🧬 The Shelf Life of Innovation: CRISPR, Biotech Culture & Winning Teams | Johnny Hu (Part 2/4)
May 29, 2025
"Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great”
In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation.
He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet.
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"Every technology has a shelf life. It’s just true, right? And, so, is that shelf life years? Is it months? Is it weeks? Is it days? You know, has it actually already been surpassed? That’s just progress, right? That’s great”
In this episode, Johnny Hu, Principal at Menlo Ventures, unpacks his journey through neuroscience research at Genentech and Cambridge, the electrifying early days of CRISPR, and the fast-moving Boston biotech scene, revealing how academic culture, tool-building, and intentional company culture fuel breakthrough innovation.
He offers a candid look at bridging academia and industry, the realities of risk and execution in biotech startups, and the collaborative and competitive dynamics of venture investing—showing what it really takes to thrive where science, startups, and investment meet.
Key topics covered:
- The Value of Academic Culture: Cambridge’s traditions and cross-disciplinary thinking fueled Johnny’s passion for building tools and deep scientific exploration.
- The Rise of CRISPR: Inside the early, high-energy days of gene editing’s rapid ascent.
- Boston Biotech Ecosystem: How a dense, connected community unlocked opportunities in startups and venture capital.
- Company Culture & Team Dynamics: Why setting culture early shapes how teams execute and succeed.
- Investing in Biotech: The real work of weighing risk, building strong boards, and making tough calls in venture.
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
Find our guest, Johnny Hu, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnyhhu/
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:
Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:
DNA Origami:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_origami
George Church Lab: https://churchlab.hms.harvard.edu/
David Liu Lab: https://www.liugroup.us/
Editas Medicine: https://www.editasmedicine.com/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Menlo Ventures: https://www.menlovc.com/
Genentech: https://www.gene.com/
Vida Ventures: https://vidaventures.com/
RA Capital: https://www.racap.com/
Beam Therapeutics: https://beamtx.com/
University of Cambridge: https://www.cam.ac.uk/
Harvard University: https://www.harvard.edu/
Harvard Medical School: https://hms.harvard.edu/
MIT: https://www.mit.edu/
George Church: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-church-2b86301/
David R. Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-liu-465394185/
Peter Kolchinsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkolchinsky
Rajeev Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeevmshah/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:23 UK Academic Ecosystem and Cambridge Experience
04:10 Focus on Tool Building in Neuroscience
08:00 DNA Origami and Early CRISPR Exposure
10:57 Technology Shelf Life and Progress
16:05 Boston Biotech Ecosystem and Company Incubation
20:00 Importance of Company Culture in Startups
24:00 Team Dynamics and Organizational Structure
29:15 Venture Capital Culture and Collaboration
32:22 Investment Decision-Making and Risk
35:50 Board Role and Execution in Biotech Startups
36:14 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.