From the ground floor to the C-Suite, Building Biotechs offers a behind-the-scenes look into the strategy that goes into launching and scaling successful biotech and life science companies.
We talk with biotech executives, founders, HR leaders, and culture builders to learn how they think about growing companies with intention, and discuss the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way.
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Données mises à jour le 04/07/2026
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Putting the “Tech” in Biotech: An Unconventional Path to Building a Therapeutics Company, with Federico Paoletti, PhD
Épisode 56
mercredi 1 octobre 2025 • Durée 42:37
Federico Paoletti, co-founder of Exogene, founded his biotech company immediately after finishing his PhD, which led to a steep learning curve and many valuable lessons he now shares with other founders. He and his co-founder learned to operate like a tech startup inside biotech: validate the market before the product, iterate fast, and let customer discovery shape the platform thesis. He shares how a tough SF fundraising trip reframed their pitch from an asset-only story to a bigger, platform-driven vision that fits the right investor audience. We dig into non-dilutive funding tactics, using a success-fee grant writer, building a lab-in-the-loop data flywheel without overhiring, and hiring senior talent creatively with part-time plus equity to reach milestones without burning runway. We also cover the founder mindset: asking “dumb” questions to accelerate learning, leveraging mentors who understand both tech and biotech, tracking macro signals to time raises, and pushing back on default VC expectations when they don’t serve the company’s stage.
00:00 Founder arc and why market-first beats tech-first in biotech
06:30 The SF trip that reframed the story: asset vs. platform, and pitching the right investor
2:45 Building a non-dilutive funding stack: six UK grants, early platform revenue, friends-and-family as match
18:10 Success-fee grant writer playbook and how non-scientist reviewers evaluate
22:00 Hiring to milestones: part-time senior talent + equity, geo-distributed team to extend runway
27:30 Mentors who span tech and biotech, and the cadence that compounds
31:40 Founder mindset: ask “dumb” questions, iterate in public, push back on default VC expectations
36:20 Watching macro signals (e.g., NVDA) to time raises and plan runway
Accelerating Drug Development is a Moral Imperative with Dr. Gabi Hanna, MD
Épisode 55
mercredi 3 septembre 2025 • Durée 38:22
For our first episode of season three, I sat down with Gabi Hanna, MD, CEO and co-founder of Lamassu Biotech, where he leads the development of innovative therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases. A physician-scientist and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Hanna previously founded the first academic drug development center at Duke University and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Under his leadership, Lamassu is advancing two novel therapeutics—RABI-767, now in Phase II trial, and SA53, a first-in-class oncology compound currently in Phase I/II trial. He also oversees Lamassu Pets, which is developing a canine therapy for pancreatitis. Dr. Hanna’s work is driven by a commitment to rapid, cost-effective drug development that addresses unmet clinical needs.
We discuss the mission of Lamassu Biotech, as well as the importance of academic accelerator programs, overcoming regulatory roadblocks, and the moral duty to accelerate drug development for patient care. Gabi emphasizes the need for efficient operations, strategic partnerships, and a patient-centric approach in biotech. We also explore the potential for policy changes to improve collaboration between universities and biotech companies, as well as the importance of ethical considerations in drug development. Dr. Hanna’s's insights provide valuable guidance for both entrepreneurs and those working in the biotech industry.
Biotech, Blockchain, and Building Companies with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners
Épisode 54
mercredi 11 décembre 2024 • Durée 34:28
This week I had a great conversation with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners. We dive into Russ's unique journey from aspiring exterminator (yes, you read that right!) to leading life science entrepreneur, discussing his extensive experience in commercialization, mergers, and acquisitions. Russ shares invaluable insights on the importance of marketing, fundraising strategies for biotech startups, the phases of taking a company from idea to commercialization, and the critical steps toward securing regulatory approvals. We also touch on the intersection of genome sequencing, blockchain, and AI, exploring how this convergence is set to democratize and capitalize on personal DNA. Whether you're new to biotech or an industry veteran, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on navigating the complex landscape of life sciences and startups.
Funding, Partnerships, and Growth: Strategies for Startup Biotech Success with Fractional Chief Business Officer Renee Williams
Épisode 53
mercredi 20 novembre 2024 • Durée 34:39
This week I chatted with Renee Williams, Founder and Managing Partner at Williams Biotech Consulting. Renee is a seasoned fractional Chief Business Officer (CBO) for small and growing biotechnology companies. Renee shares her career path, insights into helping biotech startups secure funding and navigate partnerships, and the importance of adaptable strategies in a constantly evolving market. From term sheet negotiation to pitch deck reframes, Renee offers valuable advice and lessons for small companies. We also dissect her engagement tactics during major conferences like JP Morgan and the essential factors for biotech success.
