When Shelley Chu looks at the landscape of innovation in medicine, she sees possibility where others might see complexity. Over two decades, she has invested in groundbreaking scientific research, which has led to multiple new drug approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration. As a partner and head of biotech at Lightspeed Venture Partners, Chu has become a pivotal force in translating cutting-edge experiments into life-changing medicines. “Successful companies can spin out from leading academic institutions such as UCSF or later-stage growth companies,” she explains. “We are interested in anyone with a bold, new idea or a novel scientific or clinical approach to treating diseases with significant unmet medical needs.”
Cellular Insights, Transformative Vision
Chu’s journey began in UCSF’s Medical Scientist Training Program, where her fascination with cellular mechanisms took root. “I was especially interested in understanding the cell cycle,” she recalls, referring to the intricate stages a cell traverses as it grows and divides, and the most revolutionary work was being done at UCSF. This microscopic focus would become the foundation of her macroscopic approach to health care innovation. Her dual training as a physician and researcher provided her with a unique lens, seeing the minute biological processes and the broader implications for patient care.
Investing in Hope
At Lightspeed Venture Partners, Chu has catalyzed investments in a wide range of clinical breakthroughs. Her investment strategy is deliberate and compassionate, targeting treatments that address critical therapeutic areas while remaining firmly grounded in scientific evidence and feasibility, always with the patient in mind. She has funded and fostered teams developing highly effective oral molecules for breast cancer, transformative biologics for chronic inflammatory disease, and novel antibodies for genetic disorders. “We want to see promising breakthroughs reach their full potential,” she says.
A Profound Commitment to Science and Humanity
What drives Chu is more than professional ambition – it’s a profound desire to improve patients’ lives. “I love what I do,” she says. “It is a privilege to work with such talented people in a way that can positively impact so many lives.”
