March 17, 2024

Exploring Biotech Frontiers with Dr. Rahul Kakkar - CEO of Tome Biosciences

Show Notes
Guest Profile

In this episode of Life Science Success my guest is Dr Dr. Rahul Kakkar we will dive into the life and innovations of his tremendous career. From founding groundbreaking biotech companies to his vital role at Tome Biosciences and balancing life as a practicing physician, Rahul's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Discover the cutting-edge of genomic medicine and get a peek into the mind of a true life sciences pioneer.

Dr. Rahul Kakkar's Journey: Dr. Kakkar, CEO of Tome Biosciences and a distinguished biotech executive and physician scientist, shares his journey from training in the Harvard Hospital System to his disillusionment with academia's limitations on drug development. This frustration led him towards a career in biotech, underscored by his entrepreneurial spirit and the significant influence of mentors who supported him at pivotal moments.
Entrepreneurial Shift and Tome Biosciences: His experiences, particularly at AstraZeneca, highlighted the challenges of navigating entrenched corporate cultures, sparking his entrepreneurial journey. This journey includes the founding of Corvidia Therapeutics and ultimately leading to his current role at Tome Biosciences, where he emphasizes a flat, open company culture focused on innovative drug development.
Balancing Medicine and Leadership: Kakkar balances his roles as a physician and a biotech leader, finding real-world clinical experiences vital for grounding his work in biotech. He maintains an active part in patient care, which he finds complements his leadership in biotech, keeping his work relevant and impactful.
Advancements in Biotech and Tome's Focus: Kakkar discusses the evolution of biotechnology, from monoclonal antibodies and nucleotide-based therapeutics to the future of DNA editing. At Tome Biosciences, the focus is on programmable genomic integration, aiming to create differentiated, impactful drugs. This approach underscores the importance of technology in developing meaningful new therapies.
Leadership Philosophy and Inspiration: Sharing insights on leadership, Dr. Kakkar emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and making the best of situations. He finds inspiration in the human spirit's perseverance, whether in family, healthcare, or scientific discovery, driving him to overcome challenges in healthcare and biotech innovation.

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Rahul Kakkar, MD

President and CEO of Tome Biosciences

Rahul is a biotech executive and physician-scientist, founding and building biotechnology companies as well as working as a practicing physician. He also serves as an Entrepreneur Partner at Polaris Partners. Most recently, Rahul was Chief Executive Officer at Pandion Therapeutics, a company focused on therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, which he led from Series A through its initial public offering and ultimate acquisition by Merck for $1.85B. Prior to joining Pandion, Rahul founded Corvidia Therapeutics, a precision cardiovascular company, where he served as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. Corvidia Therapeutics was acquired by Novo Nordisk for $2.1B. Prior to Corvidia, Rahul served as a director in the Emerging Innovations Unit at AstraZeneca. Rahul practices cardiovascular medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and is a lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School. Rahul received his BA from Tufts University and MD from the Tufts University School of Medicine.