From Tech to Biotech: Lital Gilad-Shaoulian on Leading PurposeBio to Transform Cardiometabolic Health

Inside Biotech

In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Lital Gilad-Shaoulian, CEO of PurposeBio, to explore her inspiring journey from a non-science background into the world of biotech. Lital shares how she transformed PurposeBio into an industry leader focused on tackling cardiometabolic diseases. It was named by UCLA as one of its “Best and Most Investment Worthy Startups." They have been awarded the Department of Defense Award for Innovation and Impact and received a personal invitation to the annual premier pharma and healthcare conference, JPM Healthcare Conference, in San Francisco in January 2025.
From her early days as an Entrepreneur In Residence at Stanford Research Institute to her success as a mentor and ambassador, Lital offers powerful insights into patient-centered innovation, resilience, and team-driven leadership. She also discusses the triumphs and challenges of turning an idea into a tangible, marketable product, emphasizing the importance of persistence, collaboration, and staying focused on the end goal. Join us for an energizing conversation on purpose, innovation, and the future of biotech.

(0:00) Intro
(0:56) Intro to Lital Gilad Shaulian of PurposeBio for Cardiometabolic diseases
(2:27) Macherey-Nagel Ad
(3:23) Lital’s career background
(4:36) After Lital turned forty, she wanted a change from tech
(6:46) Shift from tech to biotech by reading a science article
(9:50) Dr. Elaine Hsiao’s research led to a collaboration towards drugs for obesity and fatty liver disease by gut microbiome
(13:12) Why meeting the need not focusing on the idea is important
(15:01) Survey of what patients with cholesterol and fatty liver disease need
(18:25) What are the steps of FDA approval?
(21:40) How Lital build her team of experts? Meeting Professor Eran Elinav and having him buy in
(29:03) How to get a startup off the ground and get funding?
(33:30) Where do the funds go currently for Purpose Bio? Science and IP
(35:11) What does communication look like on a day-to-day basis for Purpose Bio?
(36:46) The importance of thinking ahead to plan what the company needs
(42:22) How Lital developed her background in science by asking questions
(44:59) Milestones that Lital has hit with Purpose Bio and how that felt at each time
(49:01) The lack of control in science and not knowing what will happen when variables are manipulated
(50:18) What is the focus of taking the next step towards clinical trials?
(54:24) Purpose Bio will meet unmet needs of patients that cannot use GLP-1 or statins
(55:42) Side effects of statins are difficult to manage
(59:31) What advice would Lital give herself for the beginning of her journey?
(65:58) Outro

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