What does neuroscience have to do with venture capital? Quite a bit, according to Jason Pitts, Ph.D., principal at General Atlantic. In the latest episode of the NextGen VC Podcast, hosts and Wilson Sonsini partners Mike Hostetler and Jen Fang sit down with Jason to talk about the winding path that took him from studying the brain at Cornell University to evaluating some of the most promising companies in biotech.
Jason shares how a series of unexpected opportunities led him from the lab at Regeneron to McKinsey, and ultimately into venture investing. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors, relationships, and career pivots that shaped his journey.
The conversation also explores what separates great biotech companies from the rest, why clinical rigor often makes the difference between success and failure, and how investors develop conviction in an industry where uncertainty is part of the territory. Jason also discusses his work with companies like Karuna Therapeutics and explains why advances in neuroscience and brain-shuttle technology could help unlock the next wave of innovation in biotech.
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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This episode may feature current or former clients of Wilson Sonsini. This podcast is for general informational purposes and is not intended to provide and should not be relied on as legal advice. The information in this podcast is not tailored to a particularized situation or jurisdiction, may not reflect the current state of the law, and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of your own legal counsel. You should not consider this podcast an invitation to form an attorney-client relationship, and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this podcast. Wilson Sonsini disclaims all liability in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on the content of this podcast and notes that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This podcast may be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.
