BioVenture VoiCes with Chris Garabedian

the early days of the biotech sector before it was common, the founding of Third Rock Ventures, and the unique culture at Third Rock that has produced so many investors and company builders who have achieved great things in their careers.

Jason Hafler shares an overview of the corporate side of the venture world. He describes the unique value that he believes a corporate based VC can bring to the companies it invests in. Plus, his description of cases where investments might ultimately be a good fit for BD and/or M&A within the company, and why an investment might ultimately land at a different suitor.

Blackstone's Senior Managing Director Kiran Reddy describes his early life and education, and the impact that patient care has had on his approach to investing. He describes notable investments in neuroscience, and a stop at Biogen, before returning to investing at Clarus, which was acquired by Blackstone. He recalls the unique opportunity he saw when a company with the resources of Blackstone decided to go big into life sciences.

Andrew Lam describes his career journey that started with a Doctor of Pharmacy education before working in industry, the investment world, back in industry, and then settling at Ally Bridge. He discusses the successful investments Ally Bridge has made in biotech, including in technologies like radiopharmaceuticals and ADCs, and the concept of being a bridge to China innovation.

BT Slingsby describes his education and career abroad, which ultimately led him to found and manage the largest life sciences VC firm in Japan, Catalys Pacific. He describes the dual role of taking assets from Japan and building companies around them internationally., and also in-licensing assets approved elsewhere and doing the clinical work in Japan to get them approved there. Plus, the story of the GHIT Fund, which is meant to bring Japanese innovation to neglected diseases around the world.