Longevity for Investors with Dr. Greg Bailey and Jess Larsen Insights from Bayer’s $1.5 Billion VC Fund | Lucio Iannone, Head of Health Venture Investments (VP) at Leaps by Bayer
Jul 5, 2024
Lucio Iannone, Head of Health Venture Investments at Leaps by Bayer, is a seasoned biotech investor with a PhD from Imperial College. He discusses how Leaps is revolutionizing biotech investing with significant early checks and strategic acquisitions like BlueRock. Lucio shares insights on key investment principles, including the importance of medical need and scientific credibility. He also contrasts the US and European biotech landscapes, offers advice for founders seeking VC support, and highlights the focus on longevity and preventative health in their strategies.
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Due Diligence: Science, Need, Syndicate, CEO
- Do check scientific rationale and unmet medical need before investing; prioritize curative potential.
- Do also insist on strong syndicate partners and evaluate whether the CEO can scale the company.
Invest Where Unmet Need Matters
- Avoid investing where the standard of care is already excellent and there's little unmet need.
- Focus capital on areas where a successful therapy would meaningfully change patient outcomes.
Human Data Is The Ultimate Arbiter
- Translational risk from animal models to humans is the defining uncertainty in biotech.
- Smart trial design and precise patient selection are the main tools to mitigate that risk.