"Turpentine VC" | Venture Capital and Investing

E52: Charting the Course of Biotech with Laura Deming, GP of Longevity Fund, and Will Eden of Sylvan Consulting

Aug 20, 2024

Laura Deming, a General Partner at Longevity Fund, and Will Eden from Sylvan Consulting delve into the fascinating world of biotech investments. They explore the evolution of longevity research and groundbreaking technologies like cell and gene therapies. The duo discusses the FDA's complex role in regulating innovations and the challenges faced by biotech startups. They also highlight the dramatic growth in the longevity sector since 2011 and ponder bold aspirations like biological immortality, making the conversation both insightful and entertaining.

01:27:02

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Episode guests

Will Eden

Laura Deming

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The evolving biotech investment landscape now prioritizes preclinical investments across diverse therapeutic segments, including antibodies and cell therapies.

Digital health technologies have distinct challenges in FDA approval processes, focusing more on wellness than serious medical interventions like cancer treatments.

Platform companies are attracting investor interest for their potential to innovate across multiple drug candidates, emphasizing strategic funding partnerships.

Deep dives

Evolving Landscape of Biotech Investments

The biotech investment landscape has undergone significant changes since the early days of companies like Genentech. Investors have shifted focus to areas including seed stages and early clinical companies, with an emphasis on preclinical investments. Various segments within biotech can be categorized based on their therapeutic areas, such as antibodies, RNA, and cell therapies, as well as pharmaceuticals, med devices, and tools and services. By understanding the unique complexities of these segments, investors can make informed decisions on where to allocate resources.

Intro

2min

Navigating the Biotech Investment Landscape

20min

Exploring Biotech Investment Opportunities and Historical Perspectives

3min

Transforming Biotech Investments

16min

The FDA's Evolution and Biotech Innovations

23min

Navigating Uncertainty in Biotech

11min

The Rise of Longevity Innovations

8min

Exploring Aspirations and Digital Frontiers

3min

This week on Turpentine VC, we’re releasing a conversation between Erik Torenberg, Laura Deming of The Longevity Fund and Will Eden of Sylvan Consulting (prior to that, with Thiel capital) focused on the past, present and future of biotech.

Recorded in 2019, they discuss platform companies and the evolving biotech investment landscape, examining segments like therapeutics, cell and gene therapies. Will and Laura share insights on the historical waves of biotech, the FDA's role, and the intersections of biotech and tech investment strategies. They address challenges in evaluating biotech startups, the growth in longevity research since 2011, and the potential for extending life spans through various scientific advancements.

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LINKS:

The Longevity Fund: https://www.longevity.vc/

Sylvan Consulting: https://www.sylvanconsulting.bio/

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FOLLOW:

Laura Deming

Website: https://www.ldeming.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-deming-b255362a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurademing

Will Eden

Website: https://becomingeden.com/start-here/