Averin Insights is the podcast from Averin Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in AI and breakthrough technologies transforming human health. Host David Berry, MD, PhD, co-founder of Averin and former General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, talks with scientists, physicians, founders and executives about drug discovery, AI in hospitals, surgical robotics, longevity, healthcare regulation and building health companies.
Entrepreneurial Impact Amplified with Sangeeta Bhatia
Can we change the signals we measure to better understand disease?
Sangeeta Bhatia joins David Berry to discuss new approaches to cancer detection, synthetic biomarkers and the promise of hepatocytes as liver cell therapies. They also explore lessons from Satellite Bio and the Faculty Founder Initiative’s work helping more women turn academic research into companies.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zTWQN4gE4pc
More conversations: https://www.averincapital.com/averin-insights
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Early versus wrong
02:20 Rethinking liquid biopsy
07:56 Synthetic biomarkers
13:48 The future of home screening
15:45 Hepatocytes and liver therapies
21:13 The Faculty Founder Initiative
28:14 Models for building companies
30:30 Academia and entrepreneurship
32:26 Women and the founder ecosystem
35:08 Advice for the next generation
38:14 Closing reflections
13 Oct 2026
Building The AI Powered Hospital with Michael Hasselberg
Michael Hasselberg, Chief Transformation and Digital Officer at Nebraska Medicine, joins David Berry for a practical conversation about how health systems are building and adopting AI.
They discuss administrative automation, data governance, the safeguards needed for clinical applications, and how hospitals decide when to build, buy, or rely on existing platforms. Michael also shares his vision for ambient patient rooms, wireless monitoring, and robotics—and why human connection and cybersecurity remain central to care.
Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Q0PBvP7gn94)
Episode page (https://www.averincapital.com/insights/building-the-ai-powered-hospital)
Averin Capital backs and builds early-stage companies transforming human health through AI and breakthrough technology. (https://www.averincapital.com/)
Explore Averin Capital (https://www.averincapital.com/)
28 Sept 2026
Accelerating the Speed of Discovery with Andy Plump
How do you build an AI-native R&D organization without losing the scientific judgment that makes drug development possible?
Andy Plump, President of Research & Development at Takeda, joins David Berry on Averin Insights to discuss how technology is changing drug discovery and development.
They explore the role of basic science, the changing global research landscape, and how R&D leaders can combine speed, technology, and clinical understanding to bring new medicines to patients.
Watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iWQUU-KZOA)
Episode page (https://www.averincapital.com/insights/accelerating-the-speed-of-discovery)
Averin Capital backs and builds early-stage companies transforming human health through AI and breakthrough technology.
Explore Averin Capital (https://www.averincapital.com/)
28 Sept 2026
Betting on Breakthrough Biology with Christian Schubert
How do strategic investors identify promising science and help turn it into a company?
Christian Schubert, Vice President and Global Head of AbbVie Ventures, joins David Berry on Averin Insights to discuss early-stage biotech investing, working with founders, and where AI can make a meaningful difference in drug discovery.
The conversation explores how corporate venture capital is evolving, how investors build conviction in emerging biology, and what it takes to move scientific ideas toward new medicines.
Watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05qpQ8m7wdc)
Episode page (https://www.averincapital.com/insights/betting-on-breakthrough-biology)
Averin Capital backs and builds early-stage companies transforming human health through AI and breakthrough technology.
Explore Averin Capital (https://www.averincapital.com/)
28 Sept 2026
Before Disease Decides with Thierry Bernard
What if medicine could act before symptoms appear?
Thierry Bernard, CEO of QIAGEN, joins David Berry on Averin Insights to explore how diagnostics could help healthcare move from reacting to disease toward earlier detection and more personalized care.
They discuss molecular diagnostics, AI, liquid biopsies, and predictive biology—and the work needed to turn new biological signals into useful information for patients and clinicians.
Watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBL0UByp5eQ)
Episode page (https://www.averincapital.com/insights/before-disease-decides)
Averin Capital backs and builds early-stage companies transforming human health through AI and breakthrough technology.
Explore Averin Capital (https://www.averincapital.com/)
27 Mar 2026
The Surgeon Is Still the System with Rony Abovitz, Josh DeFonzo and Chris Morley
Averin’s David Berry joins Rony Abovitz, Josh DeFonzo, and Chris Morley to explore how robotics, AI, and augmented reality are expanding surgeons’ capabilities. The discussion covers precision and consistency in care, the role of patient demand in adoption, and the next frontier of intervention at the cellular and tissue level.
18 Dec 2025
The New Liquidity Landscape with John Bishai, Paul Kinsella and Will Herrmann
Averin’s David Berry joins John Bishai, Paul Kinsella, and Will Herrmann to explore exit strategies for healthcare and biotech companies. The discussion covers M&A trends, the outlook for IPOs in 2026, what buyers and investors look for, and how companies can position themselves for a successful exit.
26 Sept 2025
Navigating Healthcare Regulation with Peter Hutt, David Shulkin and Daniel Troy
Averin’s David Berry joins Peter Hutt, David Shulkin, and Daniel Troy to explore how regulation, AI, and geopolitics are shaping healthcare and biotech. The discussion covers FDA enforcement trends, the challenges of evaluating AI-enabled products, and shifting global supply chains - and what they mean for innovators.
28 May 2025
Activated Intelligence: AI’s Leap from Algorithm to Impact with Andrew Hopkins, Jared Saul and Andrey Dobry
Averin’s David Berry joins Andrew Hopkins, Jared Saul, and Andrey Dobry to explore how AI is transforming healthcare and biotech. The discussion covers AI-designed molecules, the role of data in scientific discovery, and the rise of autonomous systems reshaping drug development.
8 Apr 2025
The Age of Longevity with Nir Barzilai and Michael Ringel
David Berry joins longevity experts Nir Barzilai and Michael Ringel to explore the science of healthier, longer lives. The discussion covers lessons from centenarians, emerging therapies targeting aging, the promise of epigenetic reprogramming, and investment opportunities in longevity biotech.
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