Jo Varshney, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of VeriSIM Life, a startup developing disease-specific simulation software designed to replace animal drug testing by using artificial intelligence. We talk about translational gap in drug discovery, the technology VeriSIM is developing, especially their virtual mouse models; some of the mathematical models being used in the process of drug discovery, challenges building partnerships with big pharma; How FDA is evolving their thought process about accepting data from AI; acquiring another startup while being a startup; and finally about spinning out a pharma company as a subsidiary. Shownotes: - https://www.verisimlife.com - Translational gap & current technologies - Verisim's technology: -Building virtual mouse - Avoiding the royalty trap early on - What made investors trust a solo founder? - Mathematical models for biology - Building a startup not spun out of a university or without a PI a part of it - Filtering investors: Understanding the No's - Building partnerships - Lessons learned about commercialization - Things that didn't work while working with partners - Comparing apples to oranges - Product evolution: Translational index - Data sources - FDA efforts: How FDA is evolving their thought process about accepting data from AI - Team - Acquiring another startup - Spinning out a therapeutic company - https://www.verisimlife.com/careers