Outlay? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capital-outlay

People Mentioned:
Mike Long CEO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Long_(American_businessman) 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2211 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. No No 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 2 | The Importance of Co-Authoring a Culture Statement | The Difference Between Leadership & Management | Raising Funds in Down-Market Conditions | The Value of Authenticity & Intellectual Curiosity https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvzpvxn-kittu-kolluri-neotribe-ventures-part-2 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 2 | The Importance of Co-Authoring a Culture Statement | The Difference Between Leadership & Management | Raising Funds in Down-Market Conditions | The Value of Authenticity & Intellectual Curiosity 25 No No 71y6wrx0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO. As a Silicon Valley veteran with a career spanning three decades, Kittu has had numerous roles before his time at Neotribe Ventures. Some highlights include working as an engineer at Silicon Graphics, co-founding Healtheon/WebMD, being the founder and CEO of Neoteris, and investing in over four dozen successful companies as a general partner at NEA.

Join us as we sit down with Kittu to talk about Healtheon’s origins, mission, and culture, and how he applied learnings from that experience with Neoteris. He talks about the important difference between leadership and management, talks about the dot com bubble and its similarity to the AI trend of today, and talks about fundraising in a down economy. He also speaks on feeling shifts in the market, finding a “new normal” in the economy, and how he ended up in venture capital. Please enjoy my conversation with Kittu Kolluri.

Find Our Guest, Kittu Kolluri, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittukolluri/
https://www.neotribe.vc/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:11 Episode starts, Healtheon’s origins, mission, and culture
03:38 Starting Neoteris and focusing on creating a culture to be proud of, co-authoring a culture statement
07:03 The difference between leadership and management, leaving Healtheon
08:40 Comparing the dot com bubble and the current AI trend, talking down-market conditions
12:15 Neoteris’ origins, raising money during a down economy, the importance of a CEO’s confidant
15:25 The isolation of being a CEO, attracting a great team, and discovering product/market fit
19:02 Feeling shifts in the market, capital being cheap for nearly 30 years, finding a “new normal”
23:37 Leaving Juniper Networks to do venture capital at NEA, interviewing many people to find a fit
27:34 Finding a rubric of success in venture capital, the value of authenticity and intellectual curiosity
30:27 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Healtheon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healtheon
Neoteris https://www.computerworld.com/article/2572211/netscreen-to-buy-neoteris-for--265-million.html
Naming Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/naming-your-startup
NetScreen Technologies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetScreen_Technologies
Juniper Networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper_Networks
NEA https://www.nea.com/
Top VC Firms for Biotech https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
Fully-Diluted Capitalization & Why It’s Important https://www.excedr.com/resources/fully-diluted-capitalization
Funding https://www.excedr.com/category/funding
Negotiating a Term Sheet https://www.excedr.com/resources/negotiating-a-term-sheet
Leasing Options: Lower Monthly Payments vs. Lower Total Lease Cost https://www.excedr.com/blog/lower-monthly-payments-vs-lower-total-lease-cost
Tax Advantages of Equipment Leasing https://www.excedr.com/blog/tax-advantages-of-equipment-leasing
Applying for an Equipment Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-an-equipment-lease
Leasing vs. Buying Equipment: Benefits & Drawbacks https://www.excedr.com/blog/leasing-vs-buying-equipment

People Mentioned:
Jim Clark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Clark
James Barksdale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Barksdale
Danny Rimer https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyrimer/
Alan Greenspan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Greenspan
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1919 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. No No 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 1 | Entrepreneurship as a First-Generation Immigrant | Working & Growing at Silicon Graphics | Learning From Mistakes & Pride of Ownership | The Dangers of Company Microcultures https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnmx0218-kittu-kolluri-neotribe-ventures-part-1 🧬 Kittu Kolluri - Neotribe Ventures - Part 1 | Entrepreneurship as a First-Generation Immigrant | Working & Growing at Silicon Graphics | Learning From Mistakes & Pride of Ownership | The Dangers of Company Microcultures 24 No No 71v2nxz1 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO.

As a Silicon Valley veteran with a career spanning three decades, Kittu has had numerous roles before his time at Neotribe Ventures. Some highlights include working as an engineer at Silicon Graphics, co-founding Healtheon/WebMD, being the founder and CEO of Neoteris, and investing in over four dozen successful companies as a general partner at NEA.

Join us as we sit down with Kittu to talk about his childhood in Hyderabad and his recollection of the many serendipitous accidents that have occurred in his life. He talks about his experience as a first-generation immigrant getting into entrepreneurship, and the differences between his and his parent’s generation. He also discusses how he got into computer science, his time at Silicon Graphics, and his opinion on why culture can make or break a startup. Please enjoy my conversation with Kittu Kolluri.

Find Our Guest, Kittu Kolluri, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittukolluri/
https://www.neotribe.vc/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:51 Episode starts, Kittu’s childhood in Hyderabad, India, recognizing accidental influences in his life
06:10 The difficulties of taking the entrepreneurial risk as a first-generation immigrant
08:50 The differences in outlook between his parent’s generation and his generation
10:18 Choosing to studying mechanical engineering, ending up at SUNY Buffalo
12:52 Studying operations research, getting exposure to computer science, benefits of multidisciplinary exposure
16:35 Working at Silicon Graphics, falling in love with being a software engineer
20:48 Dealing with a company’s rapid growth, learning from your mistakes
24:05 Pride of ownership, mentors and colleagues who influenced Kittu
28:37 Being a student for life, the definition of trust in a team
30:17 Why startups can beat large companies, the dangers of microcultures in a company, company culture’s importance
34:02 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Staffing Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/blog/staffing-your-startup
Writing a Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs
What Is Startup Valuation https://www.excedr.com/resources/startup-valuations
Biotech Funding for Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Bootstrapping Your Biotech Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Silicon Graphics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Graphics
Grant Funding for Biotech Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups
Naming Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/naming-your-startup
Pre-Money vs. Post-Money https://www.excedr.com/resources/pre-money-vs-post-money
Should You Incorporate in Delaware https://www.excedr.com/resources/incorporating-your-biotech-startup

People Mentioned:
Shankar Srinivasan https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasanshankar/
Jim Clark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Clark
Pavan Nigam https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavannigam/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2111 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Kittu Kolluri, Founder and Managing Director of Neotribe Ventures, an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm investing in companies that solve hard technical problems and disrupt non-traditional industry sectors. Neotribe is led by a team of serial entrepreneurs with a track record of supporting and advising startups from seed round to IPO. No No 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 3 | The Value of Early HR for Company Building | Creating a People-First Work Culture | Refocusing to Reach Commercialization Sooner | Navigating Seed Series Fundraising https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xn1rypx8-fengru-lin-turtletree-part-3 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 3 | The Value of Early HR for Company Building | Creating a People-First Work Culture | Refocusing to Reach Commercialization Sooner | Navigating Seed Series Fundraising 23 No No 703zqlj1 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology.

Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. Her breadth of experience makes her insights invaluable to life science companies looking to create opportunities for themselves in their verticals.

Join us as we sit down with Fengru to talk about TurtleTree’s early days and how focusing on HR early was crucial to their success. She talks about creating a people-first work culture and how having a business-centric leadership team can be advantageous. She also discusses her experience refocusing TurtleTree’s efforts to reach earlier commercialization and touches on navigating fundraising for series A and B in volatile markets. Please enjoy my conversation with Fengru Lin.

Find Our Guest, Fengru Lin, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengru
https://www.turtletree.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:13 Episode starts, TurtleTree’s vision and mission, building TurtleTree’s team and focusing on HR early
03:42 Creating a people-first company culture, the importance of a business-centric leadership team
06:34 TurtleTree’s pivot to creating lactoferrin to commercialize earlier rather than later
10:12 The idea of refocusing on something new vs pivoting completely
12:03 Planning go-to-market strategy and commercialization efforts, understanding market fluctuations
16:02 Navigating fundraising for TurtleTree, tips and tricks for fundraising efforts, raising Series B funding
18:27 Biggest challenges and triumphs for TurtleTree, empowering your team to get their buy-in
23:14 What is in store for TurtleTree in the next couple of years
26:06 Fengru’s shout-outs, advice to her 21-year-old self
27:35 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

TurtleTree https://www.turtletree.com
Staffing Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/blog/staffing-your-startup
Abbott Laboratories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_Laboratories
Fonterra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fonterra
Precision Fermentation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_fermentation#Precision_fermentation
Lactoferrin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactoferrin
Gross Margin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_margin
Lab Equipment Leasing https://www.excedr.com/leasing
Bioreactors https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/bioreactor
Choosing & Collaborating with a CMO https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizations
Financial Modeling & How Can It Help with Fundraising https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-financial-modeling
What Is Due Diligence https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-due-diligence
What Is Series A, B, & C Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
What Is Patent Licensing https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-works
Intellectual Property 101 https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide
Understanding Intellectual Property Rights https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechs
IFT https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Food_Technologists
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1765 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. No No 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 2 | Salesforce’s Customer-Centric Sales Motion | The Value of Knowing Your Audience in Every Conversation | Why Executive Buy-In Matters | How a Hobby Led to TurtleTree’s Founding Idea https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68rkyz0n-fengru-lin-turtletree-part-2 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 2 | Salesforce’s Customer-Centric Sales Motion | The Value of Knowing Your Audience in Every Conversation | Why Executive Buy-In Matters | How a Hobby Led to TurtleTree’s Founding Idea 22 No No 805zp4n1 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology.

Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. Her breadth of experience makes her insights invaluable to life science companies looking to create opportunities for themselves in their verticals.

Join us as we sit down with Fengru to talk about her experience doing sales and business development at Salesforce. She talks about the success of placing the customer at the core of the sales motion, the importance of the 90/10 rule, and the value of knowing your audience in every conversation you have.

She also discusses the importance of executive buy-in, shares her thoughts on innovation enabling other parts of your org, explains how the idea for TurtleTree came about, and tells us the story of how she met her co-founder. Please enjoy my conversation with Fengru Lin.

Find Our Guest, Fengru Lin, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengru/
https://www.turtletree.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:10 Episode starts, going to Salesforce, the customer as the core of the sales motion
05:44 How to do sales, the difference between early sale and sales at scale
08:07 The 90/10 rule of sales and its application to fundraising, dealing with rejection in sales and business development
09:50 Mentors from Salesforce, the importance of knowing your audience in every conversation
11:26 Getting executive buy-in, innovation is there to enable other parts of the organization
14:43 How Fengru’s cheesemaking hobby sparked TurtleTree’s creation, meeting co-founder
17:12 The power of simply talking to experts, founding TurtleTree and bootstrapping at the start
19:38 Advice for filing the patents, working off of existing technology
21:03 The complexity of milk, the difficulties of reaching commercialization, finding the right partners
23:02 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Salesforce https://www.salesforce.com/
Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
Software Tools https://www.excedr.com/blog/tools-for-keeping-startup-costs-in-check
Getting Funding for Lab Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-research
TurtleTree https://www.turtletree.com/
Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Seed Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/seed-round-funding-explained
Startup Valuation https://www.excedr.com/resources/startup-valuations
VC Term Sheets https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheets
What Is Patent Licensing https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-works
Intellectual Property 101 https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide
Understanding Intellectual Property Rights https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechs
How to Protect Your IP https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property
Intellectual Property Strategy https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-strategy-for-biotechs

People Mentioned:
Max Rye https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxrye/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 29 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1463 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. No No 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 1 | Growing Up in Hong Kong & Singapore | Serendipity & Its Effect on Career Paths | Connecting the Dots in Business | The Complex & Fragile World of Food Production | The Importance of QA/QC https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68rm0xrn-fengru-lin-turtletree-part-1 🧬 Fengru Lin - TurtleTree - Part 1 | Growing Up in Hong Kong & Singapore | Serendipity & Its Effect on Career Paths | Connecting the Dots in Business | The Complex & Fragile World of Food Production | The Importance of QA/QC 21 No No 805yn260 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology.

Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. Her breadth of experience makes her insights invaluable to life science companies looking to create opportunities for themselves in their verticals.

Join us as we sit down with Fengru to talk about her upbringing in Hong Kong and Singapore and her time in the Girl Guides. Fengru talks about how her early love of planning helped hone her operational management skills as an adult.

We also cover her thoughts on the value of business people for their ability to connect the dots and communicate ideas effectively. Lastly, Fengru talks about graduating college, her internship at Nestle, and how her first job out of college at Collis Asia taught her about the importance of QA/QC. Please enjoy my conversation with Fengru Lin.

Find Our Guest, Fengru Lin, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengru/
https://www.turtletree.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:43 Episode starts, Fengru’s upbringing in Hong Kong, being self-reliant and determined, joining Girl Guides
04:00 How loving planning helped hone operational management skills as a child
05:40 Going to Singapore Management University, diving into tech as the internet boomed
07:27 The value of business people connecting the dots and communicating between individuals
11:24 Summer jobs, internship at Nestle, learning what you want and don’t want in your career
14:04 Getting a job at Collis Asia after college, learning about QA/QC and how it is still an applied skill
16:07 Going into international sales and business development, empowering your team
19:22 Traveling internationally, learning about cultural differences in business
21:28 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Girl Guides https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Guides
Daiwa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daiwa_Securities_Group
Nestle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestl%C3%A9
What Should Investors & Founders Expect https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations
Write a Lean Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-lean-business-plan
Write a Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs
What Is Cash Runway https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-cash-runway
UL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UL_(safety_organization)
Loan Covenants & Their Effects https://www.excedr.com/resources/loan-covenants-and-their-effects
Blanket Liens & Their Effects https://www.excedr.com/resources/blanket-liens-and-their-effects 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1365 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a biotech company revolutionizing food for good. Having raised a 40 million dollar Series A, TurtleTree is creating cell-based milk, with a current focus on releasing LF+, the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin made with cutting-edge precision fermentation technology. Prior to TurtleTree, Fengru worked at UL, Salesforce, and Google, gaining a tremendous amount of experience in sales and business development. No No 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 4 | Creating Competitive Moats | Leveraging Financing Opportunities for Growth | The Purpose of a Board of Directors | Ambiguity as an Asset & Avoiding the Bias Toward Action https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2n6mkv28-sandy-paige-seabright-ventures-fund-part-4 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 4 | Creating Competitive Moats | Leveraging Financing Opportunities for Growth | The Purpose of a Board of Directors | Ambiguity as an Asset & Avoiding the Bias Toward Action 20 No No j02763k1 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Part 4 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech.

Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. Prior to Seabright, Sandy led The Jackson Laboratory as a Site Director and a Director of International Distribution from 2008 to 2018. Before The Jackson Laboratory, Sandy spent time as a general manager, consultant, and financial analyst, gaining extensive experience in a wide range of industries outside of the life sciences.

Join us as we sit down with Sandy to talk about creating and finding competitive moats, and how Explora Biolabs leaned into a creative financing opportunity to grow. Sandy also discusses the importance of solving problems in unconventional ways.

We cover his thoughts on how a board of directors finds its purpose in keeping the CEO in check and the healthy tension that exists in that balance. Lastly, Sandy touches on the qualities he attributes his success to, as well as offering advice to his 21-year-old self that everyone can benefit from hearing. Please enjoy my conversation with Sandy Paige.

Find Our Guest, Sandy Paige, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
https://seabrightventuresfund.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:20 Intro
01:20 Episode starts, Explora Biolabs’ contract research, technical staffing, renting vivarium rooms
03:26 Creating competitive moats, unique financing opportunities as a business model
07:03 Learning to negotiate his position and mitigate risk, solving problems unconventionally
10:55 Maintaining profitability and the board’s purpose to keep the CEO in check
13:28 Getting acquired by Charles River, finding the right timing to exit
17:44 Tips for those looking to get acquired, taking your time with the decision
18:50 Sandy’s attributes to success: humility, a great team, personal hustle, ambiguity as an asset
22:14 What Sandy and the Seabright Ventures Fund are up to in the next couple of years
25:18 Sandy’s advice to his 21-year-old self: work with interesting people doing interesting things with integrity
27:16 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Explora Biolabs https://ir.criver.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charles-river-laboratories-acquires-expl
ora-biolabs
Choosing & Collaborating with a CRO https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations
Choosing & Collaborating with a CMO https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizations
How Do Core Labs Support Life Science Research https://www.excedr.com/blog/core-labs
Biotech Partnerships https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
Managing Your Capital: Equipment Leasing vs. Traditional Financing https://www.excedr.com/resources/equipment-leasing-vs-traditional-financing
Equipment Leasing vs. Financing https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-leasing-vs-financing
Series A, B, & C Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
Seabright Ventures Fund https://seabrightventuresfund.com/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1751 Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Part 4 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. No No 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 3 | Managing International Distribution | Meaningful Work & Personal Buy-In as a Form of Equity | Getting Into Business Development & The Importance of Sales Experience | Starting & Running a Search Fund https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0nj2kw3n-sandy-paige-seabright-ventures-fund-part-3 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 3 | Managing International Distribution | Meaningful Work & Personal Buy-In as a Form of Equity | Getting Into Business Development & The Importance of Sales Experience | Starting & Running a Search Fund 19 No No 40p4zlj0 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. Part 3 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million.

Prior to Seabright, Sandy led The Jackson Laboratory as a Site Director and a Director of International Distribution from 2008 to 2018. Before The Jackson Laboratory, Sandy spent time as a general manager, consultant, and financial analyst, gaining extensive experience in a wide range of industries outside of the life sciences.

Join us as we sit down with Sandy to talk about his experience managing international distribution at The Jackson Laboratory. Sandy also discusses how meaningful work and personal buy-in are important forms of equity. We cover his thoughts on how business development is different from sales and his advice on getting your start in BD.

Lastly, Sandy touches on leaving The Jackson Laboratory to start a search fund, his success in doing so, and the initial stages of his acquisition of Explora Biolabs. Please enjoy my conversation with Sandy Paige.

