HiveCast by BioHive

Building a company often means being willing to change direction when your vision for the future changes.

In this episode of HiveCast, Carmen Kivisild shares her journey from growing up in Estonia to co-founding Elnora AI and eventually moving to the United States.

Carmen talks about a pivotal point in the company’s story when she and her original co-founder decided to go separate ways, giving her the opportunity to pursue a different vision for Elnora. She also breaks down the difference between an AI chat and an AI agent, explaining how agents can go beyond answering questions by using the tools available to them to actually work toward the goals they’ve been given.

The conversation also explores how Elnora works with companies to tackle some of their most difficult problems. Carmen explains how they identify a major challenge and spend four weeks working to make meaningful progress on it, using Elnora’s agent to help the company move toward the larger goal.

Topics covered include:

• Carmen’s journey from Estonia to the United States

• The story behind co-founding Elnora AI

• Changing direction and pursuing a new vision for the company

• The difference between AI chats and AI agents

• How AI agents can use tools to accomplish goals

• Elnora’s approach to tackling difficult business problems

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah’s innovation ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/

⁠Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

For Dr. Joshua Schiffman, the mission to help cancer patients is deeply personal.

In this episode of HiveCast, Jared Bauer sits down with Dr. Schiffman to talk about his story, his career and the work he is doing today with PEEL Therapeutics.

Dr. Schiffman reflects on his own experience with cancer as a teenager and how it later shaped the way he connected with his patients. Having gone through cancer himself gave him a unique perspective when working with young patients and allowed him to show them that there could be light at the end of the tunnel.

The conversation also explores the work happening at PEEL Therapeutics, including a new molecular entity the company is developing for colorectal cancer and the challenges and opportunities that come with developing new treatments.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Schiffman shares why keeping patients at the center of the work remains so important to him. He discusses PEEL’s commitment to pediatric patients and why, despite pediatrics being a smaller market, he believes the company has an obligation to continue exploring ways its work could help children facing cancer.

Topics covered include:

• Dr. Schiffman’s experience with cancer as a teenager

• How his experience shaped the way he connected with patients

• His career and the story behind PEEL Therapeutics

• PEEL’s work developing a new molecular entity for colorectal cancer

• Why patient focus remains central to his work

• PEEL’s commitment to exploring opportunities in pediatric cancer

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah’s life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

Great companies are built by great people. Great ecosystems are built by great leaders.

In this episode of HiveCast, Jenna Barbari sits down with John Harris, CEO of BioFire Defense, to discuss his career journey, lessons in leadership, BioFire Defense's mission, and why Utah has emerged as one of the country's strongest life science ecosystems.

John reflects on leadership lessons he learned while working in Japan, explaining why middle management often determines whether a company's strategy succeeds or fails. He also shares BioFire Defense's role in preparing for biological threats by developing diagnostic panels capable of detecting both naturally occurring and intentionally weaponized biological agents.

The conversation concludes with John's perspective on Utah's growing biotechnology ecosystem and why he believes the state rivals the nation's largest biotech hubs, even if its culture doesn't always seek the spotlight.

Topics covered include:

• Leadership lessons from Japan

• Why middle management drives organizational success

• BioFire Defense's role in biothreat preparedness

• Detecting naturally occurring and weaponized biological threats

• Why Utah is one of America's leading life science ecosystems

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah's life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/

⁠Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/

⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ

⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

Great technology is only the beginning of building a successful healthcare company.

In this episode of HiveCast, Faith Chamas sits down with Alex Wallberg from SPARC Health to discuss what healthcare founders need to move promising innovations from an idea to the market.

Alex shares why the organization became SPARC Health, the Startup Platform for Advice, Resources, and Community, and why its network of experienced mentors has become one of its greatest strengths.

He also explains a common challenge among technical founders: focusing so heavily on developing the technology that other critical parts of building a company fall behind. From technology readiness to developing a viable business pathway and building a sales and marketing strategy, Alex explains why founders need to advance multiple parts of the business in parallel.

The conversation also explores SPARC Health's larger vision: becoming a nationally recognized leader in accelerating healthcare innovations to market and helping build companies that lower healthcare costs, expand access, improve work life for providers, and improve population health.

Topics covered include:

• Why the organization became SPARC Health

• The importance of mentorship and community for healthcare founders

• Why great technology alone doesn't build a successful company

• Balancing technology, business strategy, and commercialization

• SPARC Health's vision for accelerating healthcare innovation

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah's life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

A promising idea is only the beginning. Turning new technology into a successful company requires validation, early capital and access to the right network of support.

In this episode of HiveCast, Jared Bauer sits down with Jefferson Moss, executive director of the Nucleus Institute and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.

