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 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare.Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding.In this episode, you'll hear about:How Parag scaled Hercules Capital into a multi-billion-dollar life sciences fundThe challenges of building a strong company culture in investment firmsWhy evergreen capital structures can be a game-changer for biotech startupsThe founding story of K2 HealthVentures and its mission-driven approachHow balancing work, family, and entrepreneurship leads to long-term successIf 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/id1679591994https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paragshah333/https://k2hv.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:K2 HealthVentures: https://www.k2healthventures.com/Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com/Cooley LLP: https://www.cooley.com/Life Science Cares: https://lifesciencecares.org/Debt vs. Equity Financing for Biotech Startups: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startupBiotech Startup Fundraising: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportPeople Mentioned:Roy Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roy-liu-36a35/Anup Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anup-arora-368ba81/Meghan FitzGerald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanmfitzgerald/John Hale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hale-770158b/Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:54 Early days at Hercules and the challenge of biotech debt06:14 Scaling Hercules, taking it public, and leadership lessons11:34 Public vs. private investment funds: Key trade-offs and pressures19:18 Leaving Hercules, taking a break, and redefining priorities25:35 Avoiding burnout: Balancing work, family, and entrepreneurship29:04 How time and capital constraints drive better decision-making33:52 Founding K2 HealthVentures and reshaping biotech venture debt39:01 Evergreen investment structure and why it benefits startups46:59 The importance of co-founders, team culture, and shared vision53:32 Scaling K2, launching a foundation, and investing with purpose01:02:24 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 2: Our guest today is Parag Shah, CEO and Founding Managing Director of K2 HealthVentures. K2 HealthVentures is an alternative investment firm that provides flexible, long-term financing solutions to innovative private and public companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Committed to making a broader impact, K2 also donates a percentage of its profits to support underserved areas in healthcare.Before founding K2, Parag was Senior Managing Director & Group Head of the Life Sciences practice at Hercules Capital, where he led the fund’s public offering and managed over $2 billion in investments. His deep expertise in life science and healthcare financing was further shaped through key leadership roles at Comerica, Imperial Bank, and BankBoston.Parag’s academic background includes a Masters in Environmental Policy & Planning and a Bachelors in Molecular Biology from MIT, where he conducted research at the Whitehead Institute. With 25+ years of experience at the intersection of science and finance, Parag brings invaluable insights for first-time founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders navigating the complexities of biotech funding.In this episode, you'll hear about:How Parag’s NYC upbringing shaped his leadership and risk-taking mindsetHis transition from molecular biology to finance and investingKey lessons from his early career in credit and venture lendingHow he helped shape biotech venture credit and redefine startup financingWhen to use debt vs. equity in life sciences fundraisingIf 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/id1679591994https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Find Our Guest, Parag Shah, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paragshah333/https://k2hv.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:K2 HealthVentures: https://www.k2healthventures.com/Hercules Capital: https://www.htgc.com/BankBoston (now part of Bank of America): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BankBostonImperial Bank (acquired by Comerica):  https://www.comerica.com/Venture Debt in Biotech: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/rise-venture-debt-and-when-biotechs-should-and-shouldnt-use-itEquity vs. Debt Financing: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startupBiotech Startup Fundraising: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsRisk-Taking & Leadership in Startups:Biotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportScaling Biotech Companies: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/scaling-up-overcoming-multifaceted-challenges-growing-rami-levin-njoqe/People Mentioned:Larry Suskind: https://dusp.mit.edu/people/lawrence-susskindJohn Ehrenfeld: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnehrenfeld/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:59 Parag’s background and early career in finance06:24 Growing up in NYC and how his parents influenced his mindset09:42 The impact of education and key mentors in shaping his path15:11 Transitioning from science to finance, why he left the lab19:56 Lessons from Bank Boston and entering the world of credit investing24:32 Moving to Argentina and unexpected entry into banking29:56 Joining Imperial Bank and the challenges of building biotech venture credit36:37 Understanding risk-taking and decision-making in biotech financing42:52 When startups should use debt vs. equity and how venture debt fits into biotech funding46:02 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 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. In this episode, you'll hear about:Jason Foster's journey from Virginia to LondonThe critical role of culture in company successOri Biotech's mission to increase accessibility of cell therapies by developing scalable manufacturing solutionsChallenges in commercializing cell therapies and the need to consider commercial viability alongside safety and efficacyJason's leadership insights, including the concept of being a "trusted advisor" and the importance of transparency in team buildingIf 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, Jason C. Foster, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncfoster/ https://oribiotech.