Gm in the PM, Brazeryens. Shawn is a professional rose murderer. đ
[Welcome to Issue Number 24 of The House Brazeryen, where we break down the latest #STEM, #biotech, and #SciComm-related news for you fortnightly, in roughly 5 minutes. Brought to you by Brazen Bio, Brazen Capital, and brainsurgerydropout.]
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RE: WHERE ARE THE ZUCKS OF BIOTECH
by Shawn Carbonell, MD, PhD â In 2016, I wrote an article for Medium that I was too afraid to publish until 2018 (that was a time I still gave a fuck what people thought).
Just published my manifesto on @Medium: âWhere are the Zuckerbergs of biotech?â Claps appreciated. medium.com/@brainsurgeryd⊠#DISRUPTMEDICINE #biotech #venturecapital #zuckbiotech #startups #medicine @chanzuckerber @sama @eperlste @ldtimmerman @bryan_johnson @EricTopol @eafitz
Ultimately, it didnât matter because it got zero distribution. But it shows how frustrated I wasâeven 7 years agoâwith venture capital, NIH/academia, pharma, and basically the entire fucking system.
Still am (bc not much has changed yet).
Let me operationally define what I mean by âZuckerberg of biotechâ:
a scientist who personally makes a discovery in the laboratory,
spins out a company to develop that technology into a product, and
(ideally) leads the company through at least clinical trials/clinical use.
Essentially, someone who entrepreneurially translates their own research from âbench to bedside.â
Now, this doesnât mean I think it is the only way. For us at Brazen Capital, itâs our favorite type of deal bc no one knows more and is passionate about their science than the scientist who made the discovery. Still, our first two investments donât fit that model which is fine because those founders are absolute beasts advancing human health, which is our ultimate mandate.
BRAZEN BREAKDOWN
Anyway, Iâll let the article speak for itself. Check it out: https://medium.com/@brainsurgerydropout/where-are-the-zuckerbergs-of-biotech-230ca01bdfa7
BRAZEN HOUSE IS OPEN FOR BUILDERS
As youâll rememberâif you are a true Brazeryenâwe are no longer running our biotech incubator out of Brazen House. However, the infrastructure is still here and we have since opened our rooms to fellow entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in the Los Angeles area.
BRAZEN BREAKDOWN
If you or a friend are looking for a dope spot to co-live and co-work by the beach, HIT US UP! (Bonus points to pickleballers.)
VC CORNER: WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE (ft. Calvin Harris)
Contributed by Scott Alpizar, PhD â Itâs been months. You havenât received a single term sheet. Youâre defeated and cursing meâthe âtons of biotech investmentsâ I predicted were obviously bullshit. Youâll never get an investment. Itâs hopeless.
Thatâs intended to be an overdramatized situation, but some of you may actually already feel that way. And while your startup may be flying solo this year, letâs make sure this is the last Valentineâs Day you spend alone! How? Read onâŠ
BRAZEN BREAKDOWN
Finding âThe Oneâ. Easier said than done, right!? Here are two big steps to take to help find that investor:
Make sure youâre ready. Donât jump into a relationship just to be in one. If you need more time to focus on yourself or to figure out who it is youâre actually looking for (VCs, angels, etc.) before getting out thereâtake it!
Donât let love be blind. You need to get to know your prospective partner. You wouldnât marry a stranger after all. Do your due diligence and be sure youâre comfortable with themâthis is probably the most critical thing!
Happily Ever After. Relationships with investors are often compared to marriageâyouâre in it for the long haul. They also need constant effort! The honeymoon phase always ends, so hereâs how to keep the relationship going strong:
Communicate. Like any good relationship, strong communication is key. Investors appreciate frequent updatesâyou donât need to wait for a board meeting! Keep it at their level tooâif theyâre not technical, stay simple!
Manage expectations. You should actively listen to investors and ensure youâre responding to their questions/concerns, but that canât be all you doâyou need to run a company. Set reasonable expectations as you go along.
Donât hide your losses. Investors will certainly want to celebrate your wins, but you should also share your losses or struggles. This transparency allows them provide what help that they can and builds their trust in you. Â
Trust is worth touching on further. You want your investor to trust you, but it is just as critical that you trust them. As Carmen Alfonso-Rico puts it: give your heart, but keep your head. While there are exceptions, investors are looking to make money and will often make decisions with that in mindâsomething that may not always be good for your company. You need to make sure you look after yourself âitâs no guarantee that anyone else will!
đ BRAZEN SNAX
đ„ Billionaire bullies biotech into bankruptcy after buyout bubble bursts
â€ïžâđ„ Valentineâs Day science from the Smithsonian Institutes
đŠ Crow-sized, four-winged, feathered, dinosaur-raptor? Say less
đ€ Optimizing science and science communication with ChatGPT?
đ Curie.Bio launches half-billion dollar fund and biotech venture studio
đ How to crack working with your partner in science without cracking
đ Endocytosis is cellular eating: Crystal structure reveals molecular Pac-Man
đŠ Golden showers bring May baby giraffes
â° TikTokCrak: Bad bitches in biomedicine have bad days too.
đȘ CARVEOUT
An oldie but goodie from The AtlanticââPerks of Being a Weirdo: How Not Fitting In Can Lead to Creative Thinking.â
đđœ A DOSE OF GRATITUDE
We are grateful for all the women scientists who inspired us. #February11 was International Day of Women and Girls in Science. đŹđ©đœâđŹđ
đ BRAZEN MEME
âïž FEEDBACK
Feel free to tweet all thoughts, questions, and insults to us @brazenbio. Bring it. No, really. COMEđđœATđđœUSđđœBROđđœ