Creative Financing Strategies for Biotech's Bear Market, Beyond the VC Round

Creative Financing Strategies for Biotech's Bear Market, Beyond the VC Round

From PharmaSource Podcast by Life Science Networks

May 25, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

Baruch Harris discusses creative financing strategies for biotech companies in a challenging market.

"A lot of biotech companies die because they run out of runway. And they might have been successful if they had another six or 12 months." Baruch Harris , Chief Operating Officer at Pretzel Therapeutics, has spent over two decades navigating the business side of life sciences, from consulting and big pharma to early-stage biotech. With a PhD in biochemistry and deep experience in business development, investor relations, and corporate strategy, he has been key in guiding Pretzel from seed stage through a $72.5 million Series A and subsequent Series B financing. In this episode of the PharmaSource podcast, Baruch shares the strategic decisions and creative financing structures that have kept Pretzel advancing its first-in-class mitochondrial biology pipeline, including a lead program currently wrapping up Phase 1 for rare mitochondrial depletion syndrome and an early-stage obesity asset. From spinout strategies to non-dilutive funding and the company's recent acquisition of Rome Therapeutics, his insights offer a practical roadmap for biotech leaders navigating today's capital-constrained environment. Read more .

People in this episode

Guest: Baruch Harris

Topics covered

  • biotech financing
  • capital constraints
  • business strategy
  • investor relations
  • life sciences

Keywords

  • biotech
  • financing
  • investor relations
  • capital
  • life sciences
  • business development
  • Series A
  • Series B

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pretzel Therapeutics, Rome Therapeutics, Life Science Networks

Places: biotech

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