LSIPR 50 2016: Bill Ericson
Name: Bill Ericson
Organisation: Mohr Davidow Ventures
Position General partner
Bill Ericson has been working with start-ups throughout his career with a particular focus on companies in the life sciences industry. Currently at venture capital firm Mohr Davidow Ventures (MDV), he previously worked at Venture Law Group and has helped numerous life sciences companies during his time at both.
His focus at MDV specifically looks at molecular diagnostics and platforms that will help to develop personalised medicine. He works with a team of leading scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs, and seeks to apply technology solutions to life sciences in non-traditional ways.
Before MDV, Ericson founded and ran Venture Law Group’s Seattle office.
He is also a member of the founding team of Rosetta Inpharmatics and served on its board of directors until it was bought by Merck for $620 million in 2001. He has been an independent director of gene sequencing company Pacific Biosciences of California since 2010, and is also independent director at Adamas Pharmaceuticals, which helps people affected by disorders of the central nervous system.
Ericson holds a JD from Northwestern University School of Law and a BSFS degree from Georgetown University of Foreign Service. He has been named by Forbes as one of the top life sciences investors.
He spoke to LSIPR to explain more about his work.
What does your role entail?
My role entails managing overall operations and making investments in early stage start-ups.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Investing in the early stages in a series of companies that are fundamentally changing the way that healthcare is practised. Examples include: Pacific Biosciences, Adamas, Verinata, and Adaptive BioSciences.
What was the biggest challenge while working towards this?
Defining in the very early stages the specific problems and the best solutions to solve them.
"Ericson's focus at MDV specifically looks at molecular diagnostics and platforms that will help to develop personalised medicine."
Which individual in the life sciences field has been most influential in your work?
Leroy Hood, a US biologist who helped pioneer the human genome program.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenge in your field today?
Massive runaway costs in delivering healthcare.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to break into your field?
Pursue projects that you have a deep passion for and personal fulfilment.
(Image: isak55 / Shutterstock.com)
