Technological developments, scientific breakthroughs and changing demands are transforming the life science industry. Moving beyond the realms of stereotypic practices, companies are investing in research and development at an unprecedented pace to meet the fueling needs of the global community.
The ATLATL Center for Innovation & Research is a global innovation research and development center that has built a platform at the intersection of the world’s leading life sciences companies, VCs, and academic institutions in the heart of an innovation hub. This new life sciences ecosystem attracts top research projects and talent from around the world, seeking to ensure research and development of new drugs in all areas of clinical needs.
ATLATL stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination of PC Zhu, founder and CEO of the organization. Dr. Zhu holds an MBA from Chicago Booth and a PhD from Fudan University. His post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School was selected as one of fifteen Nature Milestones in Antisense RNA. With a remarkable career and a strong track record of entrepreneurial achievements, Dr. Zhu is rightly recognized as one of the “Most Innovative CEOs to Watch 2024.”
Dr. Zhu speaks of his long and vivid journey in an exclusive interview with The CEO Views team.
Kindly take us through your entrepreneurial journey. What was your motivation behind the inception of ATLATL?
After I left Harvard Medical School, I wanted to make my own company, and it became an odyssey of challenges– managing labs is a scientist’s nightmare! The equipment costs, lab space, operations and management, all of it. I didn’t end up making a great scientific breakthrough, but it ignited a vision: a scientific pitstop, an ATLATL, to keep researchers fuelled and focused on breakthroughs, not the logistics of fixing a broken lab.
ATLATL isn’t just flashy labs; it’s a service station for science. Pre-equipped labs, cutting-edge facilities, expert operators – we’re the crack lab crew you can trust (minus the questionable ethics!). We want researchers chasing cures, not wrangling beakers. Every pre-pipetted experiment, every shared facility, every single piece of equipment in our collaborative space is a testament to that.
You are widely regarded as an inspirational leader. Can you share some of your main intellectual breakthrough ideas and initiatives that you have pioneered?
My entrepreneurial journey has been marked by two key breakthroughs, both driven by a desire to supercharge innovation. Firstly, I transitioned from the non-profit world to the for-profit landscape, allowing ATLATL to attract diverse resources and talent. This wasn’t just about funding; it was about building an ecosystem, not just a lab. That is where my second breakthrough comes in. ATLATL isn’t just about benches; it’s a platform. We offer cutting-edge core facilities, streamline the biotech journey with pre-built labs, and even co-create ventures with promising startups.
We believe that by providing the right environment, nurturing talent, and giving them the tools they need, we can catalyze the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
How your company ATLATL has evolved and made an impact over the previous years?
We started by reimagining the shared lab, transforming it into a vibrant “shared scientist” ecosystem. Our impact is tangible. From a single space, we’ve expanded to encompass over half a million square feet across seven cities and will expand to three million square feet in the leading innovative cities in the next three years, each a hive of scientific innovation. We’ve woven a global network of minds, from Boston and shanghai to Singapore, Brussels, and Beijing, fostering collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. And through strategic partnerships, we extend our reach even further, ensuring the spark of scientific genius can ignite anywhere.
From a single space, we’ve expanded to encompass over half a million square feet across seven cities and will expand to three million square feet in the leading innovative cities in the next three years, each a hive of scientific innovation.
You have an unparalleled professional career with a demonstrated history of working in the industry. How have your experience and expertise contributed in making ATLATL what it is today?
My early stumbles taught me a crucial lesson: leadership isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about being a relentless learner. I sponge up knowledge from anyone, anywhere – my team, competitors, even YouTube. It allows me to assemble a dynamic team, each a master builder with their own Lego blocks. I provide the platform, the tools, and the shared vision, but the real magic happens when we collaborate, brick by innovative brick. And this is what we provide to our customers as well.
What is your personal definition of innovation? Being an innovator yourself, how do you drive innovation?
The word “innovation” gets tossed around a lot these days, often attached to the latest tech fad or flashy app. But for me, innovation goes far beyond gadgets and gizmos. It’s about reimagining possibilities, crafting solutions that make our lives better, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I view innovation as a vibrant ecosystem, not a linear race. It’s fuelled by the synergy of diverse minds. We bring together scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, creating a fertile ground for ideas to cross-pollinate and blossom. And together, we use all that to make society more efficient, and evolve society as a whole.
Technology is evolving at an increasing pace. What do you think is the biggest impact of technology on the biotech sector?
In the realm of biotech, I think the burgeoning impact of AI is undeniable. At ATLATL, we leverage this transformative technology to enhance scientific endeavors. By deploying AI, routine tasks are seamlessly managed by AI helpers, freeing scientists to focus on groundbreaking breakthroughs.
Moreover, we use AI to analyze trends and data, guiding us in making informed and impactful investment decisions, ensuring that ATLATL remains at the forefront of advancing the biotech sector.
What are your goals for the future? In a few years from now, what would be the best manifestation of yourself from your current position and responsibilities?
Imagine a seamless exchange of ideas and resources, where researchers in Singapore collaborate with their counterparts in Boston, sharing discoveries and propelling innovation forward. This is the future of ATLATL, a global village buzzing with scientific collaboration. Democratizing innovation, one lab bench at a time, is our mission.
Not only in early discovery, but we plan to apply this thought process to areas like GMP solutions, and large-scale manufacturing as well. At ATLATL, we’re not just building a company; we’re building a future where the impossible becomes possible, one groundbreaking discovery at a time.
