Biotech 2050 Podcast

Synopsis: In a conversation rich with strategic insight, Coya Therapeutics CEO Arun Swaminathan unpacks the intersections of scientific innovation, business development discipline, and capital-efficient execution that define today’s most resilient biotechs. With a 25-year foundation spanning R&D, clinical pharmacology, marketing, and BD, Arun offers investors a rare systems-level lens on how neurodegenerative programs progress from hypothesis to value inflection. Through his dialogue with host Alok Tayi, he breaks down Coya’s differentiated Treg-modulating platform and the data emerging across ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer’s. He explains why Coya’s dual-mechanism approach—restoring regulatory T-cell function while reshaping the neuroinflammatory environment—is uniquely poised to change patient trajectories. Arun also delves into the structural logic behind Coya’s partnership with Dr. Reddy’s, demonstrating how complementary strengths in manufacturing, commercialization, and regulatory strategy can dramatically shift both timelines and capital needs. For investors tracking macro trends, he contextualizes shifting interest rates, pipeline gaps, and rising M&A momentum—and why 2026 may mark the beginning of a healthier biotech cycle. A must-listen for anyone evaluating platform durability, risk mitigation strategies, and next-generation neurodegenerative therapeutics. Biography: Arun Swaminathan, Ph.D., has over 20 years of hands-on healthcare business executive experience with an emphasis on corporate and business development, strategy, and finance. He possesses a demonstrated history of prospecting, evaluating, structuring, and closing company validating transactions that augment both organizational and shareholder value. Prior to joining Coya, Arun served as Chief Business Officer (CBO) for Actinium Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: ATNM) where he was responsible for all business development. Within 1 year of joining Actinium, he successfully moved forward negotiations to closure and executed a $452M deal with $35M upfront. Prior to Actinium, he was the CBO at Alteogen (196170.KQ) where he spearheaded over $6B in deals, including deals with two of the top 10 global pharma companies and a $1B+ deal within the first year of assuming the role of CBO. Prior to this, he co-founded and served as CEO of Lynkogen Inc, a pre-clinical stage biotech. Arun began his career in clinical development and commercial roles of increasing responsibility at BristolMyers Squibb and Covance. He obtained his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.

Abbas Kazimi, CEO of Nimbus Therapeutics, shares insights from his extensive background in biotech. He discusses Nimbus's strategic approach to cultivating a resilient pipeline and the importance of disciplined target selection. Kazimi emphasizes the balance between speed and rigor in a rapidly changing industry. He also reflects on the lessons learned from reviving paused programs, such as the AMPK beta partnership with Eli Lilly, and the company's commitment to a transparent, culture-driven decision-making process.

Synopsis: Jim Tananbaum, Founder & CEO of Foresite Capital, joins Rahul Chaturvedi to dissect the patterns driving biotech innovation, the role of macroeconomic cycles in venture performance, and how disciplined science fuels enduring investment success. Drawing from three decades across entrepreneurship and venture leadership, Jim reflects on his path from co-founding drug discovery startups with Harvard collaborators to building one of the most respected investment firms in life sciences. He unpacks how interest rate environments shape fund vintages, why AI is emerging as the next transformative platform, and how investors can identify enduring opportunities amid volatility. Their discussion spans valuation compression, AI-driven discovery, CNS and Alzheimer’s innovation, and the geopolitical forces influencing biotech globally. Jim’s perspective offers a masterclass in balancing scientific rigor with strategic foresight — and in positioning capital where breakthrough innovation meets sustainable impact. “Lean into areas where there’s likely to be immense change,” Jim advises — a principle as relevant to biotech investing as it is to shaping the future of healthcare itself. Biography: Jim is the founder and CEO of Foresite Capital, a healthcare investment firm founded in 2011 that has approximately $3.5B in assets under management. Jim assembles the people, ideas, and money needed to launch products that save lives and improve healthcare. During the last three decades, Jim has been a thought partner for some of the fastest-growing companies of their generation, including 10x Genomics (Nasdaq: TXG), Amerigroup (Nasdaq: ANTM), and Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: JAZZ). Jim’s entrepreneurial experience began at Harvard Business School when he co-founded GelTex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:GENZ). With less than $80M in funding, GelTex brought two drugs to market, and the company was acquired in 1999 for $1.4B. Jim was also the founding chief executive of Theravance, Inc. Under his tenure, he raised over $350M. Theravance has since split into two parts, one of which is now part of GSK’s respiratory franchise through a joint venture, Innoviva (Nasdaq: INVA), and the other was spun out into Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBPH). Together, they achieved a market capitalization that exceeded $4B. Jim’s investment experience includes co-founding Prospect Ventures and, earlier in his career, being a partner of Sierra Ventures, where he established its healthcare services investment practice. Jim graduated from Yale with a BS and BSEE in Applied Math and Electrical Engineering/Computer Science. He then earned an MD from Harvard, graduating from the Harvard/MIT HST Program. He also earned an MBA from Harvard while playing rugby.

