🧬 How Autonomous Science Will Change Drug Discovery Forever | Jimmy Sastra (Part 4/4)
November 6, 2025
"Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong."
In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation.
Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences.
🧬 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 can get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.
"Risk management is really just planning for when things go wrong."
In this final episode with Jimmy Sastra, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, host Jon Chee explores how Jimmy redefines biotech leadership by treating fundraising as a strategic tool rather than a necessity. The conversation dives into building a company that combines scalable software with hands-on lab services, the importance of creativity and risk management in uncertain times, and Monomer’s bold vision for "autonomous science"—where AI and robotics revolutionize experimentation.
Alongside deep biotech insights, Jimmy shares personal reflections on balancing entrepreneurship, family, and his immigrant journey while pushing the boundaries of automation in life sciences.
Key topics covered:
- Capital Strategy in Biotech: Fundraising as a flexible tool, not a necessity
- Balancing Services and Software: Merging real-world work with scalable tech
- The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Leading through risk and uncertainty
- Building for the Future: Pioneering automation and autonomous science
- Personal Growth and Resilience: Balancing ambition, family, and new beginnings
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:
Find our guest, Jimmy Sastra, at these links:
Website: https://monomerbio.com/
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:
DARPA Grand Challenge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Grand_Challenge
AI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon: https://luma.com/qe0vfc7b
Waymo Autonomous Rides in San Francisco: https://waymo.com/rides/san-francisco/
Charlie Munger’s Mental Models and Multidisciplinary Thinking: https://www.playforthoughts.com/blog/charlie-munger-improve-live-by-multidisciplinary-approach
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Monomer Bio: https://www.monomerbio.com/
Sandy Paige: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielsandypaige/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:12 Fundraising as a Strategic Tool
03:53 The Power of Bootstrapping and Creativity in Biotech
04:31 Lessons from Asimov: Why Services Strengthen Software
05:41 Launching the AI Scientist Cell Culture Hackathon
07:43 Balancing Investor Pressure and Founder Independence
09:44 Risk Management: Planning for When Things Go Wrong
11:33 Learning Through New Challenges in Business and Life
14:07 Decision-Making with Limited Information
16:16 Leadership, Autonomy, and Mental Models
18:25 The Future of Monomer Bio and the Vision for Autonomous Science
20:46 Personal Reflections, Family, and Global Journey
22:34 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.