This episode of Raising Biotech takes a different turn — not just the story of a biotech, but of a partnership. Steve Butts, CEO of Arrivo BioVentures, and Dr. Dave Adair, Co‑Founder and Managing Partner of Solas BioVentures, have built ten companies together over nearly two decades.

From Steve's first shaky startup pitch to Dave in San Francisco to major exits and a novel company‑building model, Surani explores their individual paths, their serendipitous meeting that kicked it all off, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way right up to their current venture, Arrivo BioVentures, which has raised over $100 million to be the first to tackle female depression.

Timestamps:

Title music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

In this episode, we go inside the creation of Xaira Therapeutics — the biotech startup that raised over a billion dollars at launch without a product or clinical data.

Speaking with Vik Bajaj, CEO and co-founder of Foresite Labs (and one of the people behind Xaira’s creation), Surani explores how Xaira’s approach could redefine biotech company building, why it’s different from typical AI hype, and what makes it such a bold bet.

We follow Vik’s journey from academia to Google to Grail, and then into biotech investing with Foresite Labs, uncovering how a unique incubator model led to Xaira’s launch. From the big idea to the billion-dollar financing, we unpack what’s really happening behind the headlines.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why Xaira’s billion-dollar launch matters

01:00 – Vik Bajaj’s journey from academia to Google and Grail

04:00 – Moving from big tech to biotech: lessons and perspective

06:00 – Founding Foresite Labs and its unique model for biotech incubation

08:00 – Why data generation is key in biotech AI

09:00 – Foresite’s approach: building data, tools, and teams from scratch

11:00 – The origins of Xaira: ideation, science, and assembling the team

13:00 – Bringing in David Baker’s advanced protein design technology

16:00 – Early team building and leveraging Grail and Illumina networks

17:00 – Xaira’s $1B+ fundraising: why it happened and what it means

20:00 – Why Xaira needed so much capital up front

21:30 – What separates Xaira from other AI drug discovery companies

22:30 – The ambition to build a foundation model of the cell (GPT for biology)

23:00 – De novo design: creating antibodies from scratch

24:30 – Building products and platforms in parallel — not sequentially

26:00 – Where Xaira is today and Foresite’s ongoing role

27:00 – Vik’s vision for success: timelines and goals for Xaira

28:00 – Reflections: Can Xaira’s model really change how biotech is built?

29:00 – Outro: What to watch next, and how to support the podcast

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with ⁠⁠Surani Fernando⁠⁠ on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Title music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

In this bonus episode, Surani shares an honest update on what’s been happening behind the scenes at Raising Biotech, why Season 3 took longer than planned, and what to expect going forward. From reflections on building the podcast solo to plans for the future, it’s a candid check-in for listeners who’ve been waiting patiently — and a thank you to everyone who’s supported the journey so far.

Support Raising Biotech via the Patreon Page.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani finally delves into the scary zone of cancer with German biotech iOmx. The company has raised a total of EUR 115 million (Series A and B) since its inception in 2016 and is hoping to take immuno-oncology drug development to new heights. CEO Apollon Papadimitriou joins the podcast to speak about iOmx's unique mission with its iOTarg platform at the front and center, while scientific founder Professor Phillip Beckhove from the Regensburg Center of Interventional Immunology (RCI), also joins the conversation to take us back to iOmx's origins in the lab and what led his team to produce some groundbreaking research -- tackling tumor immune evasion -- which attracted heavy-hitter investors before the company was born. Apollon gives us details on ongoing clinical trials, detailed insight into some early and surprising efficacy signals coming out of the Phase I, and plans to initiate proof of concept (PoC) studies in various cancer indications. He also sheds more insight into imminent fundraising plans and potentially pulling the IPO trigger within the next two years. Jared Holz, Healthcare Equity Strategist at Mizuho also joins the podcast to give an outsider's take on iOmx's mission from a unique investor community lens. He discusses current gaps in the market, the potential attractiveness of iOmx pipeline and likely investor appetite should iOmx deliver compelling PoC datasets.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - CEO Apollon outlines iOmx's mission to level-up the field of immuno-oncology with its iOTarg platform

05:24 - Going back to iOTarg's origins with Professor Phillip Beckhove and tackling tumor resistance

08:55 - Presentation at AACR 2015 drew investor and pharma interest and led to €40 million Series A

11:04 - Early days of iOmx, Apollon's background and decision to join the company

13:47 - Animal data and biomarker drive investor interest

18:40 - Progress with lead product OMX407 in Phase I trials and surprising early efficacy signals

24:12 - Jared Holz gives his outside take on iOmx's potential amidst crowded and challenged IO landscape