Synopsis: Host Rahul Chaturvedi sits down with Geoffrey Duyk, Chief Executive Officer of Grove Biopharma, for a wide-ranging conversation on navigating today’s biotech macro headwinds and building companies that can translate breakthrough science into real patient impact. Dr. Duyk traces his journey from Harvard/Millennium/Exelixis operator to TPG investor and back to company creation, explaining how board dynamics, capital cycles, and policy shifts shape execution. They dig into why this cycle feels uniquely tough—patent cliffs, reimbursement uncertainty, NIH pressures—and who funds innovation in the meantime. Duyk outlines root causes of R&D inefficiency (misaligned capital vs. 20-year timelines, shaky preclinical predictability, costly trials, underused real-world data) and makes the case for rebuilding public trust and STEM education. Then, a deep dive on Grove Biopharma: precision polymer science that creates antibody-like, fully synthetic, cell-permeable protein mimetics to tackle historically “intractable” intracellular protein–protein interactions. Duyk shares design principles, why modular/orthogonal chemistry matters, predictable pharmacology, and lessons from fundraising and board management—plus why he’s helping grow a Chicago-centered biotech ecosystem. Biography: Geoffrey M. Duyk, M.D., Ph.D. is the Chief Executive Officer of Grove Biopharma. Dr. Duyk has spent 30 years in the biotechnology industry as an entrepreneur, executive, and investor. Most recently, he was the Managing Partner at Circularis Partners, an investment firm he co-founded, focused on advancing the circular economy and promoting sustainability. Prior to that, Dr. Duyk was Managing Director and Partner at TPG Alternative & Renewable Technologies (ART)/TPG Biotechnology. Before joining TPG, Dr. Duyk served as a board member and President of R&D at Exelixis and was one of the founding scientific staff members at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Vice President of Genomics. Earlier in his career, Dr. Duyk was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and an Assistant Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). While at HMS, he served as a co–principal investigator in the Cooperative Human Linkage Center, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Duyk is a trustee of Case Western Reserve University, where he serves on the executive committee. He previously served on the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan University and the Board of Directors of the Moffitt Cancer Center. He currently serves on the IR&E (Institutional Research and Evaluation) Committee at Moffitt, a key component of its External Advisory Committee (EAC). He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), and served as its treasurer. He is a member of the Life Sciences Advisory Board at Innovatus Capital Partners and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (DOE). Dr. Duyk previously served on the board of the Jackson Laboratory and on numerous NIH advisory committees. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Qiming Venture Partners (USA) and serves on the boards of Enno DC, Oobli, and Melanyze Dr. Duyk earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and completed his medical and fellowship training at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a Lucille P. Markey Fellow and an HHMI postdoctoral fellow. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Metzger, CEO of Syndax Pharmaceuticals and a veteran in biopharmaceuticals, shares insights into their groundbreaking dual drug launches. He elaborates on the strategic in-licensing model that fueled their success and the meticulous due diligence behind choosing the right assets. Metzger also talks about the innovative menin inhibitor Revyforge and CSF1R antibody NICTIMVO, emphasizing their potential in oncology and the importance of pediatric care. His approach to tactical launch operations and data-driven strategies offers a fresh perspective on biotech growth.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Biondi, Managing Partner at Flagship Pioneering, and Uli Stilz, Vice President at Novo Nordisk, delve into innovative co-creation in biotech. Paul outlines Flagship's Pioneering Medicines model, focusing on transforming platform science into groundbreaking therapies. Uli highlights the BioInnovation Hub's role in collaborating on solutions for obesity and diabetes. Together, they explore how building trust and agile partnerships can accelerate R&D, emphasizing a shift towards addressing unmet medical needs.

