From Vision to Impact: Dr. Prasun Mishra’s Unprecedented Mission for Global Change

To those who have dreams but do not act on those dreams, remember you have been given a very short time to manifest those ideas. It is not you who chose an idea; it’s the idea that chose you, and then it becomes your moral responsibility to manifest that idea through your conscious efforts for the greater good. Fulfilling our individuality is a modern concept. I believe that we all are individual pieces of a big puzzle meant to manifest the bigger picture together. Life is not a competition; it is meant to be a collaboration. Think about losing the dearest person you love, and now think about how far you are willing to go to prevent that from happening. And start pushing yourself beyond you …

Dr. Prasun Mishra is a leading life science, technology, and healthcare thought leader and an Impact Investor. He serves The American Association for Precision Medicine (AAPM) as the founding president. He also Chairs WISE: the World Investors and Entrepreneurs Society, a global investment collective with a profound dedication to fostering impact investing.

He is a renowned scientist with numerous publications/ patents to his credit and has contributed to developing several drugs and combinations in trials and approval. During his career, he served at several prestigious institutions, including pharma giant Genentech, Roche, Rutgers University, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Government.

His research work has been recognized globally, with over 40 prestigious awards, over 50 keynote talks and invited lectureships and candidacy for the most prestigious Trans-NIH Earl Stadtman Investigator Tenure Track position. He is also a recipient of “two” NCI Director’s Innovations Awards, one from Dr. Harold Varmus, the Nobel Laureate.

A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Mishra is also a co-founder of Precision BioPharma Inc. and Agility Pharmaceuticals. He also served as a founding investor/ advisor to Barcelona Ventures, is part of a few angel groups, and is an advisor to a few venture capital and private equity firms, including Legacy Health Capital, Elysium Ventures, and Global Health Impact Network and Funds. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health Hub. He is an advisor to UCSF’s Catalyst Program, Innovation Ventures, and InVent Fund.

Dr. Mishra is also a founding partner in the Silicon Valley-based M7 Healthcare Accelerator and advisor to H7-BioCapital Accelerator Fund. And has been an advisor to several leading startup accelerators, including Indie-Bio, California Life Sciences, JLabs / Johnson & Johnson Innovation, HIMSS Health 2.0 Zygote accelerator, and Med Labs. Due to his unique perspective and selfless service, he is a highly respected and sought-after mentor to many.

For Jagran News, An Exclusive interview By Krishna Mishra “ Gautam”

Today, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Dr. Prasun J. Mishra, a visionary reshaping the realms of health, technology, and societal impact.

???? Dr. Mishra, could you walk us through the core driving force behind your relentless pursuit of innovation?

? Serving the community is at the core of my upbringing. I come from a family of physicians, healers, philosophers, and entrepreneurs. Growing up, my parents were very active in the community. My maternal grandfather and his brother, both physicians, dedicated all their lives to helping patients. I often would silently observe as they diagnosed and treated patients. As a child, my favorite activity was to help them in the clinic, compounding medicines.

I noticed that there were very few medicines on the shelf, which baffled me. My grandfather explained, “Yes because the modern medicine field is still too young! We have very few drugs, and there is an immense opportunity to discover many more.” Some of those conversations about the limitations of traditional medicine shaped my life’s goal to empower physicians with new drugs. My grandfather often repeated, “Prasun, always remember we live to help others live longer.” His words would become my life’s mission of “saving as many lives as possible before I surrender mine.” My family taught me the importance of giving back and living a meaningful life by serving others. Thanks to their teachings, the Mishra family now has four doctors with a shared mission of discovering new drugs to help patients and make the world a better place.

????Your journey spans roles at prestigious institutions and the founding of impactful ventures. Could you share the pivotal moments that shaped your path toward becoming a leader in healthcare and innovation?

?Growing up, I had this immense sense of urgency. As a child I felt that I was born in the past and felt the urgency to make contributions toward making a better future. I consider myself a social entrepreneur. My first entrepreneurial venture was a national magazine that I founded and served as an editor-in-chief. My second entrepreneurial venture was a stem cell therapy company I co-founded in 2007 while earning my Ph.D. in pharmacology from Rutgers. Since then, I have accumulated a wealth of experience by building, investing, and advising numerous companies.

Now, I am fortunate to be a founder, investor, and board member of a few U.S.-based corporations. I served at Genentech and Roche as a Principal Investigator and Scientist, where I led anti-cancer drug discovery efforts and served on several drug discovery project teams. Prior to Genentech, I was a scientist and principal investigator working on finding novel anticancer drugs at the U.S. Government in the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and National Cancer Institute. Over the years, I have learned the power of teamwork and how we all can unite and push the boundaries of what is humanly possible. I am grateful that we can do that every day at AAPM.

????As the founding president of The American Association for Precision Medicine (AAPM), could you elaborate on the organization’s mission and aspirations through its initiatives?

?Indeed, AAPM’s mission revolves around catalyzing healthcare transformation through precision medicine. We focus on fostering breakthrough innovation in prevention, early detection, treatment, and care. Our initiatives span various critical areas, including cancer advocacy, rare disease drug development, and the promotion of women’s career development in precision medicine.

Particularly, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPM’s rapid launch of the ACT: AAPM Coronavirus Taskforce highlighted our ability to mobilize a global network of experts. This task force aimed to develop strategies encompassing prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics, supply chain logistics, and mental health interventions, all leveraging precision medicine techniques. We spearheaded a Medical Coalition that provided essential aid—ventilators, oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines, and various PPE—to India during its critical battle against the devastating second wave of COVID-19.

????You recently traveled across various states in India and were involved in multiple conferences, summits, and Global Committees. What are your observations and insights regarding these diverse experiences and the topics you encountered?

