Jen Nwankwo, Ph.D.

As AI shifts the focus in biotech from discovery to design, value will move up the stack. Companies leveraging AI in R&D will produce more safe, durable, and effective molecules over time. If you believe in this future, AI will make every chemist and wet lab biologist significantly more effective and efficient, and differentiation at the frontier will come from superior skills in clinical indication selection and clinical trial design.

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Biotech Paradigm Shift Begins at Board Level In the fast-paced world of biotechnology, the most groundbreaking advancements often emerge not just from innovative labs but from visionary thinking in the boardroom—particularly in the boards of firms backed by venture capital. Here, transformative leaders redefine what's possible, pushing companies to transcend traditional boundaries and reshape the industry landscape. Exceptional board members are more than just stewards of effective meetings or inquisitive minds asking the hard questions. They are catalysts for change, bringing bold, uncharted ideas to the table that can propel a company into new realms of possibility. With a deep scientific understanding and their own independent insights into the industry's environment, they challenge the status quo and inspire teams to think differently. One of the most powerful strategies these visionaries employ is helping companies redefine their categories. Instead of positioning a startup as a superior option within an existing framework—which only invites direct comparison—they encourage creating an entirely new category. This approach forces a choice rather than a comparison, allowing the company to set its own standards and lead the market on its own terms. It's the difference between being seen as just another competitor and being recognized as a pioneer that changes how people think and behave. Moreover, the best entrepreneurs and board members see themselves not as the heroes of the story but as mentors. They offer their audience—be it customers, investors, or the broader market—a new kind of "magic," a tool that empowers others to achieve their own success. This shift in perspective fosters deeper connections and drives innovation that resonates on a more profound level. Repositioning incumbent strengths as weaknesses is another potent tactic. By highlighting how established players are confined by their own outdated successes, startups can present themselves as agile, forward-thinking alternatives unburdened by legacy constraints. This honest and strategic narrative sets them apart in a crowded market, showcasing their unique value proposition with refreshing clarity. At Zentynel Frontier Investments, our General Partners embody this transformative mindset. With deep expertise, extensive networks, and the agility to navigate the ever-evolving biotech landscape, they are committed to fostering companies that don't just compete but fundamentally redefine their industries. Bernardita Méndez Velasco Pablo Valenzuela (https://lnkd.in/e_3kPvcT) Pablo Fernandez Gumucio Roberto Loehnert #BiotechInnovation #BoardLeadership #ZentynelVC #ScienceAndBusiness

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Do not miss this webinar about how to make your scientific data #FAIRdata #sciencedata and #AIready - ZONTAL and the rest of the SciY companies can certainly help!

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𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: September 18 - 19, 2024 • GC Therapeutics launches with $75M to revolutionize cell therapy • Roche’s positive antiviral Ph3 data • Tanai Therapeutics’ obesity endeavours further fuelled by Novo Nordisk • Upstream Bio files for IPO • Basilea Pharmaceutica extends BARDA partnership • Vanda Pharmaceuticals' gastroparesis small molecule rejected by FDA • Biotech small-cap market goes “meh” on US Fed rate cut • Achilles Therapeutics plc axes TIL-based therapy program • Study finds new-gen migraine meds not much better than OTC regulars (eg. tylenol, aspirin) More in today's TLDR Biotech newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g5XN9hre #biotech #pharma #pharmanews #biotechnews #tldrbiotech

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In a recent report “Biotech financing: darkest before the dawn” by Melanie Senior published in Nature Biotechnology, she examines the biotech sector's financial landscape in detail, offering insights into the challenges and emerging opportunities in 2024. Here are some key takeaways from the report: ✔ Modality matters. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and radioligand therapies (RLTs) are gaining significant investor interest, with companies like Tubulis and Pheon Therapeutics raising $139 million and $120 million, respectively, to advance their cancer-focused ADCs. Meanwhile, cell and gene therapy (CGT) companies are struggling, with venture funding, the number of financings, and average round sizes all down sharply in 2024. ✔ Investment trends are showing a clear preference for later-stage programs. The average Series A round in 2024 is $80 million, more than double the $40 million average in 2019. So far this year, a quarter of all Series A rounds have been over $100 million. The trend towards fewer but larger funding rounds is evident, with at least 50 companies raising rounds worth $100 million or more in 2024. ✔ Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to attract significant venture capital. Companies in this space are on track to raise more funding in 2024 than in any previous year, except for the peak in 2021. For example, Xaira Therapeutics raised a record-breaking $1 billion in a Series A round, the largest initial funding commitment in Arch Venture Partners' history. ✔ Corporate venture capital (VC) is increasingly stepping in to support early-stage innovation, particularly in Europe. In the first half of 2024, European biopharma and platform firms raised $2.2 billion, putting the region on track to surpass all years except 2021. Notable investments include Disco Pharmaceuticals' $21.5 million seed round, led by corporate VCs like M Ventures and AbbVie Ventures. ✔ The biotech sector is experiencing a bifurcation. While companies with later-stage clinical assets are attracting large rounds of funding, early-stage companies without proof-of-concept data face significant challenges. Valuation corrections are occurring, particularly for those seeking Series B or C funding, with many companies forced to accept lower valuations than during the pandemic-driven boom. ✔ Despite facing challenges similar to its Western counterparts, including muted IPOs and a broader economic downturn, China remains a "reservoir of opportunity" for investors. The quality of Chinese biotech assets is improving, yet they remain undervalued compared to U.S. counterparts. If you are building a startup in aging/biotech, reach out to our team at LongeVC #venturecapital #biotech #drugdiscovery Image source: Senior, M. Biotech financing: darkest before the dawn. Nat Biotechnol (2024).

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According to the latest Pitchbook data, venture creation in biotech hit its slowest quarterly pace in eight years during 1Q 2024. With just over 60 new biotechs raising their first round of financing, the sector’s company formation activity has slowed 50-60% from its historic peak in 2021. Thank you Bruce Booth for penning your views on why this is a good thing. -Contraction in venture creation IS a healthy dynamic for the sector. -We need to ensure that the best ideas are getting advanced by the sector. -Greater discipline should translate into better returns in the long term for LPs and GPs/ VC #Venturecapital #Startups

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For drug discovery scientists, consultants and vendors … Announcing targeted high-impact initiatives at HitchhikersAI + a review paper describing the challenges in the adoption of AI & Data.  Initiatives: ✅ Find bite-size solutions for your scientific problems ✅ Build relationship opportunities with biotechs, by consultants partnering with vendors ✅ A market penetration app (LLM-driven), to help vendors diagnose why they are struggling and to make actionable suggestions ✅ Going from data to quality decisions, fast ✅ Helping scientists cost-effectively construct decisions from large sets of research papers For more info on the initiatives: https://lnkd.in/epDWQuB4 Call to Action: ❓ [SCIENTISTS] Do you have a scientific problem where you need a bite-size solution? We may be able to find something for you. All we need is for you to send us your scientific problem. ❓ [VENDORS & CONSULTANTS] Would any of the initiatives above help you engage with your customers faster? These initiatives come with the support of our Steering Committee and our friends at 20/15 Visioneers and Zifo RnD Solutions.  Together, we will leverage our networks to ensure that participating vendors & consultants are able to engage with and get feedback from scientists. Join Us [Nothing to sign, Nothing to pay]: HitchhikersAI is a grass-roots no-cost community, seeking to accelerate drug discovery and development with AI & Data.  Please join our initiatives and shape them to directly help your scientific and business needs. Contact me to get involved: [email protected] SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)  ELRIG UK  Drug Target Review  Drug Discovery World  Sanj Kumar  Lesley Granberg  Vicki Loise  Pistoia Alliance  Mary Geismann  Boston Cambridge Biotech Networks  San Diego Biotechnology Network  San Francisco Biotech Networks  myBIO Community - Biotechnology connections myBIO Community - Biotechnology connections cvijic boris  Jesse Johnson  Anne Carpenter  Abhishek Jha  Catarina (Katie) Campbell  John Overington  Becky Upton BioIndustry Association (BIA) John F. Conway Neil Wilkie Andreas Bender Janette Thomas Andre Franca, PhD Nina Truter Sujeegar Jeevanandam Eli Pollock Jamie Cartland Jorge Cortell Tim Jarrett Charles Sinclair Graham Combe Sitta Sittampalam Tony Sedgwick https://lnkd.in/eicivKZf