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:Ori Biotech https://oribiotech.com/ 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 People Mentioned:Farlan Veraitch  https://www.linkedin.com/in/farlan-singh-veraitch-a677112/Reed Hastings https://www.linkedin.com/in/reedhastings/ Dan Pink https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpink/ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro05:21 - Early days of expanding the business in Europe10:37 - Reflections on entrepreneurship within a large organization15:44 - The importance of culture in building a successful company20:35 - Jason's journey to founding Ori Biotech27:22 - Building Ori Biotech from the ground up33:35 - The challenges and potential of cell therapy39:51 - Ori Biotech's approach to go-to-market strategy46:09 - The importance of being a trusted advisor to clients51:10 - Hiring for cultural fit and building a strong team55:17 - Future plans for Ori Biotech57:59 - Shoutouts to mentors and supporters1:00:05 - Advice to his 21-year-old self1:02:48 - 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 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. In this episode, you'll hear about:Jason Foster's early entrepreneurship, from paper routes to creative venturesHis transformative time at Columbia Business School, learning valuable lessons about decision-making and international perspectivesJason's entry into healthcare through Merck-MedcoHis experience growing a small pharmaceutical company from 5 to 400 employees, focusing on addiction medicineThe decision to move his family to London to start the European branch of the businessIf 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, Jason Foster, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncfoster/ https://oribiotech.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: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 People Mentioned:Larry Sabato https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Sabato Emma Walmsley https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmawalmsleygsk/?originalSubdomain=uk Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:51 Early years and entrepreneurial experiences10:10 College decision process and time at the University of Virginia18:05 Jason's experience in Washington D.C. and introduction to healthcare policy20:57 Jason's decision to pursue an MBA at Columbia University25:04 Memorable lessons from Columbia MBA program30:47 Jason's transition to the private sector and joining Merck Medco36:41 Insights on effective sales techniques in the pharmaceutical industry43:19 Jason's career progression after Columbia and joining Medco Health Solutions51:02 Jason's move to a small pharmaceutical company in Richmond, Virginia54:59 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: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.In this episode, you'll hear about:Scaling Genialis during COVID-19 and refining the company’s missionThe importance of company culture and building a motivated, cohesive teamDeveloping krasID and the Genialis supermodel to advance cancer diagnosticsRaising Series A funding amid biotech market challengesThe role of leadership and innovation in driving biotech success and shaping the future of precision oncology.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, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrosengarten/https://www.genialis.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:Genialis: https://www.genialis.com/Taiwania Capital: https://www.taiwaniacapital.com/Debiopharm Innovation Fund: https://www.debiopharm.com/innovation-fund/Genialis krasID: https://www.genialis.com/krasid/Genialis Supermodel: https://www.genialis.com/supermodel/How to Bootstrap a Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startupBiotech Funding Options: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsTop VCs in Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotechAI in Cancer Diagnostics: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.588221/fullPredictive Biomarkers in Oncology: https://oncologypro.esmo.org/education-library/esmo-books/esmo-handbooks/translational-research/predictive-biomarkersHow Biotech Partnerships Support Research: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchPeople Mentioned:Cheng Wu (Founding Partner, Taiwania Capital): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheng-wu-4614a8a/Tiasha Stanković (COO, Head of People at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjasakk/?originalSubdomain=siLuka Ausec (Chief Discovery Officer at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/luka-ausec-378009150/Miha Štajdohar (Co-founder, CTO at Genialis): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstajdohar/Marinka Zitnik (AI Researcher, Associate Professor of Bioinformatics): https://dbmi.hms.harvard.edu/people/marinka-zitnikTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:04 Scaling Genialis during COVID-19 and adapting as CEO04:27 How pivotal clients influence a startup’s growth path07:15 Addressing critical mistakes in clinical data pipelines09:43 Redefining Genialis’ mission and fostering strong culture12:19 Adapting to remote work while reinforcing team values14:57 Raising Series A funding amid challenging market conditions20:50 The importance of team culture and resilience25:37 The Genialis supermodel and its impact on oncology AI29:12 Two-year vision for Genialis and its three pillars32:59 Closing questions and advice for entrepreneurs38:59 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: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.In this episode, you'll hear about:Rafael’s move to Baylor College of Medicine and Houston’s vibrant medical communityInnovations in molecular cloning and synthetic biology tools at BaylorBridging biology and AI through collaborations with University of Ljubljana researchersFounding Genialis and shifting its focus to predictive biomarker developmentLessons from biotech pivots that shaped Genialis as a leader in precision oncologyIf 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, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrosengarten/https://www.genialis.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:Baylor College of Medicine: https://www.bcm.edu/University of Ljubljana: https://www.uni-lj.si/en/universityGenialis: https://www.genialis.com/Lab Equipment List, Synthetic Biology Research: https://www.excedr.com/blog/lab-equipment-list-for-synthetic-biology-researchHow to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startupWhen & How to Pivot a Biotech Startup: https://www.excedr.com/blog/when-how-to-pivot-a-biotech-startupBiotech Startup Support Resources: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportThe Role of Machine Learning in Biotech: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/machine-learning-biotech-fundamentals-divya-ramamoorthy-blhte/Predictive Biomarkers in Oncology: https://oncologypro.esmo.org/education-library/esmo-books/esmo-handbooks/translational-research/predictive-biomarkersAI and Omics Analysis in Cancer Research: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.588221/fullCollaborative Biotech Partnerships: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchPeople Mentioned:Gad Shaulsky: https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/gad-shaulsky-30425Adam Kuspa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kuspa-23bab836/Blaž Zupan: https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/blaz-zupan-33768Marinka Zitnik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinkaz/Miha Štajdohar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstajdohar/?originalSubdomain=siLaura Benjamin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-e-benjamin-04299b34/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:11 Rafael’s move to Houston and postdoc at Baylor College of Medicine04:09 Collaborating with mentors and early breakthroughs in molecular cloning07:01 Joining the Gulf Coast Consortium and blending bench science with computational tools09:44 Transformative partnership with AI pioneers from the University of Ljubljana13:30 How early machine learning tools shaped Rafael’s career and perspective17:04 Founding Genialis and the early challenges of pivoting its focus19:59 Learning from failures and how they shaped Genialis’ mission23:21 The role of predictive biomarkers in oncology and their real-world impact27:59 Lessons learned from biotech pivots and navigating the startup world31:16 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: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.In this episode, you'll hear about:Rafael's graduate studies at Yale, where mentors fostered his independent research approachHis diverse marine biology and genomics projects, preparing him for synthetic biologyRafael's transition to the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) for synthetic biology and biofuels researchThe collaborative environment at JBEI, including access to cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics tool developmentRafael's insights on choosing the right lab environment and the growing acceptance of entrepreneurship in academiaIf 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, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrosengarten/https://www.genialis.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:Yale https://www.yale.edu/ Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) https://www.jbei.org/ Next-Generation Sequencing https://www.excedr.com/blog/next-generation-sequencing-101 How to Spin Out of Academia & Into a Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-spin-out-of-academia-and-into-a-startup What Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps People Mentioned:Stephen Dellaporta https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-dellaporta-442aa611/ Leo Buss https://eeb.yale.edu/people/faculty/leo-bussBarbara McClintock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_McClintock Christopher Mason https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mason-4972a119/ Jonathan Rothberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanrothberg/ Jay Keasling https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-keasling-6783754/ Nathan Hillson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-hillson-73702915/ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:56 - Rafael's experience with his graduate advisors and diverse research projects07:45 - Comparison of grad school experience to company building and board members08:59 - Discussion about Jonathan Rothberg and sequencing developments at Yale10:06 - Rafael's transition from Yale to the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)12:46 - The importance of showing up and making connections in person16:39 - The value of face-to-face interactions in business and collaboration20:19 - Challenges in the biotech market and the need for in-person networking23:11 - Rafael's work at JBEI in synthetic biology and tool development28:22 - Key takeaways from Rafael's experience at JBEI30:25 - The importance of entrepreneurship in academia and industry33:55 - 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.

Part 1 of 4: My guest today is Rafael Rosengarten, CEO and Co-Founder of Genialis, the RNA biomarker company. Genialis is reimagining biomarkers for every target, drug, and patient using a combination of precision oncology, RNA, and AI.Rafael, a biomedical research veteran, combines academic excellence with industry innovation. A Dartmouth graduate with a Yale doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he co-invented the j5 DNA assembly tool. As co-founder of the Alliance for AI in Healthcare, he advocates for responsible AI integration in medicine, drawing from his extensive background in evolution, immunology, bioengineering, and genetics.In this episode, you'll hear about:Rafael's upbringing in rural South Carolina, influenced by his parents' intellectual hippie activist background and natureHow his French cell biologist uncle sparked his love for science through snorkeling Rafael's journey at Dartmouth, initially pursuing chemistry but ultimately finding his passion in evolutionary biology and ecologyHis post-college experiences alternating between scientific research and culinary pursuitsThe pivotal decision to attend a marine biology program at Friday Harbor instead of accepting an offer to cook on a private yachtIf 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, Rafael Rosengarten, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrosengarten/https://www.genialis.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:Dartmouth https://home.dartmouth.edu/ Bay Wolf https://www.berkeleyside.org/2015/07/01/oaklands-bay-wolf-restaurant-closing-after-40-years Yale https://www.yale.edu/ Chez Panisse https://www.chezpanisse.com/1/ Friday Harbor Laboratories https://fhl.uw.edu/ People Mentioned:Jay Keasling https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-keasling-6783754/ Mark McPeak https://biology.dartmouth.edu/people/mark-alan-mcpeek David Peart https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-peart-251787302/ Carol Folt https://biology.dartmouth.edu/people/carol-l-folt Leo Buss https://eeb.yale.edu/people/faculty/leo-buss Alice Waters https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Waters Fanny Singer (Waters) https://thefoldmag.com/arts-culture/a-conversation-with-fanny-singer-about-her-mother-daughter-memoir-always-home Jeremiah Tower https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-tower/ Dan Barber https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Barber Thomas Keller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Keller Timestamps:00:49 Intro02:48 Rafael's upbringing in rural South Carolina and early influences05:50 Discussing the impact of Rafael's upbringing on his business philosophy07:44 Rafael's decision to attend Dartmouth College10:27 Family influence on Rafael's academic pursuits12:04 Rafael's experiences at Dartmouth and choosing his major14:30 Summer internship at Bay Wolf restaurant in Oakland16:55 Influential professors and classmates at Dartmouth18:22 Post-graduation experiences and working at Yale23:20 Comparing cooking experiences on the West Coast and East Coast26:38 Entering Yale's biomedical program and the Friday Harbor experience29:48 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.

