From scientist to CEO

As a PhD researcher, Braam worked with stem cells and heart muscle myocardial cells. During that time he had the idea of making more relevant physiological models for drug discovery and development. “Wrong decisions for the patient can be made when you base these decisions on animal models, as they are not always very representative. In turn, this also has a negative economic impact," states Braam. "I believe that human stem cell technology fast-tracks the delivery of better medicines to patients by improving the drug discovery process."

"As a scientist, I was motivated to do something that had an impact and that benefited people. In a company focused on application and implementation you can generate this impact on a shorter time-scale than in the academic world." And so Pluriomics, a biotech company that provided a unique, novel platform bridging traditional laboratory tests and clinical testing in patients emerged in the centre of Leiden. "When Pluriomics participated in and subsequently won the Venture Challenge in 2009, the ball got rolling," recalls Braam. "With my background, I mainly focused on the scientific aspects." Serial entrepreneur and first CEO of Pluriomics, Herman Spolders, helped to start the company, define the strategy and to raise funds in the beginning. “With the trust that I was properly coached by Herman, our investors asked if I wanted to become the CEO. That is now almost four years ago.’’ Braam is now one of the few examples of a scientist becoming a CEO. Braam: "Although my idea to start a company was ridiculed by my fellow scientists, I believed I could do it."

In August 2017, Pluriomics merged with Axiogenesis to form Ncardia. Braam: "We recognised that these companies, both leading providers in human cardiovascular stem cell technology, disease modelling and cell-based assay products and services, were compatible and complementary. So the merger of the two companies brought the best of both organisations together – the people, products, services, industry knowledge and expertise to develop and generate more innovative stem cell based products and services. It also boosted the R&D capabilities, and so now we create an impact around the world by helping to get better medicines to patients faster."