The Biotech Startups Podcast

Latest Episodes:

🧬The Diamond of Success: 4 Traits Every Leader Needs | Michael Newton (Part 1/4) Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success.
Key topics covered:

Chelsea Roots: Childhood in 1980s Manhattan and lessons in grit and diversity
Entrepreneurial Influence: Hands-on exposure to publishing, tech, and business from his parents
Benign Neglect Parenting: Building independence, resilience, and accountability from a young age
Educational Turning Point: Discovering curiosity and self-expression at Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn
The Diamond of Success: How Dartmouth mentors instilled a lifelong framework for achievement

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Michael Newton, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/Website: http://www.qorium.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Benign Neglect Parenting https://www.parents.com/benign-neglect-8758970
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Qorium: http://www.qorium.com/Saint Ann’s School https://saintannsny.org/ Dartmouth College https://home.dartmouth.edu/
Allan Stam https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanstam/ Gene Garthwaite https://history.dartmouth.edu/people/gene-r-garthwaite
Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:32 Growing Up in 1980s Manhattan – Chelsea Roots06:31 Neighborhood Diversity & Childhood Community08:06 Parental Influence: Entrepreneurship & Early Tech Exposure10:38 “Benign Neglect” Parenting and Building Independence12:59 The Australian Community in New York15:11 Learning Grit from a “School of Hard Knocks” Childhood19:02 Applying Childhood Lessons to Leadership & Team Building21:41 Educational Turning Point: Grace Church to Saint Ann’s26:25 College Choices & Why Dartmouth Stood Out28:07 Life at Dartmouth and Impactful Mentors29:09 Professor Allan Stam & The Triangle (Diamond) of Success34:38 Influence of Professor Gene Garthwaite40:03 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.

🧬Surviving the Biotech Funding Crunch: Insider Strategies | Samir Khleif (Part 4/4) Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Building a Discovery-Driven Team: Assembling top talent to fuel innovation
Going Beyond the Surface: Focusing on breakthrough science, not recycled ideas
Market Realities & Fundraising: Navigating tough markets and finding the right investors
Internal vs External Development: Doubling down on in-house strengths
Leadership in Biotech: Leading with self-awareness, curiosity, and collaboration

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Autoimmune Disease and Immune System Modulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27312159/What Corporate Investors Look for in Life Sciences Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-corporate-investors-look-for-in-life-sciences-startups How to Prepare for Pre-Seed & Seed Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-prepare-for-pre-seed-seed-funding
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Georgiamune: https://www.georgiamune.com/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:42 Building the Early Team & IP Portfolio04:16 Why 85% of Cancer Patients Still Don’t Respond to Immunotherapy06:01 Internal VS External Drug Development: Key Considerations07:24 Surprising Lessons Moving from Academia & FDA to Startup CEO09:29 “Phone-a-Friend” Mentorship Strategy for Tough Decisions10:11 Fundraising Philosophy in a Volatile Market12:56 Aligning Investors Through Openness and Transparency15:41 Georgiamune’s Culture of Discovery and Innovation19:08 Advancing 11 Drugs in 5 Years—3 Already in the Clinic26:12 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.

🧬How One Leader United 120 Experts to Transform Cancer Care | Samir Khleif (Part 3/4) Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy.
He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune.
Key topics covered:

Leading National Reform: Spearheading FDA oncology reform with 120+ experts.
Balancing Multiple Roles: Navigating government, research, and global biotech.
The Value of Academic Freedom: Leveraging flexibility to drive innovation.
Building Top-Performing Teams: Attracting and motivating elite talent.
From Breakthrough to Startup: Turning discovery into Georgiamune.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Oncology Critical Path Initiative at the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/science-research/science-and-research-special-topics/critical-path-initiativeBuilding a World-Class Cancer Center: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584196/2025 Trends in Biotech Venture Capital Funding https://www.excedr.com/blog/trends-in-biotech-venture-capital-fundingImpact of Regulatory Environment on Life Sciences VC https://www.excedr.com/blog/impact-of-regulatory-environment-on-life-sciences-vc
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:NCI: https://www.cancer.gov/FDA: https://www.fda.gov/
Andy von Eschenbach, MD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-von-eschenbach-m-d-9439ab10/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:43 Transition: From Building a Cancer Center to the Next Phase01:56 Leading National Reform at the FDA03:01 Balancing Research, Government, and Global Biotech Advisory03:36 Innovating Drug Development: The FDA’s Critical Path Initiative05:31 Identifying Challenges and Building Solutions07:11 Engaging the Community and Assembling Expert Teams09:11 Recruiting Talent: Bringing Experts Back to Jordan11:01 From Scientific Discovery to Entrepreneurial Action12:31 Launching Georgiamune: Taking Control of Innovation22:43 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.

