Raising Biotech

As we prepare to launch the first two episodes of Raising Biotech this week, here's a note from creator Surani Fernando on the background behind the podcast and who might find this series valuable. Listen to the trailer which is up now, and follow and subscribe to get notified of new episodes! https://lnkd.in/gU_Qb9HD

Revisiting our episode exploring Synchron and its brain computer interface -- enabling patients to control a digital device with thought alone. 🧠📲 The BCI space is heating up, particularly with Musk's Neuralink making a lot of noise for BCI's. Synchron recently announced some positive data for its COMMAND study and is making good tracks towards a first-in-class market approval. In this clip, CEO and founder Thomas Oxley delves into Synchron’s strategic approach to fundraising, hinting at when an IPO might come into play. He also shares the company’s ambitions to broaden its scope into a comprehensive neurovascular bioelectronics company. This was a jam packed episode with incredible insight from 4 guests including Synchron's COO Kurt Haggstrom, and key opinion leaders/principal investigators on Synchron's trials Dr Elad Levy from University at Buffalo Neurosurgery (UBNS) and David Putrino from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Listen to the full episode exploring the back story (from Melbourne to NYC), sophisticated science, missions, visions and unique challenges ahead: https://lnkd.in/gepg2ZgE Available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. Original Episode Date: December 5, 2023

A lot has happened since this episode of eGenesis, Inc. was published. The company announced the world's first successful transplant of a genetically engineered pig kidney in a living patient (under the expanded access pathway) in March 2024. The engineered pig kidney allowed the patient to live for almost 2 months before suddenly passing away. While there was "no indication" that the patient's passing was due to the transplant, there were earlier hopes for the transplant to function for at least two years. In the grand scheme of science, this was a major milestone for the field of xenotransplantation, making eGenesis' journey an interesting story to watch. In September the company announced its Series D financing of $191 million led by Lux Capital. The money will go towards getting its first human study underway. When I spoke to the company a year ago, CEO Michael Curtis discussed many facets of its FDA discussions and what a Phase I might look like. This was another fascinating episode to put together -- many "Sci-Fi, pinch-me" moments. Dr Adam Griesemer from NYU Langone Health also provides some invaluable color on the company's scientific story and what sets it apart from past xenotransplantation attempts. Listen to the full episode here (or wherever you get your podcasts!): https://lnkd.in/gkamtuCw Press release about first recipient: https://lnkd.in/eH_TNzHk Series D financing: https://lnkd.in/eMbWhfsN Original Episode Date: November 28, 2023

Rewinding back to this colorful episode on Ochre Bio....and a lot has happened with this company since this episode first aired. The company signed a $1 billion partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim and Co-Founder Jack O'Meara announced last month that he was stepping down and passing the CEO baton as the company heads into its next phase. It was super interesting to chat with Jack about his unique founder story -- particularly the challenges he had convincing investors to make an early bet on Ochre. From geography to age, to an unconventional founding duo and novel scientific thesis -- it's an inspiring story for the next generation of budding biotech entrepreneurs. While Jack talks about the company's mission and vision, the episode also features renowned liver expert, Dr Scott Friedman from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai who talks about Ochre's scientific thesis, unique opportunities and nuanced challenges ahead. Listen to the full episode here 🎧 : https://lnkd.in/gtm4B-Vj Available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. Original Episode Date: November 21, 2023

Revisiting our very first episode with Jason Park, CEO at Empress Therapeutics. In this clip, Jason speaks specifically about his unique experience working within the unique business model of Flagship Pioneering and how the idea for Empress (which raised $50 million in 2023) was born. Jason discusses the company's mission, goals and visions for the future while we also get views on Empress' scientific thesis from Professor Jim Collins (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Leon Henderson-MacLennan, MD, FACP Henderson MacLennan (inThought Research) Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/giHB9acS Available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. Original Episode Date: November 21, 2023

