🧬 Martin Brenner - iBio - Part 2 | Autonomy at Eli Lilly vs. Structure at Pfizer | Transitioning from AstraZeneca to Merck | Joys & Challenges When Relocating for Work | A Biotech Vision Leading to an Exit From Big Pharma

The Biotech Startups Podcast

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Part 2 of 3.
My guest for this week’s episode is Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio. iBio uses its AI drug discovery platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets to develop safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Rather than leaving drug discovery to chance, iBio guides the process using artificial intelligence, making therapeutic development smarter, faster, and more precise. Martin is a seasoned executive and drug hunter with a unique journey spanning electrical engineering to veterinary medicine to scientific leadership roles. He has led drug discovery teams at several top global pharma companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck. Prior to his current role at iBio, Martin was VP and head of R&D at Stoke Therapeutics, CSO at Recursion, and CSO at Pfenex, which was eventually acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Over the next three episodes, we cover a wide range of topics, including Martin's upbringing in Germany, his decision to pursue a DVM and a PhD in pharmacology, and his deep expertise with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and diabetic complications. Martin will also discuss his experience leading a modified mRNA therapeutics collaboration with Moderna.
Join us as we sit down with Martin Brenner as he talks about his transition from Eli Lilly to Boston where he rebuilt part of Pfizer, his move back overseas to Sweden with AstraZeneca, and his fascination with Moderna’s speedy biotech approach to pharmaceuticals. Martin discusses his vision of building a biotech within a large pharmaceutical company at Merck and how he ultimately decided to leave big pharma. Please enjoy my conversation with Martin Brenner.
Find Our Guest, Martin Brenner, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbrenner/
https://ibioinc.com/
Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
https://www.excedr.com
Timestamps:
00:28 Intro
01:27 Episode starts, opportunities at Eli Lilly shrinking, Martin relocating to the US, the decision to rebuild in Massachusetts with Pfizer
08:11 The difference between Pfizer and Eli Lilly’s approaches
12:08 The process of rebuilding at Pfizer
16:09 Martin’s transition to AstraZeneca, a misalignment for big pharma employees
18:28 Martin's move to Sweden and his opportunity at AstraZeneca
22:28 The fascination with Moderna’s ability to develop, the personal decision to transition from AstraZeneca, moving back to the US
25:36 How the opportunity at Merck started, another move from New Jersey back to Boston, ultimately getting out of big pharma and going into industry
32:11 Changing the company environment and culture for the better, how to allow scientists freedom while staying on course
35:48 Outro
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Enriched Notes:
Topics Mentioned:
Biotech Startup Support https://www.excedr.com/resources-category/biotech-startup-support
Biotechnology Lab Essentials https://www.excedr.com/blog/biotechnology-lab-essentials
How to Fund an R&D Startup https://www.excedr.com/resources/rd-startup-funding-first-steps
How Partnering with Big Pharma Can Support R&D https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-research
What Is Guide RNA (gRNA)? https://www.excedr.com/resources/grna
What Is DNA Extraction? https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-is-dna-extraction
A Guide to Grant Funding for Biotech Startups https://www.excedr.com/resources/grants-public-funding-biotech-startups
Understanding the IND Application Process https://www.excedr.com/blog/ind-application-process
People Mentioned:
Saswata Talukdar https://www.linkedin.com/in/saswata-talukdar-3b20942a/
Marcus Schindler https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-schindler-a9b843a/
Carina Ämmälä https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceammala/
Stéphane Bancel https://www.linkedin.com/in/st%C3%A9phane-bancel-8185251/
Ying Zhang https://www.linkedin.com/in/ying-zhang-22b7988/
Roger M. Perlmutter https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-m-perlmutter-73033920a/

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