Reed Jobs, founder of Yosemite and son of Steve Jobs, shares his deep commitment to making cancer non-lethal, a mission influenced by his father's battle with the disease. He discusses innovative investment strategies in cancer treatment, emphasizing collaboration between philanthropy and biotechnology. Reed highlights the potential of AI, mRNA, and CRISPR in revolutionizing patient care and the critical need for early detection. His personal journey underscores the emotional stakes driving his work in advancing cancer research and the urgent realities faced today.
Reed Jobs aims to make cancer non-lethal by focusing on next-gen early detection and patient-specific therapies.
AI enhances cancer diagnostics, accelerates drug discovery, and addresses delivery challenges in gene editing.
Reed is cautious about AI translating into tangible patient benefits without inflating costs in cancer treatment.
Reed's commitment to revolutionizing cancer care and patient outcomes through biotech innovations and AI remains unwavering.
Deep dives
The Mission of Yosemite and Focus on Cancer Research
Reid Jobs, the founder of Yosemite, a venture capital fund focused on cancer research, aims to make cancer non-lethal in our lifetime. Yosemite, a spinoff from Reid's work at Emerson Collective, emphasizes the importance of next-generation early detection and precise patient-based therapies to systematically eliminate mortality across various types of cancers.
The Impact of Tumor Boards and Early Exposure to Cancer Research
Reid's early exposure to oncology labs at Stanford during high school and participation in tumor boards instilled a deep passion for cancer research. His father's illness sparked an interest in biotech, leading to a lifelong dedication to advancing cancer treatment and diagnostics. Through philanthropic efforts and collaborations, Reid aims to revolutionize cancer care.
AI Applications in Cancer Research and Drug Discovery
AI is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics by enhancing early detection capabilities, particularly in radiology and pathology. In drug discovery, AI models proteins to identify potential drug targets, accelerating innovation significantly. Reid's investment focus includes addressing delivery challenges in gene editing and leveraging AI for patient-specific precision medicine.
Concerns and Hopes for the Future of AI in Biotech
Reid's primary concern with AI in biotech is the translation of accelerated drug development into tangible benefits for patients without increasing costs. His hope is for AI to drive monumental advancements in cancer treatment, focusing on patient outcomes as the ultimate measure of success.
Reflections on Silicon Valley and Biotech Innovations
Amidst the changing landscape of Silicon Valley, Reid remains committed to creating impactful companies that reshape cancer care paradigms. His faith in leveraging biotech innovations and AI underscores his vision of driving tangible improvements in patient outcomes and revolutionizing cancer treatment.
Upcoming Events and Collaborations in Cancer Research
Reid's dedication to making cancer treatment more effective and accessible is evident in his collaborations with renowned institutions like the American Cancer Society and his focus on pioneering advancements in diagnostics, drug development, and patient-specific therapies.
Future Aspirations and Legacy in Cancer Research
Reid envisions a future where cancer becomes a non-lethal disease, driven by cutting-edge innovations in diagnostics and therapies. His commitment to transforming cancer care and improving patient outcomes symbolizes a legacy focused on revolutionizing cancer treatment for generations to come.
In high school, Reed Jobs was a summer intern in oncology labs while his dad, the late Apple co-founder and tech icon Steve Jobs, was battling pancreatic cancer. In his biography, Steve is quoted as calling his son’s interest in biotech the “silver lining” of his illness – and making cancer “non-lethal” has become Reed’s life mission. In 2023, he spun off the venture capital firm Yosemite from Emerson Collective (the philanthropy and family office founded by his mother, Laurene Powell Jobs) to focus on cancer research and biotech. Kara and Reed talk about the research-to-start up pipeline, how he’s been influenced by both of his parents, and whether AI, mRNA or CRISPR will be game changers for cancer patients.
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