BioWorks 16: CRISPR for Kidney Disease and Startup-Founding in College with Demetri Maxim

In which Nephrogen founder Demetri Maxim discusses his work developing curative gene therapy for kidney diseases. He shares the company’s origin as a diagnostic device startup and shift to gene therapy, how he balanced science with competitive alpine skiing, and insights into navigating investor advice. Demetri also shared that Nephrogen is hiring! For more information, please reach out to info@nephrogenbiotech.com.

Timestamps:

(0:00) - Intro

(1:11) - Company origin story

(4:12) - Recognizing the need to pivot

(6:21) - Shift to gene therapy

(10:08) - Research in academia VS startup

(11:50) - Intellectual property strategy

(14:15) - Interaction between payload and delivery vehicle

(16:09) - Competitive alpine skiing

(20:18) - Committing to Nephrogen

(22:27) - Nephrogen milestones

(24:56) - Balancing energy as CEO

(26:18) - First CRISPR therapy approval

(27:28) - Treatment affordability

(29:43) - Most difficult challenge

(32:14) - Staying resilient

(33:57) - Navigating investor advice

(36:00) - Advice for aspiring founders