START pod: Jeff Liu, CEO & Co-Founder, FinalDose "Programmable DNA drug destroying all cancers, unlocking 80% of targets"

START pod: Jeff Liu, CEO & Co-Founder, FinalDose "Programmable DNA drug destroying all cancers, unlocking 80% of targets"

Author: Fondo May 27, 2026 Duration: 17:55

Most cancer drugs target proteins

FinalDose thinks the real opportunity is one layer deeper: DNA


Jeff Liu and his team are building a programmable drug platform that uses genetic mutations to identify and selectively destroy cancer cells


Cells without those mutations are not targeted

Instead of creating a completely new drug for every cancer type, the platform is designed as a reusable system with different genetic instructions

One chassis.
Different disease targets.

The broader bet: DNA is more deterministic than proteins, which could unlock therapeutic approaches traditional drugs struggle to reach


Search.
Destroy.

"A programmable cell elimination platform."


🎙️ Jeff Liu, Cofounder & CEO of FinalDose on START

00:11 Why proteins may be the wrong layer for cancer treatment
01:14 Using DNA mutations as programmable kill signatures
03:20 Building a reusable therapeutic platform instead of one-off drugs
05:00 Why hard biotech problems require interdisciplinary teams
06:00 Getting into YC after a 4 a.m. interview in Japan
08:00 Sam Altman’s $2M AI token offer — and why FinalDose passed
10:08 How AI-native biotech is accelerating programmable medicine
12:00 Why the future of medicine may look more like engineering
13:05 The regulatory bottleneck for programmable therapeutics

Learn more at finaldose.ai


Behind every startup's big idea is the less glamorous, but utterly essential, work of building a real business. The Startup Growth Podcast, from the team at Fondo, digs into that reality. Fondo itself is an all-in-one accounting platform designed for startups, handling everything from closing the books to filing taxes and even helping secure cash back from the IRS. This practical experience informs every conversation. You’ll hear founders and operators talk not just about vision, but about the tangible systems, financial decisions, and marketing pivots that actually fuel growth. Episodes move beyond theory to explore the operational choices that separate promising companies from sustainable ones. It’s a resource for entrepreneurs who understand that strategy is meaningless without execution, and that a healthy bottom line is the truest measure of progress. Tune in for honest discussions that bridge the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and the business fundamentals required to make it last.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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