The BioHub - by Avetix

Today’s guest is Ashley Zehnder, the co-founder and CEO of Fauna Bio—a pioneering biotech company unlocking insights from the natural world to transform human health.With a background in genomics and a passion for translating cutting-edge science into real-world therapies, Ashley is leading a new frontier in drug discovery—one that looks to nature’s own evolutionary experiments to uncover novel treatments for disease.Under her leadership, Fauna Bio is redefining how we approach medicine by combining comparative biology, machine learning, and massive genomic datasets to identify breakthroughs that traditional methods might miss.In this episode, we’ll explore Ashley’s journey from scientist to CEO, the bold vision behind Fauna Bio, and how studying the biology of extraordinary animals could reshape the future of healthcare.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Robert Jacks, President and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals.Robert brings more than 25 years of experience in biotech, having founded or co-founded multiple companies and raised over $300 million across his career. From roles in corporate development at Pfizer to leading companies through development, approval, and exit, he’s seen the industry from every angle.In this conversation, Robert shares his journey into biotech leadership, the story behind Sparrow, and what it takes to build and scale companies while staying lean and focused.They also discuss raising capital in today’s market, navigating the challenges of biotech, and where the industry is heading next.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny Yang, Founder and CEO of Outpost Bio, a company building an AI-driven platform to understand how the human microbiome interacts with drugs, food, and other interventions.Jenny shares her journey from machine learning and genomics research through to her PhD at the University of Oxford and experience at Exscientia, before founding Outpost Bio.We discuss why the microbiome remains an underexplored layer in drug discovery, how advances in AI are enabling more complex biological modelling, and the role of high-quality data in building systems that can translate into real-world impact.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Max sits down with Cary Claiborne, CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals.Cary’s career spans finance, M&A, and leadership across multiple public biotech companies before stepping into the CEO role at Adial. The company is focused on developing genetically targeted therapies for addiction, starting with alcohol use disorder.In this conversation, Cary shares his transition into biotech leadership, what it’s like running a micro-cap clinical-stage company, and how Adial is approaching one of the most complex and underserved areas in medicine.They also discuss leadership, resilience, and the realities of building and financing biotech companies in today’s market.

Today’s guest brings one of the broadest and most thoughtful perspectives in neuroscience, spanning clinical practice, drug development, investing, and company building.Dr. Spyros Papapetropoulos is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and biotech leader who has spent his career at the intersection of science, medicine, and innovation. With deep experience across both large pharma and emerging biotech, he has built a reputation for translating complex neuroscience into clear strategic direction - helping shape how new therapies move from idea to impact.Over the years, Spyros has worked across multiple dimensions of the CNS ecosystem, from research and development through to leadership, investing, and advising. His work has given him a unique vantage point on what it really takes to build successful neuroscience companies, where the field is heading, and why progress in CNS demands a different kind of thinking.He is also the author of Mind Odyssey, a book that reflects on neuroscience, innovation, and the future of brain health - themes that closely mirror the work he continues to do across the biotech landscape today.In this conversation, we explore Spyros’ journey through neuroscience, his view on the current state of the CNS biotech ecosystem, where drug development is heading next, and what it takes to build companies, teams, and ideas that can genuinely move the field forward.