26:50 - iOmx's near-term plans for Series C and potential IPO within 2 years

28:00 - Future strategic predictions and company visions for the future

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Title music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into the world of CNS and Parkinson's disease with Cerevance. CEO Craig Thompson joins the podcast to speak about Cerevance's unique mission and use of its NETSseq platform to develop more targeted precision medicines for CNS diseases, particularly targeting the GPR6 receptor in Parkinson's disease. He speaks about the company's origins, its unique financing journey (close to $200 million since inception), what drove him to join during the company's growth phase, plans for upcoming clinical trials as well as a potential near-term IPO. Expert neurologist Dr Karl Kieburtz, the founder of advisory firm Clintrex and Professor in Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical School gives us his take on the general Parkinson's unmet need and Cerevance's unique mission to go beyond targeting the dopaminergic pathway. As a company advisor, Karl has a good understanding of the NETSseq platform and how targeting GPR6 might make a meaningful difference for Parkinsons' patients, but he also illustrates what challenges Cerevance will have to carefully navigate to avoid a crowded Parkinson's graveyard.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - Background on Cerevance's work in Parkinson's disease with its proprietary NETSseq platform

05:48 - Going beyond targeting the dopamine pathway to the GPR6 receptor - releasing the "break" on movement.

07:00 - Cerevance's origin story - Brad Margus and creating NETSeq with scientists from Rockefeller University

08:00 - Initial fundraising journey, CEO transition in growth phase and strategic financing for an eventual IPO

12:50 - Convincing investors on a intriguing yet scary CNS space riddled with failures

16:40 - CNS expert Dr Karl Kieburtz explains why Parkinson's is such a tough disease to treat and the original Levadopa breakthrough

18:50 - Scientific thesis of going beyond the dopaminergic pathway to tackle the GPR6 receptor

21:35 - Cerevance's clinical trial plans for CVN424 as a monotherapy and combination therapy with standard of care

24:13 - Navigating the many challenges associated with conducting a Parkinson's disease clinical trial

26:02 - Pricing considerations and benchmarks for "off-time" and non-motor improvement for successful reimbursement

29:45 - Cerevance's eventual wish to IPO and potential inflection points to pull the trigger

31:20 - Future visions for the company in 5 years time

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani learns that it's never too late to launch a biotech as Sparrow Pharmaceuticals was born when its founder, Dr David Katz, was ready to retire. During his long career within big pharma, David had always had his eye on solving the 75-year old puzzle of steroid side-effects. The company raised $50 million in its Series A in 2020, and now has three clinical trial programs ongoing for its HSD1-inhibitor in Cushing's Syndrome, Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (ACS) and polymyalgia rheumatica (as a gateway to a broad range of inflammatory diseases) in combination with common steroid prednisolone. David discusses his decision to pursue this endeavor when he "should" have been retiring, challenges in getting drug licenses and investor interest, as well as plans to release Phase II data in 2024. Surani also speaks with Dr Peter Merkel, Chief of Rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania as well as Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan, Co-founder at InThought Research and former medical internist, to get more context on the drug's potential in each indication and nuanced considerations for positioning the drug in the current treatment paradigm.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - Background of Sparrow Therapeutics and tackling cortisol imbalances in Cushing's Syndrome and ACS

05:34 - Sparrows mission to tackle the side-effects of common synthetic steroids for inflammatory diseases

07:50 - David's big pharma background and his light bulb moment around HSD-1 inhibitors for glucocorticoid excess

10:30 - The decision to start a new biotech venture at a time when David was "technically" ready to retire

12:05 - Negotiating an out-licensing deal with big pharma and pitching to investors to secure $50 million in 2020

16:40 - Dr Peter Merkel talks about the HSD-1 inhibitor potential in broad and common inflammatory diseases

22:00 - Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan gives his outside view tackling the common and significant steroid issue

23:15 - Fitting into the existing treatment paradigm of inflammatory diseases and tricky commercial considerations

25:45 - Deciding to pursue Cushing's Syndrome to nab investor attention with a "buzz word"

27:35 - Where the drug fits in the Cushing's paradigm and driving awareness around under-diagnosed ACS

29:15 - Tackling the tough question of pricing in three distinct indications with an existing treatment paradigm

31:20 - Ongoing Phase II clinical trials, plans for readouts later in 2024

32:00 - Sparrows plans to raise more funds and future visions for the company - M&A or IPO

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the fascinating world of vision restoration and optogenetics with Ray Therapeutics. The company raised an oversubscribed $100m Series A in May 2023, which was particularly noteworthy during a extremely grim year for fundraising. Surani speaks with CEO and Co-Founder Paul Bresge about how his daughter's retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis drove him to enter the biotech world. He discusses meeting Co-founder Sean Ainsworth and seeing groundbreaking experiments in blind mice from inventor Dr Zhuo-Hua Pan that lead to the formation of Ray. He also talks about what drew investors to Ray's mission, its clear regulatory path forward (first in retinitis pigmentosa patients followed by Stargardt disease and geographic atrophy) and visions for the company's future. Surani is also joined by renowned optogenetics leader Dr José-Alain Sahel, Distinguished Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, to talk about Ray's scientific foundations, early data, theoretical safety/efficacy profile and potential to make a meaningful impact in late-stage retinal disorder patients with close to no vision.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - Background of Ray Therapeutics and focus on late-stage retinal diseases

04:30 - CEO Paul Bresge's backstory, personal motivations to enter the biotech world

07:30 - Formation of Ray Therapeutics in 2021 with Co-founder and Chairman Sean Ainsworth

