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Nucleate Podcast

Nucleate

Nucleate is the new voice for next generation biotech leaders.

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23 episodes
Avg 1 hr 13 min
English

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#51
Tuesday · 1 hr 47 min
Building, Breaking, and Rebuilding Biotech | Deborah Dunsire
She started out as a small-town GP in South Africa with zero idea a "biotech industry" even existed. Three decades later, Deborah Dunsire had led the launch of Gleevec — the first targeted cancer therapy ever approved — steered Millennium Pharmaceuticals through an $8.8 billion acquisition, and run two more companies through drug failures, board showdowns, and billion-dollar bets. In this episode, she takes us inside the moments that don't make the press release: a phase one cancer patient still
#50
September 24 · 1 hr 30 min
From Nobel-Winning Discovery to Co-Founding Biogen | Phil Sharp
In this episode of the podcast we are joined by Dr. Phillip Sharp, Nobel Prize Laureate and Institute Professor at MIT, who shares his story behind the groundbreaking discovery of RNA splicing. He explains how the work ethic and problem solving instinctions he built early on eventually led him to Caltech, and then MIT, where his 1977 discovery changed how we understand gene expression. Sharp discusses his journey from science into biotech entrepreneurship, co-founding both Biogen and Alnylam,
#49
September 17 · 57 min
Zero to One: The Precision Medicine Playbook for Cardiac Disease | Nolan Townsend Lexeo Therapeutics
This episode of the Nucleate Podcast features host Sam Kessler in conversation with Nolan Townsend, CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics, a New York-based clinical-stage biotech developing gene therapies for genetically driven cardiovascular disease. Nolan traces his path from healthcare investment banking at Lehman Brothers into more than a decade at Pfizer, where international P&L roles in Korea, Ukraine, and Western Europe sharpened his ability to navigate ambiguity and different healthcare systems, and
#48
September 10 · 1 hr 23 min
Refusing to give up on an Oncology Breakthrough | Dana T. Aftab, Exelixis
In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Dana Aftab, Executive Vice President, R&D at Exelixis, shares his journey to becoming a leader in drug discovery and what he’s learned along the way. It all began in the homeroom of eighth grade, when a video ignited a passion for biology that would lead him to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at Yale and a defining career in cancer therapeutics. He delves into the different research and drug development projects he’s been a part of, including early breakth
#47
July 23 · 1 hr 6 min
Using Philanthropy to Drive Cures for Multiple Myeloma | Stephanie Oestreich, PhD MMRF
In this episode, we welcome Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. She holds a PhD in biochemistry from Harvard Medical School and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, and has worked at the forefront of drug development at major pharma and biotech companies around the world. Stephanie introduces the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and delves into the latest advances in in vivo CAR-T and cell therapy that are driving meaningful progress towar
#46
June 23 · 1 hr 3 min
Translating Science into Patient Impact with Kendra Rose
In this episode we are joined by Kendra Rose, Senior Vice President of BD&L at Bayer, who brings a blend of scientific depth and business acumen to the conversation. Her journey began with a passion for science which led her to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at Stanford University, before making a pivot to take her expertise into industry and joining Johnson & Johnson, then Novartis, and now Bayer. Kendra reflects on the lessons that have shaped her career and offers advice for early-stage founde
#45
June 4 · 1 hr 6 min
Leading Mission-Driven Biotechs | Jodie Morrison, CEO of Q32 Bio
In this episode of the Nucleate podcast, Jodie Morrison, CEO of Q32 Bio, discusses her extensive career path from clinical research to executive leadership. She explains her strategic approach to leading companies, particularly in challenging "fixer-upper" scenarios where she prioritizes finding assets with "good bones" and building high-performing, mission-driven teams. She also details Q32 Bio's current focus on autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata, emphasizing the pursuit of safer biolog
#44
March 24 · 1 hr 36 min
From Genomics to Deal-Making: How Science Becomes a Company | Laurence Reid, Biotech Entrepreneur
In this episode, we sit down with Laurence Reid, former CEO of Decibel Therapeutics and Warp Drive Bio, former Chief Business Officer at Alnylam, and one of biotech’s most seasoned company builders. He reflects on his path from growing up in the UK and discovering science early, to finding his way into biotech through family influence, academic training, and his first scientific lab exposure at Celltech. Laurence shares how he moved from bench science into a broader role in biotech, starting
#43
March 10 · 1 hr 7 min
Negotiating Intellectual Property, Staying Focused, and Making the Most of Mentors with Michal Preminger, Board Member at MassBio
