What does it take to build a biotech company without burning billions—or losing your conviction?

Felicia Shakiba sits down with Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, to unpack what real leadership discipline looks like in one of the most capital-intensive industries in the world. A physician turned Wall Street analyst, Dr. Gupta shares how he raised over $150M in public markets, took a biotech company public with a single employee, and scaled to FDA submission readiness with just 22 people—without relying on traditional Silicon Valley venture capital.

This episode explores how leadership clarity, rigorous decision making, and focused C-suite strategy drive value creation under extreme constraints. Dr. Gupta explains why great CEOs start with the problem—not the product—and how disciplined execution, process rigor, and business process automation enable scale without excess. Leaders across industries will gain executive insights into credibility, trust, and navigating digital transformation in highly regulated environments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unisysive Therapeutics

04:27 Innovative Approach to Biotech

07:55 Understanding the Biotech Landscape

10:39 Transition from Medicine to Wall Street

14:08 Lessons from Genentech

19:46 Building a Company Alone

22:47 The Importance of Networking

27:00 Engaging with the FDA

30:57 Raising Capital in Biotech

41:58 Navigating Investor Relationships

This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last.

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