Alex Szidon
Cass Carrier:
Alex Szidon, biotech dealmaker and entrepreneur, avid reader and cool dad.
1. Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?
My current work is leading a boutique transactions consultancy, Monticola LLC, where I work with a small team to help biotechnology companies develop new medicines through collaborations. This is an extension of my professional life in business development. My passion project is developing a medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. I am working on this with a remarkable set of co-founders and we hope to get a company off the ground and funded this year.
2. What inspires you to do what you do?
Purpose and Curiosity. I feel a sense of purpose when I can link what I do to a medicine or the possibility of reducing suffering. As a biologist that went into business, I am always curious about parallels between biological and business contexts. When I recognize commonalities in how partners meet, engage or share risk, it confirms I never stopped being a biologist as all the of same principles apply. I love it.
3. What was your first job and most memorable learning experience from it?
Working in a lab at NYU at their Sterling Forest site. What I remember was biochemistry was harder and more fun than I thought it would be. But honestly, the only thing I really remember from that summer was starting a relationship and falling in love with the woman I would eventually marry.
4. Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.
These days, I have to thank my daughter, Zoe for Bulletproof by La Roux to rev me up. And I’ll say ‘All I Need’ by Maribou State to calm me down.
5. What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?
I am leaning into looser, baggier fits. R.I.P. skinny jeans.
6. What are the “must-haves” in your Cass?
I carry a Lassen Black Classic Cass. My must-haves are a notebook, pen, glasses, laptop - more or less in that order. Though now that I have a Cass python wallet chain, I’ll have to revisit my must-haves!
Classic Cass Lassen Black Leather
7. What do you love about your Cass?
In a sea of backpacks and briefcases it’s nice to be different. I love the way the bag feels when I clutch it and the way it feels when it hangs off the shoulder. It holds everything I need for work and it’s a conversation starter that has broken ice for more than a couple of meetings. I relish telling the Cass origin story!
Off The Cuff:
Rock Or Rap? Rap
Ocean, Mountain Or Lake? Lake.
Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Yes. Where moderation rules apply.
Facetime or Phonetime? Phone
Exercise Nay Or Yah? Yah
Butter Or Olive Oil? Butter with Olive Oil
Tea Or Coffee? Coffee. Where moderation rules do not apply
Pen Or Pencil? Pen. Though I do flirt with mechanical pencils from time to time
Newspaper, NPR or no news? I prefer to read.
Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Milk is a guilty pleasure. I wish I enjoyed dark chocolate
Thank you Alex for sharing your story.
You can learn more about Alex and his company Monticola here and see more images of how Alex carries his Classic Cass here.