Part 4 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 a Thanksgiving article about Dr. Sam Gambhir inspired the founding of EarliEarli’s groundbreaking approach to revolutionizing cancer detection using synthetic biologyThe challenges of translating scientific discoveries into real-world clinical applicationsOvercoming obstacles and achieving breakthroughs in diagnostics and therapeuticsCyriac’s unwavering commitment to transforming cancer into a manageable conditionIf 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: https://www.earli.com/ Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/Andreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.com/Marc Benioff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbenioff/Khosla Ventures: https://www.khoslaventures.com/Lab Equipment List, Synthetic Biology Research: https://www.excedr.com/blog/lab-equipment-list-for-synthetic-biology-researchHow to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startupWhen & How to Pivot a Biotech Startup: https://www.excedr.com/blog/when-how-to-pivot-a-biotech-startupHow to Craft a Pitch Deck for Biotech Investors: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-craft-a-pitch-deck-for-biotech-investorsTop VC Firms for Biotech in 2024: https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotechBiotech Startup Support Resources: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportPeople Mentioned:Dr. Sam Gambhir: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjiv_Sam_GambhirDavid Suhy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsuhy/Jorge Conde: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-conde-4099225/Jim Allison: https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/james_allison.htmlPam Sharma: https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/padmanee_sharma.htmlPhil Greenberg: https://www.fredhutch.org/en/faculty-lab-directory/greenberg-philip.htmlTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:08 How a Thanksgiving article about Dr. Sam Gambhir inspired Earli’s founding05:43 Meeting Dr. Gambhir and learning biology as a non-scientist entrepreneur09:02 Discovering the “one idea” that led to Earli’s revolutionary synthetic biology approach12:54 Earli’s mission to transform cancer detection and diagnostics17:30 Overcoming major challenges and achieving breakthroughs in diagnostics accuracy21:54 The emotional and scientific legacy of Dr. Gambhir and its impact on Earli’s vision26:28 Earli’s innovative approach to bridging diagnostics and therapeutics30:05 The business potential of Earli’s platform for cancer and other diseases33:04 Cyriac’s advice on taking the road less traveled as an entrepreneur35:41 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.

Part 3 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:Launching Shopkick during the 2008 financial crisis and securing funding against the oddsPartnering with Best Buy, Macy’s, and Target to pioneer in-store rewards using ultrasound technologyOvercoming GPS limitations with innovative hardware solutionsSwitching from retail tech to life sciences, with a focus on AI and engineeringCyriac’s vision for digital clinical trials to accelerate drug developmentIf 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: https://www.earli.com/ Kleiner Perkins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleiner_Perkins Shopkick: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopkick AI in Drug Development & Clinical Trials: https://www.earli.com/post/how-ai-is-powering-earlis-missionBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportPeople Mentioned:John Doerr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-doerr-03248211/Steve Jobs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_JobsReid Hoffman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidhoffman/Aaron Emigh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronemigh/Alexis Rask: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleinoff/Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:58 Joining Kleiner Perkins as an entrepreneur-in-residence05:43 Developing the idea for Shopkick08:20 Securing Best Buy as a partner and navigating retailer challenges11:11 Using ultrasound technology to solve GPS limitations for in-store tracking13:25 Partnering with major brands and scaling Shopkick to profitability16:25 Transitioning to life sciences and shifting focus to biology and AI20:18 Exploring the potential of digital clinical trials24:05 The intersection of biology, engineering, and software as the next frontier27:57 Cyriac’s vision for the future of drug development31:30 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.