Find Our Guest, Sandy Paige, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
https://seabrightventuresfund.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:01 Episode starts, managing international distribution at The Jackson Laboratory
03:32 The Jackson Laboratory and cancer research, personal buy-in as a form of equity
06:08 Advice on business development, starting in sales, and the benefits of that experience
10:20 The importance of learning about sales, and business development as “everyone’s job”
13:38 Leaving The Jackson Laboratory, raising a search fund
16:12 Learning about search funds, raising the fund at age 48
18:50 Finding Explora Biolabs, the prevalence of VC money in biotech companies, finding a good business “fit”
21:50 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

The Jackson Laboratory https://www.jax.org/
Marketing & Sales Strategies https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
Intellectual Property 101 https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide
Understanding Intellectual Property Rights https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechs
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property
Life Sciences Licensing Agreements https://www.excedr.com/blog/life-sciences-licensing-agreements-guide
Patent Licensing & How It Works https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-works
Search Fund https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_fund
Explora Biotech https://ir.criver.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charles-river-laboratories-acquires-explora-biolabs
What Is Secured Debt https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-secured-debt
Understanding Debt & Equity Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startup 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1426 Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. Part 3 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. No No 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 2 | Practicing Corporate Entrepreneurship | Life Lessons on How to Treat People | Seeking Margins & Avoiding Commodity | Scaling a Non-Profit | A CEO’s 3-5 Important Yearly Decisions https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnv2lw3n-sandy-paige-seabright-ventures-fund-part-2 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 2 | Practicing Corporate Entrepreneurship | Life Lessons on How to Treat People | Seeking Margins & Avoiding Commodity | Scaling a Non-Profit | A CEO’s 3-5 Important Yearly Decisions 18 No No 71ykpvn1 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. Part 2 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million.

Prior to Seabright, Sandy led The Jackson Laboratory as a Site Director and a Director of International Distribution from 2008 to 2018. Before The Jackson Laboratory, Sandy spent time as a general manager, consultant, and financial analyst, gaining extensive experience in a wide range of industries outside of the life sciences.

Join us as we sit down with Sandy to talk about his experience practicing corporate entrepreneurship after getting his MBA. Sandy also discusses how his time as a general manager of a paper mill taught him life lessons about people and led to his commitment toward treating them in a way he’ll never regret.

We cover his move from the East Coast to the West Coast, where he took up a position at The Jackson Laboratory, and where he learned to scale a non-profit aggressively. Lastly, Sandy touches on when to be frugal and when to spend, the 3-5 important decisions per year that CEOs make, and how crucial a good team is to running a successful business. Please enjoy my conversation with Sandy Paige.

Find Our Guest, Sandy Paige, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
https://seabrightventuresfund.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Episode starts, joining CIANBRO after getting his MBA, practicing corporate entrepreneurship
05:18 Starting consulting, becoming a general manager of a paper mill
10:10 Life lessons taken away from his experience, treating people in a way you’ll never regret
13:08 Finding an industry that has margin and growth instead of being a commodity
16:07 Moving from the East to the West coast and joining The Jackson Laboratory, managing a very different team of people
18:40 Managing employee churn, understanding cultural differences after the move
21:33 Hiring and scaling effectively at an enormous non-profit company
24:45 Choosing when to spend vs when to be frugal, over-capitalizing things that are mission-critical
27:23 Making the most important decisions, a good team is a critical component for success
29:42 CEOs make 3-5 important decisions per year, most of those are hiring people, pattern recognition
34:11 Outro

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

CIANBRO https://www.cianbro.com/
Knight-Celotex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celotex
Employment Agreements https://www.excedr.com/resources/understanding-employment-agreements
How & When to Fire Someone https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-and-when-to-fire-someone
The Jackson Laboratory https://www.jax.org/
Staffing Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/blog/staffing-your-startup
Leasing & Financing https://www.excedr.com/category/leasing-financing
Cost of Capital https://www.excedr.com/blog/cost-of-capital
Loan Covenants https://www.excedr.com/resources/loan-covenants-and-their-effects
Understanding Debt & Equity Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startup
Equipment Lease vs Loan https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-lease-vs-loan
Explora Bio https://ir.criver.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charles-river-laboratories-acquires-explora-biolabs
Intellectual Property Strategy https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-strategy-for-biotechs

People Mentioned:
Chuck Hewett https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckhewett/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2165 Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. Part 2 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million. No No 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 1 | The Value of Hustle & Being a Team Player | Saying Yes to Opportunities | Corporate Entrepreneurship & Finding Your Path | Entrepreneurs & Risk Aversion https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r87lyz2n-sandy-paige-seabright-ventures-fund-part-1 🧬 Sandy Paige - Seabright Ventures Fund - Part 1 | The Value of Hustle & Being a Team Player | Saying Yes to Opportunities | Corporate Entrepreneurship & Finding Your Path | Entrepreneurs & Risk Aversion 17 No No k08jmvp0 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million dollars.
Part 1 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million dollars.

Prior to Seabright, Sandy led The Jackson Laboratory as a Site Director and a Director of International Distribution from 2008 to 2018. Before The Jackson Laboratory, Sandy spent time as a general manager, consultant, and financial analyst, gaining extensive experience in a wide range of industries outside of the life sciences.

Join us as we sit down with Sandy to talk about his childhood watching his father as a CEO, and how he learned to leverage his hustle and found value as a team player. Sandy also discusses the benefits of multifaceted education and how a wide range of experiences can lead to more opportunities. Lastly, we cover his time going from politics to industry, his journey to getting an MBA, and his path into corporate entrepreneurship.

Find Our Guest, Sandy Paige, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
https://seabrightventuresfund.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:56 Episode start, Sandy’s childhood growing up in Maine, watching his father as a CEO
04:53 Deciding not to become a zero-to-one entrepreneur, the value of hustling and being a team player
07:05 The benefits of a multi-disciplinary liberal arts education and of having a varied background of experiences
09:41 Taking the opportunities provided and taking things job-by-job, how a letter led to a job opportunity
13:20 Working for Angus King, following up on things people recommend and saying yes at critical moments
18:42 Moving into industry, going to Fairchild Semiconductor, getting an MBA
23:16 Benefits of exposure to broader business operations, corporate entrepreneurship as a career path
26:43 Entrepreneurship as risk aversion, managing risk-return profiles to find a path
28:35 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Entrepreneurship https://www.excedr.com/category/entrepreneurship
Liberal Arts Education https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_education
Laboratory Management https://www.excedr.com/category/laboratory-management
Minimize Overhead Costs https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-minimize-overhead-costs
Managing the Impact of Rising Interest Rates & Inflation https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-manage-the-impact-of-rising-interest-rates-and-inflation
Explora Biolabs https://ir.criver.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charles-river-laboratories-acquires-explora-biolabs
Salzburg Seminar for American Studies https://www.salzburgglobal.org/multi-year-series/american-studies
Bath Iron Works https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Iron_Works
Fairchild Semiconductor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_Semiconductor
VC Term Sheet Glossary https://www.excedr.com/resources/vc-term-sheet-clauses-and-terms
Writing a Startup Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-a-business-plan-for-biotechs
Business Entities & Their Differences https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-are-the-differences-between-business-entities
Babson College https://www.babson.edu/
Funding an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps

People Mentioned:
Buzz Fitzgerald https://www.c-span.org/person/?36913/BuzzFitzgerald
Angus King https://www.king.senate.gov/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1830 Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million dollars. Part 1 of 4. My guest for this week’s episode is Sandy Paige, co-managing director of the Seabright Ventures Fund, a search fund investing in the US middle market, with a focus on life sciences and cleantech. Sandy is an expert CEO, most recently leading and scaling Explora BioLabs before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories for $295 Million dollars. No No 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 3 | Finding & Addressing Unmet Needs | The Maternal Health Crisis | Creating an Empathy-Focused Company Culture | Fundraising & Hitting Milestones in a Recession https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m844j908-maneesh-jain-mirvie-part-3 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 3 | Finding & Addressing Unmet Needs | The Maternal Health Crisis | Creating an Empathy-Focused Company Culture | Fundraising & Hitting Milestones in a Recession 16 No No x169zm70 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina.

All of the businesses successfully exited or commercialized to the likes of Affymetrix, Illumina, Life Technologies, the FDA, and GRAIL, respectively. Join us as we sit down with Maneesh to talk about how finding the biggest unmet need led to the founding of Mirvie after leaving GRAIL.

Maneesh also discusses the maternal health crisis and the state of the market for pregnancy health. We also cover his thoughts on how to create an empathy-centric culture that balances being collaborative and understanding with achieving aggressive goals. Lastly, Maneesh discusses the intricacies of fundraising during recessions and the critical importance of hitting milestones, especially the ones investors value most. Please enjoy my conversation with Maneesh.

Find Our Guest, Maneesh Jain, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maneesh-jain-2509388/
https://www.mirvie.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:43 Episode start, founding Mirvie after leaving GRAIL, finding the biggest unmet need
04:08 Detecting abnormal developments during pregnancy, the state of the market for pregnancy medicine
07:23 The maternal health crisis and working to resolve it, finding safe methods of diagnosis
09:04 Creating a collaborative and supportive environment with aggressive goals, empathy as a core value
11:55 Fundraising during recessions, hitting your milestones, and creating/proving your own value
14:08 Finding milestones investors value most, the importance of asking “why” for prioritization
17:16 What’s in store for Mirvie in the next year or two, shifting paradigms for pregnancy health
20:20 Shoutouts to people who have supported Maneesh over the years
22:29 Advice to a 21-year-old self, self and team success are the same thing
24:37 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
GRAIL https://grail.com/
Mirvie https://www.mirvie.com/
Hematology Analyzers https://www.excedr.com/clinical-equipment/hematology-analyzer
Medical Imaging https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-imaging-and-radiology-overview
New Drug Applications https://www.excedr.com/blog/ind-application-process
FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide
Clinical Trials https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_trial
Principal Investigator https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_investigator
Series A, B, & C Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
Funding Options for Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
What Is a Seed Round https://www.excedr.com/resources/seed-round-funding-explained
Bootstrapping Your Biotech Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Invert (Charlie Munger Model) https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/inversion
Stanford Genome Technology Center https://med.stanford.edu/sgtc.html
Affymetrix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affymetrix

People Mentioned:
Charlie Munger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Munger
Maya Angelou https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1560 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. No No 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 2 | Company Size & Innovation | Supply Chain Learnings from Other Industries | Scaling Go-to-Market Strategies | Culture’s Interaction with Mergers & Acquisitions https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1np4476n-maneesh-jain-mirvie-part-2 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 2 | Company Size & Innovation | Supply Chain Learnings from Other Industries | Scaling Go-to-Market Strategies | Culture’s Interaction with Mergers & Acquisitions 15 No No z0r994k1 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests.

Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. All of the businesses successfully exited or commercialized to the likes of Affymetrix, Illumina, Life Technologies, the FDA, and GRAIL, respectively.

Join us as we sit down with Maneesh to talk about having the confidence to learn new things outside your comfort zone and how it is likely to be a core skill for future generations. Maneesh also discusses leveraging learnings from the semiconductor industry's supply chain to find new paths to innovation.

Lastly, we cover his thoughts on how to maintain culture when going through mergers and acquisitions, and how using the power of liquid biopsies led to his success at Cirina and later Mirvie. Please enjoy my conversation with Maneesh.

Find Our Guest, Maneesh Jain, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maneesh-jain-2509388/
https://www.mirvie.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:38 Episode start, starting Aurifex BioScience, company scale and its effect on innovation
04:38 Getting out of your comfort zone, having the confidence to learn something new
06:29 Going to Ion Torrent, leveraged learnings from supply chains in the semiconductor industry
09:58 Scaling a team and designing go-to-market strategies as the first commercial hire
13:30 Acquisitions and mergers, keeping culture intact when having a partner company
15:25 Butterfly Network, clinical applications of using ultrasounds on a chip, democratizing technology
19:24 Working with the FDA, founding Cirina and the power of liquid biopsies
22:36 Early detection of cancer, building teams across the world
25:54 Biggest challenges and triumphs at Cirina, global applications of clinical studies
27:44 Outro

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Stanford Genome Technology Center https://med.stanford.edu/sgtc.html
Bootstrapping Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Illumina https://www.illumina.com/
DNA Sequencing with Illumina https://www.excedr.com/blog/featured-manufacturer-illumina
Next Generation Sequencing https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/ngs-next-generation-sequencers
NGS Overview https://www.excedr.com/blog/next-generation-sequencing-101
454 Life Sciences https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/454_Life_Sciences
Medical Imaging https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-imaging-and-radiology-overview
FDA https://www.fda.gov/
Cirina/GRAIL https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-and-cirina-combine-to-create-global-company-focused-on-early-detection-of-cancer/
Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-lab-equipment-list

People Mentioned:
Mostafa Ronaghi https://www.linkedin.com/in/mostafa-ronaghi-505440/
Jonathan Rothberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Rothberg
Min Cui https://www.linkedin.com/in/min-cui-64bb178/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1742 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. No No 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 1 | Fundamental Curiosity & The Value of Perseverance | Entrepreneurship for Societal Impact | “Magic Decades” & Finding Your Niche | The Importance of Scalability & Differentiation https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnm660m8-maneesh-jain-mirvie-part-1 🧬 Maneesh Jain - Mirvie - Part 1 | Fundamental Curiosity & The Value of Perseverance | Entrepreneurship for Societal Impact | “Magic Decades” & Finding Your Niche | The Importance of Scalability & Differentiation 14 No No 71vppnr1 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina.

All of the businesses successfully exited or commercialized to the likes of Affymetrix, Illumina, Life Technologies, the FDA, and GRAIL, respectively. Join us as we sit down with Maneesh to talk about how his fundamental curiosity and perseverance have been a mainstay across his career.

Maneesh also discusses how he views entrepreneurship as a way to improve lives and make positive societal impacts. Lastly, we cover his time during undergrad and graduate school, how it led to spinning out ParAllele BioScience, and the many lessons its merger with Affymetrix provided. Please enjoy my conversation with Maneesh.

Find Our Guest, Maneesh Jain, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maneesh-jain-2509388/
https://www.mirvie.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:20 Episode start, Maneesh’s fundamental curiosity and thirst for knowledge, the value of perseverance
04:43 Entrepreneurship as a way to improve people’s lives and make a societal impact, time at CalTech
07:02 Undergraduate lab experience, turning knowledge into practical applications, mentors
09:36 Graduate school at Stanford, taking big open-ended problems and breaking them down
12:17 Moving to a field that is going to have its “Magic Decade”, transitioning to life sciences
15:00 Benefits of being a “clean slate”, working at the Stanford Genome Technology Center
17:24 Finding a project to spin-out, ParAllele BioScience and finding co-founders
22:28 The importance of showing basic scalability, going through the merger with Affymetrix
26:30 Learning about product differentiation, understanding technology and market life cycles
29:50 Outro

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Entrepreneurship https://www.excedr.com/category/entrepreneurship
Lean Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-lean-business-plan
Reducing Startup Costs & Expenses https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
CalTech https://www.caltech.edu/
SURF https://www.nist.gov/surf
Biotech Accelerators https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-accelerators
Accelerator vs. Incubator https://www.excedr.com/resources/accelerator-vs-incubator
Human Genome Project https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project
Stanford Genome Technology Center https://med.stanford.edu/sgtc.html
Computational Biology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_biology
ParAllele Bioscience https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2005/06/01/Affymetrix-acquires-ParAllele-BioScience
Tech Transfer https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-tech-transfer
Spinning Out of Academia https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup
Do You Need a Co-founder https://www.excedr.com/resources/do-you-need-a-co-founder-for-your-startup
Error Bars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Error_bar
Affymetrix https://www.linkedin.com/company/affymetrix/
Illumina https://www.illumina.com/

People Mentioned:
Amnon Rariv https://www.linkedin.com/in/amnon-yariv-12a75766/
Ron Davis https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-davis-56a34852/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1867 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Maneesh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of Mirvie, a life science company that predicts pregnancy complications before they happen by revealing the underlying biology of pregnancy health. Mirvie is dedicated to shaping the future of pregnancy health through simple, personalized blood tests. Before Mirvie, Maneesh was a founder, CEO, or executive of five successful start-ups, which include Parallele Bioscience, Auriphex Bioscience, Ion Torrent, Butterfly Network, and Cirina. No No 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 3 | Biotech2050 Podcast Origins | Facilitating Innovation Conversations in Biotech | Vibe Bio’s Mission & Funding Cures Instead of Finding Them | Non-Linear Growth & Thinking Long Term https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8l3w1wn-alok-tayi-vibe-bio-part-3 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 3 | Biotech2050 Podcast Origins | Facilitating Innovation Conversations in Biotech | Vibe Bio’s Mission & Funding Cures Instead of Finding Them | Non-Linear Growth & Thinking Long Term 13 No No x1l43m31 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company that funds and guides high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company that funds and guides high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve.

Prior to founding Vibe Bio, Alok started and ran several life science-focused software companies, including PreScouter, TetraScience, and the Life Sciences division at Egnyte. Join us as we sit down with Alok to talk about the origins of the Biotech2050 podcast, how serendipity has played a role in his career, and how he does his best to create those opportunities for others.

Alok also discusses how medical conditions in his family led to Vibe Bio’s creation, and how Vibe’s goal is to pinpoint diseases with unmet needs, leveraging AI to find medicines with the highest chances of providing cures. Lastly, learn how Vibe Bio can offer newly spun-out biotechs benefits at every inflection point. Please enjoy my conversation with Alok Tayi.

Find Our Guest, Alok Tayi, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloktayi/
https://www.vibebio.com
https://www.biotech2050.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:44 Episode start, starting the Biotech2050 Podcast, biotech innovation and facilitating those conversations
05:20 Fostering connections, serendipity’s effect on Alok’s journey and creating those opportunities for others
08:26 Diseases in the family and how they sparked Vibe Bio’s mission, the challenge of funding cures rather than finding them
10:47 Developing medicine from outside the industry, democratizing the drug development domain
12:54 Exponential scaling in expenses leads to medicines gravitating toward economic potential, recency bias
14:34 “Activation energy”, pinpointing unmet needs in industry and leveraging AI to find highest potential cures
17:26 Key inflection points to know, what Vibe Bio brings to those inflection points
20:58 Vibe Bio’s plans during the next couple of years
22:37 Alok’s shout outs, giving advice to a younger self, growth is non-linear, think long term
25:18 Outro

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Biotech2050 Podcast https://www.biotech2050.com/
Clora https://www.clora.com/
JPM Conference https://www.jpmorgan.com/about-us/events-conferences/health-care-conference
Biotech Podcasts to Listen To https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotech-podcasts-to-listen-to
Vibe Bio https://www.vibebio.com/
What Is Capital Outlay https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capital-outlay
Venture Capital https://www.excedr.com/category/venture-capital
Angel Investors https://www.excedr.com/resources/angel-funding-and-angel-investors
Seed Round https://www.excedr.com/resources/seed-round-funding-explained
Series A, B, & C Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explained
Activation energy https://www.britannica.com/science/activation-energy
Slush Fund https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slush_fund
Tech Transfer https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-tech-transfer
Spinning Out of Academia https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup

People Mentioned:
Rahul Chaturvedi https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulchaturvedi/
Sam Stupp https://stupp.northwestern.edu/cv/
George Whitesides https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-whitesides-7ba1189/
John Kelty https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kelty-96926885 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1600 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company that funds and guides high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company that funds and guides high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. No No 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 2 | Transitioning Into Entrepreneurship | The Importance of Sales Experience for Founders | The Power of a .edu Email | Managing Personnel During Hyperscaling https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v850k4vn-alok-tayi-vibe-bio-part-2 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 2 | Transitioning Into Entrepreneurship | The Importance of Sales Experience for Founders | The Power of a .edu Email | Managing Personnel During Hyperscaling 12 No No 81qyrx81 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve.

