My journey into this fascinating field of biotechnology started about 26 years ago at a small biotechnology company in South San Francisco called Genentech. I was very fortunate to work for the company that begat the biotech industry during its formative years. This experience established a solid foundation from which I could grow in both the science and business of biotechnology. After my fourth year of working on Oyster Point Boulevard, a close friend and colleague left Genentech to join a start-up biotechnology company. Later, he approached me to leave and join him in of all places ¿ Oklahoma. He persisted for at least a year before I seriously considered his proposal. After listening to their plans, the opportunity suddenly became more and more intriguing. Finally, I took the plunge and joined this ent- preneurial team in cofounding and growing a start-up biotechnology company. Making that fateful decision to leave the security of a larger company was extremely difficult, but it turned out to be the beginning of an entrepreneurial career that forever changed how I viewed the biotechnology industry. Since that time, I have been fortunate to have cofounded two other biotechnology com- nies and even participated in taking one of them public. During my career in these start-ups, I held a variety of positions, from directing the science, operations, regulatory, and marketing components, to subsequently becoming CEO.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Introduction What makes a Biotech Entrepreneur? Start with the Idea: Licensing and Protecting Core Assets Significance of the Right Business Model and Managing Risk Legally Establishing the Company The Product Development Pathway: Charting the Right Course Developing a Marketing Strategy Financing your Company: Part 1. Raising Money, Capital Needs and Funding Sources Financing the Company: Part 2: Funding Stages, Valuation and Funding Tools Corporate Culture and Core Values in a Biotech Company Hiring a Biotech Dream Team Strategic Alliances and Corporate Partnerships The Regulatory Process for Biotech Products Company Life Stages and Changing Management Styles When Do You Call it Quits? Conclusions and Serendipity Practical Help: How to get Started? Glossary Additional Reading Index