The Biotech Startups Podcast 🧬 Kate Yen - Part 1 | From Academia to Biotech Leader | Translating Research into Cancer Therapies | Early Days at Merck & Agios
Feb 17, 2025
51:33
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Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics.
Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis.
Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.
With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- Kate Yen’s journey from aspiring physician to PhD researcher at UCLA
- How her postdoc in Charles Sawyers’ lab sparked her passion for translational research
- Transitioning from academia to industry and learning drug discovery at Merck
- Taking the leap to join Agios Pharmaceuticals and leading the IDH program
- The role of collaboration in biotech, from academia to CRO partnerships
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Find Our Guest, Kate Yen, at these links:
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
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Topics Mentioned:
Auron Therapeutics: https://www.aurontx.com/
Merck: https://www.merck.com/
Agios Pharmaceuticals: https://www.agios.com/
UCLA: https://www.ucla.edu/
Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/
Biotech Startup Fundraising: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-options
Biotech Accelerators: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-accelerators
Biotech Incubators: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-incubators
Top VC Firms for Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotech
50 Biotech Seed & Angel Investors: https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotech-seed-and-angel-investors
Guide to Choosing a CRO: https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizations
Guide to Choosing a CMO: https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizations
People Mentioned:
Charles Sawyers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sawyers
Lew Cantley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_C._Cantley
David Schenkein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schenkein-md-45342476/
00:00 Intro
03:01 Kate Yen’s background and Auron Therapeutics’ mission
04:40 Early influences and passion for research
06:27 Choosing academia over medicine, attending UCLA grad school
13:11 Postdoc with Charles Sawyers and translational research
16:58 Transitioning to industry and joining Merck
24:44 Learning drug discovery and pharma culture at Merck
32:32 Taking the leap to Agios Pharmaceuticals
37:42 Leading the IDH program and cancer research
44:43 Collaborating with academic labs and CROs
50:28 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.