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.

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.

Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: 

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/ 

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 is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so