Greg and Matias sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest partner at PsyMed Ventures, to explore the future of brain and mental health investing. Brooks, an MD/PhD with deep experience from Yale and the NIH, shares his insights on how a human-first approach is reshaping neuroscience innovation and venture investing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Broadening the Thesis: Evolving from a psychedelics-only focus to a comprehensive neuro investment strategy.
• Human-First Research: Shifting from animal models to clinical insights for better brain therapies.
• Key Investment Areas: Therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, consumer health, and AI-enabled care platforms.
• Early-Stage Conviction: Leveraging a prepared mind to spot breakthrough opportunities.
• Personal & Future Insights: Leadership challenges and the vision for the future of neuro investing.

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Dr. Nir Grossman, one of the world’s leading researchers in neurotechnology. Nir is a lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and a founding fellow of the UK Dementia Research Institute.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is temporal interference (TI), a non-invasive stimulation method
• A comparison of TI with deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• How physics plays a crucial role in neuroscience innovation
• Translating TI academic research to clinical use
• TI’s role in treating Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, depression, and traumatic brain injury

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Dr. James Adams, professor and autism researcher at Arizona State University and President of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics, on groundbreaking research in autism.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The latest advancements in microbiome therapy for autism
• How the gut-brain axis is shaping new therapeutic approaches
• The role of nutritional interventions in supporting individuals with autism
• Environmental factors and toxins influencing autism development

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Matias interviews Elizabeth Horn, founder of the 2m Foundation, on the current state of autism and what can we do about it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The rising prevalence of autism and its impact on society
• How 2m Foundation is funding research and solutions
• Environmental and biological factors contributing to autism
• Philanthropy and venture capital through the Autism Impact Fund

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Dana Watt, a Partner at Breakout Ventures, about genetic medicine for brain and mental health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How genetic therapies work: addressing underlying causes, not just symptoms
• The opportunities and challenges for genetic therapies for brain health
• Exploring effective delivery of genetic payloads
• Commercial viability and insurance considerations

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Jay Sanguinetti, founder of Sanmai Technologies, a startup using transcranial focused ultrasound for the treatment of mental health conditions.

Jay has a background in academia, having worked at the University of Arizona and started the SEMA Lab (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness).

In this episode, we discuss:

• The science behind transcranial focused ultrasound and its therapeutic potential for mental health
• The risks and considerations involved in using focused ultrasound technology for mental health treatments
• Jay's experience transitioning from academia to founding a mental health technology startup
• The regulatory landscape that Sanmai Technologies will navigate as they bring this novel neurotechnology to market
  
  

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Tim Marjenin, a regulatory consultant at MCRA with 16 years of experience at the FDA, to discuss the regulatory landscape for neurotechnology devices.

Tim provides insights into the FDA approval process for neurotech devices, drawing from his extensive experience on the FDA's Neurostimulation-Neurology Devices Team. The episode explores the evolving field of neurotechnology and its regulatory challenges.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Different regulatory pathways for neurological devices (510(k), De Novo, PMA)
• FDA's approach to novel neurotechnologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)
• Considerations for invasive vs. non-invasive neurotech devices
• The importance of cybersecurity in neurotechnology
• Common mistakes companies make in the regulatory process and how to avoid them
• The potential future of neurotechnology, including human augmentation and telepathy
  
  

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank and Krotoa by Makropulos

Greg and Matias interview Gurdane Bhutani, an investor at MBX Ventures, to discuss the impact of environmental toxins on health and the field of exposomics.

Gurdane is an expert in environmental health, with a background in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences. He provided insights into the pervasive nature of environmental toxins and their implications for public health. This episode also has a guest appearance from Bruce Blumberg, a Professor of Developmental and Cell Biology at UC Davis.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The widespread presence of environmental toxins and their link to diseases like Parkinson's and autism
• The field of exposomics and lifetime environmental exposures
• Obesogens (chemicals whose exposure makes you fat)
• Startups building solutions for better diagnostics, green chemistry, and water treatment
• Practical lifestyle changes to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and improve health

Credits:

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis, Nico V. Rey & Caitlin Ner

Find us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.ventures
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank and Temperance by Eltham House