Podcast Summary: Risk Never Sleeps, Episode #192

Title: What It Takes To Turn Nature-Inspired Molecules Into Real Medicines
Host: Ed Gaudet
Guest: Caitlyn Krebs, Co-founder & CEO of Nalu Bio
Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Caitlyn Krebs, Co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, a company developing nature-inspired, non-addictive therapeutics for pain, inflammation, and particularly women’s health issues such as endometriosis. The conversation dives into how advances like AI-driven drug discovery are being harnessed to turn naturally inspired molecules into medicines that may improve patient safety and address underserved medical needs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Mission of Nalu Bio

• Nalu Bio’s Focus:

  • Developing non-addictive, non-hormonal therapeutics for pain, inflammation, and women’s health conditions, specifically endometriosis.
  • Leveraging the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a body-wide receptor network involved in maintaining homeostasis.
  • Using AI and generative chemistry to design safer, more efficacious molecules inspired by natural cannabinoids.
  • [03:37] Caitlyn: “We’re developing non-addictive, non-hormonal therapeutics for pain, inflammation, and in women’s health and a condition called endometriosis.”

• Company Name:

  • “Nalu” means “wave” or “go with the flow” in Hawaiian, reflecting both Caitlyn’s roots and their focus on biological balance.
  • [02:02] Caitlyn: “‘Nalu’ means either it’s a wave or go with the flow. Since we are focused on the endocannabinoid system and homeostasis… I thought it was very fitting.”

2. Understanding the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

• The ECS consists of receptors in the body that natural and plant-derived cannabinoids can bind to, modulating pain, mood, and inflammation.
• The body makes its own cannabinoids (e.g., anandamide, meaning “bliss” in Sanskrit).
  • [02:34] Caitlyn: “Body actually makes two internal cannabinoids… one is called anandamide… it makes you happy. This is a system that keeps you happy and healthy.”

3. Innovation in Drug Development

• Technological Approach:

  • AI-driven generative chemistry platform predicts new chemical entities likely to succeed as medicines.
  • These molecules, although inspired by nature, are improved via chemistry for better potency and absorption.
  • [06:59] Caitlyn: “We’ve done this all through AI as well… The AI changes the chemistry to make them better drugs so that they bind better to the receptors, you absorb them in your body better…”

• Current Progress:

  • Preclinical stage, preparing for FDA IND (Investigational New Drug Application).
  • Early data shows designed molecules can match or surpass opioids and NSAIDs in pain control and reduce endometriosis lesions in animal models.
  • [04:44] Caitlyn: “Preclinical results so far have shown they’re as good as opioids, are therapeutics as good as NSAIDs… In endometriosis you have these lesions… and they shrink the lesions. So this would be a first-in-class, game-changing therapeutic.”

• Disease Modifying Potential:

  • Compounds may not only relieve symptoms but also alter disease progression by shrinking lesions; potential to be used preventatively after surgery in endometriosis.
  • [08:13] Caitlyn: “…our compounds have shown to be disease modifying, where they shrink the lesions, so you could take them as a preventative solution.”

4. The Broader Promise of the ECS

• Comparison to GLP1 Drugs:
  • Caitlyn predicts ECS-targeted drugs could be as significant as GLP1 analogues, which transformed treating diabetes and obesity.
  • ECS receptors are widespread, giving rise to a “pipeline” of other therapeutic opportunities.
  • [08:58] Caitlyn: “The endocannabinoid system is really as big as GLP1s… It’s everywhere in your body, and has so many different therapeutic potential opportunities.”

5. Partnerships and Technology

• Leveraging Nvidia’s Inception program and Eli Lilly’s Tune Labs for advanced AI and drug safety tools.

  • [16:17] Caitlyn: “We’re part of [Nvidia’s] inception program… and also recently joined Lilly… providing access to their machine learning and AI tools.”

• Molecules are “nature-inspired but chemically improved,” aiming to outperform existing CBD-based supplements.

  • [17:10] Caitlyn: “The naturally occurring cannabinoids like CBD, they’re actually terrible drugs… So we are improving on nature.”

Personal & Leadership Insights

6. Caitlyn’s Background and Motivation

• Biotech/life sciences veteran with experience in diabetes, Alzheimer’s prevention, cancer genomics.
• Drawn to endometriosis due to difficult patient journeys and lack of effective solutions.
  • [14:20] Caitlyn: “…between Hawaii and growing up in nature and appreciating science… I went to Brown and studied biology… wanting to help women.”

7. Advice on Networking and Career

• The value of building deep professional relationships and partnerships as the foundation of long-term career success.

  • [17:43] Caitlyn: “Building deep relationships, partnerships, ultimately building out your network is probably the most valuable thing you can do.”

• Recommends new graduates learn the science and also appreciate the business side of biotech; passion and mission are key.

  • [27:12] Caitlyn: “As someone coming out of college… really appreciating the science but also learning the business side as well… find an area that you’re really passionate about…”

8. Risk-Taking and Personal Growth

• Riskiest move: starting a company (“It is challenging. It is very risky. I would do it all over again.”) [20:23]
• Physical activities: swims in cold San Francisco Bay sans wetsuit (“I swam in the bay this morning. 56 degrees…”) [20:40]
• Importance of vulnerability and trust (“…to build trust you have to disclose information… I try to practice that…”) [19:16]

Memorable Quotes

• On Women’s Health and Therapeutic Impact

  “There’s 200 million women worldwide, like your daughters, who suffer from endometriosis. We’re developing therapeutics that bind to these receptors in your body… and our results have been really promising.”
  —Caitlyn {[04:35]}

• On Drug Discovery and AI

  “This model has created this new chemical entity much faster, much more cost effective, and so far in animals is very effective.”
  —Caitlyn {[07:25]}

• On Building a Company

  “The riskiest thing I’ve ever done is start a company… It is very risky. I would do it all over again.”
  —Caitlyn {[20:23]}

• On Networking:

  “Building deep relationships, partnerships, ultimately building out your network is probably the most valuable thing you can do.”
  —Caitlyn {[17:43]}

• On Passion and Mission:

  “If you can find a product, a space—like for me, women’s health and endometriosis—find an area that you’re really passionate about… biotech life sciences is a marathon. It is not a sprint.”
  —Caitlyn {[28:23]}

Notable Moments and Timestamps

• [02:02] — Caitlyn explains the meaning behind "Nalu"
• [04:44] — Promise of ECS-targeted drugs for endometriosis
• [06:59] — How AI is used in Nalu Bio’s drug development
• [08:58] — Comparing ECS therapeutics to GLP1s (blockbuster drug class)
• [14:20] — Discussing the impact of endometriosis and personal drive
• [16:17] — Partnerships with Nvidia and Eli Lilly
• [17:43] — Leadership lesson: networking and relationships
• [20:23] — Risks of founding a biotech startup
• [27:12] — Advice for young people entering biotech

Podcast Tone

The episode is warm, casual, and conversational, with frequent personal anecdotes from Caitlyn and a sense of friendly rapport between host and guest. The conversation blends technical insights with approachable explanations, making complex drug discovery topics accessible.

Further Information

• Nalu Bio Website: nalubio.com
• References: Nalu Bio, Nvidia Inception, Eli Lilly Tune Labs

This episode offers a compelling look at how biotech innovation, AI, and personal leadership intersect in the quest to create safer, more effective medicines inspired by nature, particularly for conditions that have long lacked adequate therapies.