Future of Biotech x AI: AI in Peptide Drug Discovery
An exclusive in-person expert panel co-hosted by Tech Brews, TechBio Transformers, and Magnet Ventures. Sponsored by DLA Piper.
Featuring Special Guests:
Professor Katrin J Svensson is an Associate Professor of Pathology at Stanford University. She leads a lab focused on discovering previously unidentified peptide hormones that regulate metabolism, appetite, and energy balance. Her work integrates computational prediction, human genetics, and in-vivo models to uncover new molecular targets for obesity and diabetes. With a strong IP portfolio and active translational pipeline, she bridges academic discovery with biotech and pharma partnerships.
Jonathan MacQuitty is a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. He brings over three decades of experience across biotech entrepreneurship and venture capital. Jonathan has served as founding CEO of multiple venture-backed life science companies, including GenPharm International and Forty Seven Inc., before transitioning into investing. At Lightspeed, he partners closely with founders building transformative healthcare companies, bringing both operator experience and investor perspective to early-stage innovation.
Cyrus Harmon is the Co-Founder & CEO at Vilya Therapeutics. Cyrus is a biotech entrepreneur focused on oncology drug development and next-generation discovery platforms. His work spans modern research tools, computational biology, and chemistry applied to advancing human health. At Vilya Therapeutics, he leads efforts to translate scientific innovation into clinically impactful therapeutics.
Danjuma Quarless is Senior Director of AI Innovation at Lilly Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investing at the intersection of AI and drug development. His career spans computational biology, corporate business development, and strategic biopharma venture investing. He began as a senior scientist leading statistical analytics for major population genomics initiatives including the UK Biobank and Genomics Finland, before transitioning into therapeutics investing with a focus on early-stage biotech and ecosystem engagement. Danjuma holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Moderator : Darren Platt, Partner at Magnet Ventures
Who should Attend:
Whether you're experienced or exploring the healthcare or life science ecosystem, this series provides valuable insights and practical tools by experts to help you excel in your career or as an entrepreneur.
About the Event Series:
Welcome to the Bay Area edition of the "Future of Biotech x AI" event series! Held quarterly, this event series features an expert panel discussing their hot takes and insights on the future of Biotech and AI. Most suited for biotech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to learn, gain insights and network.
Organizers:
Tech Brews is an open and inclusive global community for founders and innovators in healthtech, biotech and life sciences. Founded by Dr Terence Tan, we have more than 2000 members globally, Tech Brews hosts regular events including founder fireside chats, investor panels, and startup pitch nights. Tech Brews has chapters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Shenzhen, India, South Africa, London, and Dubai.
TechBio Transformers is a community of scientists, product managers, computational biologists, academics, and engineers who work on the world's most important problems at the intersection of biology, software, and AI.
Magnet Ventures focuses on AI-driven biotech investments, specifically on computational approaches to biological drug discovery and therapeutic delivery.
Sponsor:
DLA Piper is a law firm with offices in over 40 countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. With a portfolio of services to match every stage of the business lifecycle, we combine practice area knowledge with modern industry insights and an expansive geographic footprint so our global solutions are tailored, seamless and ready to meet your toughest challenges.