Therapeutic development is a high risk, high reward endeavor where the success rate is low, the time to market is long, and the financial cost is high. Nonprofit organizations are embracing this level of risk by investing through venture philanthropy funds. These funds embrace risk and are willing to take big bets to move assets from bench to bedside. This roundtable discussion will bring together managing directors and chief investment officers of venture philanthropy funds to discuss how each entity perceives, approaches, and mitigates risk to bring therapeutics to patients. 

Moderator

Melissa Stevens

Executive Vice President, MI Philanthropy, Milken Institute

Speakers

Katie Ellias

Managing Director, JDRF T1D Fund

John Higgins

Managing Director, Brain Tumor Investment Fund

Rusty Kelley

Managing Director, Retinal Degeneration Fund

Jack Mahler

Chief Investment Officer, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation