The Biotech Startups Podcast

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 2 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.In this episode, you’ll hear about:How Cyriac's early fascination with technology manifested through building a digital clock from scratchThe transformative experience in Tokyo that served as a "reset button," exposing him to radical cultural differencesHis strategic career progression from Roland Berger to McKinseyThe pivotal move from a failing mobile auction business to pioneering "mobile marketing" The challenging transition to CBS Mobile, where starting from zero employees allowed him to leapfrog competitors by implementing innovative features If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!LinksSubscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyriacroeding/https://www.earli.com/ https://www.joinrewind.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/Enriched Notes: Topics Mentioned:Earli Inc https://www.earli.com/ Roland Berger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Berger_(company) McKinsey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKinsey_%26_Company CBS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS People Mentioned:Chris Burggraeve https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburggraeve/ David Katz https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidakatz1/ Nancy Tellem https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-tellem-5a3b8311/ Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and recap of previous episode with Cyriac Roeding02:06 Cyriac's experience moving to Japan and cultural observations03:58 Early technology interests: building digital clocks and programming robots07:44 Discussion on trial and error in business and innovation09:21 First job experiences at Roland Berger consulting in Tokyo and Munich12:14 Journey to McKinsey and writing "The Secrets of Software Success"14:09 First visit to Silicon Valley and falling in love with the entrepreneurial spirit16:20 Starting a mobile technology company during the dot-com era20:26 Success with Coca-Cola mobile marketing campaign and company profitability22:01 Moving to CBS and initial challenges in Los Angeles25:06 Building CBS Mobile strategy and innovative mobile initiatives27:06 World travels observing mobile phone usage across different cultures29:52 OutroThe 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Cyriac Roeding, founder, investor, and CEO of Earli, a company on a mission to transform cancer into a manageable condition. Using innovative gene therapy approaches, Earli’s technology forces cancer cells to produce a synthetic, non-human biomarker—overcoming the limitations of relying on naturally occurring biomarkers that cancer may or may not provide. Cyriac is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has created ventures at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. He has invested in startups like OpenAI and served as CEO of Shopkick, which was acquired for $250 million. His current focus, Earli, has raised nearly $60 million from top investors. Cyriac's journey from launching his first startup at 15 to being named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer showcases his valuable insights into building successful startups.In this episode, you’ll hear about:How Cyriac's entrepreneurial journey began at age 8 selling at flea markets, leading to selling his first computer program at 15 to a newspaper companyHis transformative exchange year in Texas at age 16 and how it allowed Cyriac to reset his identityHow his graduation event transformed his school into a beach with Coca-Cola sponsorship and TV coverageHow he created and hosted a late-night radio show, balancing academic demands with creative pursuitsHow his experience studying in Japan revealed valuable lessons about cultural perspectivesIf you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Cyriac Roeding, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyriacroeding/https://www.earli.com/ https://www.joinrewind.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Earli Inc https://www.earli.com/ Karlsruhe Institute of Technology https://www.kit.edu/english/index.php People Mentioned:Marc Benioff https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbenioff/ Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:06 Early life in Germany and first entrepreneurial experiences at local flea markets05:03 First job experience at a newspaper company and selling software at age 1508:59 Exchange student experience in Texas and transformation from German school life10:52 Life with host families in Texas and personal growth14:29 Return to Germany and fresh start at a new school16:31 Early business ventures, teaching computer skills and running a company at 1720:14 High school graduation and organizing a Coca-Cola sponsored beach event21:37 University decisions and pursuing industrial engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology26:54 Journey to studying in Japan and securing a scholarship30:44 Cultural lessons in Japan: experiencing different value systems and problem-solving approaches36:30 OutroThe 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why securing a patent is only the first step in IP protectionWeighing litigation versus licensing to safeguard your IPLeveraging technology transfer and academic collaborations for innovationDriving innovation through incremental advancements in your IP portfolioKate’s journey from scientist to partner, with insightful advice for those navigating career transitionsIf you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-neville-phd/ https://www.marshallip.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Marshall Gerstein: https://www.marshallip.com/IP Enforcement Strategies: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ip-enforcement/IP Strategies for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-strategy-for-biotechsIP Rights to Understand: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechsIntellectual Property 101: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guideTech Transfer 101: https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-tech-transferPatent Licensing 101: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-worksGuide to Life Sciences Licensing: https://www.excedr.com/blog/life-sciences-licensing-agreements-guideBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:04 The challenges of enforcing IP protections03:46 Balancing litigation and licensing as a business decision07:13 Technology transfer breakdown and how to secure your next big idea09:07 Exploring shelved pharma compounds as IP opportunities11:29 Avoiding common IP pitfalls for biotech startups14:10 The value of fresh perspectives in biotech entrepreneurship16:35 Challenges of transitioning from the bench to law practice20:52 Insights into life as a partner in an IP law firm23:09 2-year vision at Marshall Gerstein26:42 Closing questions and advice for biotech founders29:47 OutroThe 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.

