Federico Paoletti, co-founder of Exogene, founded his biotech company immediately after finishing his PhD, which led to a steep learning curve and many valuable lessons he now shares with other founders. He and his co-founder learned to operate like a tech startup inside biotech: validate the market before the product, iterate fast, and let customer discovery shape the platform thesis. He shares how a tough SF fundraising trip reframed their pitch from an asset-only story to a bigger, platform-driven vision that fits the right investor audience. We dig into non-dilutive funding tactics, using a success-fee grant writer, building a lab-in-the-loop data flywheel without overhiring, and hiring senior talent creatively with part-time plus equity to reach milestones without burning runway. We also cover the founder mindset: asking “dumb” questions to accelerate learning, leveraging mentors who understand both tech and biotech, tracking macro signals to time raises, and pushing back on default VC expectations when they don’t serve the company’s stage. Exogene: https://exogene.co.uk/ Connect with Federico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/federico-paoletti/ ___________________________________________________________ Building Biotechs is a podcast by Recruitomics Consulting https://www.recruitomics.com/buildingbiotechspodcast Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq If you're on the job market, visit our career development community: https://www.skool.com/biotech-career-coach 00:00 Founder arc and why market-first beats tech-first in biotech 06:30 The SF trip that reframed the story: asset vs. platform, and pitching the right investor 2:45 Building a non-dilutive funding stack: six UK grants, early platform revenue, friends-and-family as match 18:10 Success-fee grant writer playbook and how non-scientist reviewers evaluate 22:00 Hiring to milestones: part-time senior talent + equity, geo-distributed team to extend runway 27:30 Mentors who span tech and biotech, and the cadence that compounds 31:40 Founder mindset: ask “dumb” questions, iterate in public, push back on default VC expectations 36:20 Watching macro signals (e.g., NVDA) to time raises and plan runway

For our first episode of season three, I sat down with Gabi Hanna, MD, CEO and co-founder of Lamassu Biotech, where he leads the development of innovative therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases. A physician-scientist and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Hanna previously founded the first academic drug development center at Duke University and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Under his leadership, Lamassu is advancing two novel therapeutics—RABI-767, now in Phase II trial, and SA53, a first-in-class oncology compound currently in Phase I/II trial. He also oversees Lamassu Pets, which is developing a canine therapy for pancreatitis. Dr. Hanna’s work is driven by a commitment to rapid, cost-effective drug development that addresses unmet clinical needs. We discuss the mission of Lamassu Biotech, as well as the importance of academic accelerator programs, overcoming regulatory roadblocks, and the moral duty to accelerate drug development for patient care. Gabi emphasizes the need for efficient operations, strategic partnerships, and a patient-centric approach in biotech. We also explore the potential for policy changes to improve collaboration between universities and biotech companies, as well as the importance of ethical considerations in drug development. Dr. Hanna’s's insights provide valuable guidance for both entrepreneurs and those working in the biotech industry. Learn more about Dr. Hanna and Lamassu Biotech: http://LamassuBiotech.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/102074156/ ___________________________________________________________ Building Biotechs is a podcast by Recruitomics Consulting https://www.recruitomics.com/buildingbiotechspodcast Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq ___________________________________________________________ 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Mission and Work at Lamassu Biotech 01:24 Previous Experience at Duke University 03:50 Challenges and Strategies in Biotech 06:48 Accelerating Drug Development 08:24 Navigating Regulatory Hurdles 14:19 The Role of the FDA and Knowledge Sharing 18:01 Maintaining US Biotech Leadership 27:15 Entrepreneurial Insights and Team Building 35:47 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

This week I had a great conversation with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners. We dive into Russ's unique journey from aspiring exterminator (yes, you read that right!) to leading life science entrepreneur, discussing his extensive experience in commercialization, mergers, and acquisitions. Russ shares invaluable insights on the importance of marketing, fundraising strategies for biotech startups, the phases of taking a company from idea to commercialization, and the critical steps toward securing regulatory approvals. We also touch on the intersection of genome sequencing, blockchain, and AI, exploring how this convergence is set to democratize and capitalize on personal DNA. Whether you're new to biotech or an industry veteran, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on navigating the complex landscape of life sciences and startups. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/54/ ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com

