Exploring Bay Area Biotech: Site Visits to Genentech, BioMarin, Beckman Coulter and Novonesis

Image

When I arrived at UC Davis from Nigeria, I learned that the university is internationally known as the leader in biotechnology innovations and cutting-edge applied research.

Veteran biotech executive and Lecturer Hemant Vaidya at the Graduate School of Management shared more about the history: that in the 1970s, companies and universities in Northern California pioneered the use of biotechnology in healthcare. Since then, California has become a global hub of biotechnology innovation, home to the world’s largest biotechnology companies. Over the past academic year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Vaidya’s Biotechnology Industry Immersion Program. It is a hands-on, three-quarter journey designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world biotech innovation.

I joined the industry immersion to bridge the gap between business strategy and life sciences innovation. Coming from a background in engineering and marketing, I was deeply curious about how biotech companies translate complex science into life-changing products.

Going Behind the Scenes on Bay Area Biotech Tour

Each spring, UC Davis MBA and graduate biotech students join Vaidya for exclusive, behind-the-scenes biotech company tours in the Bay Area.

He connects students with industry leaders, who offer hands-on insights and valuable networking opportunities. The program is divided into three distinct phases each quarter:

• In the fall, we built foundational knowledge of the biotechnology industry.
• In the winter, we engaged with industry leaders, tackled real-world case studies in team-based projects and deepened our strategic thinking.
• In the spring, we capped off the experience with site visits to four Bay Area biotech companies, where we saw the science, business and people behind the products.

Our tour stops included:

• Genentech and BioMarin: two pioneers in biopharmaceutical innovation
• Novonesis: a leading biotech service company
• Danaher–Beckman Coulter: a global player in diagnostics and life sciences

The Biotechnology Industry Immersion offers a rare opportunity to explore how hands-on learning, meeting industry leaders and visiting real companies all come together to improve lives through teamwork and innovation.

Lessons in Rare Disease Innovation at BioMarin

Image

BioMarin is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for rare genetic diseases. Since 1997, BioMarin has built a robust pipeline of innovative treatments with eight marketed products, six of which were first-in-disease.

Our visit to BioMarin was inspiring. We had the opportunity to hear from key leaders, including Ayesha Khan, senior director of CMC technical strategy and Matt Morrow, who leads supply chain and manufacturing.

They provided an in-depth look at BioMarin’s product development process and operational scale. One standout moment was learning about their end-to-end capabilities, including in-house gene therapy production and the role of their pilot plant in enabling rapid innovation. The integration of R&D, manufacturing and regulatory strategy was evident throughout the tour.

Takeaways from BioMarin

BioMarin’s strategic edge is its focus on targeted therapies that address the genetic root cause of disease, often where no previous treatment existed.

Their model emphasizes transformational science, patient-centric design and commercial viability. I was especially impressed by the company’s clarity on each phase of drug development—from in vitro proof of concept to market readiness—each lasting 12–18 months.

From a leadership perspective, I was struck by how cross-functional collaboration, quality systems and transparent communication fuel BioMarin’s culture of excellence.

Patient-Centered Innovation at Genentech

Genentech is widely recognized as the world’s first biotechnology company, known for developing transformative medicines across oncology, immunology, ophthalmology and rare diseases. With an emphasis on biologics, it continues to redefine what’s possible in-patient care through rigorous research, advanced technologies and strategic product development.

Our site visit to Genentech was rich with insights and exposure to senior leadership. We met with several accomplished professionals, including Dr. Larry Tsai, global head of immunology in product development; Dr. Kavita Mistry, head of U.S. technical development leaders for large molecules; Julia Haselbeck, lead in portfolio strategy and management; and Traci Smith, executive director of global clinical operations.

We also heard from Shrirang (Shri) Ranadé, who leads development for the Port Delivery System (PDS), a sustained-release device for eye disease therapies. What stood out was how multidisciplinary the environment is; from regulatory affairs and chemistry to clinical operations and medical strategy, all working together with patient needs at the core.

One major insight from the visit was the complexity and cost of drug development, with an average investment of $1.4 billion and only 1 in 1,000 compounds making it to market.

The importance of asking the right questions, “What does the patient need?” and “What does long-term value look like?” was a recurring theme in the discussions.

This visit was meaningful to me because it revealed the depth of strategy and collaboration required to bring impactful therapies to life.

I was inspired by how leaders combined technical expertise with business acumen and long-term thinking.

As someone with a background in engineering and marketing and a passion for healthcare innovation, Genentech's culture of curiosity, patient focus and scientific rigor deeply resonated with me.

Industrial Biosolutions Up Close at Novonesis

Image

Novonesis (formerly part of Novozymes) is a global industrial biotechnology company specializing in biosolutions—enzymes and microbes that drive sustainable innovations across industries. From making bread last longer and milk lactose-free, to reducing food waste and enabling bioethanol fuel production, Novonesis creates behind-the-scenes biotech that powers everyday life

We visited Novonesis’ Davis location, where we were warmly welcomed and guided through presentations and lab tours. We met Monica Tassone, senior manager of the strain engineering department with 18 years of experience, and Ricardo Locascio, business development manager and a UC Davis alumnus. They walked us through their roles in strain optimization, product development and commercialization.

We also observed their lab automation, DNA design workflow and enzyme characterization systems, all used to bring novel biosolutions to market at scale.

Image

On the Frontlines of Global Health at Danaher- Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter, a Danaher company, is a global leader in clinical diagnostics and laboratory automation, delivering instruments, assays and software that support disease detection and patient management.

The company is especially known for its work in point-of-care diagnostics, molecular pathology and automation solutions, making it highly relevant in today’s biotech and healthcare innovation space.

Our group met with professionals from product development, scientific affairs, global marketing and operations. Notably, we heard from Jenna Johnson of Upstream Product Marketing, Wendy from program management, and several cross-functional leads who shared insights into how diagnostics are developed, validated and brought to market globally.

Key Takeaways on Diagnostics

This visit shifted my perspective on diagnostics as a vital pillar of biotech, not just as support to therapeutics, but as a driver of preventive care, access and public health impact.

I was inspired by the level of cross-functional collaboration and strategic marketing ownership described as being “CEO of a product.”

As I reflect on the Biotech Industry Immersion program at UC Davis Graduate School of Management, I’m filled with gratitude for the access, the exposure, and most importantly, the learning.

Visiting companies like Genentech, BioMarin, Novonesis and Danaher – Beckman Coulter offered a rare front-row seat into the diverse worlds of biopharma, diagnostics, industrial biosolutions and healthcare strategy.

One of my biggest takeaways is that biotech innovation isn’t just about science—it’s about turning ideas into impact. From gene therapy pipelines at BioMarin to global strategies at Beckman Coulter, I saw how cross-functional teams must collaborate to deliver real-world solutions.

The program reshaped my view of leadership. Many biotech leaders started as scientists and grew into strategic, purpose-driven professionals. They emphasized curiosity, storytelling, and agility as key traits.

To those exploring biotech: I encourage you to learn more about the Biotech Industry Immersion. Step outside your comfort zone. Biotech is an ecosystem—and if you care about impact, there’s a place for you in it.