Inside Biotech

What if we’ve been focusing on the wrong cells in cancer? In this episode, Dr. Reginald Hill explains how fibroblasts, inflammation, and tissue stiffness shape tumor behavior and chemoresistance—and how mouse models, organoids, and microfluidic devices can turn those insights into better diagnostics. We dig into his path from a Cell cover story to a patent on an exosome-based cancer detection platform, his work lobbying Congress for pancreatic cancer research, and his aviation-inspired approach to lab management and science career coaching. Perfect for anyone interested in cancer biology, translational tech, or building a scientific career beyond the “traditional” path.

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CEO of Vistagen, Shawn Singh, returns to Inside Biotech to discuss groundbreaking developments in intranasal therapeutics. Shawn shares exciting results from Vistagen’s fast-track phase 3 trials, explains how intranasal drug delivery bypasses limitations of traditional therapeutics relying on systemic absorption, and reflects on telehealth’s role in accessibility. This conversation spotlights a transformative moment in neuroscience, drug development and mental health innovation.

Learn more about Vistagen: https://www.vistagen.com/
Listen to our previous episode with Shawn to learn more about social anxiety disorder and the earlier days of Vistagen: https://inside-biotech.simplecast.com/episodes/shawn-singh-ceo-of-vistagen-mental-health-biopharmaceuticals

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Serial entrepreneur Michael Heltzen, CEO of Exozymes, reveals how his NASDAQ-listed company is "liberating enzymes from cells" to create a new generation of chemical manufacturing. Instead of using living cells as factories, Exozymes isolates enzymatic pathways to work as pure chemistry—achieving engineering-level control previously deemed impossible in conventional synthetic biology. Michael discusses Exozymes’ AI-powered enzyme evolution, six-week development timelines, bold IPO strategy during biotech's funding winter, and applications in pharmaceuticals like NCT for liver disease. This is synthetic biology's next chapter: sustainable, scalable enzyme-based manufacturing that could replace both petrochemicals and natural harvesting.

Make sure to check out eXoZymes' website: https://exozymes.com/

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In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with John Marlowe and Pete Kane to explore how patient-driven innovation is transforming research on rare diseases and oncology. John shares his own 15-year medical odyssey filled with misdiagnoses and being told his symptoms were “in his head” and how his relentless determination led him to long-read sequencing which finally revealed his rare disease diagnosis. Pete, founder of Research to the People, explains how his nonprofit brings together scientists, engineers, and patients in open hackathons to tackle unsolved medical mysteries.
Together, John and Pete reveal what happens when “scientific cowboys and cowgirls” unite—merging cutting-edge genomics, AI, and the power of community and collaboration to push the boundaries of diagnosis and treatment. Their story is a powerful reminder that the future of biotech is not just about technology but about people coming together to rewrite what’s possible.

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From TV production to trailblazing in generative AI, Jennifer Bittinger’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Inside Biotech, Jennifer shares how her non-linear career path–from helping launch Hulu to leading Narrativa–prepared her to bring AI innovation into the life sciences. She reveals how Narrativa became the first company to have FDA-approved, AI-generated clinical trial documentation, cutting years of “white space” in the drug-development process. Along the way, she tackles fears about AI replacing jobs, explaining how it can instead give scientists and medical writers their time back for high-value work. Today’s episode is a masterclass in how relationships, curiosity, and a little bit of courage can transform entire industries.

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Biotech is bursting with innovation—from gene editing to AI-powered diagnostics—but behind every successful breakthrough is something far less talked about: leadership. In this episode of Inside Biotech, we’re joined by Colin Smith, CEO and co-founder of ExecNow, a next-gen talent partner helping some of the world’s most innovative biotech, greentech, and AI companies find the leaders they need to scale science into sustainable businesses.
Colin has spent years working behind the scenes, partnering with founders to solve one of the industry’s toughest challenges: bridging the divide between scientific genius and business execution. He shares insights on why many brilliant biotech companies struggle—not because of flawed science, but because they lack the right leadership to guide them through growth, regulation, commercialization, and culture-building.
We dive into why the industry struggles to attract diverse and strategic leaders, how values-based hiring makes a difference, and why a clear mission can be a company’s strongest competitive advantage. Whether you’re a founder, a scientist, or just curious about the human side of biotech, this conversation reveals what it really takes to build companies that not only survive, but lead.

