Vie Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in autoimmune diseases, has appointed world-renowned immunologist Dr. Jeff Bluestone as its new Managing Director. This strategic move unites Bluestone with founders Dr. Steven St. Peter and Dr. Luke Evnin, significantly bolstering the firm's scientific leadership. The appointment signals a deepened commitment to translating cutting-edge immunology research into tangible therapies for patients with immune-mediated conditions.
A Distinguished Career in Immunology
Dr. Bluestone brings a wealth of experience from a career that has shaped modern immunology and therapeutic development. His seminal work includes defining key aspects of immune modulation and creating teplizumab, the first FDA-approved drug to delay type 1 diabetes onset. His research has also been instrumental in developing therapies that target T-cell co-stimulation and immune checkpoints, impacting millions of patients.
His leadership extends beyond the laboratory, having served as the founding CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and co-founding Sonoma Biotherapeutics. Dr. Bluestone has also held prominent academic positions at the University of California, San Francisco, including Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. His contributions have earned him election to the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Strengthening Vie Ventures' Leadership
Dr. Bluestone joins a leadership team with complementary expertise in venture capital, biotech, and patient-focused philanthropy. Founder Dr. Steven St. Peter praised the appointment, highlighting Bluestone's rare combination of scientific rigor, translational focus, and collaborative leadership. He noted that their shared belief in integrating science, capital, and patient communities was a key driver for this partnership.
The existing leadership, including founders Dr. St. Peter and Dr. Evnin, along with Senior Advisor Dr. Lou DeGennaro, now gains a powerful scientific voice. Dr. Evnin emphasized how Bluestone's experience in building scientific organizations will enhance Vie's ability to support impactful companies. This addition fortifies the firm's capacity to guide translational strategy from discovery to clinical application across multiple autoimmune conditions.
A Shared Vision for Translational Medicine
The appointment reflects a mutual commitment to accelerating the development of innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases. Dr. Bluestone stated his excitement to join a firm that brings together discovery science, clinical translation, and patient need in a disciplined manner. He looks forward to advancing a model designed to leverage shared biology and collaborative insight for faster therapeutic progress.
Vie Ventures operates at the intersection of venture capital and disease philanthropy, a unique position that attracted Dr. Bluestone. This model aims to de-risk investment and speed up development by focusing on shared biological drivers across different indications. The firm's strategy is to build a portfolio of companies capable of making a meaningful impact on a wide range of immune disorders.
A Collaborative Approach to Innovation
A core component of Vie Ventures' strategy is its close collaboration with a network of disease-focused nonprofit organizations. These Strategic Collaborators, including the Arthritis Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, provide crucial scientific insight and patient perspectives. This network helps inform investment decisions and accelerates the path from initial discovery to patient access for new treatments.
Dr. Luke Evnin, who also chairs the Scleroderma Research Foundation, highlighted the value of this collaborative ecosystem. He noted that Dr. Bluestone's long-standing involvement with such foundations aligns perfectly with Vie's operational philosophy. This synergy is expected to strengthen the firm's ability to identify and nurture companies with the potential for breakthrough therapies.
The appointment of Dr. Jeff Bluestone as Managing Director marks a significant milestone for Vie Ventures and the broader autoimmune research community. His unparalleled expertise in immunology and translational medicine powerfully complements the firm's established leadership and innovative investment model. This strategic enhancement positions Vie Ventures to more effectively advance life-changing therapies and cures for patients suffering from complex immune-mediated diseases.