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🧬 Kate Yen - Part 1 | From Academia to Biotech Leader | Translating Research into Cancer Therapies | Early Days at Merck & Agios

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Manage episode 467072534 series 3461709
Content provided by Jon Chee. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jon Chee or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics.
Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis.

Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.
With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable.
In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Kate Yen’s journey from aspiring physician to PhD researcher at UCLA
  • How her postdoc in Charles Sawyers’ lab sparked her passion for translational research
  • Transitioning from academia to industry and learning drug discovery at Merck
  • Taking the leap to join Agios Pharmaceuticals and leading the IDH program
  • The role of collaboration in biotech, from academia to CRO partnerships

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.


Find Our Guest, Kate Yen, at these links:

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Auron Therapeutics: https://www.aurontx.com/
Agios Pharmaceuticals: https://www.agios.com/
Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/

People Mentioned:
00:00 Intro
03:01 Kate Yen’s background and Auron Therapeutics’ mission
04:40 Early influences and passion for research
06:27 Choosing academia over medicine, attending UCLA grad school
13:11 Postdoc with Charles Sawyers and translational research
16:58 Transitioning to industry and joining Merck
24:44 Learning drug discovery and pharma culture at Merck
32:32 Taking the leap to Agios Pharmaceuticals
37:42 Leading the IDH program and cancer research
44:43 Collaborating with academic labs and CROs
50:28 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.
  continue reading

151 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 467072534 series 3461709
Content provided by Jon Chee. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jon Chee or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
🧬 The Biotech Startups Podcast, brought to you by Excedr—empowering life science startups with founder-friendly equipment leasing to fast-track R&D and drive commercialization success.

🔬 Know someone in need of lab equipment? Join Excedr’s referral program: Give your friends $1,000 and earn $1,000 for every qualified referral! 💸

🔗 Get your unique referral link here: refer.excedr.com/ZTHETY.

Part 1 of 2: Our guest today is Kate Yen, Founder and CEO of Auron Therapeutics.
Auron Therapeutics leverages cutting-edge science and AI-powered analysis to develop next-generation cancer therapies by mapping key drivers of tumorigenesis.

Kate earned her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA, where she also completed her postdoc. She held roles at Merck and as a UCLA professor before joining Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the IDH translational research team behind two FDA-approved IDH mutant inhibitors and co-led the discovery of vorasidenib, a promising glioma therapy now in clinical development.
With deep expertise in preclinical and clinical research, a proven track record in advancing breakthrough therapies, and a passion for oncology, Kate’s journey and insights are invaluable.
In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • Kate Yen’s journey from aspiring physician to PhD researcher at UCLA
  • How her postdoc in Charles Sawyers’ lab sparked her passion for translational research
  • Transitioning from academia to industry and learning drug discovery at Merck
  • Taking the leap to join Agios Pharmaceuticals and leading the IDH program
  • The role of collaboration in biotech, from academia to CRO partnerships

If you enjoy The Biotech Startups Podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with your friends. Thanks for listening.


Find Our Guest, Kate Yen, at these links:

Find Our Host, Jon Chee, at these links:

Excedr Socials & Website
Podcast Website: https://www.thebiotechstartupspodcast.com/
Enriched Notes:

Topics Mentioned:
Auron Therapeutics: https://www.aurontx.com/
Agios Pharmaceuticals: https://www.agios.com/
Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/

People Mentioned:
00:00 Intro
03:01 Kate Yen’s background and Auron Therapeutics’ mission
04:40 Early influences and passion for research
06:27 Choosing academia over medicine, attending UCLA grad school
13:11 Postdoc with Charles Sawyers and translational research
16:58 Transitioning to industry and joining Merck
24:44 Learning drug discovery and pharma culture at Merck
32:32 Taking the leap to Agios Pharmaceuticals
37:42 Leading the IDH program and cancer research
44:43 Collaborating with academic labs and CROs
50:28 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.
  continue reading

151 episodes

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