🧬 Breaking the Wall Between Science & Patient Care: Translational Medicine | Samir Khleif (Part 2/4) Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
Episode Description:
“The way I have grown up in the field is not only to discover basic science findings, but also to have in mind always… how can we translate this discovery into a potential drug or an approach that could be given to patients.”
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares his inspiring journey from a formative fellowship at the National Cancer Institute—where he mastered bridging basic science and clinical care—to being handpicked to build the pioneering King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan.
Dr. Khleif’s story reveals how NCI’s culture of translating research into real-world impact shaped his vision for translational medicine and propelled him to bring world-class cancer care to new frontiers, overcoming formidable challenges along the way.
Key topics covered:

Bridging Basic and Clinical Research: Uniting lab discoveries with real-world care
The Call to Translational Medicine: Turning science into patient impact
Early Leadership: Rising from fellow to faculty and learning to lead
Innovation in Cancer Vaccines: Pioneering a new era in immunotherapy
Building a Cancer Center Abroad: Launching Jordan’s King Hussein Cancer Center

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Strategies for Cancer Vaccine Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2914453/Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38086815/Recent Advances in the Development and Efficacy of Anti-Cancer Vaccines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266115/Cancer Vaccines: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11717780/Unlocking Cancer Vaccine Potential: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38564321/Translational Research Program: https://dctd.cancer.gov/programs/trpKing Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Hussein_Cancer_Foundation_and_CenterCase Study: Jordan’s King Hussein Cancer Center: https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1744-8603-3-11NCATS: http://ncats.nih.gov/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Georgiamune: https://www.georgiamune.com/NCI: https://www.cancer.gov/King Hussein Cancer Center: https://www.khcc.jo/en
Dr. Asem Mansour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asem-mansour-md-5b0a1155/?originalSubdomain=jo
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:38 Journey to the National Cancer Institute (NCI)01:46 Early Days at NCI: Breaking Down Research Silos05:44 Bridging Basic and Clinical Research at NIH06:02 Forming a Translational Medicine Mindset08:35 Transition from Fellowship to Faculty at NCI09:11 The Origins of the King Hussein Cancer Center10:41 The Invitation to Build a Cancer Center in Jordan13:31 Challenges and Vision for Translational Cancer Care Abroad19:01 Reflecting on Mentorship and Collaborative Leadership22:46 Lessons in Innovation and Cancer Vaccine Development27:12 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.

🧬 Boy Scout Values & Refugee Resilience: Building Biotech Leadership | Samir Khleif (Part 1/4) Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy.
Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease.
Key topics covered:

Education as Liberation: Early inspiration from family values and education fueling lifelong ambition
From Refuge to Purpose: Refugee experiences and a love for science transformed adversity into impact
Leadership Through Action: Building leadership muscles for biotech by starting organizations from scratch
Character Under Pressure: Childhood adversity and scouting forged core values of logic, discipline, and fairness
The Healer's Evolution: A journey from clinical oncology to biotech pioneer and global health leadership

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Skeel's Handbook of Cancer Therapy: https://books.google.com/books/about/Skeel_s_Handbook_of_Cancer_Therapy.html?id=3ZjlsgEACAAJ(WHO) Global Cancer Statistics Report 2024: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2024-global-cancer-burden-growing--amidst-mounting-need-for-servicesEntrepreneur Middle East article: https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/leadership/healing-horizons-georgiamune-founder-dr-samir-khleif-aims/485491
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Boy Scouts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America Georgiamune: https://www.georgiamune.com/National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/Georgia Cancer Center: https://www.augusta.edu/cancer/Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy: https://www.parkerici.org/Arab Global Scholars Program: https://www.qf.org.qa/arab-global-scholars
Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:18 Welcome and Introduction of Guest04:25 Early Family Life & Formative Influences07:43 Parental and Boy Scouts’ Impact on Character08:23 Lessons in Work Ethic and Fairness10:56 Growing Up as a Refugee: Perspective & Values13:45 Early Entry into Medical School16:09 Founding Student Organizations18:51 Transition from Clinical Practice to Leadership Roles25:21 Exploring Immunology and Cancer Research29:46 Founding Georgiamune: Motivation and Vision33:40 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.