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"Innovation isn't just about problem-solving—it's about amplifying strengths and pushing the boundaries from good to great." Truly excited about the insightful discussion we had at the #keynote panel of CDMI 2024 on how to foster innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Where distinguished experts, including Joshua Cox of Eli Lilly and Company, Wendy Morahan of IQVIA, and Kimberly Barnholt of Genentech., Roche, shared their insights on how to get there. Here is how: 💡 Continuous Improvement – Even high-performing processes can be enhanced. Regularly refine and evaluate systems to stay ahead. 🤖 Leverage Emerging Tech – AI and machine learning can supercharge decision-making and streamline data analysis. 🌟 Focus on User Experience—Innovations should not only work but also make systems more intuitive and efficient for users. 🤝 Cross-Functional Collaboration – When diverse teams collaborate, breakthroughs happen. Different perspectives drive unexpected improvements. 💼 Buy vs. Build Tech Solutions Buying: Quick to implement, cost-effective, and backed by expertise, but with limited customization. Building: Tailored solutions for specific needs, offering greater control but requiring more resources and ongoing maintenance. Often, a hybrid approach—combining off-the-shelf solutions with custom integrations—delivers the best of both worlds. 🔒 Balancing Innovation & Data Security While pushing innovation forward, never lose sight of data protection. Privacy by design – Bake security into every process. Data governance – Clear policies ensure consistency. Regular security audits – Stay proactive in identifying vulnerabilities. By balancing bold innovation with data stewardship, organizations can drive impactful growth while safeguarding trust and valuable assets. Let's innovate smarter together! #Innovation #AI #TechLeadership #DataSecurity #DigitalTransformation #AI #TechLeadership #DataSecurity #DigitalTransformation #ClinicalTrials #Innovation #PatientCentricity #AI #DataStewardship #Leadership #Biopharma Joshua Cox, Eli Lilly and Company Dr. Prasun Mishra, Agility Pharmaceuticals Kimberly Barnholt, Genentech Wendy Morahan, IQVIA Arena International Events Group American Association for Precision Medicine (AAPM) #aapmhealth #aapm_health WISE World Investors & Entrepreneurs Society #drugdiscovery #drugdevelopment #clinicaldata #ai #news

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Despite challenges in the IPO market in 2021, the biotechnology sector is resilient and showing signs of recovery. Tempus led the way last week. Congratulations to all stakeholders at Tempus! This period of turbulence urges biotech firms to strategically focus on building strong data foundations, which will not only attract investments but also pave the way for sustainable growth and innovation. Embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation and skill development could redefine leadership in biotech, fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability crucial for sustained success in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. #Biotech #Leadership

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Merck taps AI-focused biotech for new ADC pact worth $376M Biolojic Design, Ltd., a biotechnology company that uses computational biology and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform antibodies into programmable, intelligent medicines, today announced that it has entered into a multi-target drug discovery collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The partnership will leverage Biolojic Design’s AI-driven discovery platform to design therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer and immunological disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, Biolojic Design will receive a low double-digit million euro upfront payment and research funding from Merck. It will also be eligible for drug discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments that may total up to €346 million. Biolojic Design will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net product sales. #biotech #antibodies #artificialintelligence #biopharmatrend Image credit: Biolojic Design

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As MassBio releases its 5-year strategic plan today, I'm thrilled to share key insights from my recent podcast conversation with Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer. I had no idea about some of these programs, so I bet you'll learn something new even if you think you know all about MassBio! Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 🌱 Nurturing Early-Stage Companies: MassBio is launching a Launchpad program to provide roadmaps and potential partners for startups, along with plans for a seed fund linked to their MassBio Drive accelerator. 🤖 Embracing AI and Tech: There's a strong focus on supporting AI-driven drug development and "tech for biotech" companies, recognizing the importance of digital innovation in the industry's future. 💰 Expanding Investor Base: MassBio is developing a program to demystify life sciences investing and attract new funders to the sector. 🧬 Fostering Diverse Talent: The successful Biodiversity initiative is expanding, with plans to develop targeted programs in different communities plus a new focus on executive-level talent development in partnership with The Termeer Foundation. 📣 Amplifying Industry Impact: MassBio aims to better communicate the biotech industry's story to lawmakers and the public, emphasizing its broader impact beyond financial metrics. These initiatives are part of MassBio's comprehensive strategy to maintain Massachusetts' leadership in the biotech sector. I'm excited to see how these plans unfold over the next five years! #Biotech #MassBio #Innovation #LifeSciences #AIinHealthcare Don't miss the full conversation! Link to podcast in comments.

