David Craig, a biotechnology founder and industry veteran, has released The New Rules of Biotech: A Founder’s Guide to Building Great Companies in hardcover ($29.99) and audiobook formats, now available on Amazon and Google Play respectively. The book, originally published in paperback and Kindle editions, provides a practical playbook for building biotech companies in a changed economic and regulatory environment. Craig argues that the strategies that worked in 2021 are obsolete, as capital has become more expensive, the FDA’s standards have shifted, and the Inflation Reduction Act has altered drug economics before approval.
The book draws on Craig’s experience founding and running Sarcomatrix Therapeutics Corp., a preclinical biotech focused on rare muscle diseases. It offers guidance on choosing between platform and asset strategies, selecting affordable modalities, raising seed rounds based on milestones, and leveraging non-dilutive capital as a core strategy rather than a fallback. The content spans IND-enabling work, CMC, clinical decisions, term sheets, board dynamics, business development, and exits like acquisitions and IPOs. Each chapter includes separate takeaways for operators and investors, making it useful for both sides of the table.
Craig’s motivation stems partly from a personal connection to RYR-1 related congenital muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic muscle disease. He emphasizes that biotech company building carries responsibility beyond financial returns. The audiobook edition, available on Google Play, allows listeners to absorb the material while on the move. The hardcover and paperback can be found on Amazon, along with the Kindle edition.
This release is significant for founders, investors, and operators who need to adapt to current market realities. The book provides a roadmap for building capital-efficient companies that can succeed despite higher interest rates, stricter FDA requirements, and the economic pressures introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act. By focusing on practical, milestone-based strategies, Craig aims to help the biotech industry navigate a more challenging funding landscape.
