Neil Littman’s Post

A BIG thanks to Kiersten Stead for joining me on the latest show to discuss DCVC Bio's approach to investing in platform biotech. Kiersten sheds light on separating reality from hype when it comes to investing in computational bio & AI companies and what DCVC looks for in an investment. "One of the challenges right now in this environment is that biotech investors want to see pipeline, and they're really focused on pipeline and how quickly they can be in the clinic and how quickly they can develop that, because we're in a bit of a risk-off environment at the moment. For us, the companies that we have and that we're interested in do both. So they have a platform that cannot be replicated inside a larger company."

A big thanks to Dr. Andrew Lo for joining me on the latest Bioverge Ventures podcast to discuss his paper "Can Financial Engineering Cure Cancer?" and how portfolio theory can be applied to the realm of drug development. I've known Andrew for many years since we collaborated together during my time at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and to say he's had a major influence on my thinking about investing and building biotech companies would be an understatement. Andrew's application of economic theory to the world of biotech and drug development has always deeply resonated with me, and his work was both an inspiration behind starting, and has influenced everything's we've built, at Bioverge. Andrew, thanks for your thought leadership and everything you've done to help advance novel business models in the pursuit of bringing new cures to patients. And for those who don't know why Andrew wants to be Harvey Lodish, I highly recommend you listen to Andrew tell the story!

Great idea Amee Kapadia, thanks for taking the lead! We need more angel investors who recognize the incredible opportunities within the biotech/tech bio sector. Companies are building life-changing devices and therapeutics that can positively impact millions of lives. When I founded Bioverge Ventures, I knew that investing in biotech not only fuels groundbreaking innovation but also offers the potential for significant risk-adjusted returns. Investing in the future of healthcare is a chance to join together health and wealth. #techbio #angelinvesting

How will AI be applied to healthcare to "uplevel" the status quo? I often joke the healthcare industry still uses carrier pigeons to relay critical life saving information between providers. The reality doesn't provide much more comfort, with info often relayed by fax machine. As the Vijay Pande, PhD, Daisy Wolf and the a16z Bio + Health team describe in their latest article, there are a myriad of ways AI will transform healthcare, from care delivery, to productivity gains, and cost savings. "Over the past few decades, almost every major industry has been majorly upleveled by technology. Healthcare is the biggest prize that remains." That prize is not just a pot of money at the end of the rainbow, which surely there is, but our collective health and wellbeing. #ai #healthcare #venturecapital

Mike Bloomberg's story epitomizes what is often called the growth mindset, first made popular in Carol Dweck's best selling book, "Mindset, The New Psychology of Success" published in 2006. Every failure and setback is an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt. In short, every obstacle we face is a chance for us to evolve and continue to challenge ourselves to be the best version of ourselves. In truth, we're all a mixture of a growth and fixed mindset and I often struggle with maintaining the growth mindset. It's a constant work-in-progress and not just in my professional pursuits, but as a parent and in my personal relationships as well. I am often reminded of Ryan Holiday's book "The Obstacle is the Way," which serves to remind me that the obstacles we face often mean we're moving in the right direction. As Mike said, it's "what we learn from failure, and what we do with that knowledge, is what matters - and it's what makes us who we are."

“Biotech is the ultimate impact investment.” I read that quote from Robin Lauber in an article in the Financial Times about how family offices are increasingly turning to venture capital in healthcare and biotech. His analysis captures the essence of the transformative potential within biotechnology. It comes as no surprise that family offices are increasingly drawn to venture capital in healthcare and biotech. This rapidly evolving sector not only presents opportunities for impressive financial returns, but it also offers a unique chance to address some of the most pressing challenges in longevity, disease therapeutics, and beyond. Investing in biotech allows us to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Through innovative research, breakthrough discoveries, and the development of cutting-edge therapies, we have the power to change the course of human health and well-being. What do you think? Do you agree that biotech offers the best possible worlds between return and societal benefit? #TechBio #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting #Investment

