Boston Life Sciences Showcase: In Conversation with Mohan S. Iyer: From Genentech to IndieBio
Boston Life Sciences Showcase: Investor Connect Series
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: 10 Prospect Street, Floor 7, Somerville, MA 02143
Where Founders & Funders Meet with Purpose
The Investor Connect Series is a bi‑monthly event hosted by the Boston Life Sciences Showcase (BLSS), designed to facilitate high‑impact interactions between biotech startups and active investors. Each session offers a focused yet dynamic environment where curated startup teams can present their innovations to aligned investors and receive actionable feedback, while investors share insights on investment theses, sector focus areas, and what they look for in founders.
Held in a community‑centered setting, the series features fireside conversations with investors, legal guidance, startup pitches, and structured networking. It advances BLSS’s mission to foster meaningful, cross‑disciplinary connections across the life sciences ecosystem.
Theme: In Conversation with Mohan S. Iyer: From Genentech to IndieBio
This Investor Connect Series features Mohan S. Iyer, General Partner at SOSV based in San Francisco. Mohan began his career at the ground floor of the biotech industry as part of the team who scaled up the the first 3 biotech drugs at Genentech in the mid-80s. In a career spanning over three decades, he has held leadership positions at several startups includingTethys Bioscience, Second Genome, and Pendulum Therapeutics.
Drawing on this breadth of experience, Mohan is passionate about mentoring first‑time founders and helping teams articulate and execute against their north star goals. In this edition of the Investor Connect Series, he will share stories from his journey across multiple biotech platforms, from genomics and metabolomics to microbiomics, and discuss how he evaluates opportunities, structures deals, and supports startups to scale and exit. Attendees will gain insight into what a first‑check investor looks for in founders and technologies, and how operational excellence translates into investment success.
Mohan will also discuss SOSV’s approach to finding deep tech startups. SOSV SF invests up to $550K in selected pre‑seed companies and offers intensive, hands‑on mentorship. Since 2014 the program has funded over 270 startups across 40 countries and helped create more than $12 billion in value, with 42% of portfolio companies led by women. During the event, three selected startups will pitch directly to Mohan and receive his feedback.
Program Format
● 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM | Welcome & Networking
Open networking and informal introductions
● 12:20 PM – 12:50 PM | Fireside Chat with Investor
Conversation on investment approach and founder insights
Speaker: Mohan S. Iyer, General Partner, SOSV
Moderator: Max Hunt, Partner, Trinity Life Sciences; Founder, SVRN
● 12:50 PM – 12:55 PM | Legal Tips
Quick legal guidance for startups on IP, fundraising, or company formation
Speakers: Mai Zymaris, Partner, and Fabian Koenigbauer, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
● 12:55 PM – 1:40 PM | Startup Pitches
Three curated startup teams: Microvitality, SereNeuro Therapeutics and Absco Therapeutics. Each will each deliver a 5-minute pitch, followed by brief Q&A
● 1:40 PM – 2:00 PM | Networking
Networking with founders, investors, and advisors
BLSS Leadership Team
● Mai Zymaris, Partner, Ice Miller LLP; Founder & President, VietChallenge
● Jason Kraus, Founder & CEO, Prepare 4 VC
● Max Hunt, Partner, Trinity Life Sciences; Founder, SVRN
● Kevin Dao, Director of Operations, VietChallenge
About BLSS
Established in 2022, the Boston Life Sciences Showcase(BLSS) is a quarterly gathering designed to foster deeper connections among leaders, founders, funders, and industry experts across the life sciences sector. In 2025, BLSS expanded its programming to include the Investor Connect Series, a bi‑monthly initiative that brings startups and investors together for focused dealflow conversations and strategic exchange. Each public event centers on live showcases by companies across different stages of growth, from early ideation to near-exit, complemented by insight-rich discussions led by experienced professionals. A key aspect of the showcase is its intentional inclusion of startups and leadership teams that reflect the global, cross-disciplinary nature of today’s life sciences landscape, recognizing that innovation thrives when a variety of perspectives and experiences are brought to the table.
Please Note:
By attending this event, you consent to photography, audio, and video recording for promotional and community-building purposes.