In this interview, Rahul shares his perspective on the modalities attracting the most investor attention, the qualities that differentiate fundable companies in today’s market, and Europe’s position within the global advanced therapies ecosystem. He also reflects on where momentum continues to build despite broader macroeconomic pressures and the key conversations expected to shape this year’s summit
From your perspective, what are the most significant shifts currently shaping the advanced therapies investment landscape?
"I feel advanced therapies are no longer just about breakthrough science, the hype in advanced therapies is giving way to a reality check. Investors now want innovative therapies that can actually reach patients at scale and make real world impact. Single assets are losing shine while platforms that keep producing is where the smart money is going".
Which modalities or therapeutic areas within advanced therapies are you most actively tracking for investment opportunities right now and why?
"We’re tracking anything that turns biology into actual cures. RNA-based therapies, gene editing, next-gen cell therapies, epigenetic modulation, novel modalities are on top of the list right now. These are the areas where delivery and commercialization are finally catching up to the science".
Despite continued macroeconomic challenges, where are you seeing the strongest momentum or opportunity within cell and gene therapy?
"Macro noise has not slowed the science, it’s just filtering for quality. The strongest momentum is in programs that solve real bottlenecks for advanced therapies: delivery, durability, and manufacturing at scale. The sweet spot is where relevant platform technology meets real, addressable patient populations. In vivo CAR-T is a great example and has seen massive dealmaking momentum".
What differentiates the companies that successfully secure investment in today’s market from those that struggle?
"The companies getting funded today are the ones that feel investable, not just exciting. Companies with clear path to clinic, credible operating model, and clear execution plans are the winners. It’s no longer enough to have strong science; you need clinical plan and exit strategy baked into the story from day one. The ones that struggle usually still look like R&D projects, not businesses".
When evaluating an early-stage company, what are they factors and signals that influence your investment decisions?
"We focus on a few things: does the science actually translate, does the team know their asset’s strengths and weaknesses, and is there a real path to patients? The best signals are usually subtle – strong data package, smart trial design, disciplined capital allocation, and realism about timelines. Early-stage investing is mostly about separating grounded ambition from storytelling".
How do you view Europe’s position within the global advanced therapies investment ecosystem?
"Europe is a scientific powerhouse, but it still underweights execution and scaling compared to the US. The talent and innovation are there but the gap is really in speed, capital depth, and commercialization muscle. Often great ideas still migrate to the US to scale and get funded properly. Europe’s impact has been hard to ignore as the quality of science keeps compounding but if both capital and execution catch up, Europe can be a much more dominant player in advanced therapies".
What are you most looking forward to discussing at the Advanced Therapies Europe Investment Summit this year?
"I am looking forward to grounded conversations on what’s actually getting funded, working in the clinic, and making it through to market. It will be great to compare notes on where real clinical and commercial traction is emerging. These summits are most useful when the conversations move beyond science and into what actually gets to patients".
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