Are you familiar with the history of personalized medicine? Personalized medicine has a rich history, first dating back to the early 20th century. The “one-size-fits-all” view of medicine was first challenged with Karl Landsteiner's groundbreaking work on the ABO blood group system. Landsteiner’s research demonstrated blood transfusions could not be universal—one of the first ways in which we recognized biological differences inherent in each person. The idea of genetic inheritance was pioneered by Sir Archbald Garrod, whose studies of alkaptonuria laid the basis for understanding inherited diseases of metabolism. And of course, we wouldn’t be able to understand precision medicine without the discoveries of DNA, beginning with Friedrich Miescher's discovery in 1869, and subsequent investigations by Phoebus Levene, Erwin Chargaff, James Watson, Rosalind Franklin, and Francis Crick. But it was really the Human Genome Project that facilitated the evolution towards personalized medicine. The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific effort that aimed to map and sequence the entire human genome, which is the complete set of genetic information in our DNA. Launched in 1990 and completed to 92% in 2003 (the genome was only completely sequenced in 2022), the project involved scientists from around the world. The HGP not only provided a comprehensive reference for the human genome but also paved the way for subsequent research in genomics and personalized medicine. This precision approach to personalized medicine is nothing short of a monumental change in healthcare. Bioverge Ventures's investment philosophy has been grounded in developing and nurturing companies charting these groundbreaking biotechnologies. We believe that only together can we unlock new frontiers in medicine, bringing hope and improved outcomes to millions of patients worldwide. #TechBio #PersonalizedMedicine #History #ScienceHistory

Are you listening? I recently shared how gratitude was one of my ten life principles. It's easy to get caught up in the chatter and noise of endless to-do lists. Today I want to encourage you to take a look at another of my life principles and one of the most powerful tools we have: active listening. Active listening goes beyond simply hearing the words someone is saying. It's about fully engaging and understanding their message, demonstrating genuine empathy, and making them feel valued and heard. When we practice active listening, we create meaningful connections, foster trust, and cultivate strong relationships. You can take this beyond interpersonal relationships. Active listening is a frame of mind essential for any biotech investor. When you’re positioning yourself as an active listener, you’re: 1️⃣ Taking the time needed to understand innovations and empathize with the stories behind therapeutics. 2️⃣ Hearing what the market has to say via experts, healthcare providers, and patients. The last one is especially important—the patient is always our north star for innovation and development. 3️⃣ Actively engage with the science to understand the data and see the potential in therapies. 4️⃣ Building trust and partnerships with entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and all stakeholders in the larger marketplace. 5️⃣ Staying informed of trends, the regulatory environment, and greater market dynamics. So I want to ask you again: are you listening? How are you using active listening principles in your biotech investment journey? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #TechBio #VentureCapital #Founders #ActiveListening #Startups #LifePrinciples

Modern healthcare is reactive when it should be preventative. These words resonated deeply with me as I came across an intriguing article in Popular Mechanics Magazine. Leroy Hood, the visionary founder of the Institute for Systems Biology and CEO of Phenome Health, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking approach to improving human longevity. Hood and his team have pioneered a transformative model for healthcare called P4 medicine: predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory. This model revolutionizes our understanding of healthspan and aims to proactively address health challenges before they arise. This model represents a paradigm shift from a reactive healthcare system to one that emphasizes prevention and personalized care. By embracing this approach, we can pave the way for a future where healthcare is not just about treating illnesses but optimizing health and well-being for individuals and communities. Read more about Leroy Hood’s vision here: https://lnkd.in/etPssHaq #TechBio #Healthcare #Healthspan #Innovation

Private equity groups are increasingly targeting individual investors as the next frontier for growth. A report from Bain & Company has identified individual investors as the next horizon for growth. The opportunity can be captured in two numbers: 50% and 16%. Individual investors hold a staggering 50% of the estimated $275 trillion to $295 trillion of global assets under management (AUM). Yet, they represent just 16% of AUM held by alternative investment funds. There’s a tremendous opportunity for individuals to drive investment growth and be part of the transformative impact of healthcare startups. At Bioverge, we're passionate about democratizing access to healthcare venture capital. Individual investments in healthcare startups can fuel innovations that improve lives globally. Our public capital raise on Republic provides a unique opportunity for anyone to invest in Bioverge and diversify their portfolios with alternative assets. Join us as we revolutionize healthcare investment by empowering individuals to unlock the vast potential of healthcare venture capital. Join our Regulation CF raise here: https://lnkd.in/gx6gmqCP Read more from Bain here: https://lnkd.in/d74hu8jj #TechBio #Investments #VentureCapital #Biotechnology #Healthcare