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Part 1 of 2: My guest today is Jason C. Foster, CEO and Executive Director of Ori Biotech. Ori is revolutionizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing through the development of its proprietary platform, IRO®. By automating and standardizing Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing, Ori and IRO® offer scientists the tools they need to streamline development and support widespread patient access to life-saving treatments.

Jason's experience prior to Ori includes more than 20 years of life science leadership in operations, sales, marketing, technology, and investing, during which he developed deep expertise in commercial strategy and a thorough understanding of healthcare markets across the UK, US, and EU. 

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncfoster/ 

https://oribiotech.com/ 

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/ 

University of Virginia https://www.virginia.edu/ 

Columbia University https://www.columbia.edu/ 

Merck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merck_%26_Co. 

Medco https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medco_Health_Solutions 

How to Spin Out of Academia https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup 

How VC-Backed Startups Win When They Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-vc-backed-startups-win-when-they-lease 

Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs 

Larry Sabato https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Sabato 

Emma Walmsley https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmawalmsleygsk/?originalSubdomain=uk 

00:00 Intro

04:51 Early years and entrepreneurial experiences

10:10 College decision process and time at the University of Virginia

18:05 Jason's experience in Washington D.C. and introduction to healthcare policy

20:57 Jason's decision to pursue an MBA at Columbia University

25:04 Memorable lessons from Columbia MBA program

30:47 Jason's transition to the private sector and joining Merck Medco

36:41 Insights on effective sales techniques in the pharmaceutical industry

43:19 Jason's career progression after Columbia and joining Medco Health Solutions

51:02 Jason's move to a small pharmaceutical company in Richmond, Virginia

54:59 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.