Leaving Merck to Build a Biotech From Scratch | Örn Almarsson (2/4)
September 17, 2026
At Merck, a three-month visa detour exposed Örn to another laboratory and reinforced the value of adaptability. He then describes leaving a secure role for Transform Pharmaceuticals, building a small team and collaborative culture, developing new formulation technologies, and helping create the patents and assets that led to a Johnson & Johnson acquisition.
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“You gotta build that over time thoughtfully.”
Örn Almarsson explains why thoughtful networking matters, especially when you don't need anything right away. He also reflects on evolving professional networks, learning from failure, and the entrepreneurial culture that drew him to the United States.
At Merck, a three-month visa detour exposed Örn to another laboratory and reinforced the value of adaptability. He then describes leaving a secure role for Transform Pharmaceuticals, building a small team and collaborative culture, developing new formulation technologies, and helping create the patents and assets that led to a Johnson & Johnson acquisition.
Key Topics Covered:
- Thoughtful networking
- Professional relationships
- Learning from failure
- Entrepreneurial culture
- Merck R&D
- Visa challenges
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Startup formation
- Hiring and company culture
- Pharmaceutical materials discovery
- Patents and licensing
- Johnson & Johnson acquisition
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Find our guest, Örn Almarsson, at these links:
Website: https://www.axelyf.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orn-almarsson
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, OkKyojin:
https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:
Merck: https://www.merck.com/
Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com/
MIT: https://www.mit.edu/
Excedr partner network: https://www.excedr.com/partners
Companies, Universities, & People Mentioned:
Merck: https://www.merck.com/
Transform Pharmaceuticals: https://www.transformpharma.com/
Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: https://www.mit.edu/
Timestamps:
00:06 Intro
02:10 Networking Through Curiosity
03:46 Growing A Living Network
04:54 Learning From Failure
06:05 Entrepreneurial Risk And Meritocracy
07:01 The Merck Visa Detour
09:21 Merck's Fast R&D Culture
12:08 Working Across Disciplines
13:48 The University Of Merck
15:20 Leaving A Secure Role
19:42 Building Transform
21:53 Experience Before Startup Leadership
23:40 Transform's Mission And Culture
26:42 Patents, Licensing, And Exit
29:49 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.