Trust, Teamwork, and Innovation, with Natalie Nairn, Co-founder and CEO of Cyclera Therapeutics
Épisode 52
vendredi 8 novembre 2024 • Durée 37:42
This week, I spoke with Natalie Nairn, co-founder and CEO of Cyclera Therapeutics. Natalie is also a Termeer Fellow, and listeners of this podcast know how much I love the Termeer Foundation. We discuss her transition from chemical engineering to biomedical applications. She describes her unexpected path into the fun and volatile startup space, which led to her founding Cyclera. Natalie explains the importance of focusing in biotech development, the promising applications of Cyclera's technology in CNS therapeutics, and the challenges and opportunities in the current funding landscape. She also highlights the value of the Termeer fellowship in her career, the contrast between Boston and Seattle's biotech scenes, and the essential aspects of leadership and team cohesion. Finally, Natalie discusses her future goals for Cyclera and offers valuable advice for aspiring biotech founders.
The Science of Success: Transforming Scientific Concepts into Marketable Products with Stacy Frye, co-founder and CCO of Stimulus Bio
Épisode 51
mardi 29 octobre 2024 • Durée 39:36
In this episode, I had an engaging conversation with Stacie Frye, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of StimulusBio, a life sciences commercialization and venture studio for biotech startups. We discussed how StimulusBio aids startups in operational and commercialization aspects, leveraging Stacie's unique journey across marketing, chemical engineering, and her experience with successful biotech exits. Experience from previous startups profoundly informs StimulusBio’s approach to helping startups transition from incubation to market. We explored the critical stages of startup growth, emphasizing the importance of marketing, storytelling, team building, and experience-based advice. Stacie also shared her insights into the emerging trends in the biotech industry, particularly in Houston's growing biotech ecosystem, and the importance of balancing innovation with practical business needs.
Small Offerings, Big Impact: Demystifying Micro-IPOs in Biotech with David Sans, Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at EF Hutton
Épisode 50
vendredi 11 octobre 2024 • Durée 37:13
This week, I had an insightful conversation with David Sans, PhD, FAARM, MBA, who heads healthcare investment banking at EF Hutton. We discussed the intricacies of different Public Offering strategies, including micro IPOs, which offer a unique avenue for biotech companies. David provides a deep perspective on the strategic implications of IPOs for biotech funding. He emphasized the importance of investor support and strategic banking partnerships, especially for micro IPOs. We also discussed the potential of AI in reshaping financial services and the future of outcome-based pricing models in investment. David's personal insights reveal the demanding yet rewarding nature of investment banking and highlight crucial aspects to consider for those pursuing a career in this field.
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Not All Who Wander Are Lost: with Iva Toudjarska, founder and CEO of Zeal Therapeutics
Épisode 49
mercredi 9 octobre 2024 • Durée 33:12
This week I had a great conversation with Iva Toudjarska, founder and CEO of Zeal Therapeutics. From earning a PhD in molecular biology to a solid scientific career at Alnylam, to working in venture capital, to selling a successful SaaS company, Iva’s career that’s set her up well to enjoy this new challenge – founding a baby biotech. Her expertise marries business development, venture capital, and company-building. Iva shared valuable advice for biotech founders on securing funding, making strategic decisions, and building effective partnerships. Tune in to hear her experiences, lessons learned, and her current work leading Zeal Therapeutics, a precision kidney RNA therapeutics company.
From Seed to Success: How MassBio is Boosting Biotech
Épisode 48
mardi 1 octobre 2024 • Durée 43:58
This week I had a fun conversation with Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at MassBio. We dissect MassBio's newly announced five-year strategic plan that includes a multi-pronged set of initiatives aimed at advancing the biotech industry. From supporting early-stage startups to advocating for policy changes and fostering talent development, Jason details the excellent resources available and in development. Whether you're based in Massachusetts or global, this session provides valuable information on how MassBio is working to catalyze innovation and growth in biotech, and how you can leverage these opportunities.
00:00 - Intro
01:24 - Jason Cordeiro, MassBio’s COO
02:48 - What is MassBio
05:54 - MassBio’s MassCONNECT Program
08:15 - MassCONNECT Support for Non-Local Companies
Building Biotechs Better: Inside LabCentral's Culture of Innovation with Mike LaRhette, Chief Business Officer at LabCentral
Épisode 47
mercredi 25 septembre 2024 • Durée 46:38
In this episode, we revisit a fun conversation with Mike LaRhette, Chief Business Officer at LabCentral. Mike outlines the essentials for startups, including funding, lab space, mentorship, and resources. He shares his journey from aspiring architect to an architect of biotech ecosystems, detailing his experiences with MassChallenge and LabCentral. Mike offers insights into the key elements that make thriving ecosystems, like government support, industry collaboration, and a density of entrepreneurs. He also discusses how LabCentral supports startups through challenging markets, diverse talent acquisition, and successful graduations. The episode concludes with a lighthearted look at LabCentral's unique culture and the balance between hard work and fun.
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