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BIO from the BAYOU: Build Your Biotech Network with Key Opinion Leaders and Investors: Daily Summaries Delivered
by James Zanewicz
Are you struggling to find investors, funding, collaborators, and strategic connections in the ever-changing world of biotech?This show empowers biotech leaders with the tools, assets, and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes.Listen to “Bio from the Bayou” to learn how to:- Expand your network- Advance your product line- Make your company thriveWith over two decades of experience in biotech and business development each, hosts James Zanewicz and Elaine Hamm (from Tulane University School of Medicine) talk with their friends from the Gulf South and beyond to offer advice on networking, communication, and innovation, as well as unprecedented access to interviews with key opinion leaders in biotech.Every Wednesday, tune in to hear 15–20-minute episodes centered around solving biotech’s greatest challenges. If you’re ready to take the
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- 2 days ago28 min
Episode 139: How to Understand Venture Math - The Numbers Behind Biotech Innovation (RE-RELEASE)
Math doesn’t have to be intimidating, especially when it’s the kind that helps fund companies and move science forward. In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Isaiah Reeves, PhD, Biomedical Analyst at Solas BioVentures, for a practical and approachable deep dive into venture math. Drawing on his background as a scientist turned investor, Isaiah breaks down the core financial concepts every biotech founder should understand: from valuations and dilution to IRR, cap tables, and deal terms. The conversation offers real-world guidance for navigating fundraising, choosing the right partners, and avoiding common pitfalls that can derail long-term value creation. In this episode, you’ll learn: How venture capitalists think about valuations, dilution, and returns, and why fully diluted post-money matters. Key metrics like IRR and DPI, and how they influence investment decisions and fund performance. Common deal terms and cap table “red flags” founders should watch out for as they raise capital. Tune in to learn how understanding venture math can help founders make smarter funding decisions, protect long-term value, and build biotech companies positioned for sustainable growth and impact. Links: Connect with Isaiah Reeves, PhD, and check out Solas BioVentures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine, as well as Cadenza Bio. Connect with Josh Eckelberry, MBA, and Mark Corrigan, MD. Check out the books The Go-Giver and Venture Deals. Check out the podcasts STAT, Biotech Hangout, and 20VC. Check out our previous episodes on Networking as an Introvert and Solas BioVentures with Travis Manasco. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- 1 weeks ago
Episode 138: Building Biotech Across Borders – Translational Science, Hearing Loss, and the Reality of Drug Development
What does it take to move a scientific idea from the bench to patients, especially in some of biotech’s most challenging therapeutic areas? In this episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Gareth Willis, PhD, COO of Otologic Pharmaceutics and CEO of Exosla Therapeutics, for a candid conversation about translational science, biotech leadership, and the realities of drug development. Drawing from his experience across academia, Big Pharma, and startups, Gareth shares lessons from working in the biotech ecosystem, leading complex biologics programs, and developing therapies for hearing loss and tinnitus. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why translational science and patient impact became the driving force behind Gareth’s move from academia into biotech. How emerging technologies like AI are reshaping drug discovery and development timelines. What separates successful preclinical programs from the ones that fail, and why patient-centered thinking matters from day one. Tune in to learn how biotech leaders are navigating the highs and lows of drug development while working to bring meaningful therapies to patients with unmet medical needs. Links: Connect with Gareth Willis, PhD, and learn about Otologic Pharmaceutics and Exosla Therapeutics. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Life Science Courses from Gareth: Pharmaceutical Portfolio Strategies: Governance and Portfolio Management Advanced Due Diligence in Pharmaceuticals Pharmacology Essentials Training: Understanding Pharmacology in Drug Development Mastering Development and Regulatory Strategies in Cell Therapy Learn more about Elaine’s wine pub, The Study. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- 2 weeks ago22 min
Episode 137: How to Make the Right Deal with a Large Biotech or Pharmaceutical Company (RE-RELEASE)
What does it really take to land a successful biotech partnership—and what makes a deal fall apart? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Renee Williams, PhD, MBA, Founder and Managing Partner of Williams Biotech Consulting and Independent Board Director for AGS Therapeutics. With experience across major pharma companies like Eli Lilly and Janssen, Renee shares hard-earned insights from the front lines of dealmaking. From communication missteps to finding the right partner, she explains how to navigate biotech partnerships with clarity, confidence, and strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why overcommunication is key to every stage of the deal process. How to identify (and avoid) red flags in strategic partnerships. What scientists need to know to transition into biotech business roles. Whether you’re negotiating a licensing deal or dreaming of your first exit, this episode is packed with advice you won’t want to miss. Links: Connect with Renee Williams, PhD, MBA, and check out Williams Biotech Consulting and AGS Therapeutics. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about Eli Lilly and Janssen Pharmaceutical. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- 3 weeks ago20 min
Episode 136: The Power of a Personal Brand for Biotech Leaders, Startup Founders, and Healthcare Professionals (RE-RELEASE)
Wondering how to stand out in the crowded biotech world and build credibility that opens doors? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, explore the power of personal branding for biotech professionals. Whether you’re a startup founder, academic researcher, or key opinion leader, your brand can shape your career, attract collaborators, and grow your influence. With real-world stories, practical tools, and some laughs along the way, Elaine and James break down how to craft and share a brand that’s both authentic and impactful. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to define your value proposition and align your voice with your mission. Tips for building an authentic online presence and using platforms like LinkedIn effectively. Why your personal brand is key to trust, visibility, and long-term leadership in biotech. If you’re ready to build your reputation, expand your network, and become a go-to expert in your space—this episode is for you. Links: Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Jane Muir, RTTP, James McLachlan, PhD, Lisa Morici, PhD, Heddwen Brooks, PhD, Sarah Lindsey, PhD, and Ashley Stahl. Learn more about The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, You Turn, and EXTRA! Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- May 6, 202634 min
