In the latest episode of the NextGen VC Podcast, Suman Rao, Ph.D., principal at Lumira Ventures, joins hosts and Wilson Sonsini partners Michael Hostetler and Jennifer Fang to discuss her path from academic science to healthcare venture capital and why she believes the best investors lead with mission before money.

Suman shares Lumira’s approach to investing beyond traditional biotech hubs, the firm’s sidecar fund model with partners like Merck and the Terry Fox Foundation, and the story behind Histosonics, a Midwest medtech company that grew into a $2.25 billion exit and helped shape Lumira’s next investment thesis. She also offers candid advice for aspiring VCs: don’t follow the prescribed path. Build your own.

Earlier in her career, Suman pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer research. Her interest in drug discovery and its impact on patients drove her to pursue a career path where she could combine her passion for life sciences with the business of biotech. Prior to joining Lumira Ventures in 2021, Suman worked in management consulting, where she provided strategic advice to biotech clients.

The NextGen VC Podcast unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping life sciences investing. It is curated by Wilson Sonsini and LaunchBio with hosts Michael Hostetler and Jennifer 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.

The NextGen VC Podcast is available on all major streaming platforms. Subscribe and never miss an episode: https://launchbio.org/nextgen-vc-podcast/.

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