Cambridge Enterprise’s Post

Hear from Fatima Kranc, DPhil, our Life Sciences Investment Manager, on the importance of "scientific curiosity, innovation and investment in making a real-world impact" 🧠    Q. How long have you worked for Cambridge Enterprise Ventures?    A. It has been nearly 5 years since I joined Cambridge Enterprise and became part of the amazing Ventures team. Q. What did you do before Cambridge Enterprise? A. My passion for science has been the driving force behind every step of my journey. It led me to pursue a DPhil at Oxford's Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and fuelled my research as an MRC Career Development Fellow. This same passion for translating science into tangible innovations took me beyond academia to join the consultancy team at Oxford University Innovation. There, and later at Cancer Research Horizons, I got a real sense and experience of commercializing groundbreaking discoveries. Back in 2014, supporting the formation of a pioneering drug discovery spin-out company in cancer metabolism, was a turning point that ignited my dedication to nurturing and investing in spin-out companies. This commitment brought me to Cambridge Enterprise, where I am now part of the incredible Ventures team. My journey is a testament to the power of scientific curiosity, innovation and investment in making a real-world impact. Q. Favourite industry to work with? A. As a generalist investor with a focus on life sciences and health, I thrive on the dynamic and multifaceted nature of this field. I have had the privilege of supporting innovative companies across therapeutics, AI in drug discovery, synthetic biology, and novel research tools. Each of these ventures holds a unique potential to revolutionize healthcare and improve lives and our planet, making it impossible to choose a single favourite! Q. One innovation that still blows your mind and why? A. Using condensates for drug discovery is fascinating! These membraneless “organelles” regulate crucial biochemical processes and create specialized microenvironments influencing gene expression and protein synthesis. Exploring condensates in cellular biology could lead to groundbreaking insights and new treatments for diseases. Q. What makes you lean forward and take note in a pitch? A. A business model that can create a "spin wheel" of revenues. Q. One company you wish you'd got to invest in and why? A. I’m looking to the future… Nitrogen vacancies in diamonds have recently emerged as a powerful tool in biology and disease due to their unique quantum properties. Their unparalleled sensitivity will offer new avenues for diagnosing diseases earlier and developing more effective treatments. #Ventures #LifeScience #CambridgeInnovation #Entrepreneurship