How IT Can Make or Break Your Biotech IPO with Nam Doan | Essential Tips for Small Biotech Companies
When a biotech company starts thinking about going public, IT isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be because getting your systems right early can be the difference between a smooth transition and a multi-year mess.
In this episode, I sit down with Nam Doan, a seasoned IT leader who’s worked with several biotechs at critical moments, before, during, and after they’ve gone public. Nam shares what he’s learned about building IT from the ground up, the importance of business systems, why data quality matters more than you think, and how to balance speed with compliance in a regulated industry.
He’s seen how poor systems can derail an IPO and how smart planning can give your team an edge. We even get into AI, cybersecurity, and how to keep your data from becoming a liability.
Nam’s story moves from Oracle Consulting to biotech startups and back again, always with a focus on helping the business move faster, without cutting corners. He’s thoughtful, direct, and full of practical advice for anyone building IT in a small, growing company.
If you’re in biotech or thinking about starting something new, this conversation will get you thinking about your IT strategy in a whole new way. Listen in.
Specifically, this episode highlights the following themes:
- How strong IT leadership supports IPO readiness
- Why good data starts with smart system configuration
- Balancing business speed with compliance requirements
Links from this episode:
- Get to know more about Steven Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swangroup
- Get to know more about Nam Doan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndoanhuy
==== Time Stamps ====
00:00 – Introduction to Nam Doan and the role of IT in biotech
01:17 – About Nam Doan
03:56 – Why business systems often lead to IT leadership
09:21 – The impact of failed ERP implementations
17:19 – What small company CIOs need to know early on
12:24 – Compliance for public vs. private/PE-backed companies
19:23 – Why good data matters and when it shows
24:45 – Can good data turn bad? The case for ongoing data curation
27:42 – Hiring junior staff to manage data under senior supervision
30:12 – AI’s current and future role in biotech and beyond
38:14 – The cybersecurity threat landscape for small biotechs
40:42 – A shocking deepfake hack story from Hong Kong
