Life Sciences
**The Biotech Startups Podcast**

The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

Latest Episodes:

🧬Kate Neville - Part 3 | Fundamentals of IP Strategy for Biotechs | Safeguarding Discoveries & Technology | Aligning Science with Patents | Navigating Global Patent Considerations Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

🧬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/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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 Intro
02:09 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.

🧬Kate Neville - Part 2 | Navigating Law School as a Scientist | From Patent Agent to Lawyer | Thriving at the Intersection of Science & Law | Continuous Learning in Diverse Scientific Fields Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

🧬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-time
The culture shock scientists face in law school, adjusting to ambiguity and lack of definitive answers
The extensive reading required in law school compared to scientific literature, requiring a different approach
The collegial culture at Kate's law firm, fostering an environment where former scientists can thrive
How patent law work provides exposure to diverse scientific fields, offering continuous learning opportunities

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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.

🧬 Kate Neville - Part 1 | From Youngest of Six to Patent Law Pioneer | When Chemistry Sets Spark Scientific Careers | Leading Through Autonomy | Serendipitous Path from Lab Bench to IP Law Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

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 guidance
How early exposure to science through her father's engineering and a chemistry set ignited her scientific interests
The research at Michigan's yeast lab and Northwestern's MS research that developed key multitasking abilities
Kate’s unexpected shift from bench science to patent law through colleagues at Marshall Gerstein
How career paths in science evolved from strictly academic to broader acceptance of industry and alternative paths

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Kate Neville.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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.

🧬 Barry Ticho - Part 4 | Founding Verve Therapeutics Over Breakfast | Gene Editing for Cardiovascular Disease | Leadership Lessons From a First-Time Founder | Stoke’s Vision for RNA-Based Medicines Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

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 disease
Tackling medicine adherence with one-and-done gene therapies
Leadership lessons from starting and scaling biotech startups
How patient stories inspire innovation in genetic medicine
Stoke’s vision for genetic medicine and transformative treatments for diseases like Dravet syndrome

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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-efficiently
People 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 - Part 3 | Lessons From Rigorous Drug Development | Industry vs. Academic Research Standards | A Patient-Centered Approach to Clinical Trials | How RNA is Shaping Modern Medicine Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

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: 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 switch from academia to industry, and the challenges of his role at Merck
Navigating drug development and the rigorous standards of pharmaceutical research
Leading patient-centered clinical development at Biogen to create impactful therapies
Exploring the potential of RNA medicine at Pfizer and Moderna
Working on Moderna’s lipid nanoparticle technology, the basis for the COVID-19 vaccine

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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/
Topics Mentioned:Merck: https://www.merck.com/ Biogen: https://www.biogen.com/ Pfizer: https://www.pfizer.com/ Wave Biosciences: https://wavelifesciences.com/ Moderna: https://www.modernatx.com/en-US Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/
People Mentioned:Stéphane Bancel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/st%C3%A9phane-bancel-8185251
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:06 Transitioning from academia to Merck03:41 Rigorous drug development processes at Merck06:00 Industry vs. academia: reproducibility and research quality in pharma08:35 Patient-centered clinical trials at Biogen09:45 Phases of clinical trials and ensuring patient access14:06 Challenges in drug approval: biology, regulations, and precision medicine18:24 Biogen’s focus on impactful therapies for severe diseases23:14 Joining Pfizer for cardiovascular research and RNA exploration27:04 Exploring RNA therapeutics at Pfizer and transitioning to Moderna30:21 Driving lipid nanoparticle breakthroughs at Moderna36:23 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 - Part 2 | Zebrafish Hearts & Pediatric Cardiology | Balancing Lab Work & Clinical Practice | Navigating Academic Medicine's Challenges | The Draw of Biopharma & Translational Medicine Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

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 development
Helping establish the myCHOICE program at University of Chicago
Managing concurrent roles at Harvard Medical School and Mass General
Gaining invaluable crisis management experience as a pediatric cardiologist leading emergency resuscitations
Making the strategic career transition to biopharma to combine basic science with clinical work

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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.