In this episode of the podcast we are joined by Michal Preminger, Board Member at MassBio, who shares her remarkable journey spanning across academia, biotech, and global healthcare innovation. It all began with a deep responsibility to make an impact in the world, which led her into the field of healthcare. But she soon discovered that what kept her motivated wasn’t the end goal, but the process of developing and translating scientific ideas into real products and companies. Michal explains ho
#42
February 24 · 56 min
How Turbine Accelerates Drug Discovery with AI Simulation | Szabi Nagy, CEO and Co-Founder of Turbine
In this episode we are joined by Szabi Nagy, CEO and Co-Founder of Turbine. He shares his first startup experience, and how the lessons he learned there helped shape his work at Turbine. He then goes on to introduce the company’s virtual lab platform, which allows researchers to simulate experiments with AI and accelerate drug discovery. Throughout the discussion, Szabi provides honest insights into fundraising in today’s tight capital markets and offers valuable advice for biotech founders on h
#41
February 10 · 50 min
The Science of Stem Cells and Social Impact: Inside Ovelle with Merrick Smela and Travis Potter
Merrick Smela, Chief Scientific Officer, and Travis Potter, Chief Executive Officer of Ovelle, joined the Nucleate Podcast to discuss their mission to revolutionize infertility treatment using in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). IVG is the process of creating eggs from normal cells that can be fertilized and implanted, a method first demonstrated in mice in 2016. Ovelle's goal is to provide an option for individuals who cannot use IVF, such as cancer survivors or those with low ovarian reserve, and ev
#40
January 27 · 1 hr 3 min
Inside TechBio Investing | Claire Smith, Partner at Springtide VC
In this episode of the podcast we sit down with Claire Smith, Partner at SpringTide. She reflects on her journey from a biological engineering student at MIT to her current role in venture capital, and the key lessons she’s learned along the way. Claire explains SpringTide’s investment scope, introduces companies from her portfolio, and shares what drives her investment decisions. The conversation also explores the current landscape of TechBio and AI, including how to distinguish genuine innovation from hype, how pharma is realistically adopting AI, and differences in East Coast and West Coast perspectives on the technology. Claire provides guidance for early-stage founders navigating today’s ever-changing environment. She discusses the importance of planning realistic timelines, how and when to launch a company, and what qualities investors are looking for. She advises on what makes a great pitch, arguing that the goal of the initial meeting is not to secure funding, but to earn a second conversation. Trust is built through preparation, authenticity, and intellectual honesty, never by faking it in biotech. Books mentioned: The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto Why Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management by Roger Lowenstein Time Stamps: 0:01:20 Introduction to Claire’s journey from MIT biological engineering to SpringTide 0:05:44 There’s “no overnight successes” in biotech 0:06:47 Claire’s experience as a start up operator at Crestovo and the key lessons she learned 0:09:35 Explanation of the investment scope of Springtide 0:12:31 How Claire assesses risk when building an investment portfolio 0:14:47 Things to consider when evaluating technical founders 0:15:55 Introduction to Paterna Biosciences and their impact within the fertility space 0:19:27 Platforms vs assets in tough capital markets and why Springtide has a countercyclical platform focus 0:22:50 Meaning of “look boring today, but will be infrastructure tomorrow” 0:24:24 Advancements in Palantir‑style business models for pharma 0:28:42 What does the term “TechBio” means to Claire 0:30:39 How the pharma industry is currently leveraging AI 0:33:55 Markers of AI success to keep an eye out for 0:35:29 How to identify companies that are driving genuine AI innovation 0:37:50 Example of Niche Bio and how they’re generating data for machine learning 0:39:22 Differences in opinions between East Coast and West Coast investors on AI 0:42:16 Advice for companies navigating the current capital market 0:44:16 Why proactive buffer planning is critical when setting a timeline 0:45:36 Advice for early stage founders on how and when to launch their company 0:50:59 What sets a great pitch apart 0:55:00 Explanation of the Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto 0:55:44 3 main points about SpringTide as an investment firm 0:58:28 Importance of forming authentic connections but don’t “fake it ‘til you make it” 1:01:22 Quick-fire questions
#39
Dec 20, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
Functional Precision Oncology, a new compass for cancer care | Apricot Bio
In this special panel episode recorded in Zurich, the founders of Apricot Bio, Michael Zering (CEO), Lucas Pelkmans (Scientific Founder), and Independent Professor Andreas Wicki from the University of Zurich explore the new field of functional precision oncology—an approach that goes beyond genomics to test how living cancer cells actually respond to treatment. The conversation covers the limits of genetic diagnostics, the promise of ex vivo drug testing, AI-driven decision-making, and how smart
#38
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
The Art and Science of Drug Hunting | Christoph Lengauer, CSO & Co-Founder of Curie.bio
In this episode, we sit down with Christoph Lengauer, co-founder of Curie.Bio, a venture creation firm, and former founding CSO and Chief Drug Hunter at Blueprint Medicines. Christoph's non-linear career began in Austria as the first in his family to attend college, leading him to pursue human genetics after reading a book on cancer. Despite finding success in academia, he quit science, only to return with a focus on creating medicines, which he considers the ultimate impact. This pivot led hi
#37
Nov 21, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
⁠Blackjack, Biosecurity and Big Bets | Alexander Titus, National Biotech Commissioner
In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Titus—computational biologist, founder of the In Vivo Group, Head of AI at Avidity Biosciences, and commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. From backpacking through Central America on a one-way ticket to becoming the first-ever biotech director at the U.S. Department of Defense, Titus has built a career around a simple ethos: do hard things with good people and have fun along the way. Titus shares how a last-minute
#36
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
The Science of Saving Millions | Mikael Dolsten, Fmr. CSO of Pfizer
In this episode, we meet with Mikael Dolston, former Chief Scientific Officer of Pfizer and board member of Novo Nordisk. Born in Sweden and trained as both a physician and scientist at Lund University, Mikael’s childhood curiosity blossomed into a lifelong quest to “decode the language of life.” From early days mentoring medical students to answering the call of industry giants like AstraZeneca and Wyeth, his journey is proof that scientific passion can open unexpected doors on the global stag
#35
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
What it Takes to Build a $50B Biotech Moonshot | John Maraganore, Founding CEO of Alnylam Therapeutics
In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. John Maraganore, the legendary founding CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and one of the most influential voices in modern therapeutics. Raised in a Greek immigrant family in Chicago, John’s journey is a rare blend of scientific obsession, business acumen, and relentless optimism. We cover his whole career journey. From his early days at Biogen, where he invented the anticoagulant bivalirudin (Angiomax), to taking a leap of faith on RNA interference when
#34
Oct 6, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Heartbreak to Hope: A Mother’s Mission to Cure Angelman Syndrome | Dr Allyson Berent, CSO of FAST
In this episode, Allyson Berent, Chief Science Officer, Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST), shares her remarkable journey from a career in veterinary medicine to becoming a leading advocate and innovator in the field of rare disease drug development, inspired by her daughter’s diagnosis with Angelman syndrome. She recounts the challenges of obtaining an early diagnosis, the emotional impact on her family, and her determination to find solutions where none existed. Allison describes how she immersed herself in scientific research, connected with experts, and joined the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics, eventually helping to launch and lead multiple initiatives aimed at accelerating the development of transformative therapies for Angelman syndrome and similar neurodevelopmental disorders. Throughout the conversation, Allison emphasizes the importance of true patient-focused drug development, sharing how her personal experience shaped her approach to building companies, running clinical trials, and fostering collaboration across the biotech ecosystem. She offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and executives, urging them to listen to patients and families, remain humble, and surround themselves with experts to address knowledge gaps. This episode highlights the profound impact that new therapies are having on patients’ lives and underscores the value of mission-driven innovation in advancing treatments for rare diseases. Time Stamps 00:02 – Introduction and Allison’s upbringing and early interest in veterinary medicine. 00:15 – Allison shares the story of how she decided to become a vet and her educational journey. 01:34 – She discusses her career as a vet, starting a family, and her daughter’s diagnosis with Angelman syndrome. 04:36 – Allison describes the early signs, medical consultations, and the process of getting a diagnosis for her daughter. 11:22 – Sam and Allison discuss the challenges of delayed diagnosis and the importance of proactive care. 13:01 – She shares stories from the community and changes in genetic testing practices. 0:14:35 – Allison explains how she and her family responded to the diagnosis and her drive to find solutions. 18:18 – She describes connecting with the foundation, joining the board, and developing a roadmap for a cure. 26:15 – The process of moving from mouse model research to human clinical trials, raising funds, and starting a company. 31:12 – Discussion on what true patient-driven development means and how it shaped Allison’s approach. 39:07 – Allison details the journey of the company, partnership with Ultragenyx, and the impact of the acquisition. 45:49 – Explanation of the accelerator model, portfolio companies, and collaborative approach to drug development. 51:20 – How the accelerator shares resources and knowledge across programs and with other companies. 52:24 – Quincy’s Progress and the Impact of New Therapies,participation in clinical trials, and the real-world impact on families. 56:05 – Sam and Allison discuss the life-changing effects of new treatments for Angelman syndrome. 58:56 – Allison offers advice on keeping the patient at the center of drug development and listening to families. 1:06:13 – She shares suggestions for integrating patient stories and perspectives into company culture and meetings. 1:09:14 – Final Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs: Allison emphasizes humility, gap analysis, teamwork, and resilience for those starting companies. 1:11:53 – Conclusion and Thanks
#33
Sep 18, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
Decoding the Future: Data, AI, and Biotech with Joe Horsman, Madrona Ventures
In our latest episode of the Nucleate Podcast, we sit down with Joe Horsman, Investor at Madrona VC, to explore his unique path from academic researcher to biotech operator and ultimately to venture capital. Joe shares how growing up in Seattle shaped his passion for science, why he pursued a PhD in biochemistry, and what it took to stand out when transitioning into industry. From early roles at NanoString and Stratos Genomics to the Roche acquisition, he reflects on lessons learned across startups and large companies alike. We talk about: 🔹 His transition from academia to industry and the importance of differentiating a PhD resume 🔹 Lessons from NanoString, Stratos Genomics, and the Roche acquisition 🔹 Navigating culture shifts from startup to big pharma 🔹 Madrona’s investment thesis at the life sciences–tech intersection 🔹 How AI and data science are reshaping the drug development lifecycle This one’s for anyone curious about where biotech meets computer science, and what it takes to build companies that endure
#32
Sep 11, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
When board turns, but mission stays | Armon Sharei, Founder & CEO at Portal on Resilience in Biotech
In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Armon Sharei shares his journey from early life experiences in California, Iran, and Dubai to pursuing higher education at Stanford and MIT, ultimately leading to a career at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores his motivations to make a positive impact on the world, the transition from academia to founding his first company Squeeze: a company based on innovative cell engineering technology and the challenges of navigating the biotech industry. Armon discusses the evolution of Squeeze from a platform to a therapeutics company, the difficulties of convincing investors and industry veterans, and the high-stakes decisions that shaped the company’s fate, including a major strategic pivot and the eventual fallout with the board. The episode also delves into personal and professional lessons learned, including the impact of a cancer diagnosis, the importance of safety and quality of life in drug development, and the value of mentorship and betting on talent. After Squeeze's liquidation, Armon founded Portal Biotechnologies, applying hard-earned lessons to focus on enabling broad innovation in cell therapy through platform technology. The discussion highlights the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, the significance of resilience, and the ongoing mission to empower others in the field, all while balancing personal passions and family life. Episode Notes: 00:00- Kicking off the episode and setting the stage 02:25- Armon shares a quick overview of his journey 03:24- He reflects on growing up in California, Iran, Dubai, and the US and how it shaped his worldview 05:13- Armon talks about his early love for science and how he chose his career path 06:26- Diving into Armon’s first big ideas and research interests 08:14- Armon discusses the shift from scientist to entrepreneur 10:47- How Squeeze was born. Armon shares the story behind the tech and his PhD research 13:58- Mapping the journey: PhD, founding Squeeze, and postdoc life 18:45- Armon opens up about the challenges of being a young biotech founder and raising early funding 22:53- He explains the strategic pivot from platform tech to therapeutics 26:40- Highlighting key wins: investor interest and the Roche partnership 20:01- Armon shares the tough moments — going public, market shifts, and internal debates 34:34- Navigating board decisions, layoffs, and the fallout with Roche 36:34- Armon reflects on leaving Squeeze and the emotional toll it took 40:27- Starting Portal: Armon shares what motivated him to begin again 44:27- Armon opens up about his cancer diagnosis and how it changed his perspective 49:03- Lessons from being a patient, Armon talks about safety and quality of life in drug development 51:11- He shares broader insights on industry incentives, pricing, and systemic challenges 54:10- What makes Portal’s tech unique? Armon breaks down its competitive edge 56:57- Real-world use cases and early adopters of Portal’s platform 1:00:21- Armon discusses the long-term vision: platform-first vs. therapeutics 1:03:49- Armon highlights the importance of mentorship and betting on talent 1:09:33- He talks about balancing work, life, and personal passions

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