Prior to Vibe Bio, Alok started and ran several life science-focused software companies, including PreScouter, TetraScience, and the Life Sciences division at Egnyte. Join us as we sit down with Alok to talk about his transition into entrepreneurship from academia and how that experience led to PreScouter.

Alok also covers his experience navigating the tech transfer ecosystem and offers some key takeaways from his time as a serial founder. Alok also discusses founding TetraScience, his time at Egnyte hyperscaling its life sciences division during Covid, and tips for managing people during that rapid growth. Please enjoy my conversation with Alok Tayi.

Find Our Guest, Alok Tayi, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloktayi/
https://www.vibebio.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:50 Episode start, Alok’s transition into entrepreneurship, the origins of PreScouter
03:35 Learning the go-to-market aspect of building business, the importance of doing sales
06:14 Enterprise sales and its duality, PreScouter takeaways for founders, the power of a .edu email address
09:28 Navigating the tech transfer ecosystem, taking tech from one industry to an adjacent one
11:13 How TetraScience came about, efficiency and data capture for science,
16:17 Moving on to Egnyte, building out the life science business unit, scaling from 1 to 60 employees
18:22 Experience working through Covid, biotech’s rapid growth and building something large quickly
22:11 Managing personnel during hyperscaling, importance of keeping your people on the same page
25:40 Outro

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Entrepreneurship https://www.excedr.com/category/entrepreneurship
Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
Principal Investigator (PI) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_investigator
PreScouter https://www.prescouter.com/home/
Enterprise Sales https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/enterprise-sales
Tech Transfer https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-tech-transfer
Spinning Out of Academia https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup
TetraScience https://www.tetrascience.com/
Machine Learning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learning
Egnyte https://www.egnyte.com/
Capital Outlay https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capital-outlay
Bootstrapping & Scaling Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Creating a Budget for Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-create-budget-biotech-startup
What is CapEX https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-capex
Lattice Mismatch https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/lattice-mismatch


People Mentioned:
Vineet Jain https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineetkjain/
Rajesh Ram https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramrajesh/
Amrit Jassal https://www.linkedin.com/in/amritjassal/
Kris Lahiri https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-lahiri-135bb2/
David Spitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidspitz/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1623 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core comprises a community of scientists, patients, and partners dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. No No 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 1 | Combining Software & Science | The Influence of Serendipity on Trajectory | The Critical Importance of Mentors | Working to Make an Impact & Solve Problems https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8v2wmx8-alok-tayi-vibe-bio-part-1 🧬 Alok Tayi - Vibe Bio - Part 1 | Combining Software & Science | The Influence of Serendipity on Trajectory | The Critical Importance of Mentors | Working to Make an Impact & Solve Problems 11 No No 70ykvmx0 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core is a community of scientists, patients, and partners that are dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core is a community of scientists, patients, and partners that are dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve.

Prior to Vibe Bio, Alok started and ran several life science-focused software companies, including PreScouter, TetraScience, and the Life Sciences division at Egnyte.

Join us as we sit down with Alok to talk about how his experience at SUNY as a teenager sparked his journey into science and showed him the combination of software and science that has been a common trend throughout his career.

Alok also speaks to the importance of mentors, especially those he found at Cornell, Northwestern, Tokyo, and Harvard. Alok also covers how his time as a postgraduate working with George Whitesides changed his outlook on how to think, focusing on how to make an impact. Please enjoy my conversation with Alok Tayi.

Find Our Guest, Alok Tayi, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloktayi/
https://www.vibebio.com

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:45 Episode start, Alok’s early journey into science, the combination of software and science
03:41 Serendipitous timing and its influence on Alok’s trajectory, the intersection of tech and biotech, the importance of good mentors
06:33 Experience at Cornell, the growth of materials science after the dot com bubble burst, motivation to get a PhD
09:45 Choosing Northwestern for a PhD, the benefits of working in Sam Stupp’s lab
14:27 Equipment in labs not being utilized, the difficulty of keeping people in the scientific discipline
18:33 Being a JSPS Fellow at University of Tokyo, Japan’s culture of hard work and other differences
23:33 Time at Harvard, pursuing a postdoc with George Whitesides
25:55 George Whitesides’ view on how does one think, working on things that have an impact, solving problems
28:17 Outro

Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
University at Albany, SUNY https://www.suny.edu/
Materials Science https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materials_science
General Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment
Liquid Handlers https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/liquid-handler
Industrial Robots https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/industrial-robots
High Content Imaging https://www.excedr.com/blog/an-introduction-to-high-content-imaging
What Are Immunoassays https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-are-immunoassays
Cell Imaging Systems https://www.excedr.com/microscopes/cell-imaging-system
Bioanalyzers https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-does-a-bioanalyzer-work
Nanotechnology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology
Molecular Biology https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-molecular-biology
X-Ray Crystallography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_crystallography
Organic Electronics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_electronics
Northwestern University https://www.northwestern.edu/
Science Exchange https://ww2.scienceexchange.com/s/
Scientific Equipment Leasing https://www.excedr.com/leasing
Staffing Your Startup https://www.excedr.com/blog/staffing-your-startup
“Todai” University of Tokyo https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/
JSPS Fellowship https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/
Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/
Li Ka Shing Center https://bds.berkeley.edu/lks
Quad Chart https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_chart
First Principles https://fs.blog/first-principles/

People Mentioned:
Michael Carpenter https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-carpenter-a6705a142/
George Malliaras https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgemalliaras/
Sam Stupp https://stupp.northwestern.edu/cv/
George Whitesides https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-whitesides-7ba1189/
Stephen Sass https://www.mse.cornell.edu/news/memorial-stephen-l-sass
Elizabeth Iorns https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethiorns/
Fraser Stoddart https://stoddart.northwestern.edu/fraser-stoddart/
Aida Takuzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/aida-takuzo-b38672150/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1827 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core is a community of scientists, patients, and partners that are dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Alok Tayi, Founder of Vibe Bio, a life science company focused on funding & guiding high-potential drug programs through value inflection points. Vibe Bio’s core is a community of scientists, patients, and partners that are dedicated to helping biotechs find the promising treatments that patients deserve. No No 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 3 | Being a Scrappy Founder | Adapting to Change & Learning to Pivot | The Importance of Professional Business Development | Setting Client Expectations https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnq09618-james-evans-phenovista-part-3 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 3 | Being a Scrappy Founder | Adapting to Change & Learning to Pivot | The Importance of Professional Business Development | Setting Client Expectations 10 No No 81n4lqp1 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies.

Before starting PhenoVista, James spent a decade at MIT’s Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research as a Postdoc, a Research Scientist, and finally, Director of the Bioimaging Center.

Join us as we sit down with James to talk about how important it is to be scrappy as an entrepreneur, and how it is critical to adapt to change, as plans rarely remain unaltered. James also speaks to the importance of professional business development and how acquiring that skillset was a huge unlock for PhenoVista. J

James also covers the importance of setting client expectations, and discussing what is coming in the next year for PhenoVista. Please enjoy my conversation with James Evans.

