Business Trip

Greg and Matias interview Natalie Yivgi-Ohana of Minovia. Natalie is a life science entrepreneur with twenty years’ experience in mitochondrial research and received her PhD in Biochemistry at The Hebrew University in 2007, after which she performed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science until 2010. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How mitochondria impacts health by not just regulating energy, but also hormones, cell survival, and overall cellular function
• Why mitochondrial dysfunction is a root cause of many conditions, from rare genetic disorders to aging and mental health issues.
• What mitochondrial therapy does by restoring function and improving cellular health
• What makes mitochondrial therapies distinct from gene therapies
• How to scale mitochondrial therapies for clinical adoption

Credits:

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

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 and Greg interview Ying-Hui Fu, PhD, is a Professor of Neurology at UCSF and a world leader in the genetics of sleep. Her lab has discovered the first-known genes behind “natural short sleepers”. Her work bridges human genetics and neuroscience to uncover how to modulate sleep for brain health, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How some people thrive on 4–6 hours of sleep with rare genetic mutations
• Why sleep efficiency is more important than total hours slept
• What short sleeper genes reveal about preventing Alzheimer’s and autism
• Why current sleep research tools miss deeper brain activity patterns
• What’s next in sleep science with potential therapies

Credits:

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

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 and Greg interview Justin Mares, co-founder of TrueMed and Kettle & Fire on current US healthcare and how startups have the opportunity to change the system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the US system profits from chronic illness
• Fixing the food system, environmental toxins, pharma incentives & more
• Opportunities for founders building in brain and body health.
• Contrarian ideas Justin is investing in today

Credits:

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

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 and Greg sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest venture 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

Matias and Greg 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

Matias and Greg 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