ABOUT THIS EPISODE
“If nobody else is going to do this, I'm gonna jump in with both feet and I'm gonna make it happen.”
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Byers, founder and CEO of Axio BioPharma, to explore how his company is solving one of biotech's most overlooked bottlenecks: the broken flow of data between early-stage research and large-scale manufacturing. Through AI-powered data pipelines, Axio is helping get life-saving therapies to patients faster and more reliably.
Justin traces his path from bench scientist to biotech founder, sharing hard-won lessons from building a company in one of the most regulated industries in the world. He also makes the case for why high-throughput domestic drug manufacturing is more than a business opportunity. It's a national priority.
We also dig into Midwest BioCapital, Justin's pre-seed and seed-stage fund backing the next generation of Midwest biotech startups, and why the partnerships you choose in those earliest stages can make or break everything that follows.
Tune in to learn:- How Axio BioPharma is using AI to streamline drug development and reduce risk
- The challenges of building a biotech company in the U.S. and the role of data pipelines
- How Midwest BioCapital aims to fill the early-stage funding gap for Midwest startups
(00:00) Introduction
(01:17) Justin’s background in biochemistry and molecular biology
(02:51) The creation of Axio BioPharma
(05:00) The challenges of drug manufacturing and data management
(07:22) Why AI is crucial in the drug development process
(10:05) The role of Midwest BioCapital in supporting early-stage biotech companies
(12:37) Building data pipelines for the pharmaceutical industry
(15:45) The importance of partnerships in the biotech startup world
(19:15) How Madison’s ecosystem supports biotech innovation
(22:30) The balance of growth and focus in a biotech startup
(25:50) What’s next for Axio BioPharma and Midwest BioCapital
Connect with Justin Byers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-byers-03760931/
Check out Axio BioPharma: https://www.axiobiopharma.com/
Podcast Sponsor
Valency Fund
Flexible funding solutions designed for sustainable growth of Wisconsin companies.
Learn more at https://www.valencyfund.com/
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Startup Wisconsin's mission is to connect, educate, inspire, and grow tech startup communities across the state, not just during events, but year-round. This podcast is part of that vision, creating deeper connections and sharing the knowledge that helps Wisconsin's startup ecosystem thrive.
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