This week I spoke with Bogdan Knezevic, founder of Kaleidoscope Bio, about optimizing biotech workflows and achieving milestones efficiently. Bogdan shared insights into how his platform helps companies manage research and development processes, reducing operational inefficiencies and saving time, resources, and money. He discussed the importance of setting clear goals, breaking down complex workflows, and avoiding shiny object syndrome (a common ailment among scientists). Bogdan also emphasized the value of keeping teams focused and aligned, leveraging automation, and integrating existing tools to minimize manual work. We explored how to empower teams, balance short-term and long-term goals, and pivot gracefully when needed. Additionally, Bogdan touched on the importance of understanding the true cost of operations and making strategic investments in tools that drive productivity.

• Exhalation: Stories
• Get Bogdan's recommended book! Stories of Your Life and Others
• Biotech inflection points framework resource:
• Biotech fundraising milestones resource
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00:00 Introduction to Systems and Workflow

01:10 Meet Bogdan Knezevic: From Childhood Dreams to Biotech CEO

02:22 The Frustration and Vision Behind Kaleidoscope Bio

04:01 Use Cases and Value Propositions for Biotech Companies

07:50 Empowering Teams and Setting Priorities

11:38 Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

18:22 Reducing Operational Overhead and Streamlining Processes

31:07 Common Mistakes and Lessons for Biotech Leaders

36:19 Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

This week I spoke with Jon Hu, CEO and co-founder of Pepper Bio, about his journey from pharma consulting and venture capital to founding a tech-enabled biotech company. Pepper Bio created an AI and machine learning platform accelerating drug discovery for untreatable diseases. In addition to the platform, Pepper is currently navigating their asset for liver cancer into phase 2 clinical trials. Jon highlighted the differences between tech and biotech, emphasizing the importance of dreaming big and aligning vision with employees. He shared insights on the importance of hiring, learning to learn, and overcoming challenges in transitioning from tech-enabled discovery to drug development. We also discussed Pepper Bio's computational platform, long-term strategy, and their Series A fundraising to support their clinical trial efforts. Jon’s personal story of family health challenges driving his passion for biotech underscored the company's mission to transform patient care.

• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
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00:00 Introduction to John Hu and Pepper Bio

00:54 John's Early Aspirations and Career Path

02:27 Founding Pepper Bio and Its Mission

05:15 Tech vs. Biotech: Ambitions and Challenges

10:42 Project Optimist and Pepper's Role

11:53 Pepper's Computational Platform and Future Goals

16:14 Navigating the Biotech Industry and Hiring Strategies

33:35 Personal Motivations and Future Aspirations

36:03 Book Recommendations and Closing Remarks

This week we chatted with Cheri Ackerman, PhD, Cofounder & CEO of Concerto Biosciences. During her postdoctoral work at MIT, she developed the groundbreaking kChip technology that led to the formation of Concerto Biosciences. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of building a company during the pandemic and the importance of learning the business side of biotech as a scientific founder. As always, we trumpet the value of building a network to leverage during the growth process. Cheri gives really great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, which is to keep learning and embrace asking questions when you don’t know something. I also loved her views on adapting and experimenting in business, which is one of the key values at Concerto.

00:00 Introduction and Early Career Aspirations

00:09 Journey to Becoming a CEO

01:12 Founding Concerto Biosciences

02:31 Understanding the Microbiome

04:56 Concerto's Innovative Approach

07:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Building a Company

08:58 Navigating the Funding Climate

13:00 Building a Strong Team

21:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

29:34 Future Goals and Aspirations

31:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

• Get Cheri's recommended books! Measure What Matters
• The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup (The Kauffman Foundation Series on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13)
• No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't
• Who
• Learn more about Concerto Biosciences
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This week I sat down with Krysta Pellegrino, Chief Client Officer at Health+Commerce, a public relations and marketing agency specifically focused on healthcare. Krysta shared her unique perspective on how biotech companies can leverage communications strategies to tell their stories effectively, attract talent, and navigate complex challenges. She offered insights on the importance of integrated communications, the evolving landscape of media, and how agencies like H+C can help startups and established companies alike build their brands and communicate their innovations. We also touched on the importance of media training, investor pitch decks, and future trends in biotech communications, including the growing role of AI and integrated digital strategies.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:15 Early Career Aspirations and Path

