Ed has been at NEA since 2008 and is currently a Partner on the healthcare team focused on biotechnology and specialty pharmaceuticals investments. Prior to joining NEA, Ed served as EVP of Corporate Development and Venture at MedImmune, where he helped execute the sale of the company to AstraZeneca in 2007. Before joining MedImmune, he was VP of Marketing and Corporate Licensing and Acquisitions at Inhale Therapeutic Systems. Ed also spent 15 years at Glaxo Wellcome (now GSK), where he held sales and marketing positions.
What excites you about your focus on healthcare?
I believe we’re at the next generation of cutting-edge technologies that will have wide-reaching impacts on human health. There are so many developments being made across gene therapy, nonviral gene therapy, RNA editing, and immunology and inflammation—what excites me is being lucky enough to work with the incredibly talented founders and the teams behind them.
What’s your philosophy when it comes to company-building?
For me, it’s about maintaining a long-term view and leaning into it to move through the inevitable bumps in the road. It’s an important perspective for both investors and founders to have. It takes equal parts conviction and patience to bring something truly transformative to life.
How do you want the founders you work with to think about you as a partner?
I want them to think of me as always available. Whether it’s just to talk something through or to offer guidance or advice on a matter, I want them to know I’m fully dedicated to our partnership.
What’s been the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
Listening is more important than speaking. A lot of the time founders just need a sounding board—someone to talk things through with. It’s our job as investors to understand that as one of our most important roles, rather than telling them how to run their business.
How would you describe NEA’s approach to navigating through challenges?
We tend to embrace patience over panic. We have decades of experience enduring up and down cycles alongside our portfolio companies, so there’s not a lot we haven’t seen before. Our aim is to always be a steady force, rather than adding more waves to already tumultuous waters.
“
“We tend to embrace patience over panic. We have decades of experience enduring up and down cycles alongside our portfolio companies, so there’s not a lot we haven’t seen before.”
