MolBio Graduate Alumni Profile

Kevin Forrest *05 is the co-founder of Kate Therapeutics; a biotech startup that recently made waves by being acquired by Novartis. In this exclusive interview by Molecular Biology Graduate Student Deepika Bhatnagar, Kevin shares insights into the groundbreaking work behind Kate’s innovative gene therapy technology, his journey from Princeton University to entrepreneurship, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Innovating in Gene Therapy: The Vision Behind Kate Therapeutics

Firstly, congratulations on Kate Therapeutics being acquired by Novartis! This is a huge accomplishment, and a step that not many biotech startups get to take. Can you tell me a little bit about the principle behind your technology at Kate Therapeutics, and what were the key decisions that were crucial to reaching this goal?

Kate Therapeutics was founded with a mission to advance medicines for patients with rare genetic muscle and heart diseases. Kevin explains the breakthrough that led to their success: “To this point, folks were relying on naturally occurring AAVs (Adeno-Associated Viruses). And while those viruses went to liver very well, they did not go to muscle or heart. So, we identified technology out of the Broad Institute at Harvard and MIT. They were able to engineer AAVs through in vivo directed evolution. They were able to crack that nut and get much better delivery of AAVs to muscle, so you could get a fair amount of delivery at a dose that was safe -areas where traditional AAVs fell short.”

This innovation unlocked potential treatments for diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, FSHD, and myotonic dystrophy, which had long lacked viable therapeutic options.

“We focused on developing a delivery system for genetic therapies, allowing for safe and targeted delivery to specific tissues,” Kevin shares. “It’s about making sure that the virus and its cargo can deliver the therapy to the right place, at the right time, and with the right dose.”

About the principles that led to Kate Therapeutics’ success, Kevin notes, “Work with really good people, and stay focused. As a small company, we could only really do a few things well, so we chose to work with the best technology, kept the board small to be able to make decisions quickly, and were super capital efficient. Lastly, we stayed patient focused.”

From starting the company during the pandemic, Kevin and his team financed Kate Therapeutics with $70M in venture capital funding and grew the company to 50 people. Through strategic partnerships and an unwavering focus on science, the company reached key milestones, including a pivotal partnership with a Japanese pharmaceutical company and successful acquisition by Novartis.

Balancing Science and Business: The Entrepreneur’s Path

You co-founded several biotech companies, including Kate Therapeutics and Expansion Therapeutics. What drove you to start these ventures, and how do you balance scientific discovery with the business aspects of running a company?

A successful biotech venture requires not only cutting-edge science but also effective business strategy. Kevin shares what it takes to manage both: “It took me 20 years to get to a place where I understood how to balance the two. The key takeaway: life is short. You have limited time to work on things. Don’t just do it because you can, do it because you want to because you don’t have too many bites of the apple. Be judicious with what you choose to work on, and always ask ‘why am I doing this?’”

He emphasizes that choosing the right ventures goes beyond just identifying good science; it’s about timing, market need, and building a strong, cohesive team.

“Is the science differentiated? Does the team excite me? Can we make it to clinical proof of concept in a reasonable time frame? These are the critical questions,” he says.

Lessons Learned at Princeton: Shaping a Career in Science and Entrepreneurship

You received your PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. How did your time at Princeton shape your understanding of molecular biology and influence your career trajectory? What experiences during your PhD sparked your interest in pursuing a career that blends research and entrepreneurship?

Reflecting on his time at Princeton University, Kevin credits the institution for shaping his career in both molecular biology and entrepreneurship. “Princeton taught me how to think critically. (Going through the generals exam, coming up with an independent research project, and the final defense.) You’re given a problem, and you learn to deconstruct it, approach it from different angles, and build it back up to a solution,” he says.

In addition to technical expertise, Princeton’s focus on public speaking and communication skills helped him thrive in both academia and business. “Whether it’s in Proks answering questions, at the departmental seminars, or at offsites, the emphasis on presenting ideas, defending your research, and thinking on your feet prepared me for public speaking and the board room” he shares.

It wasn’t just the technical training that shaped Kevin’s path. Growing up with a father in pharmaceutical sales sparked his interest in biotechnology, and his time at Princeton solidified his desire to combine science with entrepreneurship.

Advice for Aspiring Scientists

What advice would you give to someone currently in the Molecular Biology PhD program?

“There’s a lot to be said for being in the moment and focusing on what you’re doing really well. Do some good work, and that will open doors you may not even expect.”

Kevin also stresses the importance of networking and exploring various industries outside of pure science. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and learn about their industry. Whether it’s patent law, policy, or venture. Reach out to people in that space early and often and ask them ‘what do I need to do to learn? ’‘If I want to get in this space, what would you do?’ I broke in by doing some free work for venture capitalists, and I did it well, and then when a job became open, I got it through a referral. The Princeton network was also really important. It’s a lot of luck – right place right time. Do things well, don’t be afraid to ask – people want to help! Everyone’s been there, and typically people are nice,” he states.

Memorable Moments at Princeton

What was your most memorable moment as a grad student at Princeton?

When asked about his standout experiences at Princeton, Kevin reflects fondly on his time there. “Oh god, there are so many. I married my wife Nicole White ’01 at the Princeton Chapel, which was a beautiful moment. I remember the holiday party. The skits. Eating way too much Hoagie Haven. I played a ton of basketball and made a ton of friends. Frist Campus Center was built when we were there. Really, it’s the friendships and the relationships that stand out,” he recalls. “You have six years at Princeton—take your time, explore, and build connections that will last a lifetime.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Biotech Innovation

As for the future, Kevin Forrest remains excited about the potential of gene therapy in the biotech industry. With the acquisition of Kate Therapeutics by Novartis, he is already looking toward the next steps in his career.