Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators

Dave Gallup | EMPIRI - Functional Precision Oncology and Live Tumor Tissue Drug Response

In this episode of Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators, Don Alexander speaks with Dave Gallup, Co-Founder and CEO of EMPIRI, an oncology platform company advancing functional precision oncology through its E-slice platform. Dave discusses how EMPIRI is using live human tumor tissue to measure drug response while preserving native tumor architecture and the tumor microenvironment. The conversation explores how E-slice may complement genomic and molecular profiling, help bridge the translational gap between preclinical models and clinical outcomes, and support better decision-making in oncology drug development. Dave also shares his path from building biological analysis businesses to co-founding EMPIRI, including lessons from scaling complex technical platforms, earning market trust, and balancing scientific rigor with commercial execution. This episode covers functional precision oncology, live tumor tissue assays, oncology drug development, translational science, and the future role of empirical drug response data in cancer research and care. This episode was streamed live on YouTube on May 29, 2026. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠genecoda.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.genecoda.com/hire-life-sciences-executives/executive-insights-for-life-sciences-innovators-podcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Anil Goyal | IMMvention Therapeutix - Collaborations & Building Biotech Innovation Ecosystems

In this episode of Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators, Don Alexander speaks with Dr. Anil Goyal, Co-Founder and CEO of IMMvention Therapeutix, a VC-backed biotechnology company developing globally accessible therapies for rare and chronic diseases, including sickle cell disease and Friedreich’s ataxia. Anil shares insights from nearly 30 years in biotechnology leadership spanning company formation, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and therapeutic innovation across multiple modalities and disease areas. The conversation explores Immvention’s scientific approach, the realities of building emerging biotech companies in today’s funding environment, and the balance between scientific ambition and operational discipline. They also discuss Immvention’s strategic collaboration with Novo Nordisk focused on developing oral therapies for sickle cell disease and other chronic diseases, including what partnerships like these can signal about platform validation and long-term development strategy. Beyond his work in biotechnology, Anil is also a passionate ecosystem builder and co-founder of the OpenDoors Group, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing equity, diversity, and access for the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs and innovators. The discussion also touches on North Carolina’s growing R&D ecosystem and the importance of regional innovation clusters in advancing life sciences. This episode was streamed live on YouTube on May 18, 2026. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠genecoda.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.genecoda.com/hire-life-sciences-executives/executive-insights-for-life-sciences-innovators-podcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Stan Watowich | Ridgeline Therapeutics - Targeting Aging Biology and Chronic Disease

In this episode of Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators, Don Alexander speaks with Stan Watowich, Founder and CEO of Ridgeline Therapeutics and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Stan shares his journey from academic science to biotech company building, and how Ridgeline is developing small molecule therapies aimed at improving how we age and treat chronic disease. The conversation explores the company’s focus on NNMT, a key regulator of cellular energetics, and the broader opportunity to address age-linked conditions through targeted drug discovery. They also discuss the realities of translating academic research into commercial success, prioritizing programs in a constrained funding environment, and what it takes to build a company around high-conviction science. This episode was streamed live on YouTube on May 1, 2026. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠genecoda.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.genecoda.com/hire-life-sciences-executives/executive-insights-for-life-sciences-innovators-podcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Michael Heltzen | eXoZymes – AI-Enabled Cell-Free Biomanufacturing and the Future of Enzyme Engineering

In this episode of Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators, we speak with Michael Heltzen, CEO of eXoZymes, a publicly traded biotechnology company developing AI-enabled, cell-free biomanufacturing platforms designed to expand what is possible with enzyme engineering. Michael discusses the company’s thesis that producing complex molecules outside living cells may allow greater control, scalability, and speed compared to traditional biologic manufacturing approaches. We explore how advances in artificial intelligence are helping identify and optimize enzyme pathways, the strategic considerations involved in building a platform company in today’s capital environment, and what differentiates cell-free systems from more established synthetic biology approaches. We also discuss the realities of scaling a publicly traded life sciences company, how leaders balance scientific ambition with commercial discipline, and where cell-free biomanufacturing could create meaningful impact across nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets.This episode was streamed live on YouTube on April 17, 2026. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠genecoda.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.genecoda.com/hire-life-sciences-executives/executive-insights-for-life-sciences-innovators-podcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Charles Legg | CureLab Oncology – Advancing Immuno-Oncology Through Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment

In this episode of Executive Insights for Life Sciences Innovators, we speak with Charles Legg of CureLab Oncology, a biotechnology company developing novel immuno-oncology therapies designed to more precisely modulate immune pathways within the tumor microenvironment. Charles shares his perspective on how immunotherapy continues to evolve beyond first-generation checkpoint inhibitors and why a deeper understanding of tumor biology may lead to more durable and broadly effective cancer treatments. We discuss the scientific rationale behind targeting immune signaling pathways, the challenges of translating complex biology into therapeutic development programs, and how emerging platform approaches may shape the future of oncology innovation. We also explore the realities of building oncology companies in today’s capital environment, including capital efficiency, prioritization of development milestones, and how biotechnology leaders communicate complex scientific strategies to investors and partners. This episode was streamed live on YouTube on April 6 2026. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠genecoda.com⁠⁠ [https://www.genecoda.com/hire-life-sciences-executives/executive-insights-for-life-sciences-innovators-podcast/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.