Sign In

Neil Littman

CEO @ ReIGNITE Therapeutics | Bioverge Ventures

Neil Littman is a prominent figure in the biotechnology industry, with a strong background in healthcare investment banking and venture investing.

As the former CEO of ReIGNITE Therapeutics, Neil focused on developing advanced viral vector immunotherapies and gene therapies applying innovative technology.

His dedication to the field was sparked over a decade ago when he witnessed the cure of a young girl, Evie, from a genetic disease, which motivated his career trajectory.

Prior to his role at ReIGNITE Therapeutics, Neil was involved in managing significant funds at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where he oversaw substantial investments in various clinical trials for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Neil also held a key role at Notable Labs, a precision oncology company, where he excelled in business development and contributed to a successful Series B funding round.

His extensive experience in venture investing includes positions at Bioverge Ventures and Riverine Ventures, showcasing his diverse skill set and industry knowledge.

Neil's career began in healthcare investment banking on Wall Street, advising on transactions totaling over $1 billion, before transitioning to roles at notable biotech VC firms like Burrill & Company.

He holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology from The Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder, highlighting his strong educational foundation in the life sciences.

Highlights

Aug 1 · linkedin

“Biotech is the ultimate impact investment.”

I read that quote from Robin Lauber in an article in the Financial Times about how family offices are increasingly turning to venture capital in healthcare and biotech. His analysis captures the essence of the transformative potential within biotechnology.

It comes as no surprise that family offices are increasingly drawn to venture capital in healthcare and biotech. This rapidly evolving sector not only presents opportunities for impressive financial returns, but it also offers a unique chance to address some of the most pressing challenges in longevity, disease therapeutics, and beyond.

Investing in biotech allows us to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Through innovative research, breakthrough discoveries, and the development of cutting-edge therapies, we have the power to change the course of human health and well-being.

What do you think? Do you agree that biotech offers the best possible worlds between return and societal benefit?

#TechBio #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting #Investment

Jul 27 · linkedin

Are you familiar with the history of personalized medicine?

Personalized medicine has a rich history, first dating back to the early 20th century. The “one-size-fits-all” view of medicine was first challenged with Karl Landsteiner's groundbreaking work on the ABO blood group system. Landsteiner’s research demonstrated blood transfusions could not be universal—one of the first ways in which we recognized biological differences inherent in each person.

The idea of genetic inheritance was pioneered by Sir Archbald Garrod, whose studies of alkaptonuria laid the basis for understanding inherited diseases of metabolism. And of course, we wouldn’t be able to understand precision medicine without the discoveries of DNA, beginning with Friedrich Miescher's discovery in 1869, and subsequent investigations by Phoebus Levene, Erwin Chargaff, James Watson, Rosalind Franklin, and Francis Crick.

But it was really the Human Genome Project that facilitated the evolution towards personalized medicine.

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific effort that aimed to map and sequence the entire human genome, which is the complete set of genetic information in our DNA. Launched in 1990 and completed to 92% in 2003 (the genome was only completely sequenced in 2022), the project involved scientists from around the world.

The HGP not only provided a comprehensive reference for the human genome but also paved the way for subsequent research in genomics and personalized medicine.

This precision approach to personalized medicine is nothing short of a monumental change in healthcare. Bioverge Ventures's investment philosophy has been grounded in developing and nurturing companies charting these groundbreaking biotechnologies. We believe that only together can we unlock new frontiers in medicine, bringing hope and improved outcomes to millions of patients worldwide.

#TechBio #PersonalizedMedicine #History #ScienceHistory

Neil Littman
Add to my network

Location

San Francisco, California, United States