The Biotech Startups Podcast 🧬 Bryan Dechairo - Sherlock Biosciences - Part 1 | A Love of Science Blossoming from a 10-Acre Hobby Farm | Experiencing Great Diversity at UC Berkeley | Growth & Enjoyment of Startups | Unexpected Travels to Pursue a Dream Overseas
Apr 24, 2024
33:07
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Part 1 of 3.
My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. Together, they provide an unparalleled set of capabilities that are transforming molecular diagnostics in clinical and non-clinical settings. Before Sherlock, and most recently, Bryan was Executive VP at Myriad Genetics and CSO and CMO at Assurex Health. His extensive career spans over two decades and also includes prominent positions at Medco Health, Pfizer, Oxagen, Sequana Therapeutics, and Roche. Bryan's vast experience working at both startups and Fortune 500 companies gives him unique insights that any entrepreneur can benefit from.
Join us as we sit down with Bryan as he discusses his early years growing up on a 10-acre hobby farm in Valley Center, Southern California, his decision to study integrative biology at UC Berkeley, and his early exposure to clinical diagnostics at Roche. Bryan talks about his transition to a startup, Sequana Therapeutics, and his love for that familial environment all while pursuing his PhD. Lastly, Bryan recounts embracing a new cultural experience in the UK while studying at the University College London. Please enjoy my conversation with Bryan Dechairo.
Find Our Guest, Bryan Dechairo, at these links:
Part 1 of 3.
My guest for this week’s episode is Bryan Dechairo, President, CEO, and Director at Sherlock Biosciences, an innovative biotech company that is enabling the democratization and decentralization of diagnostic testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. The Sherlock team and founders include engineering biology pioneers with world-leading expertise in CRISPR and synthetic biology, diagnostic industry veterans, and disease area authorities. Together, they provide an unparalleled set of capabilities that are transforming molecular diagnostics in clinical and non-clinical settings. Before Sherlock, and most recently, Bryan was Executive VP at Myriad Genetics and CSO and CMO at Assurex Health. His extensive career spans over two decades and also includes prominent positions at Medco Health, Pfizer, Oxagen, Sequana Therapeutics, and Roche. Bryan's vast experience working at both startups and Fortune 500 companies gives him unique insights that any entrepreneur can benefit from.
Join us as we sit down with Bryan as he discusses his early years growing up on a 10-acre hobby farm in Valley Center, Southern California, his decision to study integrative biology at UC Berkeley, and his early exposure to clinical diagnostics at Roche. Bryan talks about his transition to a startup, Sequana Therapeutics, and his love for that familial environment all while pursuing his PhD. Lastly, Bryan recounts embracing a new cultural experience in the UK while studying at the University College London. Please enjoy my conversation with Bryan Dechairo.
Find Our Guest, Bryan Dechairo, at these links:
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
02:20 Episode starts, early days and upbringing, growing up in the 70s on a Southern California hobby farm
04:33 Being raised around science and research, finding business inspiration while being on a farm
08:02 Bryan’s decision to attend Berkeley and study Integrated Biology
11:00 Undergrad lab experience with genetics, mushroom hunting, volunteering for free experiences
15:23 Experiences and opportunities at Roche post-graduation, the opportunity to collaborate with competitors
19:19 Determining what was next after Roche, attended a life-changing career fair that led to working at Sequana Therapeutics
22:21 The enjoyment and family dynamic of working with a startup
26:23 A surprising and exciting move to the UK to work with Oxagen Ltd and receive a PhD at the University College of London
32:08 Outro
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What Is A PCR Machine? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-a-pcr-machine
PCR, qPCR, & DNA Amplification https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/pcr?47e8dc57_page=2
What Is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)? https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-polymerase-chain-reaction-pcr
PCR Master Mix: Definition, Types, & More https://www.excedr.com/resources/pcr-master-mix-definition-types-and-more
How PCR Systems Work & How We Save You Time & Money https://www.excedr.com/biotech-life-sciences/pcr-systems
Genetic Vectors: Overview, Types, & Applications https://www.excedr.com/resources/genetic-vectors
Single-Cell Epigenomics: Changes to Genomes without DNA Alterations https://www.excedr.com/blog/single-cell-epigenomics
People Mentioned:
Richard Brown https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/richard-brown-obituary?id=24374150
Jamie Oliver https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Oliver
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.