"Phare Bio is a novel nonprofit/for-profit biotech using advanced AI/deep learning to develop new classes of antibiotics and anti-infectives. Phare Bio is building a pipeline of AI-optimized antibiotic candidates to combat the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis. Its unique business model uses philanthropic funding and commercial partnerships to advance antibiotic candidates through preclinical and clinical development.

I worked with the organization’s CEO, Dr. Akhila Kosaraju, to refine the organization’s unique business strategy, establish core operations, and execute corporate marketing initiatives. Key projects included a comprehensive business plan that outlines the organization’s scientific platform and business strategy, a company pitch presentation, an annual donor report, and various marketing communications to help increase Phare Bio’s visibility. Each of these initiatives contributed to the growth and development of Phare Bio, which announced its launch to the public in May. In addition to these projects, I helped Dr. Kosaraju build out Phare’s core operations and attended meetings with the research and development team.

Working at Phare Bio provided many opportunities for me to apply the skills I acquired during my first year at Columbia Business School. In developing the business plan, I relied heavily on learnings from my strategy formulation, operations, and corporate finance classes. I also leveraged takeaways from my behavioral economics and decision-making courses when developing the messaging for our company presentation and marketing materials. Business School also provided me with sharper critical thinking and analytical skills that were useful when thinking through Phare Bio’s long-term business strategy and key business questions, such as the type of partnerships Phare should pursue to best ensure the clinical and commercial success of its antibiotics.

By shadowing Dr. Kosaraju, I was able to see how a successful biotech executive approaches various business challenges and strategic considerations. Working in such an early-stage organization was a fantastic extension of my first year of Business School, and I really enjoyed the multifaceted experience of working in a startup.

This internship pushed me to develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of early preclinical drug development, which is highly technical and involves extremely detailed scientific processes. As someone without a technical science background, getting comfortable with the vernacular and standard operations of the drug development process was challenging but ultimately invaluable. I am grateful that Dr. Kosaraju took the time to explain complex concepts and point me in the direction of helpful webinars and materials that deepened my understanding of the space we were working in. From meetings with Dr. Kosaraju and Phare’s team of scientists (which included individuals with decades of pharmaceutical experience in antibiotic research and development, as well as medicinal chemistry), I learned about antibiotic drug development, R&D processes, and challenges related to the antibiotic market landscape. Going forward, I feel much more confident and better prepared to continue my career in the biotech industry

Coming into Business School, I wasn’t sure of the career path I wanted to pursue within the health care industry. Having worked at Phare Bio, I have a much clearer understanding of my long-term career goals and the type of organization I want to work for. I was energized by the biotech startup environment and enjoyed getting to work on many different types of projects throughout the summer, from strategy to operations to marketing. Dr. Kosaraju also took the time to help me formulate my future career goals, and I am grateful for her mentorship.

From working at Phare Bio, I learned about pharmaceutical and antibiotic development, public health, and how to build a new organization from the ground up. I am confident that these learnings will be valuable as I continue my career in biotech. At the end of my fellowship, I was thrilled to accept a position with Phare Bio as director, head of business strategy and operations, and I cannot wait to start my full-time role after graduation. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to work at Phare Bio and couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend my MBA summer internship. I am so appreciative that the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise could help make this possible."