#29 – Endpoints News: Predictions for Biotech in 2024 and Beyond | John Carroll

01/25/24 • 46 min

In the aftermath of the 2020 biotech surge and its subsequent contraction in 2022, the biotech industry has been characterized by significant volatility. There were 21 biotechnology IPOs in 2022, a notable decrease from the record-breaking 104 IPOs in 2021.
To review the highs and lows of 2023 and explore what lies ahead in 2024, distinguished biotech analyst and co-founder of Endpoints News John Carroll joins Hercules Capital's Janice Bourque. Carroll brings 45 years of award-winning journalism, and a specialization in biopharma spanning over two decades to discuss the biggest pharma deals and surprises of 2023, the impact of AI on drug development, the future of biotech in Asia, and much more.
Topics Include:

The biggest pharma deals and surprises of 2023
AI’s impact on drug development
Whether or not the Inflation Reduction Act will impact pricing
John’s major lessons from 2023
The future of biotech in Asia
The greatest concerns for the biotech industry going into 2024
John’s hopes for the industry in the new year
And other topics...

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John D. Carroll is a biotech analyst and writer with decades of prize-winning experience in journalism. A co-founder of Endpoints News, he has covered biopharma for the past 15 years. Carroll has been quoted by The New York Times, The New Yorker, Financial Times, The Times of London and more. He’s also keynoted at biotech gatherings around the world and addressed student audiences at MIT and Harvard. Carroll has contributed stories from Central America and Ireland to the Dallas Morning News and Time and wrote for the Houston Press. He spent 6 years as editor and publisher of the Dallas Business Journal, was publisher of Texas Business and early in his career was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team of reporters and editors at the Kansas City Star & Times.
Resources Mentioned:
Endpoints News: https://endpts.com/
Connect with John:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-carroll-884aa410/

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The biggest pharma deals and surprises of 2023
AI’s impact on drug development
Whether or not the Inflation Reduction Act will impact pricing
John’s major lessons from 2023
The future of biotech in Asia
The greatest concerns for the biotech industry going into 2024
John’s hopes for the industry in the new year
And other topics...

Previous Episode

#28 – The Non-CFO, CFO: Executive Leadership, Acquisitions, and Serving 350 Million Users as Fandom’s CFO | Ed Lu

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The gaming and platform industries are dynamic sectors at the intersection of technology and entertainment, constantly evolving to meet the demands of a global audience. In 2022, the revenue from the worldwide gaming market was approximately $347 billion.
Ed Lu, a seasoned executive with 23 years of financial and operational experience, has played a pivotal role in this landscape, dedicating thirteen years as the CFO at online gaming and platform companies. Ed is the current Chief Financial Officer at Fandom, the world’s largest gaming and entertainment community platform.
In this episode, Hercules Capital's Lesya Kulchenko and Ed Lu discuss Ed’s CFO experience within gaming and platform companies, top advice for new founders and aspiring CFOs in today’s business landscape, choosing between building, buying, and partnering, the key factors for successful acquisitions, when to pursue bargain opportunities, and much more.
Topics Include:

Ed’s top priorities as a CFO in today’s business landscape
Essential advice for emerging founders and aspiring CFOs
Core values that led Ed to leadership
The advice Ed gratefully avoided
Choosing between building, buying, and partnering
Key factors for successful acquisitions
When companies should pursue bargain opportunities
Factors outside of work that shape Ed as the “non-CFO CFO”
And other topics...

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Ed Lu is a seasoned executive with 23 years of financial and operational experience and thirteen years as CFO at online gaming and platform companies. He is the current Chief Financial Officer at Fandom, the world’s largest gaming and entertainment community platform. During his tenure, Fandom has grown revenue by more than 3x, acquired three companies, and doubled its employee base to 500.
Before joining Fandom, Ed served as the CFO for Outpost Games and Machine Zone. His tenure at Machine Zone involved raising over $800 million in combined financings, overseeing revenue growth from $8 million to $1.7 billion, and scaling the company from 30 to 1000+ employees. In his free time, he also enjoys serving as a strategic advisor for other digital gaming companies.
Resources Mentioned:
“Top 10 Start-Up Tips for Founders,” by Ed Lu: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6998677341623267328/

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#30 – Rise of the Business Operator: Cultivating the Ultimate Community of Tech Leaders | Casey Woo

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Public market investor turned tech visionary, Casey Woo, has spent the last two decades at the forefront of technology and finance, revolutionizing the way high-growth startups approach operations and strategy. His journey from analyzing markets on Wall Street to leading Operators Guild and FOG Ventures has positioned him as a thought leader at the intersection of technology, finance, and community building.

In this episode, Catherine Jhung is joined by Casey Woo to discuss his unique path from public market investor to influential COO/CFO in the tech industry. They discuss the creation and growth of Operators Guild and FOG Ventures, highlighting Casey's approach to fostering community and driving innovation in the startup ecosystem.
Topics Include:
-Casey's transition from public market investor to tech COO/CFO
-The founding story of Operators Guild and its impact on the tech community
-Inside FOG Ventures: Strategy and vision for tech startups
-The role of community in the success of tech and finance ventures
-Navigating high-growth challenges in the startup world
-Casey's vision for the future of technology and finance
-And other topics...
Casey Woo is the founder of Operators Guild, the premier community and ecosystem for finance and operational professionals at high growth companies, and its associated investing arm, FOG Ventures. He has two decades of experience as a proven, serial COO/CFO in high-growth technology companies, most recently as the CFO of property tech company Landing. Casey started his career as a public market investor focused on the consumer/retail, media, industrials, technology and healthcare sectors. His expertise in blending strategic finance with operational excellence has made him a pivotal figure in shaping the landscape of technology startups.