Synopsis: From stargazing in rural Tennessee to reimagining the future of immune health, Kevin Caldwell’s journey is anything but conventional. In this episode of Biotech2050, Rahul Chaturvedi speaks with the CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health about how personal experiences with a reactive healthcare system—and a deep curiosity about the universe—sparked a mission to extend human healthspan through regenerative medicine. Kevin shares how Ossium built the first scalable bone marrow bank sourced from deceased organ donors—unlocking a powerful, overlooked source for life-saving cell therapies. He discusses Ossium’s fully integrated model, commercialization strategy, and why rigorous company-building must go hand-in-hand with scientific ambition. The conversation unpacks hard-won lessons from raising $130M+, navigating regulatory pathways, and leading with long-term conviction. A bold vision for transforming cell therapy—and a candid look at the mindset needed to build for impact. Biography: As CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health, Kevin Caldwell has built Ossium from a small startup into a clinical stage bioengineering company. Mr. Caldwell set the company’s mission to improve human health through bioengineering and designed its platform-based model for cellular therapeutics development. Mr. Caldwell has led the company’s successful pursuit, negotiation, and execution of more than 50 business relationships, including 5 successful fundraisings and dozens of supply partnerships, clinical partnerships, and commercial contracts with biopharmaceutical companies. After seven years of strategic engagement and networking, Mr. Caldwell drove the team to successfully secure a transformative federal contract with BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) that validates Ossium’s innovative approach. This milestone represents the culmination of persistent relationship-building, targeted proposals, and our unwavering commitment to addressing national biomedical challenges through cutting-edge technology and collaborative partnerships. Prior to founding Ossium, Mr. Caldwell served as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey’s San Francisco office where he advised clients in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors. His projects ranged from due diligence of acquisition targets in the biotech startup ecosystem to restructuring distressed biopharma companies. Mr. Caldwell led more than 20 engagements with more than a dozen clients, leading teams that advised clients on revenue growth, go to market strategy, and organizational restructuring. Before McKinsey, Mr. Caldwell served as a Senior Investment Associate at Bridgewater Associates where he did quantitative research for the firm’s global macro investments. Mr. Caldwell studied Physics and Economics at MIT before receiving his JD from Harvard Law School. In addition, he is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and a Fellow of the Leaders in Tech Program.

AmirAli Talasaz, co-CEO and co-founder of Guardant Health, shares his remarkable journey from engineering to leading a groundbreaking cancer diagnostic company. He delves into the innovative technology of liquid biopsies, showcasing how simple blood tests can detect early-stage cancers and track recurrences. The discussion also uncovers the hurdles of insurance reimbursement and the importance of patient-centric care in biotech. Talasaz highlights the role of mentorship and storytelling in fostering a thriving company culture that accelerates cancer research.

Synopsis: Amy Burroughs, CEO of Terns Pharmaceuticals, joins Alok Tayi to share how she’s leading bold innovation in CML and obesity treatment, driving two high-stakes data readouts in 2025. From a non-linear path through tech, brand management, and Genentech to building resilient biotech teams, Amy reveals why product positioning, tolerability, and mentorship matter just as much as the science. She also shares her take on CEO loneliness, the value of a “personal board of directors,” and what it takes to lead with clarity, grit, and purpose in today’s biotech landscape. Biography: Amy Burroughs joined as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors in February 2024, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience. Most recently, she served as CEO at Cleave Therapeutics, where she led the company through financings, spearheaded licensing and collaboration deals, and oversaw the clinical development of its investigational therapy, CB-5339, for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Previously, she served as executive in residence at 5AM Ventures and, in parallel, as senior advisor to one of its portfolio companies, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, during its initial public offering. Earlier in her career, Ms. Burroughs held roles of increasing responsibility in commercial and strategy at Genentech, commercial and business development at other high growth therapeutics companies, talent and governance at Egon Zehnder International, and brand management at Procter & Gamble. Ms. Burroughs earned her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where she graduated as a Baker Scholar, and her B.A. in computer science with a minor in economics from Dartmouth College. She is currently a member of the board and audit committees at Tenaya Therapeutics.

Synopsis: Host Rahul Chaturvedi sits down with Jeremy Bender, CEO of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, to explore the bold mission of transforming pediatric oncology. From earning FDA approval for a groundbreaking brain cancer drug to building a culture rooted in execution and empathy, Jeremy shares lessons from big pharma and startups alike. He discusses how to lead through uncertainty, scale with discipline, and stay focused on delivering targeted therapies for underserved patients. They also dive into real-world data, AI’s emerging role in clinical trial design, and why pediatric-first innovation could reshape the future of oncology. Biography: Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., M.B.A. has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and a member of our board of directors since September 2020. Prior to joining Day One, Dr. Bender was Vice President of Corporate Development at Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company, from March 2018 to September 2020. Prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer of Tizona Therapeutics from July 2015 to March 2018 and Chief Business Officer of Sutro Biopharma, a biotechnology company specializing in cancer and autoimmune therapeutics, from October 2012 to July 2015. Prior to joining Sutro Biopharma, he was Vice President of Corporate Development at Allos Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on cancer treatments, from January 2006 to September 2012. Dr. Bender also sits on the board of Mereo BioPharma as an independent board member. He started his career in the life sciences practice at Boston Consulting Group, a management consulting company. Dr. Bender holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Colorado, and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.