🧬 Multi-Edit CAR T-Cells: The Crazy Science That Might Cure Brain Cancer | Aaron Edwards (Part 4/4) Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
“This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.”
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards, co-founder of KiraGen Bio, shares how a Harvard Business School class project ignited the launch of a pioneering biotech taking on solid tumors with a bold, unconventional CAR T-cell therapy.
He unpacks the real-world challenges of building KiraGen—navigating fundraising, assembling a strong team, and leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and machine learning—while highlighting how focus, discipline, and authentic leadership can set a startup apart, even when it means breaking from industry norms.
Key topics covered:

The Origin of KiraGen: Born from an HBS pitch deck, KiraGen set out to tackle immune suppression in solid tumors.
Contrarian CAR T-Cell Design: Bold multi-edit strategy to outsmart tumor microenvironments and hit glioblastoma.
Focus and Discipline: Lean operations, every dollar counts, eyes on clinical milestones.
Creative Fundraising and Partnerships: Unconventional funding, academic alliances, and patient-driven capital.
Authenticity and Team Building: Realness, inclusivity, and mentorship at the core—paying it forward in biotech.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedwards02/ Website: https://www.kiragenbio.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Base Editing & CRISPR 2.0: https://beamtx.com/science/base-editing/CAR T-Cell Therapy: https://investor.bluebirdbio.com/news-releases/news-release-details/bluebird-bio-announces-amended-bcma-car-t-collaborationActivator Program: https://nucleate.org/activator/Biotech Studio Program: https://www.2048.vc/blog/bio-studioThe Founder Mindset: https://www.hbs.edu/coursecatalog/1676.htmlTFS Programs: https://www.thermofisher.com/jp/ja/home/products-and-services/services/crdmo.html
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Bluebird Bio: https://www.bluebirdbio.com/Beam Therapeutics: https://www.beamtx.com/2048 Ventures: https://www.2048.vc/Nucleate: https://nucleate.xyz/Thermo Fisher Scientific: https://www.thermofisher.com/
George Church: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-church-2b86301/David R. Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-liu-465394185/Reza Satchu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reza-satchu/Terry-Ann Burrell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-ann-burrell-10477424/Jen Nwankwo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenasherphd/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:39 The Origin Story of KiraGen07:15 From Bluebird to Beam: Learning Cell Therapy15:51 Finding Product-Market Fit in Glioblastoma20:59 The Importance of Focus and Discipline24:20 Early Company Building and Lab Setup28:16 Building the Team and Hiring Strategy38:27 Creative Fundraising and Partnership Strategies45:06 Two-Year Vision: IND Filing and Clinical Data51:22 Shoutouts to Mentors and Supporters55:50 Advice to 21-Year-Old Self: Authenticity as a Superpower01:00:09 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.

🧬 Non-Traditional Leadership & Knowledge Sharing: The New Edge in Biotech | Aaron Edwards (Part 3/4) Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
“This isn't just one gene edit—this is multiple edits, working in concert. It’s a fundamentally different chassis.”
In part three of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee and Aaron Edwards dive into the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, spotlighting the power of non-traditional career paths, self-awareness, and creative knowledge sharing. They unpack how embracing new tools, fostering open debate, and democratizing information through platforms like Notion, ELNs, and social media can drive both personal growth and startup success.
The conversation highlights the importance of capital efficiency, authentic community engagement, and building a culture where diverse perspectives fuel innovation in today’s fast-evolving life sciences landscape.
Key topics covered:

Non-Traditional Paths to Leadership: Diverse backgrounds spark fresh biotech innovation.
Institutionalizing Knowledge: Notion, ELNs, and Loom keep team wisdom accessible.
Capital Efficiency & Execution: Build lean, use what works, skip reinvention.
Democratization of Information: Open platforms put insights within everyone’s reach.
Authenticity & Community: Self-awareness and real talk drive growth and connection.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedwards02/ Website: https://www.kiragenbio.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:Notion: https://www.notion.com/ELN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_lab_notebookLoom: https://www.loom.com/Pillar VC Startup Guide: https://www.pillar.vc/playlist/topics/getting-started/PLOS One: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/journal-information
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Kiragen Bio: https://www.kiragenbio.com/Benchling: https://www.benchling.com/Nucleate: https://nucleate.org/
Ryan Murray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-murray-phd-7b488142/Sajith Wickramasekara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajithw/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:19 Non-Traditional Paths to Leadership: Aaron’s Journey02:31 The Value of Diverse Experiences in Biotech03:48 Creativity and First Principles Thinking05:53 Leadership, Self-Awareness, and Therapy08:09 Building a Safe Space for Debate and Growth12:37 Institutionalizing Knowledge: Tools and Practices14:05 Notion, ELNs, and Modern Documentation16:04 Democratization of Information and Community23:15 Capital Efficiency and Execution in Startups26:27 Authenticity, Community, and Digital Engagement38:07 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.

