Simon Kohl: Making biology programmable

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah welcomes Simon Kohl, founder of Latent Labs, a startup at the forefront of generative models for computational protein design. Simon shares his journey from studying physics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to his pivotal role in DeepMind's AlphaFold projects, where he developed key uncertainty metrics for protein structure predictions. He discusses the recent $50 million Series A funding raised for Latent Labs and its mission to advance AI-driven biotech. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of generative modelling in drug discovery, the significance of presenting ideas effectively, and the importance of agility and decisiveness in fundraising. Tune in to explore the intersection of biology and machine learning, and how it’s shaping the future of scientific innovation. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Nothing Ventured and Guest Background 00:01:25 - Overview of Generative Modeling and Protein Design 00:02:00 - Host Introduction and Podcast Purpose 00:02:49 - Simon Cole's Experience at DeepMind 00:03:40 - AlphaFold's Impact on Computational Biology 00:10:11 - Real-World Implications of AlphaFold 00:13:03 - The Future of Computational Biology 00:16:38 - Transitioning from DeepMind to Latent Labs 00:17:24 - Building a Strong Team Across Locations 00:20:00 - Support from DeepMind and Community Response 00:21:12 - Europe's Role in Scientific Innovation 00:24:37 - Latent Labs' Approach to Drug Discovery 00:29:01 - Fundraising Insights and Challenges 00:31:43 - Nimbleness in Fundraising and Decision Making 00:35:47 - Balancing Conviction and Market Feedback 00:41:05 - Geographic Flexibility and Talent Access 00:45:23 - Cultural Integration Across Locations 00:48:40 - Importance of In-Person Offsites for Team Cohesion Find Simon Kohl online at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kohl-4840a7124/ Twitter: https: //x.com/saakohl Latent Labs: https://www.latentlabs.com/ This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B. Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/ Sign up for EmergeOne’s weekly newsletter, Off Balance at https://off-balance.beehiiv.com/subscribe