For our first episode, we catch up with Antoine Papiernik, the chairman of Sofinnova partners, one of the top EU biotech VC funds. We chat about building billion-euro biotechs in Europe, being listed on the Midas list (without letting it go to your head), the importance of being good at selling, being lucky, and how to balance all this with family priorities. I've been lucky to know and be inspired by Antoine for almost 10 years. Over his successful career, he has invested in over 500 companies, focusing on platform companies and entrepreneurs. He currently has over €2.5 billion under management in several funds, both early and late, in drug development, industrial biotech, and medtech. Antoine is a remarkable speaker and a good fun person. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:27 Welcome 02:17 Background and serendipity 05:25 Getting into investment 07:23 I wouldn't hire me 09:23 Are you lucky and curious? 14:27 Joining Sofinnova 17:38 Becoming Managing Partner 19:10 Midas List 20:41 You're only as good as your last deal 21:45 Equal opportunity 28:03 How to get funded 31:12 Europe vs USA 35:54 How Europe can do better 39:27 Crossing the chasm to the future 41:04 Follow Antoine 41:35 Wrapping up 🔗 FOLLOW US - Don't miss an episode by signing up for our monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlotBio 🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO Bringing to your eardrums the top minds of the EU biotech industry, Flot.bio is a podcast for those who are curious. Laidback 1-hour conversations with the most interesting thought leaders in the field, Flot.bio is digging out cool ideas, groundbreaking research, and industry insights to inspire and help you grow in your work (and life). Turn up your speaker and get ready for the latest biotech buzz with your host, Philip Hemme. 🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE - Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/528xu2mc - Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yt23m4d2 - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@flot.bio - Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5n6w7jdu - or anywhere you get your podcasts... 🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know your thoughts and what you found useful by dropping a comment. Also, make sure you like the episode and follow our channel so you never miss an episode and help others to find it too.