From science to startup: real talk on biotech founding paths | Hilary Schulz and Dr. Willliam Heath, Persephoni BioPartners
From science to startup: real talk on biotech founding paths. For many early-stage biotech founders, that’s where the real challenge begins—and that’s where Persephoni Bio Partners comes in. In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Hillary Schultz and Dr. William Heath share how their unique journeys from clinical medicine and pharmaceutical R&D to early-stage investing led them to co-found Persephoni Bio, a venture studio focused on transforming breakthrough science into scalable biotech companies. Hillary and William reveal the most overlooked reasons biotech startups struggle, highlighting that success often hinges more on the team than the technology. They offer candid insights into IP strategy, founder dynamics, and patient-centered development, while also emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.For anyone navigating the next step after Nucleate, this episode offers practical guidance and inspiration for building biotech that lasts! Time StampsPersonal Background and Motivation: 0:03:40 - Hillary discusses her early passion for heathcare and impact0:07:07 - William explains his journey into science, starting from childhoodNucleate Experience: 0:14:12 - Hillary's advice on making the most of Nucleate0:16:45 - William's perspective on Nucleate's valuePersephoni Bio Partners:0:26:09 - Hillary explains the founding of Persephoni0:28:56 - William discusses the mission of supporting early-stage biotechIP and Technical Challenges:0:47:48 - Discussion on IP strategies for startups0:57:11 - Technical challenges in biotech development0:58:39 - Importance of understanding patient needsEntrepreneurship Advice:1:02:11 - Advice for Nucleate Activator program graduates1:05:00 - Discussing entrepreneurial mindset and resilience1:07:24 - Embracing failure as a learning opportunityPersonal Balance: 1:10:47 - Hillary and William discuss work-life balance1:13:47 - Importance of team dynamics in success
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Breakthrough: The stories behind Life-Changing Therapies | Dr. William Pao former CDO of Pfizer
Follow us at https://signal.nucleate.xyz0:03:41 - Dr. Pao discusses losing his father to colon cancer at age 13, which motivated his career in medicine0:05:30 - Describes his early academic training, including his PhD work on Gamma Delta T cells0:09:54 - Begins discussing the EGFR mutation discovery in lung cancer research 0:13:16 - Shares the story of being "scooped" by other researchers when publishing his EGFR mutation findings0:32:44 - Starts discussing his book "Breakthrough: The Quest for Life-Changing Medicines"0:42:35 - Tells the serendipitous story of Tylenol's discovery0:58:38 - Begins discussing entrepreneurship and decision-making in drug development1:04:29 - Talks about starting his own company, Revelio Therapeutics1:11:28 - Discusses future trends in medical research and potential breakthrough areas1:15:52 - Offers final advice about resilience for aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists These timestamps highlight key moments in the conversation about Dr. Pao's career, research, book, and insights into medical innovation.
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Turning Genomic Insights into Breakthrough Therapies | Peter Campbell, CSO of Quotient Therapeutics
Follow us at https://signal.nucleate.xyz/[0:00] Peter begins by discussing his upbringing in a New Zealand university town.[2:39] He realizes he is not suited for bench work during his PhD and discovers a passion for computational analysis.[4:30] Campbell joins the Sanger Institute and participates in one of the first cancer genome sequencing projects using new technology.[8:00] He describes the revolutionary period of cancer genomics from 2008 to 2015, systematically exploring genetic changes in cancers.[12:32] Campbell shifts research focus to studying mutations in normal tissues across different organ systems.[13:44] Flagship Pioneering reaches out to discuss the potential clinical relevance of their research.[14:56] He co-founds Quotient Therapeutics with Flagship Pioneering to explore therapeutic applications of somatic mutation research.[20:39] Campbell explains the evolutionary process of mutations in cells, comparing it to natural selection.[26:49] He discusses the incredible genetic diversity within a single individual's cell populations.[35:12] The conversation explores the potential for personalized medicine based on genetic mutation analysis.[39:55] Campbell explains how cells adapt to environmental changes and potentially revert mutations when pressures are removed.[49:29] He describes Quotient's approach to identifying and potentially targeting specific mutations.[58:47] Campbell discusses the partnership with Pfizer in cardiovascular and renal disease research.[1:08:01] He compares the differences between academic and startup research environments.[1:15:39] Campbell offers final advice for entrepreneurs transitioning from academia to startups.
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Building Biotech: From the Lab to the Boardroom | Raj Devraj, CEO of Rectify Pharma
Follow us at signal.nucleate.xyz2:23 Raj describes growing up in India as a land of hustlers and the importance of being aggressive to advance oneself.6:37 Discusses the challenges of the current biotech funding environment and the importance of being capital efficient.11:17 Explains his career transition from large pharma to biotech, highlighting his ability to translate breakthrough science into products.21:11 Describes founding Rectify Pharmaceuticals and building a platform for positive functional modulators targeting membrane proteins.25:08 Explains the company's pivot to focusing on hepatobiliary diseases, particularly primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).33:00 Emphasizes the importance of relationships, mentorship, and getting feedback from various stakeholders in building a successful biotech company.56:46 Discusses how they initially vetted the Rectify platform by extensively researching ABC transporters and developing screening assays. 1:05:21 Highlights the courage to explore broader applications of their platform beyond rare monogenic diseases.1:12:44 Provides final advice for entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of having a detailed plan, being realistic, and building a strong founding team.
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The unsolved frontier: making the undruggable druggable | Eswar Iyer, Aikium
In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Aikium co-founder and CEO Eswar Iyer joins host Anastasia Janas to explore how drug discovery can move beyond structured targets to engage the disordered proteome. Aikium is developing SeqRs, programmable, sequence-specific binders that can selectively target intrinsically disordered regions of proteins, unlocking new therapeutic possibilities in cancer, neuroinflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Built using generative AI and screened with a proprietary trillion-scale mRNA display system, Aikium’s platform challenges the traditional assumptions of druggability and expands the therapeutic landscape into areas once considered inaccessible.Beyond the science, Eswar reflects on the emotional realities of building a company at the frontier of biology, sharing lessons on believing in an idea before the world is ready, navigating failure and doubt, and sustaining conviction when there is no established path forward. If you are interested in the future of therapeutics, the evolution of protein engineering, or the personal journey behind pioneering biotech startups, this conversation offers a rare and honest perspective.
France