(0:00) Intro to Colin Smith CEO of ExecNow
(2:25) What is Colin Smith’s general background in biotech?
(3:36) What caused Colin to go into talent acquisition?
(6:41) The importance of a diverse workforce talent
(7:40) How to demonstrate that you have the skills to work in biotech?
(9:40) Tell people the story of your career.
(12:25) Is professional work life just a group project?
(14:04) What does ExecNow’s statement “Build by operators for operators mean?”
(16:50) Give some examples of how leadership position priority changes across different funding stages?
(19:39) Top talent wants to work with top talent
(23:10) Common pitfalls in companies and do they differ across Biotech vs. MedTech?
(25:50) How does capital play into company development?
(27:52) Few and Far Between Biotech Podcast Ad
(28:27) Any topics that surprised Colin with their innovation?
(31:23) What are workers main drivers in their career?
(33:28) Need to leverage AI on a daily basis.
(35:50) Useful idea to use LLM to figure out what biotech companies just received funding and how to contact their hiring managers to see if a job is available.
(36:50) How do I find a job to create a trajectory for a fulfilling career?
(38:45) How to stick out and not “boil the ocean” and find a job in biotech.
(42:10) Noone’s career is up and to the right (in graph speaking)
(46:50) How does Gabriella look towards her career when she graduates from her PhD?
(51:26) Wrap up thanking Colin Smith CEO from ExecNow

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What does it really take to bring cutting-edge science out of the lab and into the world? In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Elizabeth Chabe, founder and CEO of High Touch Group, a strategic marketing firm specializing in biotech, medtech, and deep tech.
Elizabeth shares her unique journey—from working in a structural engineering lab and helping scale pilot manufacturing projects, to becoming a trusted advisor to venture-backed startups across the life sciences. Along the way, she’s led national campaigns at institutions like The Jackson Laboratory, helped scientists secure critical funding, and built a business that helps translate complex science into commercial success.
Whether you’re a researcher, founder, or science communicator, Elizabeth offers actionable advice on how to make sure your innovation doesn’t stay hidden in the lab.

(0:00) Intro to Elizabeth Chabe
(1:52) City of Hope Ad
(2:34) Welcome to Elizabeth Chabe CEO of High Tough Group
(3:57) Elizabeth background starting first business at age 9 as a psychic hotline! Elizabeth had a wide entrepreneurship business at a young age.
(7:42) How to translate entrepreneurism to science?
(11:28) Challenges working at Jackson Lab during beginning of CRISPR.
(18:00) Most important moments in marketing are founding teams and adventures.
(21:40) Few and Far Between Podcast Ad
(22:30) How was High Touch Group started?
(29:12) What did client recruitment look like pre JAX and post JAX?
(36:32) Focus of High Tough Group clients.
(40:28) How does Elizabeth determine how best to help High Touch Group Clients Initially?
(45:58) Motivation for writing The Giant’s Ladder?
(49:20) Advice to early career scientists to get out and communicate?
(55:40) Outro

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In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Julia Perederiy, neuroscientist and Founder of OmBiome, a regenerative health company revolutionizing personal care through microalgae. Julia shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the science behind her mission, and how wellness trends are evolving in today’s market. Tune in for insights on building a biotech-driven wellness brand and how algae could shape the future of holistic health.

(0:00) Intro to this months episode with Dr. Julia Perederiy from OmBiome!
(1:35) City of Hope Ad
(2:13) Greeting Dr. Julia Perederiy from OmBiome
(2:57) OmBiome is a regenerative health company using algae for oral health
(4:08) What inspired Julia to start a company in the wellness space
(5:50) What is the line between a therapeutic and a wellness supplement?
(7:13) Strict language to as wellness products cannot “treat” disease, but can support them.
(8:40) How to define OmBiome’s success?
(10:30) Julia hopes that this “wellness” focus will shift to a Biotech company
(11:59) What is the marketing strategy for OmBiome?
(15:02) What is Julia’s background in science?
(17:50) How did Julia get from neuroscience to OmBiome’s focus on nutrition and the microenvironment
(23:10) How effective vs. mechanism for how OmBiome improves the mouth.
(24:00) Nobody cares about science of how things work, but they care about how to meet unmet need.
(28:25) Importance of having whole foods rather than additive Vitamins.
(30:05) Basis for gum disease
(31:28) What is the first step towards starting OmBiome?
(35:38) Statistics in dental health are really powerful indicators that most adults have gum disease and many children have cavities.
(37:22) Spirulina in the supplement industry.
(38:50) Julia came to the United States from Russia at the age of 12.
(42:10) Esoteric terms in a different fields like science, business, wellness, etc.
(43:40) Where is the wellness industry going in the next 10 years?
(49:02) We do not need every minute detail of science answered to help humanity.
(50:35) Wrap up of episode with Dr. Julia Perederiy

