March 2, 2022 | From the Trenches

Going Out On A Limb: Lessons I’ve Learned Chasing My Dreams

One of the most common questions I get asked is how I got into the business side of the biotech industry, and in particular business development. My career path did not follow a predictable, straight line. I had not set out intending to become a chief business officer at a biotech company. It was a combination of the decisions I made and risks I took over the course of my varied professional experiences that led me where I am today.

By Deanna M. Petersen, CBO of AVROBIO, as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC.

February 16, 2022 | From the Trenches

Recapturing Our Resilience

For anyone that’s part of a fast paced, growing organization, resilience is the key to thriving. It supports our audacity, ability to tune out the naysayers, and ultimately possess the stamina to prevail. These days, though, it feels increasingly like everything taxes our resilience more than ever before. As organizations, formerly simple things like having an office party draw on our resilience, and already complex things like coordinating global operations certainly do during the pandemic. As individuals, simple things like sending kids to school test our resilience in new ways. Now more than ever, leadership teams need to think about how to cultivate resilience as an organization to be ready for the long journey of fulfilling the mission. This piece shares a few thoughts that our teams and I’ve collected while building organizations that have been resilient to the curveballs the world has thrown our way.

By Ankit Mahadevia, CEO of Spero Therapeutics, as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC

February 16, 2022 | In the News

Third Harmonic Bio launches with $155m to develop pill for chronic hives

Third Harmonic Bio has launched from stealth mode with $155 million to develop a single therapy that the Cambridge startup hopes can treat multiple diseases caused by severe allergies and inflammation.

February 7, 2022 | From the Trenches

Heads Up And Eyes Wide Open

When your team’s priority is to execute a well-formed plan, then a “heads down” focus is critical. We all recognize this situation, using it to drive project management, accountability, and collaboration.

By Rene Russo, CEO of Xilio Therapeutics, as part of the From The Trenches features of LifeSciVC

January 24, 2022 | From the Trenches

A Tale of Two Biotech Programs

From the first time I heard the story of the American chestnut, I was fascinated. It is a story with threads from history, ecology, conservation and biotechnology- it was difficult for a scientist who loves the outdoors not to get sucked in.

By Aoife Brennan, CEO of Synlogic, as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC.