Bonum Therapeutics

"[My advice to my younger self] would be to maintain relationships with people over time. I didn't necessarily. I enjoyed my postdoc. I enjoyed the people. There's a handful that I'm still friends with. But I wished that I had known that those people would also be my cohort going forward." In Part 4 of The Biotech Startups Podcast conversation with Bonum Therapeutics Chief Business Officer, Neela Patel, we explore the invaluable lessons learned throughout her career journey and the importance of nurturing professional relationships. In this episode, we cover: – The transition from Genentech to Poniard Pharmaceuticals and raising $37 million in Series A financing – Neela's experience leading Good Therapeutics, Inc. through its transition to Roche and the importance of strategic deal structuring – The mission and focus of Bonum Therapeutics, developing cytokine therapies for oncology with minimized toxicity and improved efficacy – The critical importance of maintaining relationships and building a network throughout your career – Advice for entrepreneurs on finding support and avoiding isolation in leadership roles This episode is packed with insights on navigating the biotech industry, from startup challenges to corporate partnerships, making it a must-listen for anyone in the field. Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify for this episode and more stories only a biotech exec can tell! #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

"Corporate development is really looking at how you can best both monetize your assets and grow your pipeline. So it's really about your bottom line, your ultimate bottom line... But how do you get there? Do you need to bring things in? Do you need to do some out-licensing? Do you do some collaborations?" In Part 3 of The Biotech Startups Podcast conversation with Bonum Therapeutics Chief Business Officer, Neela Patel, we dive deep into the world of corporate development and its crucial role in biotech success. In this episode, we cover: – The transition from Genentech to Poniard Pharmaceuticals and raising $37 million in Series A financing – Developing pipeline strategy and managing multiple research programs with limited resources – The challenges and opportunities of working in search and evaluation at Abbott and AbbVie – Creating a "democracy of ideas" to foster innovation and external collaboration in large pharma companies – Key factors for startups to consider when seeking partnerships or acquisitions with big pharma This episode is packed with invaluable insights for both startup founders and corporate development professionals in the biotech industry. Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify for this episode and more stories only a biotech exec can tell! #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

"Communication in all its forms, the diplomacy, the interpersonal piece of it, the external communication, it's critical. And I think, in our scientific training, the only communication skill we're formally taught is writing papers." In Part 2 of The Biotech Startups Podcast conversation with Bonum Therapeutics Chief Business Officer, Neela Patel, we explore the critical importance of diverse communication skills in the biotech industry, far beyond just technical writing. In this episode, we cover: – Learning the ins and outs of drug discovery and development at Roche through proactive networking and curiosity – Managing a cross-functional, international team and balancing stakeholder interests in academia and industry – The art of effective communication and "selling" your ideas within an organization – Transitioning to SUGEN and taking on the challenge of exploring new therapeutic areas – Establishing a pipeline in record time and the importance of aligning incentives in team collaborations This episode is packed with invaluable insights on navigating the complex world of biotech communication and leadership. Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify for this episode and more stories only a biotech exec can tell! #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

"Always hire people who are smarter than you are. And kind of implicit in that is you have to have the confidence, right? And also, your focus is on what you're trying to get done, not on your personal glory and self." In Part 1 of The Biotech Startups Podcast conversation with Bonum Therapeutics Chief Business Officer, Neela Patel, we explore the importance of humility, confidence, and focusing on the greater goal in leadership and scientific pursuits. In this episode, we cover: – Growing up in an intellectual household and how her father, a physicist at Bell Labs, shaped her leadership style and curiosity for science – The journey from humanities to biology, and how an internship at Genentech sparked her passion for life sciences – Navigating the challenges of graduate school at UCLA, including the importance of grit and determination in research – The value of cross-disciplinary work and the excitement of molecular biology in the early days of the field – Transitioning from academia to industry and the lessons learned along the way It's a fascinating look at the formative experiences that shaped a biotech leader's career trajectory and philosophy. Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify for this episode and more stories only a biotech exec can tell! #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast