The BioHub - by Avetix

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni, Co-Founder and CEO of Zura Bio.

Sandeep's career has spanned consulting, investing, and operating roles across biotech, including positions at BCG, Roivant, and Immunovant, before going on to co-found Tourmaline Bio and now lead Zura Bio.

Zura is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases through a differentiated multi-asset strategy.

In this conversation, we discuss Sandeep's journey into the CEO role, the thinking behind Zura's strategy, the lessons he's learned from building companies, and how founders should navigate today's biotech environment.

We also explore company culture, portfolio building, and when founders should think about strategic exits versus building independently.

In this episode of The BioHub, Amber is joined by Trevor Martin, Co-Founder and CEO of Mammoth Biosciences.
Mammoth Biosciences is developing next-generation CRISPR technologies with the goal of unlocking the full potential of programmable medicine. Founded alongside Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, the company has built a platform focused on discovering and engineering novel CRISPR systems for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
During the conversation, Trevor shares the story behind Mammoth's founding, the evolution of the CRISPR field, and why delivery remains one of the biggest challenges in gene editing today. We also discuss the transition from platform innovation to therapeutic development, the role of AI and computational biology in advancing gene editing technologies, and what the future of programmable medicine may look like.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Sean MacDonald, CEO of Kainova Therapeutics.

Sean has spent more than two decades in biotech, helping build companies through strategy, fundraising, business development, and corporate leadership. Today, he leads Kainova Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company focused on unlocking the potential of GPCR biology in immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.

In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of Kainova from Domain Therapeutics, the thinking behind the company's rebrand, and why GPCR drug discovery is generating renewed excitement across the industry.

We also explore leadership, company culture across international teams, the lessons Sean has learned from decades of partnerships and dealmaking, and what's next for Kainova as the company advances its pipeline.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Cameron Pitt, Co-Founder and COO of Quanta Therapeutics.

Cameron's career has taken him from academic research at Stanford and UCSF, to venture investing at Versant Ventures and Sofinnova Investments, before helping form and build Quanta Therapeutics from the ground up.

Quanta is focused on one of the biggest challenges in oncology: targeting RAS-driven cancers. Using a novel approach designed to restore control of RAS signalling, the company is developing therapies aimed at addressing a broad range of RAS-driven tumours.

In this conversation, we discuss Cameron's transition from academia to venture capital and company building, the science behind Quanta, the realities of building a biotech company, and how the team is thinking about growth and fundraising in today's market.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Geert Kersten, Chairman and CEO of CEL-SCI Corporation.

Geert has led CEL-SCI for nearly three decades, overseeing the development of the company's lead immunotherapy candidate, Multikine, and navigating one of the longest and most challenging journeys in biotech.

In this conversation, we discuss the realities of building a biotech company over the long term, the persistence required to advance innovative therapies, and Geert's perspective on today's biotech market.

We also explore CEL-SCI's recent clinical progress, the company's long-term vision, and the lessons Geert has learned from spending almost 30 years at the helm of a public biotech company.