Faster Science, Better Drugs

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

September 15, 2025

Duration

55m

Channel

a16z

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Can we make science as fast as software? In this episode, Erik Torenberg talks with Patrick Hsu (cofounder of Arc Institute) and a16z general partner Jorge Conde about Arc’s “virtual cells” moonshot, which uses foundation models to simulate biology and guide experiments. They discuss why research is slow, what an AlphaFold-style moment for cell biology could look like, and how AI might improve drug discovery. The conversation also covers hype versus substance in AI for biology, clinical bottlenecks, capital intensity, and how breakthroughs like GLP-1s show the path from science to major business and health impact. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to Accelerating Science 00:35 Welcome to the Podcast 00:45 The Moonshot: Virtual Cells and Human Biology 01:57 Challenges in Scientific Progress 02:58 Interdisciplinary Collaboration at Arc Institute 05:11 The Role of AI in Biology 10:18 Understanding Virtual Cells 22:13 Biotech and Pharma Industry Insights 27:39 Challenges in Clinical Trials 28:13 Capital Intensity and Technological Advancements 29:02 Improving Drug Development 30:12 Market Impact and Industry Trends 33:19 Future Technological Breakthroughs 38:15 AI in Drug Discovery 45:50 Investment Focus and Future Prospects 54:02 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Initiatives Resources: Find Patrick on X: https://x.com/pdhsu Find Jorge on X: https://x.com/JorgeCondeBio Stay Updated: Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX?si=3E8B3qT9TyiwAHJ7JnaKbg Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Patrick Hsu

  guest

  Co-founder of Arc Institute and bioengineer focused on using AI and large-scale biology data to accelerate drug discovery.

• Jorge Conde

  guest

  a16z Bio investor and biotech/pharma analyst (lead of the firm’s bio practice).

• Erik Torenberg

  host

  a16z podcast host who moderates conversations with investors and technical founders.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Patrick Hsu and Jorge Conde, Faster Science, Better Drugs explores building virtual cells with AI to accelerate drug discovery Arc Institute’s core bet is that modeling the cell—the fundamental unit of biology—via foundation models can unlock scalable, practical simulation of biology and accelerate experimental cycles.

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