Leaving Merck to Build a Biotech From Scratch | Örn Almarsson (2/4)

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“You gotta build that over time thoughtfully.”

Örn Almarsson explains why thoughtful networking matters, especially when you don't need anything right away. He also reflects on evolving professional networks, learning from failure, and the entrepreneurial culture that drew him to the United States.

At Merck, a three-month visa detour exposed Örn to another laboratory and reinforced the value of adaptability. He then describes leaving a secure role for Transform Pharmaceuticals, building a small team and collaborative culture, developing new formulation technologies, and helping create the patents and assets that led to a Johnson & Johnson acquisition.

Key Topics Covered:

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Find our guest, Örn Almarsson, at these links:

Website: https://www.axelyf.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orn-almarsson

Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee/

Learn more about Excedr:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/

Website: https://www.excedr.com

Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, OkKyojin:

https://flow.page/kyojin

Resources & Articles:

Merck: https://www.merck.com/

Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com/

MIT: https://www.mit.edu/

Excedr partner network: https://www.excedr.com/partners

Companies, Universities, & People Mentioned:

Merck: https://www.merck.com/

Transform Pharmaceuticals: https://www.transformpharma.com/

Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com/

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: https://www.mit.edu/

00:06 Intro

02:10 Networking Through Curiosity

03:46 Growing A Living Network

04:54 Learning From Failure

06:05 Entrepreneurial Risk And Meritocracy

07:01 The Merck Visa Detour

09:21 Merck's Fast R&D Culture

12:08 Working Across Disciplines

13:48 The University Of Merck

15:20 Leaving A Secure Role

19:42 Building Transform

21:53 Experience Before Startup Leadership

23:40 Transform's Mission And Culture

26:42 Patents, Licensing, And Exit

29:49 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.