Find Our Guest, James Evans, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgevans/
https://phenovista.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:45 Episode start, finding first lab space, incubator/shared space vs standard lab lease
04:10 Being scrappy, having a plan versus having a strategy, adapting to change
07:08 Phases of company growth,  in-house business development, professionalizing operations for scale and outside investors
08:34 Tips for improving sales and marketing, always trying new things
10:30 Difference between working with large and small clients, setting expectations with clients
12:49 PhenoVista’s coming year, new services in cell & gene therapy, functional assays, toxicology, fundraising for future growth
14:00 Shout-outs to people who helped along the way
15:47 Advice to James’ younger self, dealing with stress, physical and mental health
17:23 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/category/lab-equipment
First Set of Equipment https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment
Autoclave https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/autoclave
CO2 Incubator https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/co2-incubator
Centrifuge https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-a-centrifuge
Lab Automation/Robotics https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/industrial-robots
Lab Balance https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/lab-balance 
Lab Shaker https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/lab-shaker
Liquid Handler https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/liquid-handler
Ultra Low Temp Freezer https://www.excedr.com/general-lab-equipment/ultra-low-temperature-freezer
Biotech/Life Science Equipment https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences
Cell Counter/Analyzer https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/cell-counter
Flow Cytometer/Cell Sorter https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/flow-cytometer
Microplate Reader https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/microplate-reader
RT-PCR https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/pcr-systems
Used Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/buying-used-equipment
Refurbished Lab Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/refurbished-lab-equipment
Startup Bootstrapping https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Writing a Lean Business Plan https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-lean-business-plan
Marketing, Sales, & Business Development https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs
Reducing Costs & Improving Efficiencies https://www.excedr.com/blog/startup-costs-and-expenses
Cell Painting & High Content Imaging https://www.excedr.com/blog/an-introduction-to-high-content-imaging
Biotechnology Funding Options https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options

People Mentioned:
Alan McNeilly https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mcneilly-a497a025/?originalSubdomain=uk
Pamela Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-brown-a8140a1a/?originalSubdomain=uk
Paul Matsudaira https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-matsudaira/
Ivan Correia https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-correia-mba-phd-9b026576/
Sanjoy Ray https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjoy-ray-1236051/
PhenoVista Advisors: https://phenovista.com/advisors
PhenoVista Team: https://phenovista.com/our-team 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 09 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1141 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. No No 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 2 | Leaving Academia for Industry | How to Handle Miscommunication | Creating a Truly Diverse Company Culture | Being Bootstrapped & Forging a Business Model in the Real World https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286myqxn-james-evans-phenovista-part-2 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 2 | Leaving Academia for Industry | How to Handle Miscommunication | Creating a Truly Diverse Company Culture | Being Bootstrapped & Forging a Business Model in the Real World 9 No No j127wrq0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies.

Before starting PhenoVista, James spent a decade at MIT’s Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research as a Postdoc, a Research Scientist, and finally, Director of the Bioimaging Center.

Join us as we sit down with James to talk about his choice to leave MIT and the job that initiated his move to San Diego where he met his co-founder. James also offers insight into what the early days at PhenoVista were like, and how important it is to learn to tackle miscommunication early.

Hear firsthand about the difficulties of running a bootstrapped business, how company growth leads to recurring issues that need solving, and how James forged a business model in the real world. Please enjoy my conversation with James Evans.

Find Our Guest, James Evans, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgevans/
https://phenovista.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:44 Episode Start
02:37 Choosing to leave MIT, the hard way of learning how to defend your data
04:53 Moving to San Diego, meeting PhenoVista’s co-founder (Tony), early days of the company
06:28 Gathering momentum, making the first outside hire (Erika), learning how to handle miscommunication
09:19 Hard lessons learned from moving from academia into a startup
11:06 Experience moving from East Coast to West Coast, creating a truly diverse company culture
13:34 Running a business is incredibly hard, solving recurring problems as the company grows
15:54 Biggest driving factor for creating PhenoVista, democratized access to phenotypic screening
17:40 Being bootstrapped vs. venture capital backed, forging a business model in the real world
20:35 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
High-Content Imaging https://www.excedr.com/blog/an-introduction-to-high-content-imaging Phenotypic Screening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenotypic_screening
Spinning Out of Academia: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup
Creating a Budget for Your Startup (VC or Bootstrapped): https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-create-budget-biotech-startup
A Guide to Grant Funding: https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups
Financing Options for Your Startup: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startup
How to Limit Co-Founder Disputes: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-limit-co-founder-legal-disputes
How to Write a Lean Business Plan: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-write-lean-business-plan
How to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
Fuji Film https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en
EBITDA https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp

People Mentioned:
Paul Matsudaira https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-matsudaira/
Anthony “Tony” Essex https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-essex-ph-d-85671846/
Erika Martin https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-martin-b357327/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1325 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. No No 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 1 | Skateboarding, Resilience, & Problem Solving | The Importance of Hands-On Lab Experiences | The Elegant Simplicity of Trial & Error | Running the Whitehead Institute’s Core Facility https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n2jyy2n-james-evans-phenovista-part-1 🧬 James Evans - PhenoVista - Part 1 | Skateboarding, Resilience, & Problem Solving | The Importance of Hands-On Lab Experiences | The Elegant Simplicity of Trial & Error | Running the Whitehead Institute’s Core Facility 8 No No 2192jj40 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies.

Before starting PhenoVista, James spent a decade at MIT’s Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research as a Postdoc, a Research Scientist, and finally, Director of the Bioimaging Center.  Join us as we sit down with James to discuss his late-blooming love of science and how his childhood extracurriculars taught him resilience and problem solving.

James also offers insight into how important his hands-on lab experience was and how crucial it is to have a mentor that nurtures new talent. Learn more about why he left Harvard for MIT's Whitehead Institute, and how his experiences there further fueled his passion for imaging. Please enjoy my conversation with James Evans.

Find Our Guest, James Evans, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgevans/
https://phenovista.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:14 Episode start
03:38 Non-academic ways of learning resilience, problem solving, and a rebellious nature
06:00 The Belgian lab that lit a fire of inspiration and interest in biology
09:52 Hands-on, functional university experience, the importance of getting research exposure
11:32 Going to Edinburgh for his PhD, differences in experience and nurturing new talent
14:29 Cutting edge molecular biology, choosing to go overseas from Edinburgh to Harvard
17:11 The reason for wanting to switch to the Whitehead Institute, a passion for imaging
19:53 Collaborations with industry, leveraging imaging for computational systems biology
22:30 Helping grad students, common sense approaches to finding quick, reliable answers to questions
26:26 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Kickflip https://www.wikihow.com/Kickflip-on-a-Skateboard
UK A-Levels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-level
Erasmus Program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmus_Programme
Coventry University https://www.coventry.ac.uk/
Mouth Pipetting https://incubator.rockefeller.edu/origins-of-the-pipette-why-todays-scientists-dont-need-to-use-their-mouths/
Transfection https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfection
Whitehead Institute https://wi.mit.edu/
Computational Systems Biology http://catalog.mit.edu/interdisciplinary/graduate-programs/computational-systems-biology/
High Content Screening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-content_screening

People Mentioned:
Alan McNeilly https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mcneilly-a497a025/?originalSubdomain=uk
Pamela Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-brown-a8140a1a/?originalSubdomain=uk
Paul Matsudaira https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-matsudaira/
Sanjoy Ray https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjoy-ray-1236051/
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1672 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is James Evans, Founder and CEO of PhenoVista Biosciences, a contract research organization that works with biopharma clients of all sizes, from start-ups to established global companies. No No 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 3 | Government Grants | The Importance of Storytelling for STEM Startups | Venture Capital vs Non-Dilutive Funding | How To Gain Strategic Corporate Interest Domestically & Abroad https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8yqjyq8-steve-visco-polyplus-part-3 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 3 | Government Grants | The Importance of Storytelling for STEM Startups | Venture Capital vs Non-Dilutive Funding | How To Gain Strategic Corporate Interest Domestically & Abroad 7 No No l048v480 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 3 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry.

Join us as we sit down with Steve to discuss how to stay true to your North Star when applying for and receiving government grants.

Steve also offers tips on how you should consider choosing your grants, offers guidance on writing the grants themselves, and doubles down on storytelling as core competency for STEM founders.

Learn more about his thoughts on when and why to choose VC investment over other options out there, the differences between generating corporate interest with US and international companies, and how to build an innovative team and culture that makes your job a place you want to go to every day. Please enjoy my conversation with Steve Visco.

Find Our Guest, Steve Visco, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-j-visco-2910b57/
https://polyplus.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Episode start
03:18 Staying true to your North Star when utilizing government grants, dealing with auditing
05:28 Grants are inflexible, being careful when writing research plan proposals
06:26 Grant writing tips, the importance of a solid team, storytelling as a core competency
09:24 Remedying STEM programs’ lack of emphasis on writing, why communication is key
11:52 Choosing not to take venture capital, pros and cons of working with VCs, government grants for manufacturing (not just R&D)
14:39 The importance of Founders knowing their funding options, how to gain corporate interest
16:56 Government grants & the importance of your reputation, finding ways to differentiate yourself, government grants vs corporate financing
20:26 Differences between US & international corporate strategic collaborations, lack of startups abroad
22:34 Building an innovative team, employee retention, balancing the pace of hiring with the amount of onboarding required
26:44 Hiring methodologies, where to look for irreplaceable industry-specific talent, new considerations when advancing from R&D to manufacturing
31:08 Advice to younger self, choosing the uncharted path, having a job you want to go to
33:03 Shoutouts to those that have helped Steve along the way, building a good company
36:05 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Non-Dilutive Funding https://www.arkkapital.com/basics/non-dilutive-funding
Grant Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups/
SBIR Grants https://www.excedr.com/blog/sbir-grants-guide/
ARPA-E https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPA-E

People Mentioned:
Rudy Hurwich https://hurwich.com/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2241 Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 3 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. No No 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 2 | Global Competition | Defending & Monetizing Your Intellectual Property | Dealing With Patent Trolls & Needing Multiple Patents Per Technology | The Importance of Global IP Strategy for Startups https://podcasts.fame.so/e/l8qzm5vn-steve-visco-polyplus-part-2 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 2 | Global Competition | Defending & Monetizing Your Intellectual Property | Dealing With Patent Trolls & Needing Multiple Patents Per Technology | The Importance of Global IP Strategy for Startups 6 No No 80nn63r0 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 2 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry.

Join us as we sit down with Steve to discuss PolyPlus’ decade of experience as a licensing company during a time of rapid industry change.

Steve also covers how important intellectual property is for defending and monetizing your technology, how to deal with patent trolls and spurious lawsuits, and the benefits of scientists understanding patent legalities.