Excited to announce another new podcast has joined Health Podcast Network!! I met Surani Fernando earlier this year, and was blown away by the talent and incredible execution of her podcast Raising Biotech. From the simplicity of the shows title, to the expert narration and crafting of the stories in each episode, to the amazing insights and behind-the-scenes perspective, she shares, this podcast is a leading example of how to create audio-first, screen-light content. I highly recommend you add all the episodes to your summer playlist! https://lnkd.in/eGkmxzfW #healthPodNet #biotech #vc #investors

Thrilled to share that Raising Biotech is now part of the Health Podcast Network! 🎉 Big shoutout to Daniel Couchman Kendall for creating such an outstanding community of top-tier, health-focused podcasts. It’s an incredible honor to be invited to join this group! Following the success of our first two seasons (12 episodes), we’re working away on the next chapter. In the meantime, if you missed any episodes, now’s the perfect time to catch up! 🎧 ⏯️ ☕️ While some of the featured companies have since announced exciting news and updates, each episode remains an "evergreen" exploration of the unique origins and journeys of these promising biotechs -- each of which is securing impressive funding to drive ambitious medical breakthroughs. 💰💉💊 Season 1 🎙️: 1. Empress Therapeutics - cracking the code to novel small molecules 2. Ochre Bio - tackling chronic liver disease with human liver models 3. eGenesis, Inc. - breakthroughs with pig kidneys for human transplant 4. Synchron - brain implants allowing thoughts to control a digital device 5. Arialys Therapeutics, Inc. - tackling autoimmune neuropsychiatric diseases 6. Alltrna - leveraging tRNA therapeutics for ultra rare diseases Season 2 🎙️: 1. Mana.bio - programmable delivery of lipid nanoparticles 2. Fauna Bio - applying animal biology to human drug development 3. Ray Therapeutics, Inc. - restoring vision with optogenetics 4. Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - solving the 75-year old steroid problem 5. Cerevance - a new approach to treating Parkinson's disease 6. iOmx Therapeutics AG - shaking up the immuno-oncology field ⏯️: Listen to all these episodes on the Health Podcast Network, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen! https://lnkd.in/eReD-fwt

Congrats to Fauna Bio for being recognized with a Fierce 15 award from Fierce Biotech at such an early stage of R&D! Fauna's episode (S2, E2) on Raising Biotech was super fun to piece together! Take a listen here ⏯️: https://lnkd.in/eHvAz5e5

In the latest episode of Raising Biotech, well known biotech commentator Jared Holz, Healthcare Equity Strategist at Mizuho, gives his outsider's take and first impressions of German cancer biotech iOmx Therapeutics AG. He has seen a lot of companies rise and fall in the immuno-oncology space and speaks more from an investor perspective. During the episode, iOmx's CEO Apollon Papadimitriou discusses the desire for iOmx to IPO in the next two years. Beyond that, they'll see where the road takes them. Jared talks about potential investor appetite and M&A interest for a company like iOmx, pending further data. Give the episode a listen here ⏯ ☕: https://lnkd.in/gu7K-Yfz ...or wherever you get your podcasts! If you liked this episode, please share it around and rate and review it on Apple or Spotify. #biotech #venturecapital #cancer #immunooncology #IPO #investors

We usually hear about how biotech founders go knocking on investor doors for their first fundraising round, with varying success. In iOmx Therapeutics AG's case -- a few poster presentations at a cancer conference saw serious investors approaching them. The company was able to raise €40 million in its initial round (quite large for a European company!). Here's a clip from Raising Biotech's latest episode on the German biotech, with its academic founder Professor Philipp Beckhove from the University of Regensburg. The company has raised €115 million to date (since 2016), has another financing round coming up this year and a desire to go public in the next two years. This will be an interesting company to watch! Give the episode a listen here ⏯️ ☕️: https://lnkd.in/gu7K-Yfz ...or wherever you get your podcasts! If you liked this episode, please share it around and rate and review it on Apple or Spotify. #biotech #venturecapital #immunooncology #cancer #IPO