Getting a biotech company off the ground takes more than science; it takes strategy, funding, and the right network.
In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Bendis, Founder, President, and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., a nonprofit that helps early-stage life sciences companies bridge the gap between great research and commercialization.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADCG0qLA8I
We talk about what it really takes to build a biotech company today, from non-dilutive funding and EIR programs to spinouts and government partnerships. Rich brings a rare perspective from both public and private sides of the ecosystem, with decades of experience in investment, tech transfer, and innovation policy.
He also opens up about the current investment climate and the very real challenges life sciences startups are facing right now.
This is a grounded, no-nonsense conversation that anyone in biotech or thinking about entering should hear. Give it a listen and hear what someone with both miles and insight has to say.
Specifically, this episode highlights the following themes:
- The current investment landscape for early-stage biotech
- The role of government in funding and equity returns
- How BioHealth Innovation supports commercialization
Links from this episode:
- Get to know more about Steven Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swangroup
- Get to know more about Richard Bendis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbendis
- Learn more about BioHealth Innovation: https://www.biohealthinnovation.org
- More about the BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Sept 23–25 in Rockville, MD): https://www.biohealthinnovation.org/biohealth-news/17-news/15544-save-the-date-sponsor-the-future-biohealth-capital-region-week-returns-september-23-25-2025
==== Time Stamps ====
00:00 – Introduction
01:05 – About Richard Bendis
06:58 – What EIRs actually do
10:25 – IT and AI needs in life sciences startups
21:34 – What’s really happening in biotech investment
30:01 – Should the government have equity in startups?
39:49 – The BioHealth Capital Region Forum
44:04 – Rich’s outlook on resilience and leadership