Healthcare Inefficiency and AI Drug Discovery: Reality vs. Hype

​Presented by SeaHealthTech and Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)

​As part of Seattle AI Week, SeaHealthTech and CDL have partnered to present a thought-provoking session that brings together leading voices from academia, venture capital, and industry. The conversation will explore where healthcare spending is most inefficient and how artificial intelligence is reshaping drug discovery.

​Our speakers will connect big-picture insights on healthcare financing with practical perspectives on biotech innovation, investment strategy, and regulation—moving beyond the buzz to ask where AI can truly create value in healthcare and life sciences.

​Speaker

​Joseph Dieleman, PhD
Professor of Health Metrics Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington
Leads IHME’s Resource Tracking research team, focusing on global and U.S. health spending, government financing, and efficiency. His talk will map where healthcare dollars go and highlight systemic inefficiencies that shape the innovation landscape.

​Panelists

​Sara Dutta, PhD
Director, Data Science, Novo Nordisk
Formerly led digital partnerships and AI initiatives in R&D at Novo Nordisk, including collaborations with Microsoft. Her work focuses on using AI to accelerate drug discovery and translate data-driven insights into therapeutic development.

​Jason Fontana, PhD
CEO & Co-Founder, Wayfinder Biosciences
Heads Wayfinder’s AI-enabled RNA drug discovery platform, developing small molecules that target RNA biology. He brings a deep scientific and entrepreneurial perspective on building defensible, data-driven biotech companies.

​Joe Horsman, PhD
Investor, Madrona Venture Group
Early-stage investor focused on computational biology, AI, and next-generation life sciences infrastructure. He bridges deep science with venture-scale strategy, helping founders translate innovation into sustainable business models.

​Eva Yin, PhD, MPH, JD
Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Advises life sciences and digital health companies on FDA regulation, data governance, and compliance in AI-driven drug development. She integrates backgrounds in biomedical science, public health, and law to guide companies through complex regulatory landscapes.

​Moderator:
Bulat Idrisov, MD, PhDc
Venture Manager, Creative Destruction Lab Seattle
Physician-scientist and venture manager for computational health