Building a Biotech Investing Edge with Evan Markegard

Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres17mApril 4, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

In this episode of Mission Matters Business Podcast, host Adam Torres welcomes Evan Markegaard, founder and managing partner at AUGC Partners LLC, to discuss his unique edge in biotech hedge fund investing. Evan shares his journey from earning a PhD in oncology at UCSF to launching his science-driven investment fund, rooted in deep fundamental research and value investing principles. He emphasizes his focus on small-cap biotech companies in early clinical stages, leveraging his scientific background to identify promising innovations before they gain mainstream attention. Evan highlights the structural advantages in the biotech ecosystem—where large pharmaceutical companies rely on smaller startups for R&D innovation—and explains how his approach combines scientific rigor, long-term value investing, and direct engagement with company founders. Evan also reflects on the value of high-intensity networking events like iConnections Miami and the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, which enable deep due diligence through in-person meetings with research teams. He expresses excitement about current biotech advancements, particularly novel modalities and under-the-radar companies with transformative potential. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Evan via email or LinkedIn for more information on his investment strategy and performance. The episode underscores the power of combining domain expertise with disciplined investing to uncover hidden gems in the biotech space.

Key Takeaways
1

Leverage deep scientific expertise to identify early-stage biotech opportunities before market recognition.

2

Focus on small-cap, pre-commercial biotech companies with strong scientific foundations and high innovation potential.

3

Apply value investing principles—margin of safety, long time horizons, and risk mitigation—to biotech investing.

4

Engage directly with company founders and research teams through high-intensity conferences for superior due diligence.

5

Capitalise on the structural dynamic where large pharma acquires innovative small companies to replenish pipelines.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

Welcome & Introduction to iConnections Miami

Adam Torres welcomes Evan Markegaard to the show, introducing the iConnections Miami conference and setting the stage for a discussion on biotech investing. Evan shares his first-time experience at the event and praises its high-quality networking and efficient meeting structure.

2:00
3 min

Evan's Background & Biotech Fund Origins

Evan recounts his PhD in oncology at UCSF, his early investments in cancer research, and how his scientific training led to founding AUGC Partners. He discusses the inspiration from investor Peter Kolshinsky and the evolution from personal investing to launching a hedge fund.

5:00
5 min

The Three Pillars of Evan's Investing Edge

I sit in the middle and then focus on the smaller cap companies, kind of the newer IPOs or the phase one, phase two clinical trials where I'm taking more of that scientific an early clinical risk.

Highlight
10:00
4 min

The Biotech Ecosystem & Hidden Gems

It's really a beautiful environment and structure. And I just love finding the innovative hidden gems before the pharma companies and before that validating data.

Highlight
14:00
3 min

Networking, Due Diligence & How to Connect

Evan discusses the importance of in-person meetings at events like JP Morgan Healthcare Conference and San Diego’s biotech hub. He shares how he evaluates companies through data review, patent analysis, and founder storytelling, and provides contact details for interested investors.

High-Impact Quotes
It's really a beautiful environment and structure. And I just love finding the innovative hidden gems before the pharma companies and before that validating data.
Evan Markegaard12:06
Viral: 85.0
I love finding the innovative hidden gems before the pharma companies and before that validating data.
Evan Markegaard12:10
Viral: 85.0
I sit in the middle and then focus on the smaller cap companies, kind of the newer IPOs or the phase one, phase two clinical trials where I'm taking more of that scientific an early clinical risk.
Evan Markegaard8:37
Viral: 75.0
Speakers

Host

Adam Torres

Guest

Evan Markegaard
Topics Discussed
biotech investing95%scientific due diligence90%small-cap biotech companies85%value investing in biotech80%pharma acquisition strategy80%early-stage clinical trials75%biotech innovation and modalities70%networking in biotech65%
People & Brands

Evan Markegaard

person

25xPositive

AUGC Partners LLC

organization

12xPositive

iConnections Miami

other

8xPositive

San Diego

place

4xPositive

Peter Kolshinsky

person

3xPositive

JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

other

3xPositive

UCSF

organization

3xPositive

RA Capital

organization

2xPositive

Genentech

organization

2xNeutral

San Francisco

place

2xNeutral

Get the full intelligence

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