By: Elowen Gray

In the biotech world of today, speed is everything. Investors want results yesterday, headlines celebrate fast-tracked approvals, and startup cultures often prioritize momentum over depth. Against this backdrop, Steven Quay stands out for a different kind of leadership. He believes the best medical breakthroughs are not the ones rushed to market, but the ones that are patiently and carefully brought to life.

Quay’s perspective is not abstract. It is grounded in decades of experience, ranging from academic research and medical training to leading biotech companies through the entire lifecycle of drug development. His career is a study in what it means to value long-term impact over short-term hype.

The Culture of Speed in Modern Biotech

The pressure to move quickly is not without reason. Drug development is expensive. The path from discovery to approval can stretch over a decade, with costs climbing into the billions. For startups and public companies alike, the financial runway often determines how much science can be done.

But speed has its costs. Rushed trials may miss safety issues. Promising early data can lead to overconfidence and underprepared rollouts. Sometimes, the incentives encourage companies to chase approvals rather than pursue meaningful innovation.

Steven Quay has witnessed this firsthand. Having founded and led companies like Salutar, SONUS Pharmaceuticals, and now Atossa Therapeutics, he understands both the scientific and financial dimensions of bringing a product to market. But he has consistently resisted the temptation to cut corners. For Quay, thoroughness is not a delay—it is a requirement.

The Case of (Z)-Endoxifen: Moving with Intention

One of the clearest examples of Quay’s approach is the development of (Z)-endoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator being tested for the treatment of estrogen-driven breast cancers. The drug has been under clinical investigation at Atossa Therapeutics for several years, with trials conducted at leading institutions including the Mayo Clinic and Karolinska Institute.

Some in the industry might wonder why a promising molecule has not yet been commercialized. The answer lies in Quay’s philosophy. Each step in the development process, from formulation and dosing to patient selection and long-term safety monitoring, is being handled with precision. The goal is not just to bring a drug to market, but to ensure it is the right drug, delivered in the right way, to the right patients.

This intentional pacing is critical in the context of breast cancer. Patients and physicians need confidence that a new therapy will perform reliably and predictably. By emphasizing rigorous clinical trials and collaborative research, Quay aims to provide that confidence through data, not speculation.

Learning from the Past

Throughout his career, Quay has seen what happens when scientific rigor is compromised. In the early 1980s, while working at Massachusetts General Hospital, he played a key role in exposing research misconduct by a senior colleague. The incident, later documented in the book Betrayers of the Truth by New York Times authors Nicholas Wade and William Broad, highlighted how institutional pressures can sometimes lead to unethical shortcuts.

This experience shaped Quay’s approach to science. He developed an instinct to question assumptions, double-check data, and avoid taking results at face value. These habits have served him well, particularly in a field where early-stage enthusiasm can sometimes outpace clinical reality.

Ethics, Evidence, and Responsibility

For Quay, medical research carries ethical weight. When a new therapy is being considered for patients, especially those facing serious illness, the stakes are high. A failed drug can mean more than just financial loss. It can mean lost time, misplaced hope, and unnecessary risk for patients who deserve better.

That is why Quay continues to emphasize trial design, proper endpoints, and independent validation. It is not about being cautious for caution’s sake. It is about building a foundation that can support real clinical change.

He also sees a responsibility to communicate these challenges to the broader public. Through his books, op-eds, and TEDx talks, Quay often speaks about the importance of research transparency and the realities of scientific progress. His message is clear: good science takes time. And when it comes to human health, that time is worth taking.

Redefining Success in Biotech

This industry is so tightly linked to quarterly earnings and investor sentiment and redefining success is not easy, but Quay is trying to do just that. Rather than promising overnight transformations, he encourages a more grounded perspective, one that values validation over velocity.

His track record offers credibility to this message. Whether it was the development of MRI and ultrasound contrast agents in the 1990s, or his more recent work in oncology, Quay has shown that methodical science can still win. It may not always make the loudest headlines, but it often delivers the most lasting impact.

Final thoughts

As Atossa Therapeutics continues to advance its pipeline, Quay remains focused on the long view. He is not chasing trends or rushing to meet artificial deadlines. He is trying to solve complex medical problems, and he is doing it with patience.

That approach might seem out of step with today’s pace. But in the end, it is exactly what is needed. In medicine, as in life, the most meaningful progress takes time.

Disclaimer: This article provides insights into drug development and the biotech industry from the perspective of Steven Quay. It is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns.