From curiosity to company building: Brian Feth returns to Purdue to receive Entrepreneurship Award
04-01-2026
Brian Feth didn’t arrive at Purdue University with a fixed plan. What he found instead was something more valuable: the freedom to explore- and the foundation to build a career at the intersection of science and business.
Now, the Purdue Biological Sciences alumnus is returning to campus to receive the College of Science Entrepreneurship Award, a recognition he describes with humility and a sense that his journey is still unfolding. Alongside the award ceremony, Feth will join a panel discussion on April 17 at 12:15 p.m. in DLR 131. The event is free and open to the public, with registration required to reserve a seat.
Finding direction through discovery
Feth began his Purdue journey on an engineering track, initially drawn to chemical engineering. But as his coursework evolved, so did his interests. Exposure to chemistry and biology courses revealed where he felt most engaged, prompting a shift toward science.
“I really realized that was where my passion was,” Feth said.
That realization led him to pursue a dual major in chemistry and molecular biology- a decision that allowed him to combine analytical thinking with an interest in biological systems. Purdue’s size and breadth also gave him the flexibility to explore different disciplines before settling into a path that felt right.
That exploration extended beyond the lab. While rigorous coursework shaped his academic growth, Feth also credits the broader Purdue experience- including classes outside his major and relationships with mentors- for shaping how he approaches learning and problem-solving.
Hands-on experiences that shaped a career
Research played a defining role in Feth’s undergraduate experience. He worked in multiple labs, including a summer fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, where he contributed to a project that moved beyond theory into real-world application. Seeing research transition into a commercial product offered an early glimpse into how science could drive innovation.
Back at Purdue, his focus shifted toward cancer biology, influenced in part by personal loss. After losing three grandparents to cancer during his college years, Feth began looking for ways to connect his scientific training to real-world impact.
“That was a moment where I wanted my work to matter in a very direct way,” he said.
At the same time, he explored opportunities beyond traditional research roles. A position with Purdue’s Office of Technology Commercialization introduced him to the business side of science—evaluating discoveries, understanding patents and considering how ideas move from the lab to the marketplace.
Building a bridge between science and business
After graduate training and early experience in management consulting, Feth’s career continued to evolve toward entrepreneurship. He credits experience working in private equity, supporting angel investment group diligence efforts, and a year spent working with entrepreneurs in several countries within Africa as part of growing interest in entrepreneurship. He later earned an MBA and co-founded Xcell Biosciences, the company he leads today.
The company operates at the forefront of cancer treatment, focusing on immune cell therapy- an approach that uses a patient’s own immune cells, often engineered through gene editing, to recognize and eliminate cancer. These therapies have already shown strong success in treating certain blood cancers, with many patients achieving outcomes consistent with a cure and remaining cancer-free for more than a decade.
Feth’s company is working to address two major challenges in the field: scaling these therapies so they can reach more patients and improving their effectiveness in harder-to-treat solid tumors. By developing tools and systems that support both research and large-scale manufacturing, the company aims to make these treatments more accessible and more effective.
“This work connects directly back to my early experiences,” Feth said. “Losing family members to cancer and studying these topics at Purdue shaped how I think about impact.”
Throughout his career, Feth has relied on the scientific foundation built at Purdue. That training, combined with a growing interest in strategy and commercialization, allowed him to navigate complex problems where scientific discovery meets real-world application.
Giving back and looking ahead
For Feth, returning to Purdue is about more than recognition. It is an opportunity to reconnect, mentor and share lessons learned with the next generation of students.
“I’ve learned a lot over the years about building a business and developing strategy,” he said. “If I can help shorten that learning curve for someone else, that’s meaningful.”
He has already begun engaging with students and startup teams as a mentor and hopes to expand that involvement. His advice reflects the path he took: follow your interests, stay curious and be open to unexpected directions.
Receiving the Entrepreneurship Award, he said, is both an honor and a motivator.
“I feel very honored,” Feth said. “It makes me want to continue building something that reflects well on Purdue.”
As he returns to campus, Feth brings with him a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to bridge disciplines- qualities that continue to define both his work and his connection to Purdue.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
The Department of Biological Sciences is the largest life sciences department at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation. From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems- we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu.
Written by: Alisha Willett, Communications Specialist, amwillet@purdue.edu
Contributors: Brian Feth