01:03 Journey in Healthcare Communications

03:23 Role and Impact of PR in Biotech

05:40 Talent Acquisition and Company Culture

07:43 Leveraging Social Media and Video

10:52 Strategies for Startups and Established Companies

18:16 Investor Relations and Pitch Decks

22:02 Media and Presentation Training

27:01 Future Trends in Biotech Communications

31:37 Crisis Management and Scenario Planning

35:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

• Get Krysta's recommended book: An Instance of the Fingerpost
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In this episode, I had the privilege to interview Bonnie Bertolaet, Ph.D, Executive Director of Science Club for Girls, and Ashley Cooper, MS, MPhil, Curriculum Writer and Evaluation Manager at Science Club for Girls and former Co-Director of the Harvard Chapter of Science Club for Girls. Science Club for Girls aims to ignite excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM among girls and gender-expansive youth from underrepresented communities. Bonnie and Ashley shared insights into how the organization operates, from engaging young students through hands-on activities to providing valuable mentorship opportunities for biotech employees. They discussed the importance of starting STEM education early, the transformative impact of mentorship, and the ways companies can get involved and contribute. Success stories and the personal experiences of the guests offered a powerful testament to the program's effectiveness in fostering a diverse and inclusive pipeline for future scientists.

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00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:51 Meet the Guests: Bonnie and Ashley

02:37 What is Science Club for Girls?

03:47 Engaging Young Minds in STEM

10:26 Mentorship and Corporate Engagement

21:06 Success Stories and Impact

23:16 Virtual Clubs and Future Expansion

26:22 How to Get Involved and Support

32:01 Recommended Reads and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Lynn Walder, our first repeat guest, to dive into the pitfalls and best practices of defining culture and core values for growing companies. There has been a shift in how companies invest in and operationalize culture over the past two decades. Lynn shares insights from her extensive experience, including the importance of early core value implementation, the challenges of aligning leadership actions with stated values, and the need for clear communication and accountability. We also discuss various assessments Lynn uses to help biotech companies define and uphold their foundational values, and how these values guide companies through times of change and crisis.

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

00:34 The Evolution of Culture in Biotech

03:01 Defining and Implementing Core Values

05:52 Challenges in Aligning Leadership with Core Values

10:27 The Importance of Early Implementation

16:32 Assessments and Frameworks for Leadership

23:59 Operationalizing Values in Biotech

37:49 Transparency and Communication in Leadership

39:58 Conclusion and Contact Information

Mentioned in this episode:

lynn walder intro

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with Amogha Tadimety, PhD, CEO, and Alison Burklund, PhD, President & CTO, co-founders of Nanopath, an innovative company specializing in women’s health diagnostics. Both hailing from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering, Amogha and Alison walk us through the challenges and opportunities of founding a diagnostic company during the COVID era. We chatted about the intricacies of bringing foundational technology to consumers, including the importance of navigating the insurance system and the specific focus of their technology on improving point-of-care diagnostics in women's health. They highlighted the need for innovative tools in OB-GYN practices, the strategic decisions that shaped Nanopath's direction, and the significant milestones they have achieved. They also emphasized the importance of building a strong team and network, overcoming healthcare system challenges, and their vision for the company's future, which includes creating a comprehensive well-woman panel and expanding the technology for broader applications.

• Get Alison's recommended book: The Fourth Turning is here
• Get Amogha's recommended book: Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Read with Jenna Pick
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00:00 Introduction to Nanopath Founders

00:59 Career Paths and Early Inspirations

01:42 The PhD Innovation Program

02:16 Founding Nanopath: The Journey Begins

04:58 Nanopath's Mission and Technology

08:13 Navigating the Healthcare System

10:14 Challenges and Opportunities During COVID-19

16:05 Building a Strong Team and Network

24:02 Future Vision and Goals

25:38 Reading Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

In this episode, I sat down with Ben Hemani from Bison Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage frontier technology companies. We explore his background in environmental engineering and his transition into the venture capital world, driven by a passion for technology and sustainability. Ben elaborates on the interconnected areas Bison Ventures invests in, such as biotech, high-performance computing, and climate sustainability, emphasizing the critical role cross-pollination plays in innovation. We explore the nuances of assessing early-stage companies, focusing on the importance of founder teams, technical maturity, and long-term planning. Ben also shares insights on the current funding landscape and the strategic support Bison Ventures offers its portfolio companies.

• Get Ben's favorite book at the moment! Expecting Better (The ParentData Series Book 1) by Emily Oster
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• Bison Ventures

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00:00 Introduction to Ben Hemani and Bison Ventures

00:34 Ben Hemani's Background and Career Path

02:48 Transition into Venture Capital

04:37 Overview of Bison Ventures

06:13 Investment Strategies and Challenges

14:49 Supporting Founding Teams

19:11 Life Cycle of Portfolio Companies

23:07 Current Trends and Future Prospects

25:34 Day in the Life of a VC

27:05 Personal Insights and Recommendations

28:21 Conclusion and Contact Information