🧬 Why Most Biotech Startups Fail (And How to Survive Market Crashes) | Aaron Edwards (Part 2/4) Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"You might not have developed it. You might not know where that is. But you're finding what that North Star is."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Aaron Edwards shares how a bold cold email launched him from Kentucky to a cutting-edge mRNA vaccine lab in Boston, setting the stage for a dynamic biotech career.
He explores the culture shock of city life, how curiosity fueled his leadership, and the key lessons learned navigating academia, big pharma, and nimble startups—ultimately revealing how market cycles, organizational models, and operational discipline drive innovation and resilience in biotech.
Key topics covered:

The Power of Curiosity: Asking bold questions and staying curious drives growth and leadership.
Academia vs. Industry: Adapting to the culture shock and pace of labs, pharma, and startups.
Organizational Models: Big company structure vs. startup agility—what works, what doesn’t.
Market Cycles & Resilience: Surviving booms and busts by staying lean and creative.
Finding Your North Star: Embracing uncertainty to carve your own path in biotech.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedwards02/ Website: https://www.kiragenbio.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:DARPA and mRNA Vaccine Research: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4495566HBS Case Studies: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/cases/Novartis Vaccines and GSK Acquisition: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-completes-major-three-part-transaction-with-novartis/Moderna and mRNA Platform Companies: https://www.modernatx.com/power-of-mrna/modernas-mrna-platformEli Lilly’s Subsidiary Model: https://www.lilly.com/subsidiariesBeyond the Square Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qUtBY69I5JkcePLLE7ZhS?si=763530aa44b74be2&nd=1&dlsi=8f4794eea21940a9
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Bluebird Bio https://www.bluebirdbio.com/ Beam Therapeutics https://beamtx.com/ Verve Therapeutics: https://www.vervetx.com/Novartis: https://www.novartis.comGSK: https://www.gsk.comModerna: https://www.modernatx.comEli Lilly: https://www.lilly.comGalit Alter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galit-alter-398184252/Todd Suscovich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-suscovich-65ba213/Neela Patel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neela-patel-84b144/Jacob Glanville: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobglanville/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:36 Culture Shock: Moving from Kentucky to Boston05:40 Landing in an mRNA Vaccine Lab via Cold Email07:36 The Power of Passion and Finding Your “North Star”10:57 Lessons from Academia: Knowing What Doesn’t Fit14:44 Curiosity and the Disconnect Between Science and Business19:30 First Industry Role at Novartis Vaccines23:52 Big Pharma vs. Startups: Pros, Cons, and Organizational Models24:33 Subsidiaries, Integration, and the Eli Lilly Example27:43 Bluebird Bio and Beam Therapeutics: Platform vs. Focus29:32 Surviving Market Cycles and Building ResilienceThe 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.

🧬 Embracing Identity & Curiosity: Being Different Fuels Innovation | Aaron Edwards (Part 1/4) Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"There was something else there that I needed to keep searching for... and that's a theme in my life."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we explore the formative journey of Aaron Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of KiraGen Bio, as he shares how curiosity, conviction, and challenging convention led him from a small town in Kentucky to the forefront of biotech innovation in Boston. Aaron reflects on his upbringing with pharmacist parents, the impact of early mentors, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and scientific vision.
Listeners will hear how Aaron’s path was shaped by balancing competitive athletics with academic pursuits, navigating personal identity in a close-knit community, and seizing opportunities that broadened his perspective beyond traditional career paths. From his first wet lab experience with butterfly genetics to transformative internships in cancer research, Aaron’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to make a difference in oncology.
Key topics covered:

