Joshua Wang: Reprogramming Cancer, Biotech’s Funding Shift & Why AI Will Rewrite Biology – E628

Joshua Wang: Reprogramming Cancer, Biotech’s Funding Shift & Why AI Will Rewrite Biology – E628

Author: Jeremy Au September 22, 2025 Duration: 47:54

Jeremy Au and Joshua Wang reunite after three years to explore how biotech startups navigate scientific breakthroughs, funding challenges, and leadership growth. They discuss Joshua’s work at VerImmune on repurposing the immune system to treat cancer, the shift in early-stage global biotech financing from founder-led ventures to the “professionalization of entrepreneurship” via venture studio models, and the lessons learned about resilience, communication, and leadership under pressure. Their exchange also touches on early detection, cultural attitudes toward disease, and how AI is reshaping biology into an engineering-driven field.


02:21 Tricking the immune system: Joshua explains how VerImmune’s therapy makes the body treat cancer like a past infection, using existing immune memory against viruses to stop recurrence.

05:56 Why cancer hides: Cancer disguises itself as “self” and builds immune-suppressive environments, preventing the body’s natural defenses from recognizing and eliminating tumors.

09:08 Marking tumors as threats: VerImmune adds viral-like markers to cancer cells, making them visible to the immune system as dangerous outsiders that must be attacked.

11:38 Toward earlier treatment: Although clinical trials begin with late-stage patients, the long-term vision is to bring the therapy earlier to prevent recurrence and keep cancer under control.

16:08 Cancer versus diabetes: Jeremy and Joshua compare today’s fear of cancer to how diabetes was once seen as fatal, arguing that science can shift cancer into a chronic, manageable disease.

20:38 Hard conversations matter: Joshua reflects on his growth as a founder, learning to confront underperformance directly and foster a culture of honesty and accountability.

30:20 Biotech funding shifts: Joshua describes how venture studios are reshaping early-stage biotech, with VCs creating companies in-house and founder-led startups facing tougher competition.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/joshua-wang-fighting-cancer-differently


Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com


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There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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