Michael Chen - Part 2: Forging a Path from Chemistry PhD to Biotech CEO

From Grad Student to Biotech CEO | Unique Challenges Combining Science & Business | Developing Breakthrough Products | Building Partnerships with Big Pharma | Creating a Biotech GTM Strategy

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Show Notes

‍Part 2 of 2: Jon Chee hosts Michael Chen, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuclera, a biotech company that focuses on bringing rapid protein access to other labs. 

Michael is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur who brings a rich background and valuable insights to our podcast. Before co-founding Nuclera, Michael did extensive research as an undergrad student at both Georgia tech and Emory and eventually got his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He has also published nine scientific papers and worked with several leading scientists in their field.

Michael’s experiences at the lab bench and as a CEO make this conversation one you don’t want to miss.

Join us this week to hear about:

  • Michael’s journey from graduate studies to co-founding Nuclera
  • The unique challenges scientists encounter in the business world
  • The importance of adaptability and key lessons in developing/marketing a breakthrough product
  • Michael’s insights into navigating big pharma’s lengthy sales cycles and building successful partnerships
  • Creating a Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for a biotech and identifying early adopters

Please enjoy Jon’s conversation with Michael Chen.

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About the Guest

Michael Chen
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Michael Chen is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Nuclera. In 2013, while working on his PhD at the University of Cambridge, Michael and his co-founders became frustrated by the inaccessibility of proteins to support everything from basic research to drug discovery. This prompted them to found Nuclera, with a clear mission in mind: make proteins more accessible to everyone by providing rapid access to high-quality, soluble, active proteins at the benchtop.

For the past 10 years, Michael has led the company in raising multiple funding rounds totaling $146M. He’s built a team of over 100 people strong over 2 continents and leads the commercial strategy behind bringing their innovative rapid protein prototyping technology to market.

Episode Transcript

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