From the Moon Landing to BioTech Breakthroughs with Paul Wotton

In this episode of "Conversations Life Science Leaders Aren't Having Today," Jeff welcomes Paul Wotton, the executive director of the Biotech Launchpad at Rice University. The Biotech Launchpad is a dynamic accelerator dedicated to translating the university's health and medical technology discoveries, particularly in the bioengineering and cell engineering departments, to commercialize their technologies swiftly to benefit patients worldwide. Paul is passionate about guiding companies at the Launchpad to envision the future impact of their technology and platforms. Paul's story is shaped by his early exposure to the Apollo 11 moon landing. As a young boy, Paul was captivated by the ambition and success of the US space program, which demonstrated the incredible possibilities achievable through innovation, planning, and determination. Throughout the conversation, Paul delves into his career journey, sharing insights on his role in turning platforms into products. He recounts his experiences in various companies, where he learned the importance of strategy and disciplined execution. Paul emphasizes the significance of understanding patient needs and the value of diverse, interdisciplinary teams in fostering innovation. Jeff and Paul discuss the challenges and opportunities in the biotech industry, with Paul advocating for a bold, visionary approach to problem-solving. He encourages life science leaders to engage in conversations with physicians and focus on impactful, patient-centric solutions. If you're passionate about biotech, innovation, and visionary leadership, you won't want to miss this episode. Paul challenges us to think bigger, solve bigger problems and move beyond “me too” strategies. To learn more about Paul and the Rice BioTech LaunchPad… https://biotechlaunchpad.rice.edu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-w-15246612/