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"Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong."
In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation.
Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences.
Key topics covered:

• Capital Strategy in Biotech: Fundraising as a flexible tool, not a necessity
• Balancing Services and Software: Merging real-world work with scalable tech
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Leading through risk and uncertainty
• Building for the Future: Pioneering automation and autonomous science
• Personal Growth and Resilience: Balancing ambition, family, and new beginnings

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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, Jimmy Sastra, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-sastra-phd-11a0521/Website: https://monomerbio.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 Grand Challenge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Grand_ChallengeAI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon: https://luma.com/qe0vfc7bWaymo Autonomous Rides in San Francisco: https://waymo.com/rides/san-francisco/Charlie Munger’s Mental Models and Multidisciplinary Thinking: https://www.playforthoughts.com/blog/charlie-munger-improve-live-by-multidisciplinary-approach
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Monomer Bio: https://www.monomerbio.com/Sandy Paige: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:12 Fundraising as a Strategic Tool03:53 The Power of Bootstrapping and Creativity in Biotech04:31 Lessons from Asimov: Why Services Strengthen Software05:41 Launching the AI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon07:43 Balancing Investor Pressure and Founder Independence09:44 Risk Management: Planning for When Things Go Wrong11:33 Learning Through New Challenges in Business and Life14:07 Decision-Making with Limited Information16:16 Leadership, Autonomy, and Mental Models18:25 The Future of Monomer Bio and the Vision for Autonomous Science20:46 Personal Reflections, Family, and Global Journey22:34 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.