This week I chatted with Renee Williams, Founder and Managing Partner at Williams Biotech Consulting. Renee is a seasoned fractional Chief Business Officer (CBO) for small and growing biotechnology companies. Renee shares her career path, insights into helping biotech startups secure funding and navigate partnerships, and the importance of adaptable strategies in a constantly evolving market. From term sheet negotiation to pitch deck reframes, Renee offers valuable advice and lessons for small companies. We also dissect her engagement tactics during major conferences like JP Morgan and the essential factors for biotech success. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/53 ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com

This week I had a great conversation with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners. We dive into Russ's unique journey from aspiring exterminator (yes, you read that right!) to leading life science entrepreneur, discussing his extensive experience in commercialization, mergers, and acquisitions. Russ shares invaluable insights on the importance of marketing, fundraising strategies for biotech startups, the phases of taking a company from idea to commercialization, and the critical steps toward securing regulatory approvals. We also touch on the intersection of genome sequencing, blockchain, and AI, exploring how this convergence is set to democratize and capitalize on personal DNA. Whether you're new to biotech or an industry veteran, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on navigating the complex landscape of life sciences and startups. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/54/ ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com

This week, I spoke with Natalie Nairn, co-founder and CEO of Cyclera Therapeutics. Natalie is also a Termeer Fellow, and listeners of this podcast know how much I love the Termeer Foundation. We discuss her transition from chemical engineering to biomedical applications. She describes her unexpected path into the fun and volatile startup space, which led to her founding Cyclera. Natalie explains the importance of focusing in biotech development, the promising applications of Cyclera's technology in CNS therapeutics, and the challenges and opportunities in the current funding landscape. She also highlights the value of the Termeer fellowship in her career, the contrast between Boston and Seattle's biotech scenes, and the essential aspects of leadership and team cohesion. Finally, Natalie discusses her future goals for Cyclera and offers valuable advice for aspiring biotech founders. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/52 ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com

This week I chatted with Renee Williams, Founder and Managing Partner at Williams Biotech Consulting. Renee is a seasoned fractional Chief Business Officer (CBO) for small and growing biotechnology companies. Renee shares her career path, insights into helping biotech startups secure funding and navigate partnerships, and the importance of adaptable strategies in a constantly evolving market. From term sheet negotiation to pitch deck reframes, Renee offers valuable advice and lessons for small companies. We also dissect her engagement tactics during major conferences like JP Morgan and the essential factors for biotech success. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/53 ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com

This week I had a great conversation with Iva Toudjarska, founder and CEO of Zeal Therapeutics. From earning a PhD in molecular biology to a solid scientific career at Alnylam, to working in venture capital, to selling a successful SaaS company, Iva’s career that’s set her up well to enjoy this new challenge – founding a baby biotech. Her expertise marries business development, venture capital, and company-building. Iva shared valuable advice for biotech founders on securing funding, making strategic decisions, and building effective partnerships. Tune in to hear her experiences, lessons learned, and her current work leading Zeal Therapeutics, a precision kidney RNA therapeutics company. Check out the full episode: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/episode/49 ✔️Subscribe to our Mailing List for weekly podcast drops and industry news (we promise no spam!) https://buildingbiotechs.beehiiv.com/ Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. 👉 https://apple.co/3EDuZvA 👉 https://spoti.fi/48bs3nq Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website: https://buildingbiotechspodcast.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-biotechs-podcast/ 🎙️Check out our sister podcast, Biotech Career Coach: https://biotechcareercoach.com/ Follow and Connect with Carina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclingman/ In need of Fractional Talent Acquisition or Recruiting help? Reach out! info@recruitomics.com