Zeenat Patrawala is a dynamic force in the healthcare, life sciences, and artificial intelligence industries, specializing in corporate development and strategic partnerships. With a proven track record spanning venture-backed startups, public companies, and new product innovation, she brings a holistic perspective to the evolving healthcare landscape. Her expertise covers strategic sales and equity research, from biopharma and diagnostics to healthcare services and cutting-edge AI-driven healthcare applications.
She currently leads Force of Nature AI, LLC, a pioneering fractional executive consulting firm dedicated to supporting leading startups in the AI and healthcare space. Her present work combines the invaluable lessons from biopharma, diagnostics and research & tools, and incorporating life lessons that incorporate a whole health and accessible longevity perspective, in a burgeoning field combining the fields of science, clinical medicine, lifestyle, and strength & conditioning. She recognizes that the current "longevity" market is overwhelmingly saturated, confusing, and often lacks clarity between real science and pseudoscience. Her mission is to cut through this noise, making personalized longevity plans that align with individual needs for aging with care and dignity, all backed by a strong scientific foundation. Critically, Zeenat is committed to democratizing this knowledge and these services, aiming to transform offerings currently priced for the high-net-worth into credible, scientifically sound solutions accessible to the broader population.
Her strategic guidance has been invaluable to companies such as Thrive AI Health (backed by OpenAI and Thrive Global), Zededa (backed by Lux Capital), Ema (backed by Accel and Section 32) , Brightseed (Temasek), Health2047, backed by the American Medical Association, and Belay.
Her startup career is marked by significant leadership roles, including serving as Chief Business Officer of VantAI, an early-stage induced proximity company utilizing diffusion models to model protein interactions. In 2019, Zeenat co-founded Onc.AI, a groundbreaking company focused on leveraging radiomics (medical imaging) and AI to predict outcomes for immuno-oncology (I/O) responders and non-responders. She spearheaded the successful $6 million seed fundraising round, co-led by Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Venture Fund and Accomplice Partners, with follow-on investments from Digitalis and KDT Ventures. Zeenat not only secured the first large pharma pilot program but also built a robust pipeline of 11 leading I/O companies and strategically recruited key hires, including the Chief Product Manager.
Further solidifying her role as a key player in the future of intelligent medicine, Zeenat is a vital member of the Intelligent Medicine Acquisition Corporation (IQMD), a $207 million SPAC committed to cultivating a public market for the burgeoning industry of AI/drug discovery companies. She works alongside industry titans like CEO Greg Simon, former Executive Director of the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force and co-founder of FasterCures, and Jack Hidary, Chairman of the Board, Founder and CEO of SandboxAQ (Alphabet's quantum computing bet). Leveraging her extensive network, Zeenat has been instrumental in identifying target leads, facilitating introductions, and leading due diligence teams comprised of expert consultants and investment bankers. Her impactful career also includes being a founding member of Google Health/Google Medical Brain as Director of Corporate Development, where she shaped the early vision of Google's healthcare initiatives. Prior to that, at Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Zeenat orchestrated the largest transaction in the company’s decade-long history. She began her career in biotechnology equity research at William Blair post graduate school, covering large and small cap biotech companies, with a keen eye on emerging areas like antibody-drug conjugates and HCV. Her rich experience also includes significant contributions to Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Salesforce.com, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Education
Zeenat holds a SM in Biomedical Enterprises and Genetics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Harvard University. Her thesis focused on "FDA Regulation of Biologicals Manufacturing," a testament to her foundational understanding of the regulatory landscape. She also earned an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a BS in Biological Science with a focus in Genetics from Cornell University. Her undergraduate thesis explored "The relationship between the lunar cycle and reproductive patterns in female bioluminescent ostracod crustaceans," showcasing her diverse scientific curiosity from early on.
Value to a Conference Audience:
Zeenat's extensive experience and current focus position her as an exceptional speaker capable of shedding light on the most pressing and innovative topics in AI and healthcare today. Her value to your audience stems from her ability to:
Pioneer AI-Powered Health Revolution: Zeenat can speak on the transformative power of AI in healthcare, particularly how to democratize access to personalized health solutions and overcome the market saturation in "longevity" by identifying and promoting real science over pseudoscience.
Champion Proactive Healthcare Systems: Drawing from her experience, Zeenat can discuss leveraging AI for early detection and prevention, shifting the paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive health management.
Transform Health Data into Actionable Insights: With her background in corporate development at Google Health/Google Medical Brain and her work with various health tech startups, Zeenat offers critical insights into integrating fragmented health information into actionable strategies.
Articulate the Future of Care: Zeenat is uniquely positioned to discuss how AI coaches and human practitioners can collaboratively shape the future of healthcare delivery, ensuring personalized plans that align with individual needs for aging with care and dignity.
Drive Health Equity Through Technology: A core theme of her current focus is making expert health guidance and longevity services accessible to a broader consumer base, transforming offerings traditionally priced for the high-net-worth.
Advocate for Human-Centered Design in Healthcare: Drawing lessons from her experience with leading tech companies, Zeenat emphasizes creating health technology that addresses genuine user needs and behaviors, bridging the gap between innovation and everyday health habits. Her focus includes ensuring health tech is designed so "people actually use" it.
Discussion of Drug Development Models, and where the True Values Lies in AI -Centered Drug
Discovery Women Leadership: Why Women Leaders need to be at the forefront of the AI Revolution, how to protect their position on the cap table, and where investments and growth of specific companies will create new leadership across human health.