The Long Run with Luke Timmerman Ep191: Emily Conley on Small Molecules to Correct a Rare Kidney Disease
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Dec 15, 2025 Emily Conley, CEO of Renasant Bio, discusses groundbreaking approaches to autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). She shares her journey from caregiving and early scientific pursuits to executive roles at 23andMe and Federation Bio. Emily explains the potential of small molecules to correct genetic mutations in ADPKD and the hope for early interventions. She highlights the importance of targeting polycystins and the exciting developments on the horizon for kidney disease research.
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Family Moment Sparked Entrepreneurial Drive
- Emily Conley recalls her dad leaving a stable corporate job to start his own business and how that shaped her view of entrepreneurship.
- She remembers initial fear but eventually saw the personal rewards and risk–reward tradeoff of starting a company.
Teaching Swim Lessons Fueled Biology Interest
- Emily taught swimming to children with disabilities and saw therapeutic benefits firsthand, sparking interest in human biology.
- That close contact with families and observation of change guided her toward neuroscience and genetics.
23andMe Was A Career-Defining Platform
- Emily joined 23andMe in 2010 to run the neuroscience program and worked there through explosive growth from 32 to 600 employees.
- She helped build genetics-based research programs including early Parkinson's work and later therapeutics collaborations.