Raising Biotech
A narrative podcast series hosted by journalist Surani Fernando that goes beyond the headlines to explore how biotech companies are really built — from bold ideas and impressive fundraises to the science that could reshape healthcare. Surani speaks with founders, CEOs, investors, and experts to uncover origin stories, company missions, and the challenges of bringing ambitious discoveries to market. Through thoughtful, independent reporting, Raising Biotech examines what it really takes to turn breakthroughs into lasting impact for patients and the industry.
For guest or sponsor pitches, please get in touch with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email [email protected].
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 29 minutes
- Episodes
- 17
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
S3, E3: AltruBio’s Cinderella story from bankruptcy talks to a $225M Series B to tackle autoimmune diseases - with CEO Dr Judy Chou
In this episode, we look at AltruBio’s Cinderella story. While the company officially launched in 2020, its roots go back more than 20 years with a rich immunology pipeline stuck in “academic-style e…
00:32:14 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
S3, E2: The Biotech Bromance: Serial CEO and Investor’s 20‑Year Journey of Building Biotechs with Steve Butts, Arrivo Bio and Dave Adair, Solas BioVentures
This episode of Raising Biotech takes a different turn — not just the story of a biotech, but of a partnership. Steve Butts, CEO of Arrivo BioVentures, and Dr. Dave Adair, Co‑Founder and Managing Par…
00:33:29 |
Wed 06 Aug 2025
S3, E1: How Xaira Therapeutics went from incubation to a billion dollar launch - with Vik Bajaj, CEO Foresite Labs
In this episode, we go inside the creation of Xaira Therapeutics — the biotech startup that raised over a billion dollars at launch without a product or clinical data.
Speaking with Vik Bajaj, CEO …
00:29:28 |
Wed 02 Jul 2025
It's been a while! Season 3 update from Surani
In this bonus episode, Surani shares an honest update on what’s been happening behind the scenes at Raising Biotech, why Season 3 took longer than planned, and what to expect going forward. From refl…
00:06:36 |
Wed 02 Jul 2025
S2, E6: iOmx and shaking up the immuno-oncology field with CEO Apollon Papadimitriou, Professor Phillip Beckhove (RCI) and Jared Holz (Mizuho)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani finally delves into the scary zone of cancer with German biotech iOmx. The company has raised a total of EUR 115 million (Series A and B) since its inceptio…
00:33:23 |
Tue 18 Jun 2024
S2, E5: Cerevance and a new approach to Parkinson's disease with CEO Craig Thompson and CNS expert Prof Karl Kieburtz (URMC, Clintrex)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into the world of CNS and Parkinson's disease with Cerevance. CEO Craig Thompson joins the podcast to speak about Cerevance's unique mission and use …
00:32:56 |
Tue 11 Jun 2024
S2, E4: Sparrow Pharmaceuticals and tackling the ravaging effects of steroids with founder David Katz and experts Dr Peter Merkel (UPenn), Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani learns that it's never too late to launch a biotech as Sparrow Pharmaceuticals was born when its founder, Dr David Katz, was ready to retire. During his lon…
00:34:35 |
Tue 04 Jun 2024
S2, E3: Ray Therapeutics leveraging optogenetics to tackle vision loss with CEO Paul Bresge and Dr José-Alain Sahel (University of Pittsburgh)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the fascinating world of vision restoration and optogenetics with Ray Therapeutics. The company raised an oversubscribed $100m Series A in May 2023…
00:33:51 |
Tue 28 May 2024
S2, E2: Fauna Bio tapping animal evolution and AI for drug development with CEO Ashley Zehnder and Prof Elinor Karlsson, Broad Institute (MIT/Harvard)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the truly unique story of Fauna Bio -- a female trio founding team that is studying evolution and the intersection of animal and human genomics to …
00:33:50 |
Tue 21 May 2024
S2, E1: Mana.bio and programmable lipid nanoparticles with CEO Yogev Debbi and RNA expert Dr Barry Ticho
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the multi-layered start-up story of Israeli lipid nanoparticle biotech Mana.bio. This is a tech meets biotech story, where AI and machine learning …
00:33:35 |
Tue 14 May 2024
S1, E6: Alltrna and tRNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases with CEO Michelle Werner and rare diseases expert Dr David Weinstein
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the untapped world of tRNA therapeutics with Flagship Pioneering-founded company Alltrna. The company raised $109 million in a series B in August 2…
00:30:09 |
Tue 19 Dec 2023
S1, E5: Arialys and a neuropsychiatry drug revival with CEO Jay Lichter and experts Marty Jefson (Pinteon) and Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into Arialys and its mission to revive an autoimmune encephalitis drug from the grave after big pharma no longer wanted it. The company founders are …
00:29:55 |
Tue 12 Dec 2023
S1, E4: Synchron and breakthrough brain implants with CEO Dr Tom Oxley, CCO Kurt Haggstrom and experts Dr Elad Levy (UB), Dr David Putrino (Mount Sinai)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into Synchron and its mission to develop a potential first-in-class implantable brain computer interface (BCI) that allows people with motor impairme…
00:33:51 |
Tue 05 Dec 2023
S1, E3: eGenesis and xenotransplantation with CEO Mike Curtis and Dr Adam Griesemer, NYU
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani Fernando speaks with eGenesis CEO Mike Curtis on its mission to create pig donor organs for humans waiting for a transplant. The company has raised $263 mil…
00:31:27 |
Tue 28 Nov 2023
S1, E2: Ochre Bio with CEO/Co-founder Jack O'Meara and liver expert Dr Scott Friedman, Mount Sinai
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani speaks with CEO and co-founder Jack O'Meara of Ochre Bio, a company dedicated to tackling the large and unsolved problem of complex and chronic liver diseas…
00:31:07 |
Tue 21 Nov 2023
S1, E1: Empress Therapeutics with CEO/Co-founder Jason Park + experts Prof Jim Collins, MIT and Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan, InThought
In the first episode of Raising Biotech, Surani speaks with CEO and co-founder Jason Park of Empress Therapeutics, a Flagship Pioneering company that was unveiled in June 2023 with a $50 million fina…
00:31:54 |
Tue 21 Nov 2023
Raising Biotech Trailer
A new narrative podcast series hosted by journalist Surani Fernando that explores biotechs raising impressive funds to develop ambitious medical breakthroughs. Surani speaks with CEOs and founders as…
00:01:35 |
Mon 13 Nov 2023
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