Episode 135: The Leaders Behind Discovery in Science - A Fireside Chat with Walter Isaacson (RE-RELEASE)
What can today’s biotech innovators learn from the greatest thinkers in history? In this special episode, we’re bringing you a live recording from BIO on the BAYOU featuring a fireside chat between Elaine Hamm, PhD, and Walter Isaacson — renowned biographer of Steve Jobs, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and other groundbreaking innovators. Together, they explore the power of curiosity, resilience, and imagination in shaping scientific discovery. From the origins of creativity to the ethical challenges of AI and gene editing, this conversation shines a light on the shared traits that drive humanity’s boldest breakthroughs. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why history’s greatest innovators were powered by relentless curiosity — not just intellect. What resilience looks like across centuries, from Leonardo da Vinci to modern-day misfits shaping the future. How scientists, universities, and the public can rebuild trust, communicate science better, and rekindle a shared sense of wonder. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends science, storytelling, and the timeless human drive to explore the unknown — straight from the BIO on the BAYOU stage. Links: Connect with Walter Isaacson and check out his new book The Greatest Sentence Ever Written. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- Apr 29, 2026
Episode 134: How to Connect with Family Offices for Biotech and Healthcare Investment
Venture capital isn’t the only path for biotech founders seeking growth capital. What if some of the most valuable investors are looking for relationships first and pitch decks second? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Neil Greene, Founder and CEO of JABOY Productions, to discuss how startups can successfully engage family offices and alternative investors in the life sciences space. Neil shares what founders often misunderstand about family office investing, why trust and relationship-building matter more than hard selling, and where investor interest is growing across healthcare and biotech. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why family offices can be a powerful (and often overlooked) funding source for biotech startups. How founders should approach relationship-building, due diligence, and investor conversations differently than with traditional VCs. Which life science sectors are generating the most interest today from family offices. Tune in to learn how biotech founders can broaden their funding strategy and build meaningful investor relationships beyond traditional venture capital. Links: Connect with Neil Greene and learn about JABOY Productions. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- Apr 22, 2026
Episode 133: How Tribal Nations Are Investing in Biotech and Shaping Healthcare Innovation
What can biotech founders learn from how tribal nations invest in innovation and healthcare? In this episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Chris Shilling, MBA, Chief Innovation Officer for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce, to explore how tribal nations approach investment, economic development, and healthcare innovation. From improving quality of life for their citizens to building sustainable ecosystems, Chris shares how mission-driven investment strategies can create meaningful impact while still driving growth and opportunity. In this episode, you’ll learn: How tribal nations approach investment differently, balancing financial returns with long-term community impact. Why building relationships and understanding each tribe’s unique goals is critical for founders seeking partnership. How tribes can serve as both innovation hubs and early adopters, creating opportunities for companies to scale. Tune in to learn how purpose-driven investment, strong partnerships, and a focus on community impact are shaping the future of healthcare innovation. Links: Connect with Chris Shilling, MBA, and learn about the Chickasaw Nation. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out our previous episode on Women in Clinical Trials. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
- Apr 15, 2026
Episode 132: The Reality of Being a CEO – Leadership Lessons from the Front Lines of Biotech
What does it really mean to be a CEO, and why does the role feel so different once you’re in the seat? In this episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, CEO of Connect, to unpack the realities of leadership at the highest level. James shares what surprised him most about becoming a CEO, the weight of responsibility, and how his perspective on leadership has evolved since stepping into the role. Together, they explore the evolving nature of leadership, the importance of building the right team, and why being a CEO is less about control and more about empowerment. Whether you’re a founder, aspiring executive, or already in the role, this episode offers a grounded look at what it truly takes to succeed as a CEO. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why being a CEO can feel isolating, and how to build the right support system. How to navigate decision-making, prioritization, and uncertainty when the stakes are high. The importance of team building, self-awareness, and continuous learning in effective leadership. Tune in to hear real-world CEO insights and learn how to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose in today’s biotech landscape. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Gretel von Son, MBA, Tre Braquet, Petra Stegmann, PhD, Lizbeth Dargi, Daniela Gama, and Rick Valencia. Learn more about OnWard. Check out the books The First 90 Days, The New CEO, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Check out our previous episode on Board Composition. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
About BIO from the BAYOU: Build Your Biotech Network with Key Opinion Leaders and Investors
Are you struggling to find investors, funding, collaborators, and strategic connections in the ever-changing world of biotech?This show empowers biotech leaders with the tools, assets, and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes.Listen to “Bio from the Bayou” to learn how to:- Expand your network- Advance your product line- Make your company thriveWith over two decades of experience in biotech and business development each, hosts James Zanewicz and Elaine Hamm (from Tulane University School of Medicine) talk with their friends from the Gulf South and beyond to offer advice on networking, communication, and innovation, as well as unprecedented access to interviews with key opinion leaders in biotech.Every Wednesday, tune in to hear 15–20-minute episodes centered around solving biotech’s greatest challenges. If you’re ready to take the
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