Reinventing R&D: collaboration for tomorrow’s therapies | Dr. Uli Stilz, BIH at Novo Nordisk
In this episode, Anastasia Janas and Paula Lengerke Diaz sit down with Dr. Uli Stilz, Head of the Bio Innovation Hub (BIH) at Novo Nordisk, to explore how strategic partnerships and emerging technologies are redefining the future of drug discovery. Uli reflects on his journey from chemistry and molecular biology to biopharma leadership, and shares how the BIH is accelerating breakthroughs in cardiometabolic diseases using emerging modalities like RNA editing, AI-guided drug discovery, and partnership-first science.Whether you’re an aspiring innovator, translational researcher, or healthcare entrepreneur, this episode offers a candid masterclass in how bold ideas get translated into impact — especially in the space of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.Show Notes0:00 - 02:20: Uli’s early fascination with science (and a chemistry set mishap at home)02:20 - 05:15: Transitioning from chemistry to biology to biophysics — and why it mattered05:15 - 09:45: The value of speaking multiple “scientific languages”09:45 - 13:00: Why Uli left academia for pharma, and what drove that leap13:00 - 17:30: Founding the Bio Innovation Hub (BIH) at Novo Nordisk17:30 - 20:00: Three big questions BIH is trying to solve in cardiometabolic disease20:00 - 24:30: How programmable RNA editing is being applied to drug discovery24:30 - 28:00: Why BIH funds early science without contracts — the Greenhouse model28:00 - 33:00: How AI, human biology, and subtyping diabetes open new possibilities33:00 - 36:30: What makes small biotechs a “superpower” in R&D36:30 - 41:00: The role of trust, creativity, and iteration in building partnerships41:00 - 45:20: Advice for young scientists: embrace discomfort, follow curiosity45:20 - 49:30: What excites Uli most? The unknown. “I’m most excited about the things I don’t know today.”
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If you’re not too early, you’re too late | Shelby Newsad, Partner at Compound VC
Time Stamps00:04 - 00:27: Introduction about research days in San Francisco00:27 - 01:11: Intro about Shelby 01:11 - 03:06: Shelby’s background and fascination for science 03:06 - 10:54: Discussion about translation from academia to real-world products0:10:54 - 21:12: Compound's investment approach & what makes a good thesis 21:12 - 24:15: Compound’s incubation model 24:15 - 30:06: What Shelby looks for when meeting founders30:06 -37:06: Conversation about biohacking and medical perspectives37:06 - 40:09: Discussion about potential future technologies40:09 - 41:32: Contact information and upcoming research days41:32 - 45:32: Closing thoughts about scientific optimismFInd more about the Podcast at the Signal Website
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Go start your company today: Dave Messina, GP Pioneer Fund
Follow us here https://signal.nucleate.xyz/02:16 - Dave discusses his early career path and how he got into science 04:41 - Dave’s work on the Human Genome Project 13:38 - Founding Cofactor Genomics16:42 - Discussing Pioneer Fund and its investment approach 48:58 - Thoughts on AI in health and biology 58:27 - Advice for founders in the current challenging funding environment 1:09:04 - How Pioneer Fund makes investment decisions 1:14:16 - Most difficult advice for entrepreneurs 1:16:47 - Final advice for founders: "Just go do it"
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Empowering Future Biotech Leaders | Dr. Michelle Hoffmann, CBC
Follow us https://signal.nucleate.xyz/Apply to the Entrepreneurial Fellows Program in Chicago with the CBC open from March 20-May 2,2025! https://chicagobiomedicalconsortium.org/awards/entrepreneurial-fellows/In our latest podcast, hosted by Sam Kessel, Dr. Michelle Hoffmann discusses her unique journey from a PhD in molecular neuroscience PhD to a biotech consultant, and how her experiences shaped her passion for developing future leaders in the biotech industry in Chicago.Dr. Hoffmann’s career path took her from academia to consulting, including a decade at Back Bay Life Science Advisors, where she used her scientific expertise to help biotech companies optimize their product strategies, secure funding, and build the biotech ecosystem via the Chicago Biomedical Consortium. She also discussed the Entrepreneurial Fellows program to train aspiring biomedical entrepreneurs in due diligence and company building within the Chicago ecosystem
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Rewriting Genetic Medicine with Epigenetic Editing | Dr Catherine Stehman-Breen, former CEO of Chroma Medicine
Follow us on https://signal.nucleate.xyz/04:14 - Dr. Stehman-Breen discusses her decision to pursue a career in medicine.05:49 - Dr. Stehman-Breen explains her specialty choice in internal medicine and nephrology.08:09 - Skills and mindset that prepared Catherine for a career in industry.13:53 - The critical impact that physicians can have in biotech19:03 - Overview of epigenetic editing and Chroma Medicine's approach.0:28:22 - Early days of building Chroma Medicine from the ground up.0:38:22 - Merger with NVelop Therapeutics and future directions.0:44:22 - Dr. Stehman-Breen offers advice for entrepreneurs and the value of an Entrepreneur in Residence role.0:49:22 - Balancing her demanding career with personal hobbies and interests.
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