Learn more about his thoughts on why having multiple patents on a technology is important, and how crucial it can be to have an immediate global IP strategy as a startup. Please enjoy my conversation with Steve Visco.

Find Our Guest, Steve Visco, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-j-visco-2910b57/
https://polyplus.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:39 Episode start
02:01 Stanford’s tech transfer advice to Berkeley, finding an investor and CEO in Rudy Hurwich
03:55 Rudy’s business experience, the 4 members of the founding group
05:15 Lithium ion’s emergence, PolyPlus’ decade as a licensing company
07:12 American companies trying to catch up to Japan, batteries as the new oil
09:30 Intellectual property & the importance of patents, evaluating patents as part of M&A
12:54 How PolyPlus found their patent attorney, dealing with patent trolls & spurious lawsuits
16:48 Preparing for the interference lawsuit, benefits of a scientist understanding patent legalities
19:27 Licensing patents as a source of income, the dangers of over-licensing your portfolio
22:19 Learning about deal structure, the importance of having multiple patents on a technology
24:39 Choosing where to patent, patenting tech in the United States vs. Overseas
27:39 Startups & the importance of having an immediate global IP strategy
30:39 Outside IP attorneys & choosing when to bring one in-house/train one up
33:00 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Intellectual Property/IP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property
Dymo Industries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymo_Corporation
DuPont https://www.dupont.com/
Dow https://www.dow.com/en-us
Panasonic https://www.na.panasonic.com/
Sony https://www.sony.com/en/
Patent Trolling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll
Interference Patent Lawsuit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_proceeding
Patent Cooperation Treaty-PCT https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_Cooperation_Treaty
CRISPR Patent Dispute
https://www.statnews.com/2016/03/08/crispr-patent-fight/
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/breakthrough-gene-editing-technology-belongs-harvard-mit-us-tribunal-2022-03-01/

People Mentioned:
Rudy Hurwich https://hurwich.com/
Michel Armand https://cicenergigune.com/en/michel-armand
Meilin Liu https://www.linkedin.com/in/meilin96332354/
Jim Simons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Simons_(mathematician) 
John Goodenough https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_B._Goodenough
Joe Siino https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephsiino/ 
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2062 Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 2 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. No No 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 1 | Benefits of Strong Writing Skills for Entrepreneurs | Tech Transfer Process & Its Origins | Leveraging Your Expert Status in Negotiations to Gain Investment | Evaluating Personal Needs Alongside Professional Opportuniti https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x81v2rjn-steve-visco-polyplus-part-1 🧬 Steve Visco - PolyPlus - Part 1 | Benefits of Strong Writing Skills for Entrepreneurs | Tech Transfer Process & Its Origins | Leveraging Your Expert Status in Negotiations to Gain Investment | Evaluating Personal Needs Alongside Professional Opportuniti 5 No No 7134rz30 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 1 of 3.

My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry.

Join us as we sit down with Steve to discuss why being a skillful writer is important for scientific entrepreneurs.

Steve also covers how he balanced his family’s needs with professional endeavors, the origins of the tech transfer process, and what tech transfer meant for researchers in government and academic labs.

Learn more about his thoughts on leveraging expertise in negotiations with companies in industry and the potential pitfalls of conflict of interest.

Please enjoy my conversation with Steve Visco.

Find Our Guest, Steve Visco, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-j-visco-2910b57/
https://polyplus.com/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com

Social & Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:16 Episode start
04:01 The cross-section of literature and science, excellent writing as a lifelong benefit
06:25 Modern push for specialization, growing up with the renaissance approach to learning
08:30 What spurred the pursuit of chemistry, 70s-80s grad school differences
11:29 Researching at Brown University, moving to UC Santa Barbara
15:13 Large grants and the benefits they bring, working with industry pioneers
18:35 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the shift toward commercialization
21:22 Origins of the tech transfer process boom, research and its benefits to the economy
23:35 Industry money and how it differs from grant funding, leveraging expertise in negotiations
26:38 Licensing patents out to companies vs. spinning out companies
29:18 Spinning out PolyPlus from LBNL and the pitfalls of conflict of interest
32:29 Going through the early-days tech transfer process, inventor’s percentage for licensing technologies
34:15 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Louis Pasteur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Pasteur
The Scientific Method https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory https://www.lbl.gov/
PolyPlus https://polyplus.com/
Bell Labs https://www.bell-labs.com/
Manhattan Project https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project
Tech Transfer Process https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_transfer
DOE National Labs https://www.energy.gov/national-laboratories
Cooperative Research and Development Agreements https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative_research_and_development_agreement

People Mentioned:
John Kennedy https://www.chem.ucsb.edu/people/john-h-kennedy
Newt Gingridge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt_Gingrich
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 31 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2137 Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. Part 1 of 3. My guest for this week’s episode is Steve Visco. Steve is the Co-founder, CTO, and CEO of PolyPlus. Before PolyPlus, Steve worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as a Principal Investigator, running several programs in the field of solid state ionics, developing an extensive patent portfolio, much of which has been licensed to industry. No No 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 4 | How to Choose the Right Venture Capital Partner | Fundraising as “Dating” | Finding Proper Alignment & The Win-Win | VC Network as a “Polishing Engine” https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nxj092n-jacob-glanville-centivax-part-4 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 4 | How to Choose the Right Venture Capital Partner | Fundraising as “Dating” | Finding Proper Alignment & The Win-Win | VC Network as a “Polishing Engine” 4 No No 61mp6xm0 My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, and President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake to discuss: how important it is to understand a venture capital firm’s investment thesis and values, tips to successfully pitch to them, the perks of viewing potential VC relationships as “dating,” and how that mindset can help you find the right partner. Part 4 of 4.  
 
My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, and President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. 

Join us as we sit down with Jake to discuss: how important it is to understand a venture capital firm’s investment thesis and values, tips to successfully pitch to them, the perks of viewing potential VC relationships as “dating,” and how that mindset can help you find the right partner. 

Jake also covers the importance of finding a win-win for all parties during VC negotiations. Learn more about his thoughts on the benefits of a VC’s network, which emulates a “polishing engine” for a startup, and how it can be just as valuable as the money itself. 

Finally, listen to some of the incredible things that Centivax is working on currently and where they plan to be in the near future. 

Please enjoy my conversation with Jake Glanville. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro  
01:54 Episode start 
03:05 Understanding VC’s “investment thesis”, know what your future partner values 
04:06 Art’s power to convey ideas without words, relaying truth without language 
06:13 Fundraising as “dating”, friendliness after rejection, ask for advice & feedback
09:03 Choosing the right VC, dollar amount, expertise, & network 
11:32 Respectful of time & interests, reputation checks, market comps, fair deals  
14:09 Having VC options to choose from, NFX, GHIC & working toward global health 
15:41 VC investment and resources, the role of lawyers during fundraising 
17:50 Finding the win-win, the value of networking, getting to the next level 
21:05 What’s in store for Centivax, RNA/LNP, getting Universal Vaccines into people 
25:55 Excedr’s role in allowing an inflection point launch for Centivax 
26:47 Making friends, Jake’s shouts out those who have supported him
30:11 Outro  

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Distributed Bio https://www.criver.com/charles-river-acquired-distributed-bio
Centivax https://www.centivax.com/
Venture Capital https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venture_capital
Investment Thesis https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/investment-thesis.asp
Tzʼutujil People https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tz%CA%BCutujil_people
Precedent Transactions https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/precedent-transaction-analysis.asp
Comparables https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/comparables.asp
NFX Ventures https://www.nfx.com/
Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC) https://ghicfunds.org/
Twist Bioscience https://www.twistbioscience.com/
RNA/LNP Delivery System https://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-021-00358-0
Contract Research Organizations (CROs) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_research_organization
In-Vivo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vivo
HAI Titer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemagglutination_assay
Building Backward to Biotech Book https://www.amazon.com/Building-Backwards-Biotech-Entrepreneurship-Cutting-Edge-ebook/dp/B09VCRFNPD

People Mentioned:
Omri Amirav-Drory, Ph.D. https://www.linkedin.com/in/omri-amirav-drory-50572727/
Emily Leproust https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-leproust/
Sawsan Youssef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawsan-youssef-b274b010/
Stephanie Weisner https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wisner-5aa4556a/
Nicholas Bayless https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bayless-07862722/
Mark Davis https://med.stanford.edu/davislab.html
Sarah Ives https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivessarah/  
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1887 My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, and President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake to discuss: how important it is to understand a venture capital firm’s investment thesis and values, tips to successfully pitch to them, the perks of viewing potential VC relationships as “dating,” and how that mindset can help you find the right partner. My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, and President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake to discuss: how important it is to understand a venture capital firm’s investment thesis and values, tips to successfully pitch to them, the perks of viewing potential VC relationships as “dating,” and how that mindset can help you find the right partner. No No 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 3 | Building a Biotech without Venture Capital | Picking Lab Space & Company Growth | Equipment Leasing & Runway/Cash Flow Maximization | Process Drift & “The Respiration Model” https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8ml6wzn-jacob-glanville-centivax-par-3 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 3 | Building a Biotech without Venture Capital | Picking Lab Space & Company Growth | Equipment Leasing & Runway/Cash Flow Maximization | Process Drift & “The Respiration Model” 3 No No 70vjp980 Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake, discussing his three-part plan for building Distributed Bio without traditional venture capital, how reality differed from the plan, and how the acquisition by Charles River Laboratories occurred. Learn more about his thoughts on natural team growth and how to handle process drift. Hear Jake’s view on how equipment leasing provided a solution for growing a business when cash was tight and needed for investing in internal operations. Discover Jake’s insight into what he calls “the respiration model” of leadership, balancing hierarchical and organic structures to promote organization and innovation. Hear more about his experience spinning out Centivax. Part 3 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio.

