Author: Megan Thomas
Editors: Natasha Barrow, Caroline Babisz and Matt McCann
In the life sciences and venture capital, International Women’s Day is a day for reflection. It allows us to celebrate the achievements of the brilliant women who are driving innovation and shaping the future of these sectors. It’s also an opportunity to inspire women and girls to dream big and pursue their ambitions. However, this day also serves as a stark reminder of the barriers women face in these industries. Women, especially women of colour, are likely to face challenges of underrepresentation, underfunding, gender bias and a lack of equal opportunities1,2.
For years, men have dominated leadership roles in venture capital firms, making it significantly harder for female-led start-ups to secure funding 3,4,5,6. However, as more women gain influence in life sciences venture capital, the landscape is gradually shifting, potentially improving funding opportunities for female-led start-ups 6,7,8. We spoke to four leading investors about what International Women’s Day means as a woman in the field of life sciences venture capital.
As put by industry leaders Hanadi Jabado, Jia-Yi Har, Diana Saraceni and Susannah McClintock, true innovation in science thrives on diverse perspectives, and progress requires the amplification of women' s voices. Fostering inclusive opportunities for girls and women in this sector is crucial to sustaining progress.
Hanadi Jabado is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of one of the first early-stage funds in Europe with a TechBio focus - Sana Capital. She has over 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship and founded one of the UK's first Deep Tech accelerator programmes – Accelerate Cambridge.
“To me, International Women's Day is a valuable opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions women have made to life sciences. To name only two pioneers – Dr. Jennifer Doudna, whose CRISPR gene-editing work revolutionised our field, and Dr. Tu Youyou, whose discovery of the antimalarial artemisinin which has saved millions of lives – but there are so many more.
This day also prompts crucial reflection on what our industry must do to address the persistent health gender gap. Women remain dramatically underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to medications that may not work effectively for female patients.
We need more women scientists and doctors examining women's health through a truly scientific lens rather than perpetuating the misdiagnoses that have historically plagued women's healthcare. I'm particularly passionate about increasing female participation in clinical research and supporting women scientists who are tackling conditions that disproportionately affect women but have received inadequate research attention.
By celebrating women's achievements while acknowledging the work ahead, International Women's Day serves as both recognition and call to action for creating a more equitable healthcare future for everyone.”
Jia-Yi Har is a Partner at Cathay Health with 20 years of experience in investments, venture building, business management and academic research. She specialises in investments in digital health, diagnostics, biotechnology and medical devices.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of the brilliant women – scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors – who are driving innovation, building transformative companies, and shaping the future of healthcare.
Their contributions enhance patient care, improve access to life-saving treatments, advance cutting-edge research, and make the industry more dynamic and impactful as a whole.
While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have gained momentum over the past decade, there are concerns about a potential reversal. Yet, in an industry that remains predominantly male, our work is far from over.
True innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, and fostering opportunities for girls and women in STEM is essential to sustaining progress. This means mentorship, investment, and policies that empower women at every stage of their careers.
International Women’s Day is a reminder that equity is not a given – it is built through collective effort. We must continue championing change to create a stronger, more inclusive future for all.”
Diana Saraceni is the Founder and Managing Partner of Panakès Partners, a venture capital firm providing financial and business support to innovative early stage startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the life sciences. In her 20 years of international experience, she has invested in over 60 startups throughout Europe.
“International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the need for diversity. Also in our sector, Life Sciences Venture Capital, where women are still underrepresented, particularly in leadership teams but not only.
As an investor, I also see a major opportunity in supporting innovations in women’s health—an area long overlooked despite its vast market potential. Investing in diverse teams isn’t just about equity; it drives better science, stronger companies, and more impactful solutions. By fostering inclusivity, we can unlock groundbreaking advancements that benefit everyone.
True progress in life sciences requires amplifying women’s voices, funding their ideas, and prioritising equitable healthcare solutions.”
Susannah McClintock is Investment Partner at Clean Growth Fund, a venture capital fund that provides expertise and capital for entrepreneurs in clean-tech. Susannah is an environmental investor with 25 years experience in the climate change and resource efficiency field. She also leads the finance initiatives for the Mayor of London’s Women in Cleantech programme.
“International Women’s Day is a hugely important opportunity for us to reflect on the successes and achievements of women in our sector and for them to inspire other women and girls to dream big and to know that they have a rightful place to participate in and to succeed in their chosen field.”
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