🧬 Dr. Kate Yen: Scaling a Biotech, Running Lean, & Utilizing Translational Biology (Part 2)

02/20/25 • 52 min

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr —helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.“I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but when I couldn’t find a company doing what I believed in, I built my own.”In part two of our conversation with Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics, we explore her journey from leading a novel cancer therapy program at Agios to founding her own biotech company. Kate shares insights into drug development, clinical trials, and the business of biotech, highlighting the importance of translational biology, strategic partnerships, and lean operations in building a successful biotech startup. Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. Before Auron, she held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.Key topics covered:

Navigating clinical trials from discovery to FDA approval with a biomarker-driven approach
The importance of translational biology and how Auron integrates it from day one
Building a lean biotech startup, from early fundraising to assembling a high-impact team
Securing big pharma partnerships in a challenging biotech market
Leveraging AI and machine learning to map cancer biology and identify new drug targets

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.Subscribe to the podcast:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-startups-podcast/id1679591994Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PSL162R2s0zOwU5913Zv4Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excedr Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/ Find our guest, Kate Yen, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-yen-448b22108/Website: https://www.aurontx.com/Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncheeLearn more about ExcedrLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/ Website: https://www.excedr.comResources & articles mentioned:The Role of Translational Biology in Drug Development: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359644612004060Navigating Clinical Trials: https://www.fda.gov/patients/learn-about-drug-and-device-approvals/drug-development-processBuilding & Running a Lean Biotech Startup: https://www.lablaunch.org/post/building-a-lean-biotech-startupBiotech Startup Fundraising Options: https://www.excedr.com/resources/biotech-startup-funding-optionsBiotech Partnerships - How Partnerships Support R&D: https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-biotech-partnerships-support-researchHow to Bootstrap Your Biotech Startup & Scale: https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-bootstrap-biotech-startupHow to Choose the Right CRO for Biotech: https://www.excedr.com/blog/contract-research-organizationsHow Much Does Lab Space Cost? https://www.excedr.com/blog/how-much-does-lab-space-costTop VC Firms for Biotech in 2024 - Supporting Innovation &...

Navigating clinical trials from discovery to FDA approval with a biomarker-driven approach
The importance of translational biology and how Auron integrates it from day one
Building a lean biotech startup, from early fundraising to assembling a high-impact team
Securing big pharma partnerships in a challenging biotech market
Leveraging AI and machine learning to map cancer biology and identify new drug targets

Previous Episode

🧬 Kate Yen - Part 1 | From Academia to Biotech Leader | Translating Research into Cancer Therapies | Early Days at Merck & Agios

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY. Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics.
Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis.Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.
With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable.
In this episode, you'll hear about:

Kate Yen’s journey from aspiring physician to PhD researcher at UCLA
How her postdoc in Charles Sawyers’ lab sparked her passion for translational research
Transitioning from academia to industry and learning drug discovery at Merck
Taking the leap to join Agios Pharmaceuticals and leading the IDH program
The role of collaboration in biotech, from academia to CRO partnerships

Next Episode

🧬 Becky Beattie: From Rural Beginnings to Building a National Biotech Network (Part 1)

🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast is powered by Excedr —helping life science startups accelerate R&D and commercialization with founder-friendly equipment leasing. Skip the upfront costs, stay lean, and focus on breakthrough science.As a TBSP listener, you get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.“If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing or having fun, why are you doing it? Combine that with hard work and you can achieve cool things.”In part one of our conversation with Becky Beattie, CEO of LaunchBio, we trace her unconventional path from rural San Jose pig farmer to biotech ecosystem builder. Becky shares how her early entrepreneurial grit, scientific curiosity, and business acumen converged to shape her career – including surviving a life-altering spinal injury and pioneering shared lab spaces.Becky holds dual degrees in molecular biology and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before leading LaunchBio, she honed her skills in life science sales (SeraCare, Eppendorf), strategic marketing (Comprendia), and real estate innovation (ROC Shared Workspace).Key topics covered:

Growing up in 4-H raising pigs: Early lessons in economics and grit
Mixing science & business: Blending molecular biology training with business strategy at CU Boulder
Cold-calling challenges: Cutting teeth in biotech sales at SeraCare Life Sciences
Pivoting through crisis: How a spinal cord injury reshaped career priorities
Building the shared lab space movement: Pre-WeWork innovation for life sciences