Part 3 of 3.
My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise.
Martin is a seasoned executive and drug hunter with a unique journey spanning electrical engineering to veterinary medicine to scientific leadership roles. He has led drug discovery teams at several top global pharma companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck. Prior to his current role at iBio, Martin was VP and head of R&D at Stoke Therapeutics, CSO at Recursion, and CSO at Phoenix, which was eventually acquired by Ligon Pharmaceuticals.
In part 3 of our conversation with Martin, we chat about his journey from working at large pharmaceutical companies to joining biotech startups. He discusses the importance of mental flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in the biotech industry and reflects on his experiences at Stoke Therapeutics, Recursion, and Pfenex Inc., highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building innovative biotech solutions. He also talks about the significance and importance of strong team dynamics, runway management, and the need to challenge long-held beliefs in the ever-evolving biotech landscape. Please enjoy my conversation with Martin Brenner.
Find Our Guest, Martin Brenner, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbrenner/https://ibioinc.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
Timestamps:00:00:29 Intro00:01:13 Transitioning from Big Pharma to the startup world; startup needs00:02:43 Joining the team at Stoke Therapeutics00:03:35 Resilience & adaptability playing a key role in startups00:04:34 Martin’s time working with Art Levin00:07:10 Asking for help & leveraging AppleTree’s family of companies00:10:45 Transitioning from Stoke Therapeutics to Recursion00:12:17 The challenges at Recursion & starting fresh00:13:33 Building a line-of-sight program00:15:52 The challenge of questioning established processes00:16:48 The idea & pitch behind Enveda Biosciences00:18:55 The differences & similarities between entrepreneurs00:20:16 Reflecting on processes & continuously learning00:24:04 Martins’ move from Recursion to Pfenex Inc. & building the team00:28:40 The importance of understanding personnel00:30:17 Martin’s team at Pfenex & the Merger with Ligand00:31:54 Going through the ups & downs of the M&A process00:33:47 Post-acquisition integration & cultural resonance00:35:05 Martin’s opportunity at iBio00:37:17 The challenges at iBio & their strategy shift00:41:17 iBio’s current technology & development of antibodies00:51:46 iBio’s new direction & search for strategic partnerships00:59:57 Martin’s experience running a publicly traded company01:03:35 The importance of development & succession plans01:05:56 Martin’s experience as CEO & learning how to speak finance01:09:46 Hitting major milestones on iBio’s horizon01:14:24 Martin thanks those who have supported him01:17:02 The things Martin would tell his younger self: get into biotech sooner01:19:02 Outro
Social & WebsiteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excedr_inc Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExcedrInc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excedr Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:SCN1A on Dravet syndrome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8739186/In Vitro screening: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/in-vitro-screeningUnderstanding IND applications: https://www.excedr.com/blog/ind-application-processBiotech Funding Options: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsUnderstanding Debt & Equity Options for Your Funding: https://www.excedr.com/resources/debt-equity-options-funding-startupGuide to CMOs & CDMOs: https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-manufacturing-organizationsGuide to Cash Runway: https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-cash-runwayMonoclonal Antibodies: https://www.excedr.com/blog/monoclonal-antibody-research-and-productionPrimary Antibody Overview: https://www.excedr.com/resources/primary-antibodySecondary Antibody Overview: https://www.excedr.com/resources/secondary-antibodyAntibody Drug Conjugates: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00947-7Phage Display Overview: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3656071/Licensing in Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/blog/life-sciences-licensing-agreements-guide
People Mentioned:Isabel Aznares: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabel-aznarez-aaa21417/Art Levin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-levin-5889034/Paul DaSilva-Jardine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dasilva-jardine-9a791b65/Viswa Colluru: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viswacolluru/Eef Schimmelpennink: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eef-schimmelpennink-03b4a45/Shawn Scranton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-scranton-pharmd-15046ab3/Diane Retallack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-retallack-b311392/Jeff Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-allen-8128585/Matt Foehr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-foehr-3a47312/Rob Lutz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-lutz-bb587414/Lisa Middlebrook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamiddleb/Matt Greving: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreving/Saswata Talukdar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saswata-talukdar-3b20942a/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.
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