In the latest episode of the NextGen VC Podcast, hosts and Wilson Sonsini partners Mike Hostetler and Jen Fang sit down with Noreen Rizvi, Ph.D., Principal at Third Rock Ventures, whose journey from chemical engineering to venture creation offers a rare look inside the art and science of biotech investing. Noreen discusses how she bridges science and strategy, what she’s learned from building companies like Trace Neuro and Faze Medicine, and why Third Rock spends years incubating ideas before launch. She also shares how mentorship, collaboration, and a “take the call” mindset have shaped her path. This episode provides a grounded, inside look at company creation, risk-taking, and the evolving biotech landscape from RNA therapeutics to the next generation of life science innovation.
The NextGen VC Podcast unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping life sciences investing. It is curated by Wilson Sonsini and LaunchBio with hosts Mike Hostetler and Jen Fang. The podcast episodes feature interviews with successful venture capitalists, allowing listeners to gain wisdom from their experiences and learn how the pros have navigated challenges, made strategic decisions, and achieved remarkable success.
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