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In this discussion, Dr. Adam Watson, Co-founder and CEO of MeCo Diagnostics, shares the personal and professional experiences that led him to focus on cancer research and, ultimately, to launch his own company. From the profound influence of his family’s battle with cancer to the long and complex journey of developing the MeCo Score™, he walks us through the challenges of translating academic research into a commercial product. Dr. Watson offers insights into the realities of working with a tech transfer office, the hurdles of bringing a biomarker test to market, and the tough decision of leaving academia to pursue entrepreneurship. He also reflects on the knowledge gaps he faced as a first-time founder and the strategies that helped MeCo gain credibility in an industry dominated by large pharmaceutical companies. Finally, we discuss the broader biotech landscape—how LA’s biotech ecosystem can better support startups like MeCo, and what it will take for non–big pharma breakthroughs to gain traction in the market. Whether you're a scientist considering a leap into entrepreneurship or someone interested in the future of precision medicine, this conversation offers valuable lessons in perseverance, innovation, and the intersection of science and business.
https://mecodiagnostics.com/

RSVP for BCLA 10th Annual Healthcare Summit: https://lu.ma/pecqtqut

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In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Lital Gilad-Shaoulian, CEO of PurposeBio, to explore her inspiring journey from a non-science background into the world of biotech. Lital shares how she transformed PurposeBio into an industry leader focused on tackling cardiometabolic diseases. It was named by UCLA as one of its “Best and Most Investment Worthy Startups." They have been awarded the Department of Defense Award for Innovation and Impact and received a personal invitation to the annual premier pharma and healthcare conference, JPM Healthcare Conference, in San Francisco in January 2025.
From her early days as an Entrepreneur In Residence at Stanford Research Institute to her success as a mentor and ambassador, Lital offers powerful insights into patient-centered innovation, resilience, and team-driven leadership. She also discusses the triumphs and challenges of turning an idea into a tangible, marketable product, emphasizing the importance of persistence, collaboration, and staying focused on the end goal. Join us for an energizing conversation on purpose, innovation, and the future of biotech.

(0:00) Intro
(0:56) Intro to Lital Gilad Shaulian of PurposeBio for Cardiometabolic diseases
(2:27) Macherey-Nagel Ad
(3:23) Lital’s career background
(4:36) After Lital turned forty, she wanted a change from tech
(6:46) Shift from tech to biotech by reading a science article
(9:50) Dr. Elaine Hsiao’s research led to a collaboration towards drugs for obesity and fatty liver disease by gut microbiome
(13:12) Why meeting the need not focusing on the idea is important
(15:01) Survey of what patients with cholesterol and fatty liver disease need
(18:25) What are the steps of FDA approval?
(21:40) How Lital build her team of experts? Meeting Professor Eran Elinav and having him buy in
(29:03) How to get a startup off the ground and get funding?
(33:30) Where do the funds go currently for Purpose Bio? Science and IP
(35:11) What does communication look like on a day-to-day basis for Purpose Bio?
(36:46) The importance of thinking ahead to plan what the company needs
(42:22) How Lital developed her background in science by asking questions
(44:59) Milestones that Lital has hit with Purpose Bio and how that felt at each time
(49:01) The lack of control in science and not knowing what will happen when variables are manipulated
(50:18) What is the focus of taking the next step towards clinical trials?
(54:24) Purpose Bio will meet unmet needs of patients that cannot use GLP-1 or statins
(55:42) Side effects of statins are difficult to manage
(59:31) What advice would Lital give herself for the beginning of her journey?
(65:58) Outro

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