BIO from the BAYOU: Build Your Biotech Network with Key Opinion Leaders and Investors

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 thrive With 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 necessary steps towards success, start with fan-favorite Episode 58: Top Ways to Build Your Network as an Introvert in Biotech.

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 111: The #1 Way to Build Your Network as an Introvert in Biotech and Beyond (RE-RELEASE)

    Does networking stress you out? Are you having difficulty connecting with colleagues at conferences or partnering events? Mastering the art of genuine connection is essential to advancing your career and building your network. In this listener-favorite episode, James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, dive deep into their personal strategies for networking success. With years of experience attending and producing biotech events, they share invaluable tips, insights, and even some humorous stories about their networking journeys—both the wins and the awkward moments. Whether you're an introvert looking for practical tips to step out of your comfort zone or an extrovert wanting to refine your approach, this episode offers something for everyone. In this episode, you'll discover: How to approach networking with authenticity, whether you're an introvert or extrovert. Tips on building genuine connections at biotech events and staying in touch after. Practical rules to position yourself to get the most out of networking, even if it's outside your comfort zone. Tune in to learn how to connect authentically, overcome social anxiety, and make the most out of your next networking opportunity. Links: Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn about James’ first communications role: 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.

    13 min
  2. OCT 29

    Episode 110: Transforming Maternal Healthcare Through Telemedicine, Trust, and Resilience

    From escaping Communist Romania to pioneering telemedicine in maternal health, this story redefines what it means to lead with purpose. In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Luissa Kiprono, DO, MBS, MBA, FACOG, CEO Physician and Founder of World Gateway Perinatal Consultants and TeleMed MFM, as well as author of “Push, Then Breathe: Trauma, Triumph, and the Making of an American Doctor.” Dr. Kiprono shares her extraordinary path – from escaping Communist Romania to becoming an Air Force officer and a high-risk pregnancy specialist – and how she’s reshaping women’s health through virtual care. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Dr. Kiprono defines true resilience and how it shaped her life and leadership. The power of telemedicine to eliminate barriers to care for pregnant women in rural and underserved communities. How to rebuild trust between doctors and patients in the US. Tune in to hear how Dr. Luissa Kiprono is transforming both maternal care and the meaning of resilience for women everywhere. Links: Connect with Luissa Kiprono, DO, MBS, MBA, FACOG, and check out TeleMed MFM and her book Push, Then Breathe: Trauma, Triumph, and the Making of an American Doctor. 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 happening RIGHT NOW in New Orleans! 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. OCT 22

    Episode 109: How Collaboration is Transforming Biotech and Drug Development – Inside the Critical Path Institute

    What if drug development could be faster, more efficient, and centered on what matters most to patients? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Klaus Romero, MD, CEO of the Critical Path Institute (C-Path), to explore how two decades of global collaboration have reshaped the way we bring new medicines to life. From redefining clinical endpoints to accelerating treatments for complex diseases like Alzheimer’s and tuberculosis, C-Path is leading a movement to remove bottlenecks in drug development through data, regulatory science, and partnership. In this episode, you’ll discover: How C-Path’s collaborative model helps de-risk and speed up the drug development process. Why patient-focused science is so essential for meaningful innovation. How data sharing, trust-building, and regulatory transparency drive real-world impact. Tune in to learn how C-Path is bridging science, regulation, and patient need—transforming the future of drug development through collaboration. Links: Connect with Klaus Romero, MD, and check out Critical Path Institute. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about Cadenza Bio and the FDA's Critical Path Initiative. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. 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.

  4. OCT 15

    Episode 108: Solving the Healthcare Workforce Crisis – What Biotech Leaders Need to Know

    Is the future of biotech innovation at risk because of workforce shortages? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Van Ton-Quinlivan, MBA, CEO of Futuro Health and host of the WorkforceRx podcast, about how the biotech and healthcare industries can overcome the growing workforce crisis. Together, they explore how intentional workforce development, stackable credentials, and stronger partnerships between industry and education can help close the talent gap and create a more diverse, sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why workforce shortages—not funding—may be the biggest threat to healthcare innovation. How stackable credentials and education partnerships can expand access to biotech and allied health careers. Strategies for building a diverse and future-ready workforce that keeps innovation moving forward. Tune in to hear how biotech and healthcare leaders can tackle the talent crisis head-on and build a stronger, more resilient future for innovation. Links: Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan, MBA, and check out Futuro Health and the WorkforceRx podcast. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, and NextFlex. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. 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.

  5. OCT 8

    Episode 107: How Hearing Loss Research Is Shaping the Future of Neurodegenerative Health

    What if preventing hearing loss could also help prevent dementia and other aging-related diseases? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, speaks with Celia Belline, Co-Founder and CEO of Cilcare, a biotech company pioneering therapies and analytics for hearing disorders. Celia shares how her company evolved from early research roots into a global leader tackling the connection between auditory health and cognitive decline. From building a business in a niche market to striking a major partnership with Shionogi, she reveals what it takes to innovate in an underexplored — yet crucial — area of biotech. In this episode, you'll learn: How hearing loss research offers powerful insights into preventing dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Why Cilcare built a unique three-part model combining external innovation, therapeutics, and auditory analytics. Lessons from taking bold risks in an emerging field — and advice for founders on building partnerships that last. Tune in to discover how addressing hearing loss today could change the future of aging and brain health. Links: Connect with Celia Belline and check out Cilcare. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Sylvie Pucheu, PhD, and Marie-Pierre Pasdelou, PharmD, the other co-founders of Cilcare. Check out Sanofi and Shionogi. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. 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.

  6. OCT 1

    Episode 106: The Story Behind BIO on the BAYOU 2025 – Building the Gulf South Biotech Hub

    What makes the Gulf South one of the most exciting—and overlooked—regions for biotech innovation? In this special episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD (Tulane Medicine), Patrick Reed, RTTP (Auburn University), and Marcus Brown, PhD (LSU Health) come together to explore the origins, growth, and future of BIO on the BAYOU, the preeminent event showcasing biotech across the Gulf South. From its beginnings as a collaboration between Tulane and LSU, to its expansion into a regional destination that attracts universities, startups, investors, and global partners, this conversation dives into why BIO on the BAYOU has become a must-attend for biotech leaders (returning October 28 & 29, 2025). In this episode, you’ll learn: How BIO on the BAYOU grew from a local idea to a marquee conference drawing national and international attention. Why the Gulf South’s overlooked science, startups, and universities are finding their spotlight through this event. The unique mix of panels, pitches, partnering, and New Orleans-style networking that sets BIO on the BAYOU apart. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or simply curious about the future of Gulf South biotech, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the story behind BIO on the BAYOU 2025. Links: Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Patrick Reed, RTTP, and learn about Auburn University. Connect with Marcus Brown, PhD, MBA, and learn about LSU Health New Orleans. Check out the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) and check out their BioChallenge 2025. Check out The Bullpen and PartneringONE. 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.

  7. SEP 24

    Episode 105: Women’s Health, Clinical Trials, and Changing the System in Biotech Innovation

    How can we fix a healthcare system that has too often overlooked women? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, speaks with Georgie Kovacs, MBA, Founder and CEO of Fempower Health, about her mission to empower women through evidence-based information and community support. Georgie shares her journey from personal experience with endometriosis to building a trusted platform that connects women with leading experts. Together, Elaine and Georgie dig into the history—and ongoing challenges—of women’s inclusion in clinical trials, the gaps in data that still shape care today, and why patient advocacy and systemic change are more critical than ever. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why women were historically excluded from clinical trials—and the consequences still felt today. How patient advocacy, informed consent, and inclusion can reshape women’s healthcare. What biotech leaders, clinicians, and investors must consider when designing studies and funding women’s health innovations. Tune in to hear Georgie’s vision for transforming women’s health from fragmented care into informed, empowered, and equitable solutions. Links: Connect with Georgie Kovacs, MBA, and check out Fempower Health. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out the Endometriosis Working Group and take the survey. Learn more about the Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Precision Medicine. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. 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.

  8. SEP 17

    Episode 104: Key Lessons from North Carolina’s Thriving Biotech Startup Ecosystem

    How do you turn world-class science into sustainable biotech companies that grow both patients’ futures and local economies? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, speaks with Dave Ousterout, PhD, Co-Founder and General Partner of Cape Fear BioCapital. Drawing from his journey as a biotech entrepreneur and now investor, Dave shares how his team is working to transform North Carolina’s biotech ecosystem—filling funding gaps, building strong teams, and helping startups move from promising science to impactful medicines. In this episode, you’ll discover: The key lessons Dave learned as a biotech founder and how they shape his investment strategy today. Why Cape Fear BioCapital focuses on “building, not just picking” companies in North Carolina. What investors want to see from early-stage biotech startups and how founders can prepare to meet those expectations. Tune in to learn how Cape Fear BioCapital is fueling innovation and what biotech leaders everywhere can take away from their approach. Links: Connect with Dave Ousterout, PhD, and check out Cape Fear BioCapital. Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ed Field, MBA, Jimmy Melton, MHA, and Paul Garofolo. Learn more about Locus Biosciences, Inceptor Bio, Moore Strategic Ventures, G1 Therapeutics, Thoracic Innovations, TEN63 Therapeutics, and Boehringer Ingelheim. Listen to our previous episode with Travis Manasco. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. 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.

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

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 thrive With 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 necessary steps towards success, start with fan-favorite Episode 58: Top Ways to Build Your Network as an Introvert in Biotech.

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