Evidence-driven updates across biotech and AI

Articles, whitepapers and podcasts from our team and advisors.

Podcasts
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AI, LABI, and How we Invest: A Conversation with Neel Madhukar, PhD and Themasap Khan, PhD

Neel Madhukar, PhD, Chief Technology Officer of Luma Group’s proprietary AI model, LABI, discusses the genesis of the program and how it impacts day-to-day processes at Luma Group. Neel and Themasap discuss what we are building at Luma Group to change the game for biotech investing.

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Whitepapers

God Bless the Private Sector: How Private Funding is Bridging the Gap

Publicly funded basic research has long served as the foundation for breakthroughs. Yet proposed federal cuts, including reductions to the NSF and NIH, now threaten the early-stage research that the private sector traditionally does not fund. These changes have already stalled projects, eliminated jobs, and raised concerns about broader delays in scientific progress. At the same time, the United States faces intensifying competition with China, whose sustained investment in early-stage biotech has accelerated its global share of drug development. Although the US retains leadership in total R&D value, the trend signals growing vulnerability, one seemingly at odds with the administration’s broader “America First” agenda. The launch of the Genesis Mission, with its emphasis on AI-enabled science and biotechnology as a domain of national importance, hints at a potential restructuring rather than an abandonment of federal scientific priorities. In this environment, the private sector has emerged as an essential stabilizing force. As public funding recedes, venture capital and philanthropy must intervene earlier in the research lifecycle. This shift can bring rigorous private-sector diligence to basic science, likely focusing resources on fewer projects but with greater efficiency. To handle this complexity, biology-specific AI tools will shift from optional luxuries to indispensable necessities. Ultimately, this disruption offers a chance to modernize our infrastructure: building a resilient ecosystem capable of expanding, not just restoring, American scientific progress.

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Podcasts
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The New Era of Multi-OMICs Therapy: A Conversation with Cheng Zhang

Dr. Jamie Kasuboski sits down with Character Biosciences' co-founder and CEO, Cheng Zhang about his career, the journey to co-founding Character Bio and the company’s transformative impact. Cheng also shares leadership insights and advice for navigating the world of biotech.

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Articles

The New Era of Multi-OMICs Therapy: Our investment in Character Bio

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions worldwide, leading to progressive vision loss and limited treatment options. Character Bio is changing that paradigm by combining an AI-driven multi-omics platform with the world’s richest AMD dataset to develop new precision therapies for these patients. At Luma, we invest in transformative companies, and Character Bio’s groundbreaking work promises to redefine the future of eye health.

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Whitepapers

Decoding Aging: Breakthroughs, Challenges and the Future of Longevity Drug Development

For centuries, humans have sought to understand—and potentially slow, halt or reverse—the aging process. Recent advances in molecular and cellular biology have begun to illuminate the core hallmarks and drivers of aging, providing a foundational framework for new therapeutic approaches. While some of these therapies have not fulfilled their initial promise, others have achieved remarkable progress, and ongoing clinical trials may pave the way for a new class of longevity drugs. Still, despite growing optimism, the journey toward regulatory approval and widespread adoption of these treatments presents a unique set of challenges that must be navigated carefully.

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Podcasts
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Inside the Golden Age of Biotech: A Conversation with Hans Bishop of Altos Labs

In this episode, we’re joined by Hans Bishop, President, Founder, and Board Co-Chair of Altos Labs. Hans previously served as the CEO of GRAIL and is a seasoned biotech executive and entrepreneur, known for his leadership and innovation in the healthcare industry. Hans continues to be an influential figure in the biotech industry and gives his perspective on some of the future innovations in healthcare and longevity.

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Whitepapers

Unlocking Cures: The Path from Concept to Human Clinical Trials

Advances in drug development and discovery have revolutionized the delivery of life-saving treatments to patients. Despite the immense impact of these innovations, the journey from concept to bedside remains largely misunderstood. Through this primer series, we explore the complex processes behind drug discovery, highlighting the challenges the industry still faces and the critical need for investment of time and resources to deliver the next generation of medicines.

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Podcasts
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Exploring the Repeatome: A Conversation with Dr. Rosana Kapeller of Rome Therapeutics

Dr. Kapeller speaks with Dr. Themasap Khan, PhD and Luma Group Co-Founder, about her path to the biotech industry and leading the development of new approaches to treating serious diseases to unlock the power of the ‘dark genome.’

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