Release date: 2015-06-04
Google Ventures recently listed the eight most valuable life science technologies worth investing in, including artificial intelligence, brain-computer interface, stem cell science, and the use of genetic technology to fight cancer.
Google Ventures president Bill Maris published an article on the Medium website saying that we are currently at the forefront of re-understanding how the human body works. Maris listed eight life science technologies that will revolutionize the medical market, which is also an investment area closely watched by Google Ventures.
Google Ventures’ investment in life sciences companies has grown rapidly and has now reached approximately $2 billion. Last year, Google Ventures' investment in healthcare and life sciences accounted for 36% of total investment, compared with only 9% two years ago.
“As an investment institution, Google Ventures has the responsibility to invest in important trends, which is why we are interested in life sciences and technology. But many trends require ultra-large investments that go far beyond venture capital. range."
Maris also stressed the importance of universal access to health care technology, to spread medical technology to the global market, rather than being limited to a few developed countries.
Here are the eight life science technologies that Maris listed for investment:
1 Artificial intelligence
With the advent of the $1,000 genome sequencing service era, we have a large number of genetic data that can potentially change the quality of human life. Using artificial intelligence technology, we may have developed a “learning†system that helps us diagnose thousands of diseases that no doctor can do.
2 Learn more about the brain
The elderly population is prone to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and we can't stop staying on the surface for our understanding of these diseases. Maris is very optimistic about the potential of "brain-machine interface" technology, especially in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other related aspects.
3 Re-emphasize antibiotic
Maris talked about the reality of the slowdown in antibiotic research. Since 1987, pharmaceutical manufacturers have only developed 40 new antibiotics, and the number of newly developed cancer drugs is up to 770. Large pharmaceutical manufacturers have basically given up on antibiotics, but some small biotech companies are still working hard to do so, and Google Ventures will pay close attention to these companies.
4 Gene technology fights cancer
Google Ventures is interested in using genetic technology to fight cancer, which can identify which genetic mutations cause cancer. Knowing this will lead to better treatment options and prevent cancer from occurring through appropriate early intervention.
Maris said: "The annual investment in cancer research is worth billions of dollars, but we still need more resources, new research methods, more cooperation between researchers and new technology applications to fight cancer. Our ultimate goal is to stop cancer from the start."
5 gene repair
Everyone is concerned about CRISPR (clustered regular interspaced short palindromic repeat, clustered, regularly spaced short palindrome repeats), and Google Ventures is no exception. CRISPR is a powerful "genome editing" technology that trims, cuts, replaces or adds biological DNA sequences. “CRISPR is one of the most exciting areas of research in the life sciences market,†says Maris. The technology has the potential to cure refractory hereditary diseases.
6 Understanding the microbiome
The microbiome is an ecosystem of bacteria in large numbers, and their number is more than 10 times the number of human cells. Currently, we are just aware of the impact of the microbiome on human health and disease.
The influence of bacteria on human health is so great that some researchers call it "forgotten organs." The microbiome affects the body's immune system, instinct, allergic reactions and many other health factors. Unlike the genome, the microbiome is constantly changing.
Researchers have made strenuous results in microbial research, such as the treatment of serious infections through excreta transfer, and the “reprogramming†of bacteria to treat cancer. These initial successes indicate that the bacterial ecosystem has a potentially significant impact on human health.
7 Organ reconstruction
Maris believes that the potential of 3D bioprinting is enormous. Currently, this technology can be used to print human tissue for drug development. In the future, it is quite possible to print out real organs.
8 stem cells
The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) has helped researchers solve many of the tough problems, and researchers are currently focusing on their therapeutic potential. For example, a new method of generating stem cells, reprogramming current cells for regeneration, and the like. Stem cells have almost unlimited potential for health care innovation in areas such as the genome and microbiome described above.
Source: Singularity Network
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