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In the bustling heart of San Francisco, where innovation thrives, stands a remarkable
entrepreneur: Dr. Jo Varshney. Her odyssey, remarkable for its persistence, creativity,
and novel results, has qualified her to win the 2024 Great Companies International
Women Entrepreneur Award.
The Stevie Award and Beyond
Dr. Jo Varshney, Founder and CEO of VeriSIM Life, was decorated with the Gold Stevie
Award in the healthcare category at the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Women in
Business.
Along with six other finalists in the “Most Innovative Woman of the Year – Healthcare”
category, Jo joined a panel of leaders in the health tech industry that included Jill
Goodwin (Axis Research & Technologies), Kim Gentile (Biohaven), Tina Larson
(Recursion), Geeta Wilson (Elevance Health), Masami Toda (SUN HOPE), and Dr. Lisa
Langer.
A Journey of Discovery From India to the United States
Jo Varshney, originally from India, came to the United States in 2010 to study
comparative oncology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Her research unveiled the
difficulties in transferring the drug candidates from the lab to the clinical trials thereby
igniting her entrepreneurial passion.
VeriSIM Life: Revolutionizing Drug Development
From an idea to VeriSIM Life, an AI-driven and the decision de-risker for R&D in drug
development, Jo’s vision was born. VeriSIM Life’s technology —a drug development
“credit score” powered by AI and ML— relies on advanced analytics to eliminate errors,
streamline clinical trials, and shorten time to market for new therapeutics. Under Jo’s
leadership, VeriSIM secured a $15M Series A round of financing in 2022, which has
fueled its growth and global recognition.
Some Success Stories from VeriSIM Life
VeriSIM Life has shown great progress in this area of computational biotechnology.
Some of the leading success stories are as follows:
1. Metabolite-Driven Mechanism of Action
VeriSIM Life supported a client in identifying the effectiveness of their compound
in developing a new cancer therapy. By utilizing the BIOiSIM platform, they
uncovered metabolite-based mechanisms of action, ranked the most potent/safe
metabolites, and spearheaded precision drug development.
2. Predicting Optimal Compound Combinations
A mid-sized biotech company saved $2 million by predicting the right compound
combinations and dosing. The AI and ML algorithms aided in the identification of
screening biochemical descriptors, highlighting the significance of including AI in
drug development.
3. Translational Index for Clarivate
In collaboration with VeriSIM Life, Clarivate AI was used to increase pre-clinical
success rates. Their Translational Index helps researchers to obtain information
that enables them to create novel treatments and deliver them more quickly to
patients.
4. Recognition and Awards
VeriSIM Life was awarded “Predictive Analytics Solution of the Year” for their
innovative drug development engine which is a first in its class, BIOiSIM.
BIOiSIM integrates AI, machine learning, and mechanistic modeling to provide
early and precise investigations on compound safety and efficacy.
Empowering Others: Lessons from Jo Varshney
Jo’s application of AI and ML techniques to strengthen the drug development process
shows how we can adopt the latest technology. Her path from India to the U. S. is the
demonstration of the power of determination and bravery in the process of conquering
obstacles. Jo’s determination to fill the gap in healthcare drives us to make an impact
and save lives with responsibility.
Conclusion
Jo Varshney’s legacy inspires us to believe in the power of entrepreneurship to catapult
lives and build a healthier and brighter world for everyone. VeriSIM Life’s tech enables
informed drug development choices, thus influencing the industry towards a better
tomorrow.
Website: www.verisimlife.com
Social Media: Linkedin