Psychedelics, Longevity, and Wellbeing, Christian Angermayer, Founder, Apeiron Investment Group

02/07/24 • 46 min

Biotech 2050 Podcast

Synopsis: Christian Angermayer, a prominent investor and entrepreneur in the biotech industry, shares valuable insights in the Biotech2050 podcast, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Drawing from his extensive experience, Angermayer emphasizes the importance of making biotech more accessible to a broader audience while maintaining the integrity of the science. He discusses the need for a broader investor community in biotech to unlock more capital and stimulate early-stage science funding. His unique perspective highlights the intersection of tech and biotech, emphasizing the potential for collaboration and innovation. By implementing Angermayer's insights, entrepreneurs can gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of biotech and harness new opportunities for growth and development. By incorporating Angermayer's insights, entrepreneurs can gain essential knowledge of the evolving biotech landscape and capitalize on new opportunities for growth and development. Biography: Christian Angermayer is a serial entrepreneur and investor who builds and invests in companies that are shaping the Next Human Agenda: a future in which technology empowers people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Christian’s family office and private investment firm, Apeiron Investment Group, has more than USD 2.5 billion under management and 50 people in London, New York City, Abu Dhabi and Berlin. Apeiron focuses on Life Sciences, FinTech & Crypto, Future Tech and Experiences, Hospitality & Happiness. Over the past 20 years, Christian has founded three unicorns himself and has been the lead investor in four unicorns and two decacorns.

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Navigating Platform vs Product Tension, David Kirn, Co-Founder & CEO, 4DMT

Synopsis: In this episode of the Biotech2050 podcast, David Kirn, CEO of 4D Molecular Therapeutics, shares invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the biotech industry. Kirn discusses the development of his company's platform that integrates gene therapy and directed evolution to create innovative treatments for genetic diseases. By utilizing directed evolution, 4D Molecular Therapeutics has been able to invent an AAV vector that achieves safe and effective gene expression in the retina, targeting rare genetic diseases initially and subsequently expanding to larger markets. Kirn emphasizes the importance of balancing a strong platform with diverse product opportunities to decrease risk and increase the probability of success in the biotech landscape. Kirn's expertise and experience provide a compelling narrative that sheds light on the vital aspects of biotech entrepreneurship. Kirn emphasizes the importance of balancing a strong platform with diverse product opportunities to decrease risk and increase the probability of success in the biotech landscape. The episode delves into the tension between platform and product focus, offering guidance on fundraising and the regional dynamics of biotech investment. Kirn's expertise and experience provide a compelling narrative that sheds light on the vital aspects of biotech entrepreneurship, making this episode a must-listen for academic entrepreneurs looking to navigate the complexities of biotech investment and build traction in the industry. Biography: David Kirn, MD, is our co-founder and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception in 2013. Dr. Kirn is also Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering and Molecular & Cellular Biology at UC Berkeley. Over his 30 year career, Dr. Kirn has co-founded and been CEO of four viral vector-based genetic medicines companies, three of which to date were either acquired or went public. Dr. Kirn also held senior clinical research and development positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals (VP) and Celgene (SVP), and was a senior advisor to Novartis, Bayer, Pfizer, Biogen and others in the genetic medicines field. Dr. Kirn received a BA in Physiology (Departmental Citation; Phi Beta Kappa) from UC Berkeley in 1985, an MD (Alpha Omega Alpha) from UC San Francisco Medical School in 1989 and completed internal medicine residency training at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (including a term as Chief Medical Resident at affiliated VA hospital). He has also completed hematology-oncology and clinical research fellowships at UC San Francisco and completed a certificate of business excellence from the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley. In 2013, he was awarded the Johnson & Johnson Entrepreneur Innovator award from the J&J Innovation Center.

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The Intersection Of Tech and Biotech, Chris Gibson, Co-Founder & CEO, Recursion

Synopsis: In this episode of the Biotech2050 podcast, Chris Gibson, the co-founder and CEO of Recursion, shares insights on the intersection of technology and biotech, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and diverse partnerships in driving innovation. Gibson's journey from pursuing an MD-PhD program with a focus on merging engineering and medicine to founding Recursion showcases his deep understanding of the evolving biotech landscape. His experience navigating the capital markets and proactive decision-making in response to market conditions offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs in the industry. The episode delves into the challenges and opportunities in the biotech sector, highlighting the transformative potential of technology and the significance of embracing entrepreneurship and risk-taking. Gibson's emphasis on building diverse teams and the impact of partnerships serves as a compelling reason for entrepreneurs and leaders in the biotech industry to listen to this episode, providing valuable insights and strategies for navigating the rapidly changing biotech landscape. Biography: Chris Gibson developed the technology and approach that seeded Recursion as part of his MD/PhD work in the lab of Co-Founder Dr. Dean Li (current President of Merck Research Labs) while at the University of Utah. After completing his Ph.D., Chris left medical school to build Recursion into the rapidly growing company it is today. Chris is a graduate of Rice University with degrees in bioengineering and management. Chris serves on the Board of BioHive, the public-private partnership driving expansion of Utah's life-science ecosystem, the fastest growing in the nation. Chris is also active as an advisor and mentor, both formally and informally, of many young biotech founders. Chris enjoys cycling on both the road and the trails that cut through Utah's great wilderness, as well as spending time with family.