Sparticle: Disruptive Innovation Podcast
By Sparticle Ventures
Sparticle: Disruptive Innovation PodcastApr 23, 2020
Exploring the COVID-19 Response with MarsBio
In our very first episode we are speaking with Joe Wilson and Robert Rhinehart from MarsBio. MarsBio is a $50 million VC fund for Los Angeles-focused Bioscience and Frontier Tech. The Fund makes targeted investments in promising early-stage bioscience and deep tech companies to support business creation and growth. In addition to capital investment, MarsBio provides facilities and ongoing support for funded companies in collaboration with their extensive ecosystem of local partners.
Joe and Robert are both involved in the COVID-19 Response Task Force: Launched in early March, the COVID-19 Response Task Force is made up of epidemiologists, virologists, and operators specifically focused on coordinating a private sector response to COVID-19. The goal was to galvanize private sector responses to COVID-19 and support projects with the greatest potential. Early successes include Curative, a testing kit company currently completing 20% of all testing across California.
They are also involved in the PPE Coalition: The PPE Coalition brings crucial partners together to help build an efficient, unified supply chain for PPE and lifesaving medical devices. State governments, corporations, manufacturers, non-profits, and individuals can connect through us to share and request resources and information. Our members are working on every part of the problem: supply, demand, fulfilment, logistics, funding, and information tracking.
We explore the pandemic problem, supply chains, economic impacts, personal freedoms as well as therapeutic approaches. Enjoy!