The Future is Tiny with Dr. Nina Tandon
On Thursday, January 23, Dr. Tandon, CEO and co-founder of Epibone, spoke to an audience of over one hundred attendees in the von der Heyden Studio Theatre at Duke University during her talk, "The Future is Tiny: The Cellular Revolution." Dr. Tandon reflected upon her journey developing Epibone, navigating her passions and ambitions throughout her academic career, and her successes and failures as a biotech entrepreneur.
Epibone is a tissue engineering and regenerative medicine company. Its advanced robotic cell-culture system emulates the body's natural conditions, allowing stem cell growth for personalized bone and cartilage implant products. The process of growing these natural products can take 2-4 weeks. Implants are inserted into the patient, where they adapt to and continue to grow within the human body. Epibone's technology addresses the top cause of disability worldwide: skeletal conditions. Currently, the predominant treatment for skeletal conditions is synthetic replacements which pose a risk of immune rejection or implant degeneration.
In addition to sharing specifics on the mechanics of Epibone's technology, Dr. Tandon shared details of her academic career. Tandon received her graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her Ph.D and Executive MBA degrees at Columbia University, where she studied stem cells, tissue engineering, and healthcare entrepreneurship. Dr. Tandon highlighted the importance of mentors and support systems, recognizing the key figures who have played a crucial role in her career trajectory.
Dr. Tandon articulated the hard work and fortitude required to bring Epibone to its current moment. Tandon also reflected on the challenges biomedical companies face in a post-COVID-19 world and the formidable economic conditions of the U.S.
Her transparency regarding past failures and future obstacles was inspirational and appeared to resonate with audience members.
"Nina Tandon's talk was deeply moving, offering profound insight into the courage and resilience that defines entrepreneurship," noted Baldwin Scholar, Unzila Sakina, "It challenged me to rethink how risks and innovation shape not just businesses, but the journey of those daring to create something transformative."
Dr. Tandon closed the talk by sharing her reflections and advice on the importance of being guided by values. She expressed her appreciation for her family and recognized the 'blessings' present in her life even in times of hardship. This gratitude was easy to share, as she concluded reminding the audience that every heartbeat alone is 'a million miracles'.
This event was hosted by the Baldwin Scholars Program, as part of its Jean Fox O'Barr Distinguished Speaker series. For more information, visit https://baldwinscholars.duke.edu/