Legacy Lounge: Built to Outlast

Written By Vanloan Nguyen

The Story

Every founder wants to build something that lasts. Far fewer can say what that takes. That question was at the heart of Legacy Lounge: Built to Outlast, an evening the Berkeley Pharma Tech Foundation co-hosted on September 15th.

We kept the gathering deliberately small: about 20 founders, investors, and healthcare leaders in one room. There was no big stage and no long slide decks, just a candid conversation about what it means to build a company that endures in biotech and healthtech.

Two guests anchored the discussion. Dr. Mark Chao, Chief Medical Officer at Antares Therapeutics, and Dr. Vinona Bhatia, a healthcare investor, operator, and founder, drew on careers that span medicine, biotech, entrepreneurship, and investing. They spoke openly about what worked and what didn't, and that honesty set the tone for the whole evening.

The small format mattered. With only 20 people, the conversation could go deeper than a typical panel allows, and many of the most memorable exchanges happened afterward, as guests kept talking and made connections of their own.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistence must be paired with adaptability.

Building in biotech and healthtech rarely follows a straight line. Strong founders stay committed to the mission while staying flexible enough to adjust strategy as markets, technologies, and circumstances change.

2. Team and culture are foundational.

The people you bring in, and the culture you build together, can matter as much as the technology. As an organization grows, alignment around values, transparency, collaboration, and adaptability becomes more important.

3. Understand your stakeholders and earn their trust.

Founders need to understand the perspectives of investors, customers, partners, and regulators. Clear communication about setbacks and progress builds credibility and lasting relationships.

Meet the Voices & Collaborators

Our Speakers:

  • Mark Chao, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Antares Therapeutics

  • Vinona Bhatia, MD, MPH, Healthcare Investor, Operator & Founder at P4CI, and Venture Partner at CANCER FUND

Our Co-Hosting Collaborators:

  • Teresa G., Succedia Ventures

  • Natalie Pan, Funding Breakthrough Lab

Vanloan Nguyen
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