Building Collaborative Drug Discovery Tools with Barry Bunin — Under the Surface Podcast

* Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of trauma, loss, and near‑death experiences. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a mental health professional or someone you trust if these topics become overwhelming.*

Listen to the next episode of our podcast, Under the Surface. In episode 17, Building Collaborative Drug Discovery Tools, we feature an in-depth interview with Barry Bunin, CEO of Collaborative Drug Discovery, about his journey from chemist to entrepreneur. He shares how his background and desire to make a difference have shaped his company's mission and technology.

Here's what we discuss:

Barry Bunin's background and what inspired his purpose
How CDD started and became a leader in sharing science safely
Why CDD Vault was built to keep research private, secure, and easy to use
How teamwork and sharing data make drug discovery faster
Finding the right balance between sharing and privacy
How new tech like AI helps scientists work together
Caring about people, having an impact, and doing good in science
Barry's book shows the power of working together and being creative

This episode brings together science, entrepreneurship, and the personal stories that inspire innovation.

Listener discretion is advised.

TIMESTAMPS:

(03:00) Barry talks about starting out in science, wanting to make a difference, and how that shaped his work.
(06:00) How Barry's personal experiences led to his book and his current journey.
(06:33) Content Warning begins.
(07:10) Content Warning ends.
(10:00) Mixing hands-on chemistry with computer tools to get better results.
(15:00) How Barry got interested in combining chemistry and technology early on.
(20:00) Moving from lab work to starting software companies.
(25:00) What CDD stands for: their values, company culture, and mission.
(30:00) Working together in drug discovery, and how to keep things open but private.
(33:24) Content Warning begins.
(37:33) Content Warning ends.
(35:00) Real stories from the field, and why being human matters in science.
(40:00) Keeping data safe and models using tech like federated learning.
(50:00) How Barry's book came together.
(1:00:00) Looking ahead: AI, collaboration tools, and making a positive impact.
(1:06:40) The "Deschenes Dilemma": What happens if you can't stop doing science?
(1:08:00) Thinking about legacy, inspiring future generations, and making your mark.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Barry Bunin: