🧬Surviving the Biotech Funding Crunch: Insider Strategies | Samir Khleif (Part 4/4)
August 14, 2025
"The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core.
Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership.
🧬 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.
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"The whole environment of the company is about discovery and innovation, so it's really buzzing with energy."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif reveals how he took Georgiamune from vision to reality—building a top-tier team, advancing a pipeline of novel drugs, and keeping innovation at the company’s core.
Host Jon Chee explores what sets Georgiamune apart, as Samir opens up about navigating the pitfalls of fundraising, the shift from academia to entrepreneurship, and why transparency and self-awareness are crucial for success in biotech leadership.
Key topics covered:
- Building a Discovery-Driven Team: Assembling top talent to fuel innovation
- Going Beyond the Surface: Focusing on breakthrough science, not recycled ideas
- Market Realities & Fundraising: Navigating tough markets and finding the right investors
- Internal vs External Development: Doubling down on in-house strengths
- Leadership in Biotech: Leading with self-awareness, curiosity, and collaboration
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, Samir Khleif, at these links:
Website: http://www.georgiamune.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:
Autoimmune Disease and Immune System Modulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27312159/
What Corporate Investors Look for in Life Sciences Startups https://www.excedr.com/blog/what-corporate-investors-look-for-in-life-sciences-startups
How to Prepare for Pre-Seed & Seed Funding https://www.excedr.com/resources/how-to-prepare-for-pre-seed-seed-funding
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
Georgiamune: https://www.georgiamune.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:42 Building the Early Team & IP Portfolio
04:16 Why 85% of Cancer Patients Still Don’t Respond to Immunotherapy
06:01 Internal VS External Drug Development: Key Considerations
07:24 Surprising Lessons Moving from Academia & FDA to Startup CEO
09:29 “Phone-a-Friend” Mentorship Strategy for Tough Decisions
10:11 Fundraising Philosophy in a Volatile Market
12:56 Aligning Investors Through Openness and Transparency
15:41 Georgiamune’s Culture of Discovery and Innovation
19:08 Advancing 11 Drugs in 5 Years—3 Already in the Clinic
26:12 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.