🧬Michael Chen - Nuclera - Part 2 | From Grad Student to Biotech CEO | Unique Challenges Combining Science & Business | Developing Breakthrough Products | Building Partnerships with Big Pharma | Creating a Biotech GTM Strategy

The Biotech Startups Podcast

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Part 2 of 2: Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs.

Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field.

Michael’s experiences at the lab bench and as a CEO make this conversation one you don’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

• Michael’s journey from graduate studies to co-founding Nuclera
• The unique challenges scientists encounter in the business world
• The importance of adaptability and key lessons in developing/marketing a breakthrough product
• Michael’s insights into navigating big pharma’s lengthy sales cycles and building successful partnerships
• Creating a Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for a biotech and identifying early adopters

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Michael Chen.

Links:

Subscribe to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994

Find Our Guest, Michael Chen, at these links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenmc/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.nuclera.com/company/board/michael-chen/

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee

https://www.excedr.com

Excedr Socials & Website

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excedr

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Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/

Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:

Nuclera: https://www.nuclera.com/

Academic Research vs. Industrial Research: https://www.colabra.ai/blog/difference-in-scientific-research-in-academia-vs-industry/

Nuclear’s Protein Platform: https://www.nuclera.com/technology/

Protein Engineering: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4931902/

Gene Synthesis: https://www.biomatik.com/blog/the-basics-of-gene-synthesis-a-comprehensive-guide/

eProtein Discovery Instrument: https://www.nuclera.com/system/instrument/

Go-Market Strategy (GTM): https://www.coursera.org/articles/go-to-market-strategy

Marketing & Sales Tools for Biotechs: https://www.excedr.com/blog/marketing-sales-strategies-for-biotechs

Biotech Partnerships: How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research

How to Bootstrap a Biotech Tools Startup: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startup

People Mentioned:

Timestamps:

00:49 Intro

02:44 Key differences between graduate studies and entrepreneurship

06:21 Succeeding as a startup: idea vs. ability to execute

07:43 Nuclera's mission and the importance of de novo DNA synthesis

11:09 Where the DNA synthesis market is headed and Nuclera's evolution

14:19 Do you want to compete with or empower the protein maker?

16:35 Conceptualizing Nuclera's Go-to-Market strategy

21:20 Figuring out how to explain and market Nuclera's technology

31:52 Building successful partnerships with Big Pharma

39:21 Excedr's leading indicators of commercial success

45:40 Nuclera's sales enablement and focus on in-person events

55:29 Michael's goals for Nuclera and improving operations, sales, marketing, etc.

58:31 Shout-outs and advice to younger self

01:03:00 Outro

The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.