🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"If you lose that passion, why would somebody else do this? And it comes down to how hungry you are. How bad do you want it?"
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee talks with Eswar Iyer, co-founder of Aikium, about launching a biotech platform during a market downturn and building a resourceful, mission-driven team focused on data-rich therapeutic design. 
Eswar shares hard-won lessons on blending computational and experimental innovation, maintaining intentional focus, forging the right partnerships, and fostering a culture of resilience and critical thinking. They also explore fundraising strategies, the rapidly evolving biotech landscape, and the personal leadership philosophies that shape success in early-stage company building.
Key topics covered:

• Founding Aikium: Overcoming early hurdles and launching in tough times
• Data-Driven Therapeutics: Harnessing AI and experiments to create smarter molecules
• Team & Culture: Building a focused, resilient, and mission-driven team
• Strategic Partnerships: Tackling hard problems with top industry and clinical partners
• Fundraising & Personal Philosophy: Staying passionate and disciplined to fuel growth

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
Links:

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, Eswar Iyer, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eswar-iyer/Website: https://www.aikium.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:OpenAI Scaling Laws Research: https://openai.com/index/scaling-laws-for-neural-language-models/Common Mistakes Biotech Startups Make & How to Avoid Them https://www.excedr.com/blog/common-business-mistakes How to Outfit a New Lab on a Startup Budget https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-outfit-a-new-lab-on-a-startup-budget 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Aikium: https://aikium.com/D. E. Shaw Research: https://www.deshawresearch.com/Bakar Labs: https://bakarlabs.berkeley.edu/
Shankar Shastry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shankarshastry/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:52 The Scientific Challenge: Modeling Protein Interactions04:00 Founding Aikium: Launching in a Market Crash06:44 Building the Platform & The Power of a Critical Team10:19 Aikium's Unique Approach: Solving the Hardest Problems12:54 Partnering with Top Hospitals & Pharma to Go-to-Market14:40 Fundraising Philosophy: The Non-Negotiable Role of Passion18:02 The Founder's Journey: High Stakes and High Responsibility20:00 The Future of Aikium: Scaling with Agentic AI & Taking on New Targets23:09 Shout-Outs to Family, Co-Founders, and Investors25:19 Advice to a 21-Year-Old Self: Doubt Less, Move Faster32:19 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"If you gain so much knowledge in each of your respective fields, you should be pushing something deeper. Yes, it's harder, but isn't that what you really want to do?"
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer shares his journey from George Church’s groundbreaking lab to launching spatial biology at 10x Genomics and founding Aikium, candidly revealing how mentorship, bold decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork drive innovation and company creation. 
He explores navigating tough challenges, learning the business side of biotech, and embracing risk to tackle unsolved problems in drug discovery using AI and high-throughput data, delivering an insider’s perspective on both technology evolution and startup disruption in the life sciences sector.
Key topics covered:

• The Role of Mentorship: George Church’s advice fueled Eswar’s bold career moves
• Building Spatial Biology at 10x Genomics: Turning concepts into breakthrough products
• Startup Culture & Team Building: Forming agile expert teams to solve tough problems
• Commercializing Innovation: Rapidly bringing ideas to market and securing IP
• Rethinking Drug Discovery: Using AI to unlock new therapeutic targets

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Eswar Iyer, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eswar-iyer/Website: https://www.aikium.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:10x Genomics Platform Development and Visium HD: https://www.10xgenomics.com/platforms/visiumHigh-Throughput Data Generation in Protein Engineering: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4632782/Do You Need a Co-Founder https://www.excedr.com/resources/do-you-need-a-co-founder-for-your-startup
How Do VCs Evaluate Founders & Co-Founders
https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-do-vcs-evaluate-founders-co-founders 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:10x Genomics: https://www.10xgenomics.com/Cartana (Part of 10x genomics): https://cartana.se/Broad Institute: https://www.broadinstitute.org/D. E. Shaw Research: https://www.deshawresearch.com/Atomwise: https://www.atomwise.com/Nvidia: https://www.nvidia.com/
Tarjei Mikkelsen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarjei-mikkelsen-b448265b/Shankar Shastry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shankarshastry/Venkatesh Mysore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkatesh-mysore-27ab08160/Ben Hindson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hindson-09739813/Josephine Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephineylee/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro01:40 Reflections on Opportunity and Mentorship03:23 Transition from George Church’s Lab to Industry08:04 Discovering 10x Genomics and Career Decision-Making09:33 Moving to California and Settling In11:29 Early Days and Company Culture at 10x Genomics13:11 Building Spatial Biology Platforms and Prototyping16:30 Learning the Business Side of Biotech18:28 Key Takeaways from 10x Genomics—Innovation and Teamwork22:43 Deciding to Leave 10x Genomics and Pursue Startups25:31 Assembling the Aikium Co-Founder Team and Mission27:57 Rethinking Drug Discovery with AI and Data29:46 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"If you're not fearful, what is something that you could do? If you're not worried about just publications or things, you could really spend a few years. What could you do?"
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, host Jon Chee explores Eswar Iyer’s dynamic journey from an inquisitive graduate student in India to a trailblazing builder at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. 
Eswar reveals how hands-on problem-solving and a commitment to non-transactional relationships fueled his scientific evolution, leading to transformative roles where serendipity, mentorship, and neurodiversity powered groundbreaking innovation and fostered a vibrant, high-performing lab culture in biotech’s most exciting environments.
Key topics covered:

• From Manual to Automated: Turbocharging lab research with homegrown automation
• Philosophy of Opportunity: Humility, gratitude, and giving back drive impact
• The Power of Connection: Serendipity and mentorship unlock pivotal moments
• Inside Harvard’s Wyss & Church Labs: Neurodiverse, startup-inspired innovation culture
• Breaking Moore’s Law: Multiplexing tech slashes genomics costs and speeds progress

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Eswar Iyer, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eswar-iyer/Website: https://www.aikium.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:Moore’s Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_lawMultiplexing in DNA Sequencing: https://arep.med.harvard.edu/pdf/Church88.pdfImageJ: https://imagej.net/ij/Laser Capture Microdissection: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17406286/Next-Generation Sequencing 101 https://www.excedr.com/blog/next-generation-sequencing-101 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:The Wyss Institute at Harvard: https://wyss.harvard.edu/George Church Lab, Harvard Medical School: https://arep.med.harvard.edu/gmc/Genentech: https://www.gene.com/
Don Ingber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-ingber-m-d-ph-d-4a47a5318/Lance Liotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-liotta-5788559b/Virginia Espina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-ginny-espina-187baa7a/Kevin Kit Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-parker-a18a1b162/George Church: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-church-2b86301/Joe Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedavis5/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:45 Breakthrough Moments: From Manual to Automated Lab Research06:33 Transitioning from Biology to Tool Building08:49 Learning Machining Skills and the Art of Prototyping11:57 The Wyss Institute: How Connections Open Doors14:26 Philosophy of Opportunity: Putting Good into the Universe15:45 The Power of Gratitude and Flexibility in Science20:02 Meeting George Church: A Serendipitous Encounter in Kendall Square22:51 Joining George Church's Lab: Supportive Leadership Culture27:41 Inside the Legendary Church Lab: Neurodiversity and Innovation30:47 Breaking Moore's Law: The Power of Multiplexing in Genomics34:44 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path. 
His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage.
Key topics covered:

• Pivotal Childhood Experiences: Curiosity and hands-on tinkering ignited Eswar’s scientific drive.
• Overcoming Academic Setbacks: Failing ninth grade fueled resilience and deeper learning.
• Mentorship and Inspiration: Support from family and professors guided Eswar’s growth.
• Resourcefulness in Research: Creativity flourished amid constraints and tool-building.
• Navigating Cultural Transitions: Adapting to new environments powered personal and professional evolution.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.

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, Eswar Iyer, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eswar-iyer/Website: https://www.aikium.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:Laser Capture Microdissection Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_capture_microdissectionMicroarray Technology: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3467903/CRISPR Screening Fundamentals: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7036479/What is CRISPR https://www.excedr.com/resources/what-is-crispr-cas9-definition-and-overview
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:BITS Pilani: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/George Mason University: https://www.gmu.edu/
Lance Liotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-liotta-5788559b/Emmanuel Petricoin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuel-petricoin-8b4aa04/Virginia Espina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-ginny-espina-187baa7a/Ashish Das: https://www.linkedin.com/in/das-ashis/?originalSubdomain=inAncha Baranova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancha-baranova-4227b21b/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:01 Eswar's Upbringing in India: A Childhood of Tinkering and Curiosity06:12 The Pivotal Moment: Failing Ninth Grade and Finding Resilience08:58 Embracing Curiosity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset10:36 Early Lab Experience: Challenges and Self-Introspection13:36 Influential Mentors: Family and the Power of Great Teaching17:10 Choosing Graduate Studies: Following Passion Over Options19:56 Getting into George Mason University: Stars Aligning21:41 Cultural Transition: Moving from India to Virginia23:49 Finding the Right Lab: From Proteomics to Developmental Biology29:18 The Startup Lab Experience: Resourcefulness and Innovation33:13 PhD Challenges and Triumphs: Patents and Problem-Solving36:44 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"We're not making a more sustainable leather. Yes, we do that. What we're making is a better leather. It's real leather, but it comes completely uniform in rectangular sheets that you can then work with super efficiently."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Qorium CEO Michael Newton reveals how his mission-driven team is reinventing leather through synthetic biology and tissue engineering, producing uniform, high-quality material. 
He draws on his Nike experience to discuss the realities of scaling deeptech, overcoming fundraising and market-entry challenges, forging key partnerships, and stresses the value of mentorship and bold early-career risks.
Key topics covered:

• Disrupting the Leather Industry: Using synthetic biology for scalable, high-quality, sustainable leather
• Scaling Deeptech Innovation: Overcoming engineering and manufacturing hurdles from lab to factory
• Navigating Fundraising Challenges: Securing Series A for bold biotech in a tough market
• Team Building & Culture: Building resilient teams through values and clear mission
• Advice & Reflections: Lessons in mentorship, growth, and the power of risk-taking

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Michael Newton, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/Website: http://www.qorium.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:Make Trouble by Cecile Richards: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35721620-make-troubleThe “Acquired” Podcast: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/googleInsights and leadership from Jensen Huang: https://www.mba.ust.hk/mba-programs/mba-pulse/leadership-lessons-jensen-huang-insights-next-generation-leadersCRISPR Screening and Tissue Engineering at Harvard and the Wyss Institute: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/crisprs-impact-today/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Planned Parenthood Federation of America: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-usQorium: https://qorium.com/Nike: https://www.nike.com/Mosa Meat: https://www.mosameat.com/
Dr. Mark Post: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpost1/?originalSubdomain=nlRamanan Raghavendran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramananraghavendran/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:43 Qorium’s Mission: Reinventing Leather with Real, Sustainable Material03:03 The Leather Industry: State, Problems, and Qorium’s Disruption07:41 Product First: Making Better Leather, Not Just Sustainable Leather08:09 The Technology Behind Qorium: Cultivation and Tissue Engineering11:24 Go-to-Market Strategy: Partnerships, Scaling, and Industry Adoption16:57 Industry Resistance and the Need for Progress20:47 Fundraising for Deeptech: Challenges and Realities in the Current Climate24:46 Reflecting on Macro Trends and the Importance of Persistence32:24 Shoutouts: Mentors, Family, and Influential Figures36:50 Advice to Younger Self: Taking Risks and Riding Trends39:23 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude40:09 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"Hard things are hard. But we gotta go do them, or we gotta go try."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton shares his journey from private equity and finance to launching a pay-per-mile auto insurance startup, leading groundbreaking innovation at Nike, and taking on the CEO role at Qorium, a biotech venture in the Netherlands. 
He reflects on building Nike Innovation, driving sustainable initiatives like Flyknit, and navigating the leap from corporate life to startup challenges—offering sharp insights into scaling big ideas, evolving as a leader, and staying true to mission-driven work across every stage of his career.
Key topics covered:

• Taking Career Risks: From Wall Street to startup to biotech CEO.
• Launching Nike Innovation: Transforming a small team into a global innovation force.
• Scaling Major Initiatives: Turning breakthrough ideas into reality, like Flyknit.
• Leadership & Company Culture: Real lessons in leadership, values, and transitions.
• Biology as the Future of Manufacturing: Building the future in synthetic biology.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Michael Newton, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/Website: http://www.qorium.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:Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_DogThe Acquired Podcast: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/hermesAir (Movie): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_(2023_American_film)HBS New Venture Competition: https://www.hbs.edu/newventurecompetition
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Nike: https://www.nike.com/Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com/Qorium: https://qorium.com/On: https://www.on.com/Starbucks: https://www.starbucks.com/American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/Hermès: https://www.hermes.com/
Matt Prince: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mprince/Michelle Zatlyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellezatlynSteve Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-p-wright/Hannah Jones:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joneshannahEric Sprunk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sprunk-9519511a3Tom Clarke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-clarke-b77b043John Donahoe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-donahoe-8b591452Howard Schultz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardschultz
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:27 From Finance to Entrepreneurship: Michael’s Journey Starts at Stanford02:37 Early Startup Experience: Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance05:20 The Oregon Gamble: Moving for the Insurance Venture07:01 Unexpected Shift: Nike, Portland, and a New Career Path08:53 Launching Nike Innovation: Building from the Shoelace Room13:20 Inside Nike’s Innovation Culture: Global Scale and Flyknit18:26 Leadership Lessons from Nike: Consumer Focus and Culture20:51 Founder-Led to Professional Management: Nike’s Transition23:51 Leadership Succession in Iconic Companies28:16 When to Stay, When to Leave: Michael’s Exit from Nike32:53 Biotech Leap: Becoming CEO of Qorium36:19 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"A true superpower is being able to ask for help. Always... It amazes me how responsive people will be to that."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Michael Newton recounts his unconventional journey from Dartmouth to Wall Street, revealing how lessons learned in private equity—and the challenges of being a generalist—ultimately led him to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. 
He reflects on bold career decisions, the power of mentorship, and the importance of continuous learning, offering listeners an inside perspective on early ambition in New York City and how authentic, context-driven leadership shapes successful teams in biotech and beyond.
Key topics covered:

• Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Breaking into private equity without the usual path
• Mentorship & “Baptism by Fire”: Surviving and thriving under high-pressure guidance
• Breadth vs. Depth: Navigating careers as a generalist or specialist
• Contextual Leadership: Adapting your leadership style for each person
• The Power of Community: Building networks that fuel personal and professional growth

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Michael Newton, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/Website: http://www.qorium.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:Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Charlie%27s_Almanack(HBS) case on SodaStream: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=64768HBS case on Cranberry Manufacturing: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54704
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Thomas H. Lee Partners: https://thl.com/JPMorgan: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/
Mike Foote: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfoote/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:40 Bypassing Traditional Recruiting for Private Equity03:12 Decision Point: Nonprofit vs. Finance Career03:55 Moving Back to NYC and Starting Finance Career05:42 First Private Equity Role: Challenges and Learning08:04 Working with Harvey Golub at TH Lee10:25 Joining Kubera Partners: Fund Spin-out and Industry Lessons13:28 The Power of Asking for Help in Early Career15:52 Generalist vs. Specialist: Leadership and Team Management21:57 Deciding to Pursue an MBA at HBS25:06 HBS Highlights: Classes, Professors, and Case Method31:29 Mentorship, Environment, and Capitalizing on Unique Opportunities35:06 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"Attitude is by far number one… because you just aren’t gonna achieve anything in life if you don’t bring the right energy." 
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Jon Chee sits down with Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, to explore the early influences that shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation. From growing up in a gritty yet vibrant Chelsea in the 1980s, to helping in his father’s tech-focused publishing business, to finding his academic spark at Saint Ann’s and Dartmouth, Michael reflects on how his upbringing and mentors shaped his belief in the power of attitude as the foundation of success.
Key topics covered:

• Chelsea Roots: Childhood in 1980s Manhattan and lessons in grit and diversity
• Entrepreneurial Influence: Hands-on exposure to publishing, tech, and business from his parents
• Benign Neglect Parenting: Building independence, resilience, and accountability from a young age
• Educational Turning Point: Discovering curiosity and self-expression at Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn
• The Diamond of Success: How Dartmouth mentors instilled a lifelong framework for achievement

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Michael Newton, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/Website: http://www.qorium.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:Benign Neglect Parenting https://www.parents.com/benign-neglect-8758970 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Qorium: http://www.qorium.com/Saint Ann’s School https://saintannsny.org/ Dartmouth College https://home.dartmouth.edu/ 
Allan Stam https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanstam/ Gene Garthwaite https://history.dartmouth.edu/people/gene-r-garthwaite 
Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:32 Growing Up in 1980s Manhattan – Chelsea Roots06:31 Neighborhood Diversity & Childhood Community08:06 Parental Influence: Entrepreneurship & Early Tech Exposure10:38 “Benign Neglect” Parenting and Building Independence12:59 The Australian Community in New York15:11 Learning Grit from a “School of Hard Knocks” Childhood19:02 Applying Childhood Lessons to Leadership & Team Building21:41 Educational Turning Point: Grace Church to Saint Ann’s26:25 College Choices & Why Dartmouth Stood Out28:07 Life at Dartmouth and Impactful Mentors29:09 Professor Allan Stam & The Triangle (Diamond) of Success34:38 Influence of Professor Gene Garthwaite40:03 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core. 
Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership.
Key topics covered:

• Building a Discovery-Driven Team: Assembling top talent to fuel innovation
• Going Beyond the Surface: Focusing on breakthrough science, not recycled ideas
• Market Realities & Fundraising: Navigating tough markets and finding the right investors
• Internal vs External Development: Doubling down on in-house strengths
• Leadership in Biotech: Leading with self-awareness, curiosity, and collaboration

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.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:Autoimmune Disease and Immune System Modulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27312159/What Corporate Investors Look for in Life Sciences Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-corporate-investors-look-for-in-life-sciences-startups How to Prepare for Pre-Seed & Seed Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-prepare-for-pre-seed-seed-funding 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:Georgiamune: https://www.georgiamune.com/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:42 Building the Early Team & IP Portfolio04:16 Why 85% of Cancer Patients Still Don’t Respond to Immunotherapy06:01 Internal VS External Drug Development: Key Considerations07:24 Surprising Lessons Moving from Academia & FDA to Startup CEO09:29 “Phone-a-Friend” Mentorship Strategy for Tough Decisions10:11 Fundraising Philosophy in a Volatile Market12:56 Aligning Investors Through Openness and Transparency15:41 Georgiamune’s Culture of Discovery and Innovation19:08 Advancing 11 Drugs in 5 Years—3 Already in the Clinic26:12 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.

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr—helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.
As a TBSP listener, you can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"I always kept my lab at NCI, so I was always doing my research. But I was asked by him to lead the oncology critical path at the FDA, and I did that. I was doing that while also helping the King of Jordan develop the biotechnology strategy of Jordan and what it would take to move it forward."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif shares pivotal moments from his career at the crossroads of government, research, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on being chosen by FDA commissioner Andy von Eschenbach to lead oncology reform at the FDA, while simultaneously running his NCI research lab and advising Jordan’s national biotech strategy. 
He highlights the power of academic freedom, assembling a task force of over 120 top experts to advance regulatory change, and the leadership lessons gained building world-class teams—all culminating in a breakthrough that sparked the founding of Georgiamune.
Key topics covered:

• Leading National Reform: Spearheading FDA oncology reform with 120+ experts.
• Balancing Multiple Roles: Navigating government, research, and global biotech.
• The Value of Academic Freedom: Leveraging flexibility to drive innovation.
• Building Top-Performing Teams: Attracting and motivating elite talent.
• From Breakthrough to Startup: Turning discovery into Georgiamune.

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.
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, Samir Khleif, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-khleif-4280b29/Website: http://www.georgiamune.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:Oncology Critical Path Initiative at the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/science-research/science-and-research-special-topics/critical-path-initiativeBuilding a World-Class Cancer Center: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584196/2025 Trends in Biotech Venture Capital Funding https://www.excedr.com/blog/trends-in-biotech-venture-capital-fundingImpact of Regulatory Environment on Life Sciences VC https://www.excedr.com/blog/impact-of-regulatory-environment-on-life-sciences-vc 
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:NCI: https://www.cancer.gov/FDA: https://www.fda.gov/
Andy von Eschenbach, MD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-von-eschenbach-m-d-9439ab10/
Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:43 Transition: From Building a Cancer Center to the Next Phase01:56 Leading National Reform at the FDA03:01 Balancing Research, Government, and Global Biotech Advisory03:36 Innovating Drug Development: The FDA’s Critical Path Initiative05:31 Identifying Challenges and Building Solutions07:11 Engaging the Community and Assembling Expert Teams09:11 Recruiting Talent: Bringing Experts Back to Jordan11:01 From Scientific Discovery to Entrepreneurial Action12:31 Launching Georgiamune: Taking Control of Innovation22:43 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.