Jefferson explains how the Nucleus Institute helps validate emerging technologies and provides companies with the first capital they need to begin attracting additional investment. He also shares Utah’s ambition to become the best state in the country at moving ideas into real-world impact.

The conversation explores how access to Utah’s statewide ecosystem can help founders overcome the many hurdles between discovery and commercialization. Jefferson also discusses Utah’s position as a leader in innovation and how the state is strategically focusing its resources to accelerate progress in key industries.

Topics covered include:

• Helping founders validate emerging technologies

• Providing the first capital for early-stage companies

• Moving promising ideas toward real-world impact

• Connecting entrepreneurs with Utah’s statewide ecosystem

• Utah’s strategy for accelerating innovation

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah’s life science and innovation ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-CastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ

⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

What makes Utah's life science ecosystem unique?

In this episode of HiveCast, host Jenna Barbari sits down with Tina Marriott to discuss her career in the life science industry, the collaborative culture that sets Utah apart and why she's now focused on giving back through her company, Lindrow.

Tina shares why Utah's founder community has become one of its greatest strengths, reflecting on the willingness of entrepreneurs to support one another and help new companies succeed. She also discusses a phrase that has guided her career—"Learn. Earn. Return."—and explains why she believes she's now in the "return" stage, using decades of experience to help others navigate the challenges of building successful life science companies.

The conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, mentorship and the importance of investing in the next generation of innovators.

Topics covered include:

• What makes Utah's life science ecosystem unique

• The importance of community in building successful companies

• The philosophy of "Learn. Earn. Return."

• Why Tina Marriott founded Lindrow

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders building Utah's life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast⁠

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

Innovation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Public policy plays a significant role in shaping the future of scientific research, healthcare, and the life science industry.

In this episode of HiveCast, Jared Bauer sits down with Representative Blake Moore to discuss his path to Congress, the values that drive his work, and how government decisions influence innovation across the life sciences.

Representative Moore shares why the nation's growing debt affects discretionary spending, what that means for investments like NIH research funding, and why maintaining America's competitiveness requires thoughtful policy decisions. He also discusses the important role organizations like BioHive and BioUtah have played in helping policymakers better understand Utah's rapidly growing life science ecosystem.

The conversation concludes with a discussion about improving health outcomes for future generations and the importance of continuing to ask difficult questions through research and innovation.

Topics covered include:

• How federal policy impacts life science innovation

• Why discretionary spending matters for scientific research

• The role BioHive and BioUtah play in educating policymakers

• Improving health outcomes through research and innovation

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah's life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

Utah's life science ecosystem has changed dramatically over the past decade. But that growth didn't happen by accident.

In this episode of HiveCast, Faith Chamas sits down with Kapil Sharma, founder of Vira Regen and Interim Executive Director of Altitude Lab.Kapil shares how Utah built an environment where entrepreneurs can turn scientific ideas into companies, why student founders are becoming an increasingly important part of that ecosystem and how Altitude Lab was created to give startups the resources they need to succeed.

He also discusses Vira Regen's technology, which uses electrical stimulation for gene modulation to regenerate bone fractures—a platform originally developed to help address one of the Department of Defense's biggest medical challenges.

Topics covered include:

• The evolution of Utah's life science ecosystem

• Why student entrepreneurs matter

• How Altitude Lab supports biotech startups

• Vira Regen's breakthrough approach to bone regeneration

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Utah's life science ecosystem.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: ⁠https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/⁠

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hivecast-by-biohive/id1896825610

What does it take to spend decades pursuing one of the hardest problems in medicine?

In this episode of HiveCast, Jared Bauer sits down with Dr. Ryan Watts, CEO of Denali Therapeutics.

Ryan shares why he chose neurodegenerative disease as the problem he wanted to dedicate his career to solving despite the enormous challenges and high failure rates in the field.

He also reflects on the emotional day Denali received approval for its first drug after nearly 20 years of work and discusses the extraordinary effort from the team that helped make it possible.

The conversation explores purpose, persistence, leadership, and what it really takes to bring a new therapy to patients.

Topics covered include:

• Why Ryan Watts chose neurodegenerative disease research

• The emotional impact of Denali’s first drug approval• The persistence required to finish long-term scientific work

• Leadership and teamwork inside a biotech company

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

📺 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in biotech, healthcare, and life sciences innovation.

In partnership with

U of U Health Plans: https://uhealthplan.utah.edu/

Follow HiveCast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biohive-hivecast/

Website: https://www.biohive.com/hivecast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.biohive/

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@hive.cast?_r=1&_t=ZP-97UB6Ubgk8s

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hive-Cast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hfn5JhPHHOpzIpb0b8Z?si=q5_Ql2IIS5WTCLLTms0ccQ

Apple Podcasts

We are happy to announce the HiveCast by BioHive coming soon! A podcast dedicated to highlighting the life science industry in Utah.