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

James Zanewicz
  • 5.0 (11)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 1H AGO

    Episode 130: Bridging Collaboration Across Biotech Ecosystems for Greater Impact

    What happens when two distinct innovation ecosystems, one rooted in the Gulf South and the other on the West Coast, come together with a shared goal? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, for a dynamic conversation on how regions like the Gulf South and the San Diego binational ecosystem can collaborate to accelerate biotech innovation. From cross-border partnerships and shared workforce models to creative approaches for connecting founders, investors, and institutions, this episode explores what real collaboration looks like beyond the buzzword. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why binational and cross-regional models can unlock new opportunities in biotech, from workforce to commercialization. How the Gulf South’s culture of collaboration creates a strong foundation for ecosystem growth. Practical ways to move from talking about collaboration to actually executing it, including shared events, partnerships, and accountability. Tune in to learn how intentional collaboration, complementary strengths, and a willingness to act can connect ecosystems and create new opportunities for biotech innovation across regions. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Patrick Reed, RTTP. Learn more about the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Bio International. 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.

  2. MAR 25

    Episode 129: How to Fund Your Biotech Startup in Today’s Competitive Ecosystem

    Biotech is still open for business, but what does it really take to get funded in today’s market? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, the CEO of Connect, for a candid conversation on the current biotech funding landscape and what founders are up against right now. From longer timelines and more selective investors to the growing importance of relationships, differentiation, and capital strategy, they break down what’s changed for early-stage companies. Drawing from both of their experiences, they explore how founders can navigate today’s environment with sharper focus, stronger storytelling, and a more disciplined approach to execution. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why strong science is no longer enough, and how founders must clearly demonstrate a path to value creation and return on investment. How to build a “patchwork” capital strategy across venture, non-dilutive funding, partnerships, and alternative sources. What founders should prioritize today, from milestone planning and capital efficiency to operational discipline and relationship building. Tune in to learn how to navigate a tougher biotech market, position your company for funding, and build a strategy that stands out in an increasingly competitive landscape. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. 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. 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. MAR 18

    Episode 128: The Return of James Zanewicz – Building a Lasting Biotech Innovation Ecosystem with Connect

    What can a 40-year-old innovation organization teach today’s startup ecosystems about staying relevant and driving impact? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, the original voice behind this podcast and now CEO of Connect in San Diego. James shares insights from stepping into leadership at one of the nation’s most established innovation organizations, reflecting on Connect’s evolution from a hands-on startup support model to a globally recognized ecosystem builder. The conversation explores what it takes to sustain and grow innovation communities over decades, and how lessons from mature ecosystems can inform emerging regions like the Gulf South. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why even the most established innovation organizations must continuously evolve to stay impactful. How Connect is positioning itself as a “front door” to help entrepreneurs navigate dense ecosystems. What founders actually need from ecosystem support and how to deliver it in practical, actionable ways. Tune in to learn how leadership, adaptability, and a founder-first mindset can shape the future of innovation ecosystems in both mature and emerging regions. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about Cleantech, San Diego Sports Innovators, and Athena. Connect with Guy Kawasaki, MBA, Petra Stegmann, PhD, and Daniela Gama. Check out the book The First 90 Days. Check out our previous episode with Australia’s Alita Singer and David Brown. 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.

  4. MAR 11

    Episode 127: How to Build a Biotech Community Beyond the East and West Coasts

    What does it really take to build a sustainable biotech ecosystem outside of traditional hubs like Boston and San Francisco? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Christin Godale, PhD, Executive Director of LifeSciKY, to explore how regional innovation communities can grow from the ground up. Christin shares how LifeSciKY is helping entrepreneurs access lab space, shared equipment, mentorship, and community support. The conversation dives into the realities of building biotech infrastructure in emerging regions, and why success comes from leaning into local strengths, building partnerships, and creating opportunities for founders to succeed where they are. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why successful biotech ecosystems rely on strong partnerships between government, industry, and academia. How regions outside traditional biotech hubs can build sustainable innovation communities by leveraging their unique strengths. What incubators and shared lab spaces must provide beyond real estate to truly support founders and early-stage companies. Tune in to learn how collaborative communities and intentional partnerships can transform regional innovation ecosystems and create new opportunities for biotech entrepreneurship. Links: Connect with Christin Godale, PhD, and learn about LifeSciKY. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine, as well as Cadenza Bio. Learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientific, Project Medtech, and SmartHealth Catalyzer. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU. 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. MAR 4

    Episode 126: Venture Math 101 – The Numbers Behind Funding Biotech Innovation

    Math doesn’t have to be intimidating, especially when it’s the kind that helps fund companies and move science forward. In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Isaiah Reeves, PhD, Biomedical Analyst at Solas BioVentures, for a practical and approachable deep dive into venture math. Drawing on his background as a scientist turned investor, Isaiah breaks down the core financial concepts every biotech founder should understand: from valuations and dilution to IRR, cap tables, and deal terms. The conversation offers real-world guidance for navigating fundraising, choosing the right partners, and avoiding common pitfalls that can derail long-term value creation. In this episode, you’ll learn: How venture capitalists think about valuations, dilution, and returns, and why fully diluted post-money matters. Key metrics like IRR and DPI, and how they influence investment decisions and fund performance. Common deal terms and cap table “red flags” founders should watch out for as they raise capital. Tune in to learn how understanding venture math can help founders make smarter funding decisions, protect long-term value, and build biotech companies positioned for sustainable growth and impact. Links: Connect with Isaiah Reeves, PhD, and check out Solas BioVentures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine, as well as Cadenza Bio. Connect with Josh Eckelberry, MBA, and Mark Corrigan, MD. Check out the books The Go-Giver and Venture Deals. Check out the podcasts STAT, Biotech Hangout, and 20VC. Check out our previous episodes on Networking as an Introvert and Solas BioVentures with Travis Manasco. 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.

    28 min

  6. FEB 25

    Episode 125: How to Talk to Policymakers About Biotech, Innovation, and Healthcare Outcomes

    Politics can feel overwhelming - but how can scientists, founders, and biotech leaders effectively engage with policymakers to protect innovation and improve patient outcomes? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Srinu Sonti, JD, Principal at Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, for a candid and insightful conversation on science, policy, and advocacy. Drawing on his experience on Capitol Hill, in health policy, and working with academic medical centers and startups, Srinu breaks down how innovation, funding, and regulation intersect - and why it’s critical for scientists and biotech leaders to have a voice in the policy process. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why policymakers want to hear directly from scientists, founders, and innovators, and how those conversations shape decisions. Practical ways universities, startups, and small teams can engage lawmakers beyond sending emails or reacting to crises. How policy choices around clinical trials, AI, global collaboration, and advanced therapies impact patients and the future of biotech. Tune in to learn how building authentic relationships with policymakers can demystify science, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and help move life-saving technologies from the lab to the people who need them most. Links: Connect with Srinu Sonti, JD, and check out Lewis-Burke Associates LLC. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Pew Charitable Trusts. 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.

    32 min

  7. FEB 18

    Episode 124: Night Science – Exploring Curiosity and Creativity in Research and Biotech

    Where do scientific breakthroughs really begin, and how much space do we leave for curiosity, intuition, and creative thinking along the way? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Auni Williams, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at Penn State University, for a thoughtful and refreshing conversation about “night science.” Together, they explore the idea that behind every polished grant, publication, or protocol is a messier, more human process driven by curiosity, imagination, and the freedom to explore unconventional ideas. From historical examples of scientific breakthroughs to personal stories from the lab, this episode invites listeners to rethink how discovery really happens. In this episode, you’ll learn: What “night science” is and why embracing early, unpolished ideas is critical for innovation and discovery. How modern research culture can unintentionally suppress creativity – and what institutions and leaders can do to protect exploratory thinking. Why communicating science as a human, curiosity-driven process is essential for engaging both scientists and the public. Tune in to learn how making space for curiosity, creativity, and night science can reignite passion for research and lead to the next generation of scientific breakthroughs. Links: Connect with Auni Williams, PhD, and learn more about Penn State University. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about François Jacob, Barry Marshall, August Kekulé, Operation Everest, American Heart Association Funding, and Cormac McCarthy's essay. Listen to our previous episode with Walter Isaacson. 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.

    31 min

  8. FEB 11

    Episode 123: Modernizing Tech Transfer with Data, AI, and Strategy in a Changing Innovation Landscape

    What does it really take to modernize a tech transfer office and build innovation ecosystems that thrive outside the traditional coastal hubs? In this episode, host Patrick Reed, RTTP, is joined by Robert Lowe, PhD, CEO of TechPipeline, for a timely conversation on how tech transfer offices can evolve in a rapidly changing innovation landscape. From data-driven decision-making and intentional use of AI to workforce development and ecosystem-building beyond the coasts, this episode offers practical insights for university and industry engagement leaders navigating what comes next. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “perfect is the enemy of good” when modernizing tech transfer systems, and how using the right mix of tools can improve outcomes. How tech transfer offices can leverage AI as a force multiplier while maintaining strong foundational skills. What smaller and mid-sized cities can do to build collaborative, high-impact tech transfer and startup ecosystems. Tune in to learn how a data-informed approach to tools, training, and ecosystem strategy can help tech transfer offices accelerate innovation and deliver greater impact wherever they’re located. Links: Connect with Robert Lowe, PhD, and check out TechPipeline. Connect with Patrick Reed, RTTP, and learn about IPX at Auburn University. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU. 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.

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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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