🧬The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Building a strong foundation for your IP and the importance of well-crafted provisional applications.Aligning scientific advancements with proactive patent strategies to maximize long-term value.The critical timing for startups to address IP concerns, from tech transfer to scaling operations.The nuances of international patenting and strategic decisions on global protections.Practical tips for founders on prioritizing IP investments to strengthen their company and attract investors.If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-neville-phd/ https://www.marshallip.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Marshall Gerstein: https://www.marshallip.com/Intellectual Property 101: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guideHow to Protect Your IP in the Life Sciences: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-propertyIP Strategy for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-strategy-for-biotechsUnderstanding IP Rights for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechsPatent Licensing 101: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-worksResources for Biotech Startups: https://www.excedr.com/resources/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:09 How to approach intellectual property (IP) as a biotech startup05:06 When to start thinking about your IP portfolio and strategy08:52 How much time does it take to protect your IP, and what are the phases?11:26 Some best practices for global IP protections14:07 Importance of patents to investors, and the timing behind raising capital15:54 How does IP strategy differ from company to company?17:37 Patent offices’ outlook on broad platform protections22:18 Thought process behind picking which IP to hold or sell25:01 Fundamental aspects of a solid IP strategy29:08 OutroThe 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.

🧬The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.Join us this week to hear about:Kate's transition from patent agent to lawyer, highlighting challenges of pursuing a law degree while working full-timeThe culture shock scientists face in law school, adjusting to ambiguity and lack of definitive answersThe extensive reading required in law school compared to scientific literature, requiring a different approachThe collegial culture at Kate's law firm, fostering an environment where former scientists can thriveHow patent law work provides exposure to diverse scientific fields, offering continuous learning opportunitiesPlease enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-neville-phd/ https://www.marshallip.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Marshall, Gerstein & Borun https://www.marshallip.com/ Business Entities & Their Differences https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-are-the-differences-between-business-entities Intellectual Property 101: Types & Uses https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide How to Protect Your Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:24 Kate discusses taking the patent bar and transitioning from patent agent to pursuing law school04:14 Experience of working full-time while attending law school at night06:56 Challenges scientists face when transitioning to law school, particularly dealing with ambiguity09:28 Discussion about the different types of reading required in law school versus scientific papers12:20 Kate describes her law firm's culture and what made her stay throughout her career16:02 Benefits of having broad scientific knowledge and crossdisciplinary experience18:49 Working with scientist clients and keeping up with evolving technologies20:05 OutroThe 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.

The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide.Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.Join us this week to hear about:How growing up as youngest of six influenced Kate's leadership style of giving autonomy while providing guidanceHow early exposure to science through her father's engineering and a chemistry set ignited her scientific interestsThe research at Michigan's yeast lab and Northwestern's MS research that developed key multitasking abilitiesKate’s unexpected shift from bench science to patent law through colleagues at Marshall GersteinHow career paths in science evolved from strictly academic to broader acceptance of industry and alternative pathsPlease enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Kate Neville, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-neville-phd/ https://www.marshallip.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Marshall, Gerstein & Borun https://www.marshallip.com/ Northwestern University https://www.northwestern.edu/ Business Entities & Their Differences https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-are-the-differences-between-business-entities Intellectual Property 101: Types & Uses https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guide How to Protect Your Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-protect-your-intellectual-property People Mentioned:Sharon Sintich https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-sintich-2033462a/ Stephen Miller https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=14949 Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:26 Kate's background growing up as the youngest of six children05:36 Kate's leadership style and approach to management07:33 Early exposure to science and developing an interest in chemistry09:27 Exploring different scientific fields in university11:56 Considering career paths and deciding on graduate school12:54 Undergraduate lab experiences and summer research program15:29 Choosing Northwestern for PhD and focus on immunology18:29 Challenges and triumphs during graduate studies21:43 Serendipitous introduction to patent law as a career path25:05 Changing perceptions of non-academic career paths in science27:22 OutroThe 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.

The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.With an MD PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.Join us this week to hear about:Founding Verve Therapeutics and pioneering gene editing for cardiovascular diseaseTackling medicine adherence with one-and-done gene therapiesLeadership lessons from starting and scaling biotech startupsHow patient stories inspire innovation in genetic medicineStoke’s vision for genetic medicine and transformative treatments for diseases like Dravet syndromePlease enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryticho/ https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/ https://www.vervetherapeutics.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes: Topics Mentioned:Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/Stoke Therapeutics: https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/Google Ventures: https://www.gv.com/Mass General Hospital: https://www.massgeneral.org/Brigham and Women’s Hospital: https://www.brighamandwomens.org/Biogen: https://www.biogen.com/ University of Pennsylvania: https://www.upenn.edu/Gene Editing and Its Impact on Cardiovascular Disease: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gene-therapy-for-cardiovascular-diseaseRNA-Based Medicines for Rare Disease Treatment: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-022-05075-2Biotech Partnerships With Big Pharma: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchBusiness Development in Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/resources/business-development-in-the-life-sciencesBiotech Funding Options: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsScaling Biotechs to Meet Key Milestones with Leasing: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-leasing-helps-biotechs-scale-efficientlyPeople Mentioned:Sekar Kathiresan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sekar-sek-kathiresan-3501846/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:15 Founding Verve Therapeutics over breakfast05:31 Gene editing for cardiovascular disease: The PCSK9 story07:49 Barry’s experience as a first-time CEO12:01 Joining Stoke Therapeutics and exploring RNA-based medicines16:56 Building strong networks and the value of professional connections22:09 Transitioning Stoke from private to public company26:29 Hiring wisely and making difficult decisions quickly30:09 Chief medical officer lessons: patient focus and team amplification33:25 Stoke’s future: Dravet syndrome trials and pipeline expansion35:12 Shouts and advice to younger self37:23 OutroThe 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.

Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, shares his extensive experience in RNA medicine and drug development. He discusses the critical transition from academia to industry and the rigorous pharmaceutical standards that govern clinical trials. Ticho emphasizes the importance of patient-centered approaches to therapy and reveals insights on evaluating drug programs. His thoughts on the adaptability required in biotech highlight the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern medicine.

The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.Join us this week to hear about:Pioneering research using transparent zebrafish embryos to study cardiac developmentHelping establish the myCHOICE program at University of ChicagoManaging concurrent roles at Harvard Medical School and Mass GeneralGaining invaluable crisis management experience as a pediatric cardiologist leading emergency resuscitationsMaking the strategic career transition to biopharma to combine basic science with clinical workPlease enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryticho/ https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/ https://www.vervetherapeutics.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Stoke Therapeutics https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/ Verve Therapeutics https://www.vervetherapeutics.com/ University of Chicago https://www.uchicago.edu/en Harvard Medical School https://hms.harvard.edu/ Boston Children's Hospital https://www.childrenshospital.org/ Massachusetts General Hospital https://www.massgeneral.org/ Northwestern University https://www.northwestern.edu/ How to Spin Out of Academia: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startupBreaking into BD as a PhD Student https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-break-into-biotech-bd-as-a-phd-student Biotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportMedical Imaging: Modalities & Types of Equipment https://www.excedr.com/blog/medical-imaging-and-radiology-overview People Mentioned:Mark Fishman https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fishman-1b1368182/ Timestamps:00:00 Intro 02:16 Transitioning from grad school to Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital04:19 The importance of rotations and exploring different career paths06:48 Fascination with cardiac development: From four cells to a complex organ08:24 Advice on continuous learning and career exploration10:49 The shift in academia: From textbooks to startups12:09 Zebrafish research: Transparent insights into cardiac development14:44 The rewards and challenges of practicing pediatric cardiology16:57 Learning from brilliant colleagues: "Steel sharpens steel"18:18 Avoiding comparison: "Comparison is the thief of joy"20:59 Gaining perspective on emergencies: From cardiac arrests to business crises23:46 The catalyst for transitioning to industry: Combining science and clinical interests26:27 The changing landscape of medicine and the appeal of biopharma27:18 OutroThe 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.

The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Barry Ticho, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, a biotech company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines.With an MD-PhD from the University of Chicago and extensive experience across academia and industry, Barry brings over two decades of expertise in clinical development. His journey includes roles as Head of Development at Moderna, Head of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, and VP of Clinical Development at Biogen, where he's been instrumental in advancing numerous therapeutic programs across multiple disease areas.Barry's unique perspective spanning academic medicine and biotechnology innovation makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in the field.Join us this week to hear about:Barry's upbringing as one of five boys in a family of physiciansA transformative moment watching a child regain sight that crystallized his career pathHis foundational experiences at Haverford College where he discovered his passion for biologyHis journey through the MD-PhD program at the University of ChicagoHow education, critical thinking, and resilience shaped his leadership approachPlease enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Find Our Guest, Barry Ticho at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryticho/ https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/ https://www.vervetherapeutics.com/ Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.comExcedr Socials & WebsiteLinkedIn: 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/ Enriched Notes:Topics Mentioned:Stoke Therapeutics https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/ Verve Therapeutics https://www.vervetherapeutics.com/ Moderna https://www.modernatx.com/ Pfizer https://www.pfizer.com/ Biogen https://www.biogen.com/ Ophthalmology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophthalmology Haverford University https://www.haverford.edu/ University of Chicago https://www.uchicago.edu/en Harvard Medical School https://hms.harvard.edu/ Boston Children's Hospital https://www.childrenshospital.org/ How to Spin Out of Academia: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startupPatent Licensing for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-patent-licensing-worksBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportPeople Mentioned:Phil Sharp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Allen_Sharp Murray Rabinowitz https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/rabinowitz-murray.pdf Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:04 Barry's background and introduction03:37 Growing up in a family of Holocaust survivor physicians05:29 Four out of five brothers choosing medicine07:14 Early exposure to ophthalmology and patient care09:27 The transformative moment: witnessing a child regain sight12:45 Choosing Haverford and discovering biology14:06 Early laboratory experiences and liberal arts education19:05 The path to University of Chicago's MD-PhD program22:13 First research experiences with RNA and transcription23:55 Graduate school years: freedom and scientific method30:15 Mentorship style and thesis advisor's influence33:05 Leadership lessons from graduate training36:28 OutroThe 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.