The Biotech Startups Podcast

Excedr
  • 4.8 (21)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
The Biotech Startups Podcast

The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

  1. 🧬 Michael Paliotti - MilliporeSigma: Master Biotech Sales & Build High-Performance Teams (Part 4/4)

    1D AGO

    🧬 Michael Paliotti - MilliporeSigma: Master Biotech Sales & Build High-Performance Teams (Part 4/4)

    "I see myself as a player coach. I really try to do what I can to be in the trenches as much as I can. I'm out on the field." In the final part of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we delve into his extensive experience in biotech sales and leadership. Michael shares insights on the nuances of working with different types of clients, from academia to large pharma and emerging biotech companies. He discusses his transition into management during the COVID-19 pandemic and his approach to leading and developing his team. Michael's leadership philosophy emphasizes building strong relationships, both with clients and team members. He stresses the importance of empathy, trust, and removing barriers for his team to succeed. His approach to management is rooted in his own experiences as a sales representative, allowing him to relate to his team's challenges and provide meaningful support.

    31 min
  2. 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Blending Science, Sales, and Side Hustles in Biotech (Part 3/4)

    4D AGO

    🧬 Michael Paliotti: Blending Science, Sales, and Side Hustles in Biotech (Part 3/4)

    “Trust takes time—but it lasts longer than any sale.” In part three of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, we dive into his transition from field application scientist to full-time sales at MilliporeSigma. He opens up about his initial hesitation, how he overcame it, and why relationship-building—not quotas—became the foundation of his sales approach. Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, from going the extra mile for colleagues to finding interests to genuinely connect over. For him, great sales isn’t about pushing products—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and being present. He also talks about how this philosophy led to unexpected opportunities, like launching a winery with close friends during the pandemic. What started as a casual wine-tasting class turned into a business rooted in the same values that guide his sales career. An experienced team leader, Michael emphasizes coaching through effort and empathy—encouraging his reps to focus on relationships as much as results. His story is a reminder that in biotech sales, success often comes from being helpful, human, and in it for the long haul.

    42 min
  3. 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating Biotech Careers & Building Lasting Relationships (Part 2/4)

    MAR 20

    🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating Biotech Careers & Building Lasting Relationships (Part 2/4)

    🧬 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 get exclusive perks through Excedr’s partner network—special savings, promotions, and more. Explore these offers today: https://www.excedr.com/partners.

    44 min
  4. 🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating a Winding Path to Biotech Success (Part 1/4)

    MAR 17

    🧬 Michael Paliotti: Navigating a Winding Path to Biotech Success (Part 1/4)

    "Growing up in a science-driven environment influenced my trajectory, from my father's chemistry background at Kodak to my own experiences in academia and research." In part one of our conversation with Michael Paliotti, Regional Sales Director at Millipore Sigma, we explore his journey from a science-driven upbringing to his early career in research and forensics. Michael shares how his father's work as an organic chemist at Kodak influenced his path into science, his academic experiences at the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University, and his unexpected detour into optometry school before finding his true calling in research. Michael holds a degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Duquesne University. Before joining Millipore Sigma, he honed his skills in academic research at the University of Pittsburgh, forensic science with the Pennsylvania State Police, and biotech startups.

    41 min
  5. 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Transforming Data Management (Part 4/4)

    MAR 13

    🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Transforming Data Management (Part 4/4)

    In this final part of our conversation with Stavros, founder and CEO of TileDB, we explore the challenges and opportunities in transforming data management within the life sciences sector. Stavros discusses how smaller organizations often lag behind in adopting innovative solutions due to lack of awareness and reliance on existing tools, while larger companies like big pharma are more proactive in seeking advanced technologies. Stavros highlights the importance of behavioral change in technology adoption, emphasizing that companies should focus on their core competencies rather than building infrastructure. He draws parallels with AWS, which revolutionized server management by allowing companies to focus on their products rather than infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the moral obligation of life sciences companies to optimize efficiency, given the impact on human lives.

    34 min
  6. 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Scaling TileDB & Revolutionizing Data Infrastructure (Part 3/4)

    MAR 10

    🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: Scaling TileDB & Revolutionizing Data Infrastructure (Part 3/4)

    "We're wasting money. You're wasting money as an organization, like, hundreds of millions of dollars that can save you that money easily. But you have to start reasoning a little bit differently." In this third part of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder and CEO of TileDB, we delve into the company's ambitious vision to revolutionize data management in the life sciences sector. Stavros shares the journey of TileDB from its inception as a highly technical solution to its current position as a potential game-changer in how organizations handle diverse data types. He discusses the challenges of selling innovative solutions to large pharmaceutical companies and the stark contrast in adoption between big pharma and smaller organizations. Stavros, with his background as a technologist from MIT, details the early days of TileDB, emphasizing the intense focus on technological innovation and performance optimization. He describes the company's evolution from a small team of highly skilled engineers to securing significant funding and attracting major customers in the life sciences sector. Throughout the conversation, Stavros highlights the philosophical aspect of TileDB's mission, stressing its potential impact on accelerating scientific discovery and ultimately saving lives.

    36 min
  7. 🧬Stavros Papadopoulos: How Serendipity Sparked TileDB's Startup Journey (Part 2/4)

    MAR 6

    🧬Stavros Papadopoulos: How Serendipity Sparked TileDB's Startup Journey (Part 2/4)

    "Serendipity plays a big role, but you need to chase it, man. You need to [chase it] and you need to perform. You need to deliver [on] your end of the deal." In part two of our conversation with Stavros Papadopoulos, founder of TileDB, we delve into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Stavros shares his experiences at MIT and Intel, and the serendipitous events that led to the founding of his company. He details the transition from working on cutting-edge database systems to identifying a market need in the life sciences sector, particularly in handling complex genomic data. Stavros's background in computer science and his work at the intersection of Intel and MIT uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges of building a new type of database system. His journey highlights the importance of proactivity, networking, and being prepared for unexpected opportunities. He also shares valuable insights on the realities of starting a database company, including the significant funding requirements and the necessity of continuous learning.

    42 min
  8. 🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: A Journey in Computer Science & Data Management (Part 1/4)

    MAR 3

    🧬 Stavros Papadopoulos: A Journey in Computer Science & Data Management (Part 1/4)

    "If you are capable of acquiring knowledge, of applying the knowledge, and you like it, you can succeed. It doesn't matter what it is." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, we delve into Stavros Papadopoulos' transformative journey from Greece to Hong Kong, exploring his experiences as a PhD student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Stavros shares how a chance encounter on a bus and his professor's last-minute recommendation led him to pursue his doctorate in Hong Kong, a decision that would shape his career and personal life. Stavros describes Hong Kong as the "best city in the world," highlighting the perfect balance between intense academic rigor and vibrant city life. He explains how the university's unique environment, with students working late into the night and a campus integrated into the natural landscape, fostered both hard work and adventure. Stavros also touches on his research focus, which evolved from spatiotemporal databases to data security and cryptography, and how he learned valuable skills that continue to shape his career to this day.

    54 min
See All (132)

    4.8
    out of 5
    21 Ratings

    About

    The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

    Information

    • Creator
      Excedr
    • Years Active
      2023 - 2025
    • Episodes
      132
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      Copyrights © 2025 All Rights Reserved by Excedr
    • Show Website
      The Biotech Startups Podcast

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