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Interesting observations by Guadalupe Hayes-Mota, "... AI is at a pivotal point in its capacity to create new products that can significantly enhance individuals' health and well-being." Immense potential and hopefully surmountable challenges! Ensuring ethical AI practices (patient privacy, algorithmic bias) and scalability will be critical in navigating this evolving landscape and driving sustainable innovations in healthcare. #AI #Biotech #Healthcare #HealthTech

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Clinical trial high cost and low speed are a huge impediment to bringing new and better drugs to patients. At Ryght we are delivering GenAI solutions to reduce clinical trial friction. Please check out and 👍 (on youtube) the short video below 🙏

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This article is inspired by comments from Tony Czarnik and Stefan Ivanov regarding my previous blog post at https://lnkd.in/gFPhXfKW. To clarify, I am writing from the perspective of an AI believer or practitioner, acknowledging the critical viewpoint that claims "AI has shown little in terms of actual achievements in drug discovery." However, I believe it is not sufficient to simply agree with this stance without further elaboration. My focus here is on higher-level concepts rather than practical examples. Here are three key takeaways: 1. Need for Comprehensive Data Collection The current drug discovery process often lacks systematic documentation and relies heavily on subjective reporting, which hampers the ability to draw robust conclusions. Scientists, particularly chemists and biologists, should prioritize automating the collection of extensive data and metadata to create a rich database for analysis. 2. Integration of Mathematical and Data-Driven Approaches Two primary strategies for improving drug discovery are mathematical modeling and data-driven methods. While traditional scientific practices lean toward mathematical modeling for deeper understanding, advancements in AI highlight the effectiveness of data-driven approaches in addressing existing challenges and providing new insights into complex biological processes. 3. Transformative Role of AI AI technology plays a crucial role in drug discovery by enabling scientists to embrace data-driven methodologies that enhance problem-solving capabilities and deepen understanding of biological systems. Combining both mathematical models and data-driven techniques can lead to a more robust framework for innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

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If you are in Basel for BioTechX Europe, do not miss this presentation by ZONTAL , part of the SciY family, discussing how you can leverage their highly automated #digitalization platform to make your data #FAIRdata #AIready

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https://lnkd.in/gWkt5-dz The 2002 published Nature article "Leadership management needs in evolving biotech companies" by Andreas Föller outlines the crucial role of management in the success of biotechnology companies. The article emphasizes that good management is more critical to a biotech company's success than the initial idea or concept. This remains true today, as the biotech industry continues to be highly competitive and complex. Leadership qualities that are required: -Biotech-specific attributes: Ability to transition from science-oriented to commercial-oriented thinking -Mental strength and stamina to handle pressure -Excellent interpersonal skills -Combination of strategic thinking and hands-on mentality -High motivation and awareness of challenges These qualities are still crucial in today's fast-paced life sciences environment, where CEO's/ Entrepreneurs must be able to cultivate investors and raise capital, develop partnerships, and balance scientific innovation and commercial viability. CEOthreesixty

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From Potential to Patients: Can this powerhouse of entrepreneurs unlock the true power of AI in drug development? ...The company, which has about 50 employees today at sites in Seattle and California, was co-founded by two of biotech’s biggest venture capitalists, Bob Nelsen of ARCH Venture Partners and Vik Bajaj at Foresite Labs, an incubator affiliated with Foresite Capital. Other investors include F-Prime Capital, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) Sequoia Capital, Lux Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures, and SV Angel..... Scott Gottlieb Carolyn Bertozzi Alex Gorsky David Baker Tessier Lavigne Marc #AI #drugdiscovery #biotech #biotechnology #lifesciences #pharma #pharmaceuticals Xaira Therapeutics #biology #proteinscience #funding #financing #innovation #combininglearnings #acceleration

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What worked yesterday isn't guaranteed to work tomorrow. As biotech startups transition from early- to late-stage development, their needs change. Lean teams, for example, may no longer be enough to support your operations as they continue to scale. Startups that recognise this and make sure they're prepared to adapt will experience a smoother transition. #Startups #Biotech #BusinessManagement #Scaling

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