?Being part of the AAPM India initiative launched in 2020 opened doors to a multitude of experiences across India. During my travels, I was privileged to engage with key healthcare, technology, and finance figures. At the Bengaluru Tech Summit in Karnataka, I participated in a panel discussion titled ‘Enablers: Early and Growth Stage Capital,’ exploring investment opportunities and government initiatives with Hon’ble Minister Priyank Kharge.

Highlighting Bangalore’s stature as the Silicon Valley of India, we discussed the thriving startup ecosystem in Karnataka, shaping the global landscape.

Attending the Global Bio-India 2023, organized by BIRAC and the Government of India, offered insights in the presence of honorable figures like Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, Science & Technology. Closed-door meetings led to productive discussions, resulting in a comprehensive report submitted to the government, focusing on strategies to elevate India into a Global Investment Hub.

Participation in the Global Economic Policy Forum provided valuable perspectives, where I had the honor of listening to Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, sharing India’s financial trajectory. Witnessing India’s remarkable economic growth under her guidance was truly inspiring, showcasing resilience, innovation, and visionary policies propelling the nation to new heights.

As a US Delegate at the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023, I gleaned visionary insights from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and interacted with leaders driving transformative change in India’s growth landscape. Engaging with Hon’ble CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Cabinet Minister Sri Satpal Maharaj, and Hon. Union Minister Rekha Arya shed light on their vision for Uttarakhand’s advancement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement of investments exceeding Rs 3.5 lakh crore further underscored the summit’s success.

As an invited speaker at the prelude to the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, I witnessed Gujarat’s emergence as a biotech innovation hub. Interacting with international and regional experts, I shared insights on a panel showcasing Gujarat’s pioneering advancements in biotech.

? ? ?My travels unveiled India’s exponential growth and transformative innovation in the biotechnology sector. India’s meteoric rise from $10 billion to $80 billion in eight years paints a vivid picture of innovation, positioning the nation among the top global biotech destinations.

????According to you, what was the general opinion of the panelists at the Pre-Vibrant summit? What should the government pay attention to to make Gujarat a biotech hub?

?The summits provided profound insights into India’s burgeoning biotechnology advancements, notably in Gujarat, heralding its emergence as a transformative innovation hub. Discussions highlighted the sector’s exponential growth and the need for government support to stimulate research and development. Gujarat’s surging potential in biotechnology signifies its pivotal role in reshaping India’s biotech landscape, poised to shine as a beacon of innovation globally. Panelists strongly advocated for government policies encouraging R&D investments and fostering a risk-friendly environment for innovation. Their collective endorsement encompassed streamlined regulatory frameworks, amplified interdisciplinary collaborations, increased investment in R&D, and the cultivation of innovation-driven ecosystems.

These concerted endeavors stand poised to propel India’s biotech journey towards unprecedented strides and achievements.

? ? ? As the curtains draw on the conference, the echoes of collaboration, innovation, and transformation resonate, charting India’s path toward a Biotech Renaissance. Gujarat’s rise as an innovation nucleus underscores its pivotal role in pioneering strides in innovation commercialization.

????You also met the Minister of Finance & FDCA Commissioner in Gandhinagar; how was the response of the Gujarat government officials?

?Meeting with Kanubhai Desai, the current finance minister of the government of Gujarat, India, was a privilege. His visionary approach to sustainable development is deeply inspiring. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss strategies for fostering economic growth.

Interacting with the India FDA team, also known as the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), was a remarkable experience. The hospitality extended by FDCA Commissioner Shri Hemant Kosiya and the incredible India FDA team at their Gandhinagar headquarters was truly memorable. Their recent receipt of the National e-Governance Gold Award from the Government of India is a testament to their exceptional dedication. During our meeting, Dr. Koshia emphasized the department’s multifaceted innovations in advancing e-governance, showcasing remarkable progress. Under Dr. Kosia’s dynamic leadership, the FDCA department in Gujarat is pushing the boundaries of governance innovation to new heights.

My engagements with government officials in Gujarat illuminated a shared commitment toward realizing the potential of biotechnology. They emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between India and America to drive advancements in biotechnology, aiming to expand treatment options while ensuring accessibility and affordability. This alignment between their vision and the sector’s development underscores the government’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth in biotechnology.

????If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider positively impacting our environment or society like you, what would you tell them?

?To those who have dreams but do not act on those dreams, remember you have been given a very short time to manifest those ideas. It is not you who chose an idea; it’s the idea that chose you, and then it becomes your moral responsibility to manifest that idea through your conscious efforts for the greater good. Fulfilling our individuality is a modern concept. I believe that we all are individual pieces of a big puzzle meant to manifest the bigger picture together. Life is not a competition; it is meant to be a collaboration. Remember, it’s not just about you; it’s about creating a better future for our ‘greater self,’ which is all of humanity and Mother Earth. Think about losing the dearest person you love, and now think about how far you are willing to go to prevent that from happening. And start pushing yourself beyond you….

????What actionable steps can be taken to foster the global scale-up of impact investing, aligning financial goals with societal impact on a larger scale?

?Let’s ignite a global movement in impact investing! Join hands to channel capital towards initiatives that drive financial returns and social good. Engage with diverse stakeholders, from investors to policymakers, to foster an ecosystem that values measurable impact. Embrace innovation, data-driven decisions, and collaborative partnerships to amplify the reach of impact investments. Together, let’s build a sustainable future where every investment leaves a lasting, positive imprint on society and the planet.

? ? ? ?Reference: Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Dr. Prasun Mishra Decided to Change Our World, by Penny Bauder , published in Authority Magazine as well as in Thrive Global