Nordic Life Science 1
66 Q&A Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli PARTNER, SARSIA MANAGE
MENT – BERGEN, NORWAY Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli and his colleagues at the early-stage venture capital firm Sarsia focus their investments on therapeutics, autoimmunity/oncology/neurology, and therapy-enabling technologies that improve clinical and health-economic outcomes. W HAT DO YOU predict will be the dominant market trend within life sciences this year? “More use of AI and digital simulations to speed up drug discovery and improve success rates. We also expect a greater focus on cutting-edge treatments like gene editing and cell-based therapies tailored to individual patients. More breakthroughs are likely in genetic testing and diagnostics for greater personalized treatments and better outcomes. Finally, sustainability is no longer optional but a “must-have” that will build trust and improve long-term value.” How would you describe the current venture funding landscape in the Nordics? “Economic and geopolitical uncertainty. There is limited access to capital and a lack of exits in the current market. Most investors are working hard to keep investment levels steady, but deal flow is predicted to increase and at best, valuation is stable. A compelling INVESTMENT OUTLOOK // Q&A PHOTO THOR BRODRESKIFT