Small Business
Moderna co-founder tests up to 100 biotech ideas yearly before investing
Noubar Afeyan of Flagship Pioneering explains his approach to evaluating radical biotech concepts.
Oct 30, 2026, 7:42 PM
By the Genius Eye newsroom (Small Business Reporter) · Fact-checkedHow we report
AlonsoRiveraM / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna and leader at Flagship Pioneering, tests up to 100 radical biotech ideas annually before deciding which to fund, according to Inc.
This rigorous vetting process helps Flagship Pioneering identify promising innovations in biotechnology without immediately committing large sums of money.
Afeyan emphasizes that the ability to test many ideas is a key part of their strategy, allowing the company to focus resources on the most viable projects.
This approach reflects a methodical investment style in biotech, prioritizing experimentation and validation prior to large financial commitments.
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