The NextGen VC Podcast LaunchBio

This episode introduces the 'Venture Ed' series aimed at biotech investors. Hosts Mike Hostetler and Jen Fang, partners at Wilson Sonsini, as they talk with Amy Simmerman, a corporate governance expert from the firm's Wilmington, Delaware office. They discuss legal nuances of serving as a biotech company board director, exploring duties of care and loyalty, conflict of interest management, and the importance of confidentiality and transparency. Special attention is given to the challenges venture investors face balancing their duties to the companies they invest in with their responsibilities to their funds. The episode also highlights the upcoming NextGen VC Forum in San Francisco, a learning and network event for life science investors co-sponsored by Wilson Sonsini and LaunchBio.



00:00 Welcome to Venture Ed: Navigating Biotech Investments00:30 Introducing Amy Simmerman: Legal Insights into Biotech Board Governance01:06 Role-Play Insight: CEO and VC Perspectives on Board Dynamics03:05 Deep Dive into Board Governance and Fiduciary Duties17:02 Navigating Conflicts of Interest and Board Meeting Best Practices31:46 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to NextGenVC Forum


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Hosts Mike Hostetler and Jen Fang enjoy an in-depth conversation with Katie Spielberg, a senior associate at 5AM Ventures. In Katie's role, she stays current on innovations in academia and the biotech industry to help her team identify emerging fields suitable for investment. In this episode, Katie offers insight into her career path, highlighting the significance of intellectual curiosity and networking. She also discusses the formation of MIT’s first biotechnology student initiative and the potential future shifts in the biotech industry, focusing on the need for increased investment and understanding in the field of women's health. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:26 Understanding the Role of a Senior Associate at 5AM Ventures

01:27 The Story Behind the Name '5AM Ventures'

02:40 Journey to MIT and the Love for Chemistry

04:23 Transition from Chemistry to Biological Engineering

05:31 Post-Graduation Path: Industry or Academia?

06:31 The Decision to Pursue a PhD at Stanford

08:49 The Shift from Academia to Venture Capital

10:15 The Role of Networking in Career Progression

13:12 The Day-to-Day Life of a Venture Capitalist

15:05 The Importance of Mentorship in Venture Capital

27:06 The Intersection of Ballet and Biotech

34:12 The Future of Biotech: Women's Health

37:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts




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On the latest episode of the NextGen VC Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Hyung Chun, Director at Foresite Capital Management. As a seasoned physician-scientist and cardiologist, Dr. Chun brings a unique perspective to the investment landscape, evaluating opportunities and understanding how to drive early discoveries to the clinic. Join us as he shares insights into his steps to become an investor from his tenured faculty position at Yale School of Medicine. We’ll hear about understanding how to learn what you don't know, the similarities between being a physician-scientist and a venture capitalist, and his vision for the future of biotech. Driven by a passion for advancing medical breakthroughs, Hyung Chun's episode offers a compelling exploration of the evolving biotech landscape.


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Neena Kadaba, an entrepreneur in residence at Apple Tree Partners, shares her journey from studying chemistry at MIT to becoming a venture capitalist in the biotech industry. She discusses her initial attraction to science, her experience as a Kauffman Fellow, and her role at Apple Tree Partners, a life science venture fund that creates biotech companies to translate emerging science into new therapies. Neena emphasizes the importance of curiosity, communication, and building a network in the world of venture capital. She also shares insights into dealing with challenges and struggles in startups, from financing to team management. This episode offers valuable advice and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of biotech investing. 


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Welcome to the NextGen VC Podcast!


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