Playing For Upside

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Hot Off The Press!

Issa and Chinmay cover Novartis' acquisitions in 1st Half of 2026.

Novartis has picked up Tourmaline Bio, Avidity Biosciences, Pikavation Therapeutics, Excelergy, and Myricx Bio.

https://t.co/h2jiHbm8tq

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Issa and Chinmay cover Eli Lilly's acquisitions in 1st Half of 2026.

Eli Lilly has spent ~$32B for 13 companies so far. These include Centessa Pharma, Kelonia Tx, Ventyx Biosciences, and AtaiBeckley. And the latest in Merida Biosciences.

https://t.co/ewjRnO9PtZ

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Hot Off The Press!

Issa and Chinmay cover Merck Group and Merck & Co.'s acquisitions in 1st Half of 2026, including JSR Life Sciences, Bio-Techne, Terns Pharmaceuticals, and Cidara Therapeutics. What do these acquisitions mean for Merck and the industry?

https://t.co/jpGNy4qrhv

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This episode has been appropriately updated as an Emerging Markets episode.

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On International Episode 2 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Markus Schreyer, Managing Partner at The Ganesha Lab.

As an ‘accelerator-fund,’ The Ganesha Lab works with scientific founders to advance their opportunities into fundable science.

https://t.co/triblaDDjC

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On this podcast episode, I speak with Judyanna Yu Simcock, Managing Partner at One Six 8 Ventures. Judyanna has been leading global deal-making for over 12 years. One Six 8 Ventures invests in Canadian companies.

Why Canada? Check out the full episode!

https://t.co/eJZ7w9hagf

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On this podcast episode, I speak with Shlomi Raz, Managing Partner at Palomar Labs. As a Venture Builder, Palomar Labs builds companies around medicines that already have a record of use in people, focused on the aging brain.

Check out the full episode!

https://t.co/RDemUVRysJ

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On International Episode 1 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Luka Nicin, Investor at Pace Ventures.

This Berlin based, globally focused VC firm closed a $50M Fund I. The firm invests in Pre-Seed and Seed stage companies in Health x Bio.

https://t.co/rR44K1ab8V

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On Episode 13 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Kenny Morand, Life Sciences Partner at CincyTech USA.

Kenny dives into preferences for CG&T Platforms, how Ohio is set up for success, and what they look for in companies before making investment.

https://t.co/YLvrUVzEPm

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On Episode 12 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Nola Masterson, Partner at Portfolia.

Nola uses decades of VC experience to lead investments. Two Funds open now are 1) Rising America and 2) Women’s Health & Longevity.

Check out the full episode!

https://t.co/FpSAKaZDmJ

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On Episode 11 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Varun Turlapati, Managing Director at Chaanakya Capital. The firm is focused on investing in Neurotech and likes to work with Founders that are passionate about this space.

Check out the full episode!

https://t.co/mbD0jbVrwR

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On Episode 10 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Gary Goldman of Global Health Impact Network & Funds. With decades of industry experience under his belt, he built GHIN/F, which is both a Fund and a Network Platform.

Check out the full episode!

https://t.co/XyxLBuZqed

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On Episode 9 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Monica Berrondo, Managing Partner at Dare Bioventures. The firm invests in early-stage drug discovery projects born out of discovery platforms, and aims to take them through to exit (to Pharma).

https://t.co/wNaQ1cQcIz

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On Innovation Episode 2 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Woodie Neiss, Managing General Partner at D3VC, an AI data-driven venture fund built on top of the investment crowdfunding industry. Woodie was instrumental in getting Reg CF bill passed.

https://t.co/PPVErIjkju

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On Episode 8 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Mahesh Narayanan, Managing Partner at Neuvation Ventures. The firm focuses on Medical Devices and Diagnostics within the Neuro space. What fuels the firm is Mahesh’s passion for this area.

https://t.co/c2oBlUVEys

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On Episode 7 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Ray Jordan, Investment Manager for Elmstead Partners, a multi-generational family holding company. Ray’s background in Corporate Affairs helps with assessing certain investments.

https://t.co/AUISlc6x1G

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On Episode 6 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director of Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF). MIF is a six-year-old fund, focused on the blood cancer of Multiple Myeloma. So far, MIF has made 20 investments, with 3 exits.

https://t.co/j4kl8rIAsl

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On Episode 5 of Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Victor Olmos at Kendall Capital Partners. Named after Kendall Square, the ‘most innovative square mile on the planet.’ General Partners include Prof. Bob Langer and Prof. George Church!

https://t.co/I9DRy541dg

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On Episode 4 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Marc Appel, Managing Partner of Pacific Bridge NY. The firm is a cross-border VC Fund, and invests in opportunities coming out of China and other Asian countries. Take a look!

https://t.co/hpJ0CRe0qD

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On Innovation Episode 1 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Sky Fernandes, Founder and General Partner of VU Venture Partners. His firm invests throughout 6 verticals, is an early investor in 25+ unicorns, and has had 20+ multi-billion dollar exits.

https://t.co/xobS1ntT2I