Collaboration, venture building, pharma, healthcare with Merck's Bill Taranto + Joel Krikston

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys

2. Merck's venture strategy and GHIF story

3. MSD Idea Studios

4. CVC landscape and trends

5. Outlook for pharma and innovation

Bill has led MSD Global Health Innovation (GHI) since 2010, playing a strong role in the US company’s transition a decade ago from general consumer pharmaceuticals to a focus on biopharmaceuticals and oncology.

With 45 portfolio companies and about 80% having commercial agreements with MSD, His approach of always seeking to understand and solve the parent company’s core challenges has proven successful.

Last year, the fund expanded beyond the US, launching two accelerator programms, one in Berlin covering central Europe and one in Singapore covering 10 Asian countries. 

The accelerators will also invest at an earlier stage than the growth stage-focused core GHI fund has typically done.

Both in the US and abroad, GHI is focused on four key areas of pharma services: drug discovery, clinical development, supply chain and patient access.

In drug discovery, Bill is particularly excited about AI and machine learning allowing drugs to be identified faster.  

The fund has invested in about 12 companies applying AI to biology, chemistry and vaccines in the past two years, with a belief that these technologies are on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Clinical development is another critical focus, especially in patient diversity and trial management.

The unit is also exploring supply chain innovations, with systems tracking raw materials coming in and finished goods going out, much like a “control tower at an airport”.

A veteran of the venture capital sector, Bill maintains that corporate venture capital is becoming increasingly sophisticated.  

He believes corporate venture capital has now established itself as “part of the ecosystem of investing” and offers unique value that traditional investors cannot.

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Joel is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in venture investments and strategic innovation within the healthcare sector.  

With a career spanning over two decades, he has held pivotal roles at renowned organizations like Merck, J&J, and JPMorgan, focusing on biotech, corp dev and health equity.  

He excels in bridging the gap between life sciences and digital health technology.  

He is a recognized advocate for diversity and inclusion, emphasizing health equity in his professional endeavors.  

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