Join us as we sit down with Jake, discussing his three-part plan for building Distributed Bio without traditional venture capital, how reality differed from the plan, and how the acquisition by Charles River Laboratories occurred.

Learn more about his thoughts on natural team growth and how to handle process drift. Hear Jake’s view on how equipment leasing provided a solution for growing a business when cash was tight and needed for investing in internal operations.

Discover Jake’s insight into what he calls “the respiration model” of leadership, balancing hierarchical and organic structures to promote organization and innovation. Hear more about his experience spinning out Centivax.

Please enjoy my conversation with Jake Glanville.

Find Our Guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:47 Episode start
02:11 Building a biotech without traditional venture capital
05:29 How reality differed from the 3-part plan
07:25 The difficulties of having to get lab space
09:16 Natural team growth & the relationship with the University of San Francisco
12:30 Equipment leasing, how to grow a business when cash is tight and needed for growth
14:40 Jake’s challenges & experiences that were the toughest, managing your partners
17:01 The process drift problem & implementing a buddy system
18:56 Realizing what you really need, when to spend vs. save
20:30 The biotech VC ramp, striking a balance between the hierarchical vs. organic models
22:05 “The respiration model” of leadership
24:20 Moving on to the next thing, what made the SuperHuman-2.0 special
28:00 Spinning out Centivax, winning the Gates Foundation Award
31:10 Focusing on what is most important, the importance of the universal vaccine
33:15 Outro

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Wed, 03 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 2075 Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake, discussing his three-part plan for building Distributed Bio without traditional venture capital, how reality differed from the plan, and how the acquisition by Charles River Laboratories occurred. Learn more about his thoughts on natural team growth and how to handle process drift. Hear Jake’s view on how equipment leasing provided a solution for growing a business when cash was tight and needed for investing in internal operations. Discover Jake’s insight into what he calls “the respiration model” of leadership, balancing hierarchical and organic structures to promote organization and innovation. Hear more about his experience spinning out Centivax. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. Join us as we sit down with Jake, discussing his three-part plan for building Distributed Bio without traditional venture capital, how reality differed from the plan, and how the acquisition by Charles River Laboratories occurred. Learn more about his thoughts on natural team growth and how to handle process drift. Hear Jake’s view on how equipment leasing provided a solution for growing a business when cash was tight and needed for investing in internal operations. Discover Jake’s insight into what he calls “the respiration model” of leadership, balancing hierarchical and organic structures to promote organization and innovation. Hear more about his experience spinning out Centivax. No No 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 2 | Creating Bioinformatic Tools | Innovation vs. Organization in Biotech Companies | Finding Excitement in Your Work | Tech Transfer & “Separation of Church and State” https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nxjqk6n-jacob-glanville-centivax-part-2 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 2 | Creating Bioinformatic Tools | Innovation vs. Organization in Biotech Companies | Finding Excitement in Your Work | Tech Transfer & “Separation of Church and State” 2 No No 61mp37v0 In part 2 of the Biotech Startups Podcast episode, host Jon Chee dives deeper into his conversation with Jacob Glanville, Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax. Jake sheds light on his past experiences at Rinat Labs, a Pfizer company, and how he found a way to leverage his skills and experience to create new bioinformatic processes. Learn more about his initial idea for a universal vaccine and why he chose to pursue a PhD at Stanford. Part 2 of 4. 

My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio. 

Join us as we sit down with Jake, discussing his time at Rinat Labs, a Pfizer company, and how he found a way to leverage his skills and experience to create new bioinformatic processes. 

Learn more about his initial idea for a universal vaccine and why he chose to pursue a PhD at Stanford. Hear Jake’s view on how to be excited about what you do, and leveraging that excitement to pursue your goals, entrepreneurial or otherwise. 

Please enjoy my conversation with Jake Glanville.

Find Our Guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 


Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 

Social & Website


Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 
01:49 Episode start
03:42 Finding how to make yourself most useful
05:22 Why Big Pharma buys small biotechs
07:00 A lack of bioinformatic tools and solving for that issue
09:29 Collecting data on experiments and conducting meta-analysis
11:08 Analyzing antibody libraries and mice immunizations
12:14 Synthesizing the data to better understand antibodies and vaccination
14:09 Leaving Rinat/Pfizer, the idea of a universal vaccine
16:06 Getting a PhD and launching a company simultaneously
21:03 Starting Distributed Bio and navigating time at Stanford
25:29 Find out what makes you excited and pursue it
27:43 Tech transfer and keeping DB and Stanford work separate
30:08 Outro 

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

People Mentioned:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1885 In part 2 of the Biotech Startups Podcast episode, host Jon Chee dives deeper into his conversation with Jacob Glanville, Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax. Jake sheds light on his past experiences at Rinat Labs, a Pfizer company, and how he found a way to leverage his skills and experience to create new bioinformatic processes. Learn more about his initial idea for a universal vaccine and why he chose to pursue a PhD at Stanford. In part 2 of the Biotech Startups Podcast episode, host Jon Chee dives deeper into his conversation with Jacob Glanville, Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax. Jake sheds light on his past experiences at Rinat Labs, a Pfizer company, and how he found a way to leverage his skills and experience to create new bioinformatic processes. Learn more about his initial idea for a universal vaccine and why he chose to pursue a PhD at Stanford. No No 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 1 | Hospitality Industry’s Applied Lessons | The Benefits of Contingency Planning & Fair Negotiation | How to Seek Translational Skill Sets & Cross Training https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n3lwy18-jacob-glanville-centivax-part-1 🧬 Jacob Glanville - Centivax - Part 1 | Hospitality Industry’s Applied Lessons | The Benefits of Contingency Planning & Fair Negotiation | How to Seek Translational Skill Sets & Cross Training 1 No No m1j5my80 In the first ever episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Host Jon Chee is joined by Jake Glanville of Centivax! They discuss his upbringing in Guatemala; the parallels between the hospitality service and medicine; how to become more approachable to customers; and the power of saying ‘no’ to people in the industry. Part 1 of 4.

My guest for this week’s episode is Jacob Glanville. Jacob is the Founder, CEO, & President of Centivax and was formerly the Co-founder, CEO, and President of Distributed Bio.

Join us as we sit down with Jake and talk about how our upbringing and experiences shape us, helping us find success in life science careers. Learn more about the surprising ways that the hospitality industry can relate to biotech entrepreneurship.

Gain insight into Jake’s view on fair negotiation practices and how building a strong set of translational skills can benefit founders. Please enjoy my conversation with Jake Glanville.

Find Our Guest, Jacob Glanville, at these links: 


Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: 


Social & Website


Timestamps

  • [00:00:00] Intro 
  • [00:01:25] Jake’s resume
  • [00:02:07] Episode start 
  • [00:02:42] Growing up in Guatemala 
  • [00:05:52] Unexpected experience crossovers from childhood 
  • [00:06:47] Focusing and its true meaning 
  • [00:08:17] Cheap and scrappy, contingency planning
  • [00:09:31] Fair negotiation and why it matters, building relationships 
  • [00:13:16] Meeting a wide range of people and learning to be gracious 
  • [00:14:48] Being likable but not a pushover, being pushy and smooth 
  • [00:16:36] Listening but deciding intentionally, learning to say no 
  • [00:17:37] What landed you in Berkeley 
  • [00:19:24] Interest in immunogenetics, programming hobby 
  • [00:20:20] Population genetics, and the translation of skill sets 
  • [00:22:41] Cross-training, learn general principles with wide applicabilities 
  • [00:23:21] Outro 

Enriched Notes:
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.
]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 1478 In the first ever episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Host Jon Chee is joined by Jake Glanville of Centivax! They discuss his upbringing in Guatemala; the parallels between the hospitality service and medicine; how to become more approachable to customers; and the power of saying ‘no’ to people in the industry. In the first ever episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Host Jon Chee is joined by Jake Glanville of Centivax! They discuss his upbringing in Guatemala; the parallels between the hospitality service and medicine; how to become more approachable to customers; and the power of saying ‘no’ to people in the industry. No No 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast Trailer https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q8040jv8-the-biotech-startups-podcast-trailer 🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast Trailer 0 No No p0km6xn0 Coming soon... The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr. We will be speaking with first-time founders, experienced scientists, long-time company operators, serial entrepreneurs, and biotech investors about the challenges and triumphs of running a biotech startup. The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:37:00 +0000 Excedr Excedr 59 Coming soon... The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr. We will be speaking with first-time founders, experienced scientists, long-time company operators, serial entrepreneurs, and biotech investors about the challenges and triumphs of running a biotech startup. Coming soon... The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr. We will be speaking with first-time founders, experienced scientists, long-time company operators, serial entrepreneurs, and biotech investors about the challenges and triumphs of running a biotech startup. No No