Early Curiosity & Upbringing: Sparked a passion for science in rural Kentucky with pharmacist parents and inspiring teachers.
Visibility & Identity: Navigated being a gay student in a small town, seeking authentic environments.
Academic & Athletic Balance: Learned discipline and leadership by balancing competitive swimming with rigorous academics.
Formative Research Experiences: Gained direction from hands-on internships in cancer research and translational science.
Leadership & Company Building: Drew lessons from biotech roles and business school to shape a people-first, adaptable leadership style.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Aaron Edwards, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedwards02/ Website: https://www.kiragenbio.com/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:The Velvet Rage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_RagePsychological Safety https://amycedmondson.com/psychological-safety/ Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity https://www.phikappatau.org/ Governor’s Scholars Program https://gsp.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Emerging Technologies Attracting VC Investment in Life Sciences https://www.excedr.com/blog/emerging-technologies-attracting-vc-investment-in-life-sciences
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Bluebird Bio https://www.bluebirdbio.com/ Beam Therapeutics https://beamtx.com/ Moffitt Cancer Center https://www.moffitt.org/
Matthew Klooster https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-klooster-87498510/Amy Edmondson https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:50 Aaron's Background and Early Curiosity in Science07:15 Growing Up with Pharmacist Parents and Asking Questions11:55 Kentucky Science and Math Academy Experience15:11 Visibility, Identity, and College Choices19:01 Balancing Athletics and Academics21:21 Summer Research Internships at Moffitt Cancer Center25:15 First Wet Lab Experience and Western Blots28:36 Connecting Research to Patient Impact33:20 Early Biotech Experience at Bluebird Bio43:43 Harvard Business School and Case Method Learning48:04 Outro The 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.

🧬 Growth Without Venture Capital: The Bootstrapped Bioscience Playbook | Ivan Liachko (Part 4/4) Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
Episode Description:
"It's not a brute force approach. It's a cleverness-based approach. It's a new kind of information that lets us do new things."
Host Jon Chee sits down with Ivan Liachko, founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, to unpack how clever, constraint-driven science turned a scrappy, bootstrapped lab into a genomics powerhouse. Ivan explains how their breakthrough technology—capturing the physical proximity of DNA—opened new frontiers in genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and cancer diagnostics, all propelled by a lean, scientist-led team and organic growth.
The episode dives into Phase’s evolution into a data-driven research leader, its focus on non-dilutive funding over venture capital, and its vision for clinical impact and therapeutic spinouts—all fueled by a passion for unlocking powerful new biological information.
Key topics covered:

Constraint-Driven Innovation: Creative solutions born from limited resources.
Breakthrough Genomic Applications: Proximity ligation transforms genome assembly, microbiome, and cancer research.
Bootstrapping & Organic Growth: Science-driven sales and grants fuel growth—minimal outside investment.
Strategic Vision & Spinouts: Building a research powerhouse and launching new ventures from unique data.
Advice for Scientists & Founders: Prioritize complementary teams, embrace uncertainty, and stay passionate.

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:Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebiotechstartupspodcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Find our guest, Ivan Liachko, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-liachko-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%A6-a333055a/Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phase-genomics-inc/ Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:ARK Invest Podcast: https://www.ark-invest.com/podcast/phase-genomicsHi-C Technology: https://phasegenomics.com/category/hi-c/CytoTerra Platform: https://phasegenomics.com/products/cytoterra/Next-Generation Cytogenomics Platform: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211018005750/en/Phase-Genomics-Announces-Next-Generation-Cytogenomics-Platform-to-Advance-Precision-Diagnosis-and-Treatment-in-Reproductive-Genetics-and-OncologyThe Genetics Podcast: https://sanogenetics.com/resources/genetics-podcastClinical Chemistry Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-decade-of-rapid-genomic-sequencing/id499883130?i=1000651557537
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Phase Genomics: https://phasegenomics.comUniversity of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/Gates Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Grantham Foundation: https://www.granthamfoundation.org/
Stephen Eacker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-eacker-a657177b/Jonathan Eisen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathaneisen/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:08 Phase Genomics’ Three Core Applications08:27 Meeting Co-founder and Early Team Formation11:28 Bootstrapping with eBay Lab Gear12:55 Scrappy, MVP-Driven Product Development17:02 Core Customers and Clinical Use Cases22:34 Evolving into a Research Institute with Spinouts25:29 Non-dilutive Funding and Fundraising Approach29:59 Clinical Vision and Anti-infective Focus31:33 Shout-outs and Advice for Young Scientists32:59 Staying Passionate Through Uncertainty33:54 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.

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