Life Science Talent Talks Life Science Talent Ecosystem

In this episode, Christian from DTU Science Park introduces a new MedTech Accelerator Program called MedTech Growth. This new accelerator aims to support MedTech startups at various stages, offering tailored advice and guidance on overcoming industry-specific challenges such as regulatory affairs, quality management, market access, and financing. Throughout the episode, Christian takes us through the specifics of the program.

Applications are open for Danish startups (including those from southern Sweden) and the deadline is 21 May 2024, however, Christian encourages startups to get in touch to learn more about the requirements.

Feel free to reach out to Christian in case you have questions: cha@dtusciencepark.dk or +45 31349522

Timestamps:

00:38 Introducing Christian and the MedTech Growth Accelerator

01:46 Deep Dive into the MedTech Growth Accelerator Program

02:47 Challenges and Solutions for MedTech Startups

04:37 Investor Matchmaking and Funding Strategies

09:16 Program Specifics: Bootcamp and Sprint Phases

12:07 Eligibility and Application Process for Startups

22:46 Engaging with Experts and Mentors

27:13 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀? 💡

We want to co-create this podcast with you. We'd therefore love to hear your suggestions for future podcast guests or themes.

Feel free to share in a private message or leave a comment below 🙏🏼

(It's also ok to invite yourself 😉)

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺:

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach


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In this episode, Martin Stenfeldt, an experienced life science entrepreneur, shares his journey from working in corporate life sciences to co-founding MeTrace Pharma and his transition to mentoring startups. 



The discussion explores Martin's book project in the making called "Scaling Life-Science Startups" where Martin is creating a catalog of best practices from successful startup scaling journeys in life science.

The book is based on Martin's own experiences and peer interviews with over 35+ professionals in the industry (so far).

During this conversation, we dive more into Martin's approach of converting peer-interview into actionable insights, scaling challenges, commercialization complexities, and the importance of building a company culture from the start.

Special attention is given to the practical aspects of managing growth, such as adopting a results-focused approach, and the importance of bringing experienced industry professionals into management teams early on in the journey.

The conversation also touches on various strategies for entering the U.S. market, the significance of setting achievable goals, and the necessity of regular strategic review and KPI monitoring. 

This episode offers valuable insights into the life science industry, specifically tailored towards entrepreneurs, board members, investors, and those interested in startup to scale-up transitions in the life science space.



Timestamps:

00:38 Introducing Martin Stenfeldt: A Life Science Entrepreneur's Journey

02:24 The Genesis of a Life Science Scale-Up Book Project

06:25 Target Audience and Scope of the Book

08:13 Defining Scale-Ups and Interview Insights

10:31 Developing the Expert Model for Scaling Startups

13:06 Personal Learnings and Best Practices for Scaling

15:58 Cultural Dynamics and Leadership Transitions in Scaling

20:45 The Founder's Dilemma: When to Step Down

23:26 Exploring Leadership and Company Culture

24:02 The Importance of Core Values in Shaping Culture

28:31 Attracting and Retaining Talent with a Strong Culture

32:12 Life Science Scale-Up Challenges: Commercialization and Market Access

36:08 Incorporating Experience and Regulatory Insight into Management

41:41 Achieving Results and Strategic Focus for Scale-Ups

44:58 Anticipating the Book Release: Process and Expectations



𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺:

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵!

We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Please share your feedback or ideas for future themes or guests with us on LinkedIn.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach


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Today's episode of Life Science Talent Talks features a deep dive into the integration and impact of generative AI in life sciences, with insights from Samuel Demharter, a Senior Data Scientist at Genmab, and Henrik Jensen, CEO & co-founder at amass, an AI startup focusing on supercharging R&D productivity.

They explore their personal journeys into the AI field, highlighting the blend of scientific and commercial expertise driving innovation in life sciences. The discussion spans challenges and opportunities in adopting generative AI within pharma and biotech, emphasizing the need for strategic management and internal expertise. The conversation also touches on challenges like hallucination in AI outputs and the importance of human oversight.

Looking ahead, they speculate on the future of drug development and the role of AI, advocating for a cautious yet proactive approach to integrating new technologies. 

The episode concludes with practical advice for individuals looking to enter the field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary learning and experimentation in the future integrated with AI technologies.

Timestamps:

00:40 Diving Into Generative AI in Life Science R&D

00:59 Introducing the Experts: Diverse Backgrounds in Life Sciences

05:41 The Inspirations Behind Choosing AI and Computational Paths

10:25 Exploring the Integration of AI in Pharma and Biotech

12:01 The Challenges of AI Adoption in the Pharma Industry

30:50 Future Perspectives: The Evolution of AI in Life Sciences

33:49 Practical Advice for Embracing AI in Life Sciences

39:31 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺:

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻:

Please share your feedback or ideas for future themes or guests with us on LinkedIn.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach


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In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting the co-founders of FÆRM, Andrea and Mikkel.

Their story is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride filled with passion, innovation, and sheer determination spiced up with a couple of "near-death experiences.

Andrea, with her background in food technology, and Mikkel, with his expertise in commercial law and business administration, shared their unique journey of creating FÆRM. They've taken the challenge of transforming the plant-based cheese industry by applying traditional dairy methods to plant proteins, resulting in a product that's not only delicious but also sustainable.

Their startup story is a testament to the power of a strong partnership and a shared vision. Despite facing near-bankruptcy multiple times, they've managed to navigate through the tumultuous waters of entrepreneurship with grace and grit. Their commitment to maintaining a fun, positive, and supportive work culture has been a cornerstone of their success.

As they look to the future, FÆRM is on the brink of commercial breakthroughs, with exciting research and potential partnerships on the horizon. 

Tune in to learn how FÆRM is revolutionizing the world of plant-based cheese with their unique approach!



About FÆRM

We are FÆRM, a food tech company that uses science to further traditional cheese production methods, creating the future of non-dairy products. We re-design plant-masses to achieve the well-known textures and flavors from cheese to create taste experiences - unlike anything you’ve had before.



Timestamps:

00:01:10 - FÆRM'S Founders' Backgrounds

00:01:55 - FÆRM'S Mission and Plant-Based Cheese

00:02:44 - Environmental Impact of Cheese

00:02:58 - FÆRM'S Unique Business Model

00:03:54 - Founders' Inspiration to Start FÆRM'S

00:04:17 - The Early Days and Vision of FÆRM'S

00:08:37 - The Journey Begins: From Idea to Action

00:09:08 - The Transition from Cashew to Bean-Based Cheese

00:10:21 - The InnoFounder Grant and a New Direction

00:11:04 - Building a Company Culture and Identity

00:13:18 - The Dark Year of 2022 and Financial Struggles

00:15:10 - The Turning Point: A Business Angel Steps In

00:16:06 - The Investor Landscape and Challenges

00:18:18 - The Science Behind FÆRM'S Cheese

00:21:31 - The GreenUp Accelerator and Prototyping

00:23:16 - The Second Bankruptcy Scare and Investor Relations

00:25:37 - The Business Model Pivot and Licensing Strategy

00:27:07 - The Importance of a Strong Founder Relationship

00:29:21 - The Team's Dedication and Work Culture

00:31:10 - The Future of FÆRM'S and Commercialization Plans

00:33:01 - Seeking New Team Members and Partnerships

00:34:03 - The Founders' Dynamic and Shared Vision



𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺:

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻:

Feel free to share feedback or ideas for future themes or guests using our voicemail you can access⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: (no voicemails will be published without your explicit approval).

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠

In this engaging conversation, hosted at Symbion before a REBBLS event, venture capitalists Stephan Christgau and Jeppe Tranekær share valuable insights into what captivates investors and secrets behind successful venture pitches.

Stephan, with his rich background in life sciences, sheds light on his journey from academia to biotech, eventually diving into the venture capital world with Novo Holdings and later founding Eir Ventures, a life science venture fund.

Jeppe, holding a business and climate solutions background, discusses his venture into the venture capital scene with Look Up Ventures, focusing on deep tech and bio-solutions. 

The duo emphasizes key components for startups approaching VCs, like having a strong, committed team, a scalable, transformative product addressing an unmet need, and presenting clear, concise, and well-researched pitches. In this episode they discuss the importance of understanding team dynamics, obtaining warm introductions, and ensuring that key elements such as comparison data and the commitment level of founders are addressed in pitches.



About REBBLS

REBBLS stands for Rising Entrepreneurs in BioBusiness and Life Science. We are a network connecting the Danish biotech and life science community with a focus on entrepreneurship, personal development and creating meaningful business relationships.

REBBLS'​ purpose is to improve the success of intrapreneurs and increase the volume and quality of life science startups. We attempt to contribute to a higher success rate of these ventures and activities by being actively committed to our mission of connecting talents within life science entrepreneurship and provide tools that enable them to be successful in the industry.



Timestamps:

01:12 Meet the Speakers: Stephan's Journey

03:33 Meet the Speakers: Jeppe's Journey

06:03 Key Factors for Investment Opportunities

08:28 The Importance of Team Dynamics

12:53 The Do's and Don'ts When Approaching Investors

18:34 The Role of the Management Team in Startups

20:55 The Importance of Transparency and Trust

26:08 Presenting the Team in a Pitch Deck

28:18 Final Thoughts and Advice



𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺:

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻:

Feel free to share feedback or ideas for future themes or guests using our voicemail you can access⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: (no voicemails will be published without your explicit approval).Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/life-science-talent-talks/message

This podcast is a conversation with Paula Petcu, a serial entrepreneur, co-founder at TETATET, former CTO of Brainplus and a leader at Lundbeck . She walks us through her career journey and her current role, which involves wearing several hats including pitching to investors and undertaking software development work. At TETATET, she shares about the development of an emotionally aware AI coach, which uses a smartphone's microphone and camera to gauge user's emotions, creating empathetic conversation. The initiative is designed to support therapists and life coaches and their clients. Paula talks about her entrance into podcasting with a focus on founders mental health within the healthcare domain. Paula shares insight into her leadership style, identifying with 'conscious leadership', and how it has fostered transparency, empathy and self-awareness within her teams. She also shares her experiences as a female leader within the tech space and her involvement with Women CTO Dinners. She is also a host of her podcast ‘ Founders mental Health - Do You Walk the Talk’



SHOWNOTES

00:39 Introduction and Guest Background

01:10 Paula's Journey to Entrepreneurship

02:05 Exploring TETATET: An Emotional Aware AI Coach

03:18 Target Audience and Application of TETATET

05:12 Interactive Features of TETATET

09:11 Paola's Podcasting Venture: Founders, Mental Health

10:26 Paola's Experience at Lundbeck

13:49 Transition to Entrepreneurship

16:17 Understanding Conscious Leadership

27:28 Challenges and Criticisms of Conscious Leadership

32:51 Women in Tech and Conscious Leadership

35:15 Walking the Talk: Personal Growth and Reflection




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