🧬Barry Ticho - Stoke Therapeutics - Part 1 | From Family of Physicians to Vision-Driven Scientist | Barry’s MD-PhD Journey | Leadership Through Critical Thinking & Resilience | The Journey From Academia to Industry Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

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 physicians
A transformative moment watching a child regain sight that crystallized his career path
His foundational experiences at Haverford College where he discovered his passion for biology
His journey through the MD-PhD program at the University of Chicago
How education, critical thinking, and resilience shaped his leadership approach

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Barry Ticho.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find 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/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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-support
People 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.

🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 4 | Partnership Strategies with Big Pharma | Balancing Science & Business | Leveraging AI in Drug Discovery | The Vision for Transcripta Bio Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Part 4 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide.
With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities.
Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders.
Join us this week to hear about:

The complexities of building partnerships with Big Pharma as a startup
Insights on developing relationships with larger organizations and patient foundations
The importance of mutual goals and the art of aligning incentives
Transcripta’s progress with their groundbreaking Drug-Gene Atlas, combining genetics, AI, and high-throughput data to redefine the future of drug discovery

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-moxham-b8867011/ https://www.transcriptabio.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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:Eli Lilly & Company: https://www.lilly.com/Transcripta Bio: https://www.transcriptabio.com/Fulcrum Therapeutics: https://www.fulcrumtx.com/NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/Biotech Partnerships with Big Pharma: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchThe Role of BD in the Life Sciences: https://www.excedr.com/resources/business-development-in-the-life-sciencesHow to Break into Biotech BD: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-break-into-biotech-bd-as-a-phd-studentDrug-Gene Atlas: https://www.transcriptabio.com/what-we-doBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
People Mentioned:Efraim Racker: https://efraimracker.library.cornell.edu/Craig Malbon: https://www.pharm.stonybrook.edu/faculty/m/malbonJohn Hadcock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadcock/Alan Palkowitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-palkowitz-7387653/Phil Hipskin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-hipskind-a3b11611/Greg Plowman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-plowman-4177096/Robert Gould: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjgouldfulcrum/Jim Collins: https://be.mit.edu/faculty/james-j-collins/Jim Geraghty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-geraghty-7481a262/Alan Ezekowitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-ezekowitz-54030515/Dave Port: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-david-port-ab9616b/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro and recap02:09 Partnering with Big Pharma and the urgency of startups04:13 Learning business development and building successful partnerships06:18 Understanding stakeholder involvement and approval layers in Big Pharma09:42 Transcripta's collaborations with patient foundations and medical institutions11:31 Ideal partnerships with academic institutions and aligning incentives15:53 The importance of partnership alignment, building trust within the org20:47 Transcripta Bio's vision for the future21:52 Shoutouts and advice to younger self24:45 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.

🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 3 | Embracing the Startup Challenge | Mastering Science-to-Business Communication | Building a Scalable Discovery Engine | Leveraging AI & Genetics in Drug Development Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

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: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio—a pioneering biotech company accelerating drug discovery to improve lives worldwide.
With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from Stony Brook University and over 25 years in drug discovery, Chris brings a wealth of experience. During his two-decade tenure at Eli Lilly, he advanced over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, spanning both small and large molecule modalities.
Chris’s deep expertise and dedication to scientific innovation and team development offer invaluable insights for aspiring biotech leaders.
Join us this week to hear about:

Chris’ transition from Eli Lilly to the startup world, embracing the excitement and uncertainty of a smaller company.
Navigating investor relations and honing the skill of translating science into business language.
Developing Transcripta Bio’s discovery engine, a scalable approach to drug discovery.
Leveraging AI, genetics, and high-throughput data to reduce failure points in drug development.

