What if AI could help bring the right drug to the right patient faster?

In this episode of Entrepreneur Rx, host John Shufeldt sits down with Dr. Louise Liu, CEO of Hill Research, to discuss her journey from biostatistics and AI to building technology that can help accelerate the clinical trial process. Louise shares how her PhD work, postdoctoral research at Yale, and experience building her first AI startup shaped the foundation for Hill Research.

The conversation explores the long, expensive, and highly regulated path of drug development, where clinical trials can take years and cost billions of dollars. Louise explains how Hill Research is using AI to automate data processing and biostatistical workflows that have traditionally required large teams and months of manual work. With its TriClick™ platform, Hill Research helps pharmaceutical and biotech companies move faster while supporting human validation, quality control, and regulatory readiness.

John and Louise also discuss Hill Research’s traction with major pharmaceutical companies, the company’s goal to expand from big pharma into mid-sized and smaller biotech companies, and the broader opportunity to reduce clinical trial timelines. As a Jetstream Venture Fund portfolio company, Hill Research represents the kind of AI-driven healthcare innovation Xcellerant looks to support.

Beyond the technology, the episode covers entrepreneurship, resilience, immigration, being a woman founder in a heavily regulated industry, and the importance of focusing on the work rather than the noise. Louise shares advice for founders: do not build imagined barriers in front of yourself, stay focused on creating something valuable, and keep improving based on real customer feedback.

About Dr. Louise Liu: Dr. Louise Liu is CEO of Hill Research, creator of TriClick™, an AI platform transforming clinical trials, and author of 30+ AI publications. She serves as Treasurer of UCACF and has been recognized as a Serica Rising Star Entrepreneur, Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and New Jersey Innovate100 honoree.

About Hill Research: Hill Research is a healthcare AI company developing agentic AI solutions to accelerate clinical development. Its flagship platform, TriClick™, automates clinical trial workflows from protocol design and data management to statistical programming, quality control, and regulatory submissions. Trusted by leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Hill Research helps teams deliver faster, more efficient, and audit-ready clinical research.

About Xcellerant Ventures: Xcellerant Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in innovative companies across healthcare, technology, defense, and other emerging industries. Through multiple funds and investment vehicles, including the Jetstream Venture Fund, Xcellerant partners with visionary founders, provides strategic guidance, and helps connect investors with opportunities in the private markets.

About Jetstream Venture Fund: Jetstream Venture Fund is an interval fund managed by Xcellerant Ventures, that seeks to provide investors access to early-stage, high-growth companies with flexible terms, lower minimums ($5,000 minimum), and no carried interest. Jetstream is one of the first funds of its kind, bringing venture-style investing opportunities to a wider professional audience.

Disclosure for Jetstream: Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and can be obtained by emailing jetstream@sweaterfunds.com or by visiting www.jvf.vc. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.