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

Are you ready to pitch your biotech startup to investors but unsure what they’re actually looking for? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Travis Manasco, MD — Principal at Solas BioVentures, practicing ICU physician, and Tulane alumnus — for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to secure life science venture capital. From communicating clearly to avoiding common miss...

Bridging the gap between academia and industry isn’t easy—but it’s essential for innovation. In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, explore how biotech startups and academic institutions can break down silos and build stronger partnerships. From shared resources and mutual funding opportunities to culture shifts and advisory support, they reveal how deeper enga...

Are you a biotech leader battling overload, stress, or even burnout? In this episode, co-hosts James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, sit down with returning guest Carlo Odicino, MBA, founder and CEO of One Team Partners, for a powerful and realistic discussion about navigating the pressures of leadership in a high-stakes industry. From battling overwhelming priorities to preserving...

Is your biotech startup feeling the squeeze of a tough funding environment? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, have a candid, advice-packed discussion about how biotech founders can manage funding challenges, extend runway, and stay resilient when capital is tight. With practical examples and hard-earned insights, they explore strategies for leading lean te...

What if the culture you’re building is quietly holding back top talent? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sit down with Carlo Odicino, MBA—Founder and CEO of One Team Partners—to explore how unconscious gender bias affects team dynamics, pay equity, and innovation in biotech startups. Drawing from his experience working with high-growth companies, Carlo sh...

Are you ready to make the most of your time at BIO 2025? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, break down everything biotech leaders need to know about the spring conference season and how to strategically prepare for the BIO International Convention in Boston this June. From building long-term relationships and mastering partnering systems to smart use of AI...

Are you a healthcare professional looking to level up your social media presence—and make a real difference doing it? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, is joined by Adam Goodcoff, DO, the CEO of MedFluencers and a nationally recognized medical content creator. They dive into the new Healthcare Social Media Academy (developed in collaboration with Tulane Medicine), a program desi...

How can biotech companies grow faster, smarter, and more sustainably in a turbulent market? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, welcomes Katrina Rogers, CEO of Katrina Rogers Consulting, for a deep dive into the operational and regulatory strategies that help biotech companies succeed—without sacrificing speed, quality, or sanity. With over 25 years of experience in drug development, manufactu...

How can public-private partnerships accelerate your biotech company’s success? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, welcomes back Elizabeth Chabe, MBA—CEO of High Touch Group—for a deep dive into public-private partnerships (PPPs) and their untapped potential in the biotech sector. Together, they unpack how startups can strategically collaborate with public agencies and institution...

Trying to turn your scientific breakthrough into a biotech company, but not sure where to start or how to fund it? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, welcomes Zizi Imatorbhebhe, MBA, CEO and Managing Partner at BIOS Health Group, to unpack what it really takes to bring biotech innovations to market. From capital strategy to fractional executive support, Zizi shares practical advice for entrep...

Struggling to raise capital for your biotech startup? Wondering how to communicate your breakthrough to investors who don’t speak your language? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, is joined by Elizabeth Chabe, MBA, CEO of High Touch Group and author of The Giant’s Ladder. With decades of experience guiding science and engineering companies, Elizabeth shares what it really takes t...

How can you build better partnerships and make the most of your time at biotech events? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, explores the essentials of successful partnering in the biotech sector with insights from Jordan Stillman, Project Manager of Partnering Services at EBD Group. They dive into partneringONE, EBD Group’s powerful partnering platform, and how it can transform yo...

What’s the difference between a Scientific Advisory Board and a Board of Directors—and why does it matter for your startup’s success? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, break down the critical roles that Scientific Advisory Boards (SABs) and Boards of Directors (BODs) play in the biotech startup world. With candid insights, real-world stories, and practical...

Struggling to find the right biotech partners? Not sure where to start or how to approach potential collaborators? In this episode, hosts James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, break down the key strategies for identifying, evaluating, and engaging with the right collaborators in the biotech industry. They share insights from years of experience in tech transfer, startups, and corpor...

You’ve made a groundbreaking scientific discovery – now how do you turn it into a real-world solution for patients? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, break down the complex journey of taking biotech innovations from the lab to real-world patient care. From securing intellectual property rights to navigating regulatory hurdles and attracting industry partne...

Are you an entrepreneur or researcher looking for funding to bring your innovation to life? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane University Innovation Institute, to explore the transformative power of the Tulane Ventures Fund. Designed to bridge funding gaps for startups in healthca...

What happens when you bring together world-class researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to spark innovation? Host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, is joined by key opinion leader Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at Tulane University, and keynote speaker Greg Buchert, MD, MPH, a Tulane alum and CEO of Makani Science. Together, they dive into the 2025 Tulane U...

What can biotech experts learn from a patient who received a lifesaving heart and double lung transplant? In this special extended episode, hosts James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, welcome resilience expert, speaker, and award-winning author Mark Black, CSP. After undergoing a heart and double lung transplant, Mark defied expectations by running marathons and becoming a sought-af...

How can startups and academic institutions successfully collaborate with a global biopharmaceutical company? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Key Opinion Leader Lidia Sobków, PhD, Senior Manager of Technology Licensing & Collaborations at AbbVie, to discuss how her team identifies cutting-edge research and partners with academic institutions and biotech startups...

What can biotech leaders learn from the battlefield? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, welcome Michael Allison, MBA, founder and CEO of the Adversity Academy. As a U.S. Marine Corps Purple Heart combat veteran turned leadership expert, Michael shares powerful insights on resilience, decision-making under uncertainty, and how biotech leaders can develop the...

How can we use AI to predict drug toxicity before clinical trials? What if we had a Google Maps-style view of the brain to track Alzheimer's progression? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, and guest Alexis Ducote, PhD, dive into Part II of their discussion that reveals groundbreaking advancements happening at the Tulane University School of Medicine. From pioneering research in age-related di...

How are researchers at Tulane University School of Medicine tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Alexis Ducote, PhD, Business Development Associate at Tulane Medicine, to explore the latest medical innovations emerging from Tulane’s research labs. From groundbreaking tuberculosis detection methods to advancements in tr...

What does it take to stand out in high-stakes pitch competitions? In this episode, guest host Nick Pashos, PhD, sits down with Kalen Hall, PhD, and Leo Williams, PhD, the co-founders of Informuta, to discuss their journey through the competitive world of startup pitch competitions, including their experience at the Rice Business Plan Competition. They share key lessons learned, strategies for succ...

How do biotech leaders navigate operational challenges, foster innovation, and build meaningful collaborations? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Christiaan Engstrom, MBA, founder of The Bullpen. Christiaan shares insights from his diverse career in operations and startups, his mission to improve cryopreservation for cell therapies, and the creation of The Bullpen—a unique net...

What’s the secret to making the most of biotech conferences in 2025? In this episode, James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and Elaine Hamm, PhD, unveil The BioPlanner, an all-new, free resource designed to help you navigate the complex world of biotech events. From niche scientific gatherings to large-scale industry conferences, discover how this tool can streamline your planning process, maximize your...