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-moxham-b8867011/ https://www.transcriptabio.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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:Wyeth Labs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WyethEli Lilly & Company: https://www.lilly.com/Fulcrum Therapeutics: https://www.fulcrumtx.com/Transcripta Bio: https://www.transcriptabio.com/Transcripta Bio’s Discovery Engine: https://www.transcriptabio.com/what-we-doHow to Start a Lab: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-start-a-labHow Much Does Lab Space Cost? https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-much-does-lab-space-costBiotech Startup Support: https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportInvestor & Founder Expectations: https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectationsGenerative AI in Drug Discovery: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/06/19/how-generative-ai-is-accelerating-drug-discovery/
People Mentioned:Robert Gould: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjgouldfulcrum/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:12 Chris's Transition to Fulcrum: moving from Big Pharma to a smaller Biotech03:42 Mastering investor relations and learning to translate science into business language06:07 Lessons from an IPO and building rapport with investors08:00 Life as CSO of a Public Company and the importance of media training14:57 Building Transcripta Bio’s Discovery Engine and repurposing to accelerate value creation20:08 Leveraging AI in drug discovery and creating new opportunities in CNS and oncology23:52 Scaling drug discovery innovation and building the Drug-Gene Atlas25:09 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.

🧬Chris Moxham - Transcripta Bio - Part 2 | From Eli Lilly Recruit to NYC Lab Builder | Leading High-Stakes Drug Discovery | Pioneering Quantitative Biology | "Making the Trains Run on Time" Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

The Biotech Startups Podcast is brought to you by Excedr. Excedr provides life science startups with equipment leases on founder-friendly terms to accelerate R&D and commercialization.
Know anyone that needs lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give Your Friends $1,000, and Earn $1,000 for Each Qualified Referral 💸.
Get your unique referral link by going to: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.
Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Chris Moxham, the Co-Founder, CEO, and CSO of Transcripta Bio, a pioneering biotech company charting a faster path in drug discovery to create better lives for people around the world.
Chris earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University and is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of drug discovery experience, having spent two decades at Eli Lilly where he was instrumental in advancing over 10 molecules into clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas and both small and large molecule modalities.
Chris has a wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to both scientific advancement and team growth makes his insights invaluable for aspiring leaders in biotech.
Join us this week to hear about:

How he got recruited to Eli Lilly through persistent outreach by VP Jose Caro, who recognized Chris's potential
How Chris advanced rapidly from obesity research to heading lead generation biology at Lilly Indianapolis
His experience successfully leading a complex $20M lab buildout in NYC after Lilly's ImClone acquisition
Transitioning to biotech as CSO at Fulcrum Therapeutics, where he gained valuable experience in investor relations and helped raise $200M in public markets
What it means to serve as CEO developing an innovative "drug machine" platform that combines machine learning with wet lab approaches

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Chris Moxham.
Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994
Find Our Guest, Chris Moxham, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-moxham-b8867011/ https://www.transcriptabio.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee https://www.excedr.com
Excedr 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:Eli Lilly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Lilly_and_Company ImClone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImClone_Systems Merck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merck_%26_Co. Fulcrum Therapeutics https://www.fulcrumtx.com/
Marketing & Sales Tools for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechsBiotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchHow to Bootstrap a Biotech Tools Startup: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup
People Mentioned:Jose Caro https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefcaro/
Timestamps:00:49 Intro02:31 "The Power of Persistence in Recruiting" - How Jose Caro's personal outreach convinced Chris to join Eli Lilly05:31 Early days at Lilly: Transitioning from obesity research to high-throughput screening platforms08:18 Leadership evolution: Key lessons in scaling from small teams to managing 45+ scientists12:16 Cultural contrasts: Navigating the different environments between Merck and Eli Lilly14:48 "Making Your Own Opportunities" - How Chris engineered his move to Lilly's NYC labs17:31 Building from the ground up: Creating Quantitative Biology for antibody discovery despite initial resistance20:20 The biotech leap: Transitioning to Fulcrum and experiencing the startup world23:07 Leading a $20M lab buildout: Unexpected challenges in construction and coordination27:23 "Making the trains run on time" - Critical lessons in project management and execution28:50 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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Biotech Startups Podcast

Enriched Notes:

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected