The Biotech Startups Podcast

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Derek Hennecke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the CDMO industry, whose mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.
In addition to his Board work, Derek previously held leadership positions at DSM and was the Founder and CEO of Xcelience, which he eventually sold to Capsugel Lonza in 2016. Xcelience was a Florida-based CDMO that specialized in preformulation, micronization, analytical services, formulation development, cGMP manufacturing, and more. His extensive expertise in pharma and cell therapy makes for an insightful conversation that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about:

• Derek’s childhood and his early interest in history and science
• His academic journey in microbiology at the University of Alberta, where he shifted from chemistry to biology, and his eventual move into sales.
• His MBA experience in the Netherlands and his current outlook on the degree.

Please enjoy my conversation with Derek Hennecke.
Find Our Guest, Derek Hennecke, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hennecke/https://kincellbio.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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/ 
Timestamps00:28 Intro02:13 Episode starts, Derek's early upbringing as a military kid and learning how to adapt to moving every 4 years06:33 Having an interest in history but ultimately falling in love with science, Studying microbiology as an undergraduate at the University of Alberta08:50 Undergraduate lab experience14:04 Professors and mentors who were influential15:40 Next steps after Undergraduate microbiology, going from academia to sales at Boehringer Mannheim22:02 Introvert vs. Extrovert in Sales24:28 Decision to move to the Netherlands to pursue a masters in business28:20 The rarity of getting an MBA and using it to move into a new country to network30:18 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. 
Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 
Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. His extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from. 
Join us this week and hear about:

• Doug’s first-time experience running a public company: the challenges of hitting quarterly numbers and juggling the pressure of share price volatility
• His move to Cybin, a startup transforming psychiatric treatments through psychedelic compounds
• Cybin’s recent progress, including some key acquisitions, taking the company public, and their breakthrough therapies in depression and anxiety.

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.
Timestamps:00:28 Intro01:50 Doug’s first experience running a public company, Pernix Therapeutics06:51 Leaving Pernix for a private company and a break from public scrutiny08:22 Joining Cybin, going public, and raising $300MM; quickly developing therapy and IP assets11:34 Cybin’s mission and focus; the co-founders and the team behind the technology15:08 The DEA’s outlook on psychedelics and the development of SSRI alternatives17:26 Doug’s experience working with the FDA19:39 Cybin’s IP and partnership strategies; building out a core team and retaining talent24:00 Cybin’s 2-year vision24:58 Shoutouts and advice to 21-year old self26:37 Outro
Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdrysdale/https://cybin.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:Pernix Therapeutics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernix_Therapeutics_HoldingsCybin: https://cybin.com/Intellectual Property 101: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-guideSSRIs: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825Psychedelic Compounds for Therapies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592297/Pharmacokinetics: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557744/Understanding Psilocybin and DMT Treatments for Depression: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2022/02/psilocybin-treatment-for-major-depression-effective-for-up-to-a-year-for-most-patients-study-showsCybin’s Developmental Pipeline: https://cybin.com/development-pipeline/DEA’s outlook on psychedelics: https://www.cato.org/regulation/spring-2023/psychedelics-dea-regulating-religionGuide to FDA Drug Approval Process: https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide IP Strategy for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-strategy-for-biotechsBiotech Partnerships: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 3 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. 
Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During his 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 
Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. His extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about:

• Doug’s transition from BD to leading M&A at Actavis
• His insights on leveraging debt for acquisitions
• The importance of cultural fit in successful deals
• Doug’s strategic acquisitions at Actavis and the turnaround at Norwich Pharmaceuticals & Alvogen
• His challenges and successes at Pernix Therapeutics, the first public company Doug worked for

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:00:28 Intro01:48 How to get into M&A as a scientist; what makes a successful M&A transaction?05:19 Doug’s experience raising credit facilities to support M&A activity07:46 Memorable challenges and triumphs at Actavis12:24 How do you find good investment opportunities? Things to keep an eye out for14:36 Doug’s move from Actavis to Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen18:10 Growth strategies at Norwich/Alvogen: M&A and Licensing19:14 Key lessons and takeaways from Doug’s time at Norwich/Alvogen; the importance of people and cultural fits24:33 Turning things around with Pernix Therapeutics, a public company26:50 Outro
Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdrysdale/https://cybin.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:Actavis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActavisNorwich Pharmaceuticals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_Pharma_ServicesAlvogen: https://www.alvogen.com/Debt Financing: https://www.excedr.com/blog/lease-financing-vs-debt-financingCredit Facility: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditfacility.aspCredit facilities for M&A activity: https://cpcp.ca/opinion/6-common-debt-financing-options-in-ma/R&D Licensing: https://www.excedr.com/blog/life-sciences-licensing-agreements-guideM&A Activity in Life Sciences: https://www.techtarget.com/pharmalifesciences/answer/Understanding-the-Value-of-Mergers-and-Acquisitions-in-Life-SciencesIP Assets in Life Sciences: https://www.excedr.com/resources/intellectual-property-rights-for-biotechsSales and Marketing Strategies for Startups: https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechsThe 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.

Part 2 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director, and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised and invested around $4 billion of public and private capital. 
Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. Doug’s extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about:

• Doug’s experience in business development
• His move from crunching numbers to leading deals
• The challenges of global BD strategies
• Doug’s move from the UK to San Diego
• His intricacies of licensing and acquisitions in the pharma industry, and his experiences with Elan, Alpharma, and Actavis 

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.

Timestamps:00:28 Intro01:48 Episode starts, Doug defines business development and how a scientist can break into BD04:21 Global vs. Regional BD, Immersing in travels 3 months at a time, Moving to the US08:09 Memorable deals at Elan, getting a crash course in financing while going through a layoff period14:34 Determining when to move on from Elan and start Alkensa18:33 Next journey after Alkensa to Forest Laboratories, Doug's first experience of bureaucracy in the workplace22:31 Moving from big pharma to generics at Alpharma, becoming head of M&A27:28 Doug's advice on identifying what you want to license and what makes for a good licensing deal, fundraising types at Alpharma29:15 Sell side vs. acquisition side30:23 Outro
Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdrysdale/https://cybin.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:How to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-stepsBiotech Funding for Startups: What Are Your Options? https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsFinance https://www.excedr.com/category/financeEquipment Leasing vs. Financing: What's the Difference? https://www.excedr.com/blog/equipment-leasing-vs-financingTop VC Firms for Biotech in 2024: Supporting Innovation & Growth https://www.excedr.com/blog/top-vc-firms-for-biotechHow VC-Backed Startups Win When They Lease https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-vc-backed-startups-win-when-they-leaseVC Term Sheets: Definition, Key Components & More https://www.excedr.com/resources/venture-capital-term-sheetsWhat Is Series A, B, & C Funding? Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explainedThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 1 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Doug Drysdale, CEO at Cybin. Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharma company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics. Their goal is to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Doug is an experienced investor, Corporate Director and CEO, who has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around 3 pharma companies. During Doug’s 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised and invested around $4 billion of both public and private capital. 
Before Cybin, Doug was Commercial Products Manager at DuPont Merck, Director of BD at Elan, VP of M&A at Actavis Group, CEO of Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen, CEO of Pernix Therapeutics, and CEO of Tedor Pharma. Doug’s extensive background as a seasoned executive, investor, and turn-around specialist gives him a wide range of experiences that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about:

• Doug’s upbringing in a working-class setting
• His life-changing scholarship and his early passion for the life sciences
• Doug’s pivotal moments in the lab and his transition to sales at DuPont Merck
• His time at Elan, where he combined his scientific and commercial expertise to excel in BD

Please enjoy my conversation with Doug Drysdale.
Timestamps:00:28 Intro02:33 Episode starts, Doug’s early upbringing and how a teacher helped change his life and perspective at only 10 years old06:40 Doug finding his spark for science, his gravitation toward biology, working a government job in a hospital pathology lab out of high school11:53 Getting a degree in molecular biology and being able to work with the cutting-edge human genome project13:13 Transitioning out of government wet lab and into full-time study at University of East Anglia15:38 Mentors and professors who inspired Doug’s journey in STEM, a family loss swaying Doug to get out of academia and go into sales20:36 How an opportunity at DuPont Merck came about and the joint venture experience at this startup23:04 Memorable challenges and triumphs in pharmaceutical sales26:44 First-time experience as a commercial marketing manager, being recruited into Elan in a marketing role30:10 Outro
Find Our Guest, Doug Drysdale, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdrysdale/https://cybin.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechsHow to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-stepsBiotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchGuide to Life Sciences Licensing Agreements https://www.excedr.com/blog/life-sciences-licensing-agreements-guideThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 
Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about: 

• Noam's unique dynamics of working with academic institutions and the alignment of incentives that come with collaborating with top researchers
• The importance of strategic partnerships and the meticulous analysis involved in selecting the right collaborators
• Noam’s fundraising journey
• The technological advancements at Immunai
• The application of AI in optimizing drug development processes

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.

Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:35 Episode starts, screening for the right business partners and determining what projects to take on and which ones to pass07:40 Noam’s philosophy and tips on fundraising15:47 What to expect of Immunai in the next year or two19:30 Shout outs for help along his journey21:47 Advice to your 21-year old self24:15 Outro
Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-solomon-142393129/https://www.immunai.com/ 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportBiotech Funding for Startups: What Are Your Options? https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsHow to Get Funding for Lab Research in 2024 https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-to-get-funding-for-lab-researchHow to Raise Money from Angel Investors https://www.excedr.com/resources/angel-funding-and-angel-investorsWhat Is Series A, B, & C Funding? Series Funding Explained https://www.excedr.com/resources/series-funding-explainedHow to Fund an R&D Startup: First Steps a Founder Can Take https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-stepsBiotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchWhat Should Investors & Founders Expect From Each Other? https://www.excedr.com/resources/investor-founder-expectations
People MentionedLuis F. Voloch https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisvoloch/Ansu Satpathy https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansu-satpathy-67a5a9193/Danny Wells https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-wells-bb03453a/Dan Littman https://www.pfizer.com/people/leadership/board-of-directors/dan_littman-md-phdThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.
Part 3 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 
Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about: 

• How the human genome project gave us the alphabet to read the book that is the human immune system
• Immunai’s philosophy of doing what's right even if they don’t know what they’re doing
• Balancing a CEO’s naivete with being selective about who’s advise to take
• What single cell multi-omics, the technology behind Immunai, really means
• Why working with different pharma companies is like dancing with a gorilla
  
  

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.
Timestamps: 00:28 Intro02:04 Episode starts, the human genome project and the alphabet used to read the book of the human immune system05:10 Bringing an outsider's perspective to Immunai and their unique approach08:07 Building the the Immunai team with both immunology and computer science experts who are not afraid to ask the stupid questions12:10 Observing the hospital, pharma, AI landscape and how that shaped their philosophy of doing what's right even if they don’t know what they’re doing19:00 Balancing both your naivete as a CEO with judging who’s advice to take20:03 What is single cell multi-omics, the technology behind Immunai and what they learned from Netflix24:44 How to embrace failure without creating a failure culture and other lessons learned from setting up their first lab28:22 “Do you know how you dance with a gorilla?” and how to work with different pharma companies33:05: Outro
Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-solomon-142393129/https://www.immunai.com/ 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:Immunai https://www.immunai.com/ Human Genome Project https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project Single Cell Multi-Omics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5303816/ Recommender Systems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recommender_system 
What Is Bioinformatics https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-bioinformatics-and-computational-biology New Drug Application https://www.excedr.com/blog/new-drug-application-process Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasingBiotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
People Mentioned:Louis Voloch  https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisvoloch Ansuman Satpathy https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansuman-satpathy-3b386639/ Danny Wells https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-wells-bb03453a/ 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.

Part 2 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 
Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about: 

• The impact of attending prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT on his career and networking opportunities
• The genesis of Immunai, inspired by personal experiences and focused on precision medicine in cancer treatment
• Explaining AI and Machine Learning, their distinctions, and the current state of AI in biology and drug development
• The complexity of the immune system and Immunai's ambitious goal to map it completely
• The convergence of technological advancements (single-cell technology, computing power, and AI models) that created the "perfect storm" for founding Immunai
  
  

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.
Timestamps:00:28 Intro02:00 Episode starts, Noam’s decision to pursue postdoctoral studies at Harvard and MIT03:31 The value of pedigree and superficial evaluations in business04:33 Moving to Boston and the cultural experience at Harvard and MIT06:47 Humility in mathematics and the inspiration from academic environments08:19 Incubation of Immunai and the motivation behind its founding11:41 The role of AI and ML in life sciences and common misconceptions14:39 Progress in AI, ML, and their implications in drug development18:46 Early days of Immunai and developing the technology platform24:03 Mapping the human immune system and the complexity involved25:05 Outro
Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-solomon-142393129/https://www.immunai.com/ 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:MIT https://www.mit.edu/Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/Immunai https://www.immunai.com/ 
What Is Bioinformatics https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-bioinformatics-and-computational-biology New Drug Application https://www.excedr.com/blog/new-drug-application-process Guide to the FDA Drug Approval Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasingBiotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.
Part 1 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder at Immunai, a pioneering biotech company that is comprehensively mapping and reprogramming the immune system with single-cell biology and AI to power new therapeutic discoveries, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes. 
Prior to co-founding Immunai, Noam had a career in both industry and academia. Noam has a double PhD in math and computer science and served as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and Harvard. Noam also worked as an algorithms developer, consultant, and head of data science in several high-tech companies in Israel. Noam's extensive background in math, computer science, AI, and machine learning gives him a unique depth of experience that founders can learn from.
Join us this week and hear about: 

• Noam's early years and how his upbringing shaped his high standards and competitive spirit which led him to excel in the world of academia
• His unique experience of starting university at the age of 14
• His early love for mathematics
• His pursuit of multiple PhDs in math and computer science
• The importance of resilience, critical thinking, and creativity needed as an entrepreneur

Please enjoy my conversation with Noam Solomon.
Timestamps: 00:28 Intro02:11 Episode starts, upbringing in Israel with high family standards, the push into education and STEM05:58 Becoming an undergraduate at 14 and the attraction to math, the enjoyment of finding creative solutions with sets10:03 Mentors and professors who were inspirational, those who helped drive the inspiration of education12:32 Determining next steps after undergrad, being drafted into the Army and decision to be a mathematician14:43 Software engineering in the Army16:16 Decision to pursue PhD in math and methodical science, Fermat's Last Theorem18:48 Experience in grad school and the difficulties with solitude, how these skills benefitted being a CEO of a startup21:35 Determining what to do after the PhD, postdoc, letting go of a childhood dream23:46 Another PhD focused on computer science, more of a collaborative experience27:32 Skill sets that were acquired during and finishing his postdoc in math30:45 Outro
Find Our Guest, Noam Solomon, at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-solomon-142393129/https://www.immunai.com/ 
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:MIT https://www.mit.edu/Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/Immunai https://www.immunai.com/ 
Equipment Leasing for Laboratories https://www.excedr.com/leasingBiotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-supportThe 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.

As a podcast listener, you can redeem exclusive discounts with a growing list of biotech vendors and get $500 off your first equipment lease by using promo code “TBSP” on https://www.excedr.com/rewards.

Part 4 of 4. 
My guest for this week’s episode is Shekhar Mitra, former Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation at Procter & Gamble and current President and Founder of InnoPreneur, a strategic advisory firm that enables development of innovation capabilities, ideation, and organizational development for Fortune 500 corporations and new ventures. 
Prior to InnoPreneur, Shekhar spent 29 years at Procter & Gamble where he worked his way up from staff scientist to Senior Vice President of Global Innovation and Chief of Innovation, becoming a part of P&G's top leadership team and a member of the CEO's Global Leadership Council. Shekhar’s time at P&G paints a successful entrepreneurial road map for those looking to learn, grow, and innovate within large corporations. 
Post retirement from P&G, Shekhar spent several years as a board member and strategic adviser to several Fortune 500 corporations, new ventures, and private equity companies developing transformational new ideas, business strategies, and organization capabilities to drive growth.
Join us this week and hear about:

• Shekhar’s experience at Procter & Gamble and the intrapreneurial opportunities he found there, sharing how these experiences laid the foundation for his future endeavors as an entrepreneur and mentor.
• His involvement in developing an innovative drug from natural sources.
• His involvement in new ventures, from a company creating an innovative mouth piece to a plant extract rejuvenating mitochondria
• His work with the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, highlighting his commitment to community, diversity, creativity, and leadership in both the arts and STEM fields.

Shekhar’s an expert with an exceptional track record in creating and developing game changing technology platforms and formulating disruptive innovation strategies, whose extensive background in R&D offers unique insights that listeners can benefit from. Please enjoy my conversation with Shekhar Mitra.

Timestamps: 00:28 Intro 02:10 Leaving P&G, joining different boards, and honing in on a new role 05:49 Shekhar’s goals while working with breakthrough ventures as an advisor 07:45 Shekhar and his wife’s involvement with the Cincinnati Art Museum 14:50 Co-founding the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) 19:18 Shekhar’s mission as a SASE co-founder 22:08 Creating new opportunities for jobs, training, and intrapreneurial roles 26:46 Future plans for InnoPreneur, new learnings as an advisor, and Shekhar’s involvement in developing drugs from natural sources 31:55 Closing questions: Shoutouts and advice to 21-year old self 40:35 Outro
Find Our Guest, Shekhar Mitra, at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shekhar-mitra-ph-d-4b427b47/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheehttps://www.excedr.com
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:P&G: https://us.pg.com/Cincinnati Art Museum: https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/Proclaim Health: https://proclaimhealth.com/M12: https://m12.vc/Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE): https://www.saseconnect.org/Intrapreneurship: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/intrapreneurship.aspGuide to the FDA Drug Approval Process: https://www.excedr.com/blog/fda-drug-approval-process-guide
People Mentioned:A.G. Lafley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ag-lafley-2381b3201/Mike Hanuschik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhanuschik/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.