09:50 - Leveraging breakthrough science from inventor and optogenetics pioneer Dr Zhuo-Hua Pain

11:00 - How Ray was able to attract investors and secure an oversubscribed $100m Series A

16:40 - Dr José-Alain Sahel gives his take on Ray's early data and scientific potential

19:45 - Ray's plans to get the drug into Retinitis Pigmentosa patients and regulatory pathway

26:50 - Safety benchmarks and meaningful efficacy outcome measures

38:20 - Optogenetics competitive landscape and Ray's potential edge

29:00 - Future financing goals and the company's longer term vision

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the truly unique story of Fauna Bio -- a female trio founding team that is studying evolution and the intersection of animal and human genomics to unlock powerful new therapeutics to treat complex human diseases. The company has raised a total of $19 million in financing since its inception (2018), but most recently made headlines for its $494 million collaboration with Eli Lilly to study obesity drugs. Ashley Zehnder, CEO and co-founder talks about her academic beginnings as a veterinarian and serendipitously meeting her fellow co-founders in her post-doctoral group at Stanford. She talks about their fundraising journey, getting through investor doors and how the company hopes to take its novel thesis into the clinic. Surani is also joined by Professor Elinor Karlsson, Director of the Vertebrate Genomics Group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to give more context on how studying different mammalian species and evolution can give scientists clues to treating common human diseases. She also discusses the significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in allowing this thesis to shine.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - Background of Fauna Bio and animal biology thesis

04:01 - CEO Ashley Zehnder's backstory and company formation with Linda Goodman (CSO) and Katie Grabeck (COO)

07:45 - Fauna's first kick-start with the Longevity fund accelerator

09:01 - Fauna's seed financing journey and attracting investors with curiosity

15:10 - Professor Elinor Karlsson (MIT/Harvard) gives some context on Fauna's unique scientific thesis

18:50 - The era of AI/ML making this prime time for exploring Fauna's thesis

22:30 - Partnerships and pipeline: initial focus on cardiopulmonary and obesity assets

29:00 - Challenges ahead for the company to navigate

31:25 - Future mission and visions for the company

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the multi-layered start-up story of Israeli lipid nanoparticle biotech Mana.bio. This is a tech meets biotech story, where AI and machine learning is being leveraged to develop novel lipid nanoparticle formulations to get nucleic-acid based therapies (DNA, RNA, CRISPR) to hard to reach organs. The company announced a $19.5 million seed financing in October 2023, and its exciting new chapter was heavily impacted by the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. CEO Yogev Debbi gives his tech backstory, decision to move into life-sciences, fundraising journey, what it was like to suddenly navigate a company launch as a wartime CEO and future visions to grow Mana through partnerships and a pipeline. Dr Barry Ticho, a veteran big pharma executive and chief medical officer at Stoke Therapeutics, also joins the podcast to give his expert take on Mana's scientific thesis, competitive edge, challenges ahead and future potential to advance the world of gene therapy.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai

01:05 - Background of Mana.bio and lipid nanoparticle thesis

05:30 - CEO Yogev Debbi's tech origins, backstory and Mana.bio formation

08:15 - Mana's initial work and "reverse due-diligence" fundraising journey

11:15 - Launching the company during an unexpected outbreak of war

19:25 - Industry expert perspective (Barry Ticho) on Mana's scientific and business thesis

21:55 - Competitive advantage of using AI to optimize the lipid nanoparticle design

23:40 - Which organs can these lipid nanoparticles reach in mouse models and non-human primates?

27:15 - De-risking events, challenges ahead and safety assurances

29:15 - Advantages of tackling new-age biotech with a tech background

30:24 - Mana's future business plans: comprehensive partnerships and building a pipeline

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the untapped world of tRNA therapeutics with Flagship Pioneering-founded company Alltrna. The company raised $109 million in a series B in August 2023. Surani talks to CEO Michelle Werner about the inception of Alltrna, the company's tRNA therapeutic thesis and her journey to the role. She also talks about the company's plans to study its technology in rare genetic liver diseases and the potential to accelerate clinical trials with the use of basket trials. Dr David Weinstein, a rare diseases pediatrician and owner of Weinstein Rare Disease and Clinical Development Consulting also joins the podcast to give his take on the potential of tRNA therapeutics to serve thousands of diseases. He gives his thoughts on the company's mission, potential clinical trial challenges ahead and how the therapeutics might fit into the treatment paradigm.

Timestamps:

01:58 - Background of Alltrna and tRNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases

06:00 - Company formation under Flagship and Michelle's personal backstory

11:35 - Focussing on stop-codon diseases of the liver for first clinical trials

12:55 - Dr Weinstein talks about tRNA therapies for rare genetic diseases

16:55 - The use of basket trials to accelerate clinical trials

18:30 - Efficacy and safety considerations & regulatory pathway

21:45 - How tRNA therapies would fit into the treatment paradigm

24:05 - Potential for tRNA in other genetic diseases beyond the liver 

26:00 - Alltrna's future pipeline and business strategy 

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]

Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.