Exai Bio, a start-up company based on the University of California, San Francisco’s technologies developed in Dr. Hani Goodarzi’s laboratory and focused on developing a next-generation liquid biopsy platform, launched big with $65M in financing. And as Dr. Goodarzi learned it takes more than just a great idea to launch a new product, it takes a team of people who understand how a NewCo is assembled to launch a new MedTech product.
The first barrier we had was to find experienced co-founders who both shared my vision and could realize the said vision. With support from the newly founded Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) program, spearheaded by Dr. Darya Bubman, I was introduced to Patrick Arensdorf, an expert and veteran in the diagnostic space. Shortly thereafter, the core Exai Bio team was formed around us.
Hani Goodarzi, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of California, San Francisco
I was first introduced to Hani Goodarzi through Darya Bubman at the OTMA, which had recruited me to help as an early entrant to their Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) program. We worked closely together to craft a business strategy and launch Exai Bio, ultimately culminating in a $67.5 million Series A financing with some of the top names in venture financing for diagnostics companies. We believe Exai has a unique opportunity as a broad non-invasive liquid biopsy platform, helping to bring about our common vision of a future where cancer can be detected early, diagnosed accurately, treated in a personalized and targeted way, and ultimately cured.
Pat Arensdorf, MBA
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Exai Bio
Through its close collaboration with UCSF, Exai Bio is pioneering the next generation of non-invasive RNA-based liquid biopsy testing. We believe Exai Bio's platform is unique in its ability to detect cancer early, monitor treatment response, and deliver clinically meaningful results that can lead to better outcomes for people living with cancer. We look forward to advancing cancer care through our ongoing work with UCSF.
Michael Pellini, MD
Managing Partner, Section 32 Venture Capital
The EOD group within OTMA helps launch new ventures, which includes the recruitment of potential CEOs through our Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) program. I enjoyed working with our inventor Hani Goodarzi, and entrepreneur Pat Arensdorf, whom I brought in as an EiR to help launch Exai Bio. I had the chance to visit them at Exai's site in San Carlos recently and was excited to see the outcome of our combined efforts which we initiated more than 1 year ago when we started working on the first pitch deck and presenting it to potential investors.
Darya Bubman, PhD
Senior Manager, Business Development & EOD, University of California, San Francisco