Dr. Julie Gupta discovered her passion for science and medicine early: her mother, an analytical chemist, worked at Pfizer when Lipitor was launched, the best-selling drug in the history of pharmaceuticals. After an undergraduate degree in biochem, Julie earned her PhD in pharmacology, which she describes as one of the few fundamental sciences that has the potential to “link the lab bench to the bedside.” 

Julie’s native curiosity about how molecules become medicines – and how they reach markets and ultimately patients -- led her to work in venture capital after starting her post-PhD career as a life sciences consultant. Her insights into the risks and rewards of commercializing new treatments galvanized her desire to join General Catalyst. Rather than focusing on a single field or specialty, she can bring her expertise to the wide range of life sciences innovations the firm is supporting around the world.

One of Julie’s core philosophies concerns balancing innovation with accessibility, so that new treatments can reach large populations and deliver a powerful benefit that is often overlooked: healthier populations are also more productive and socially stable. She believes that mission-driven investors with deep understanding of healthcare can help break down the dichotomy between the cost of developing new treatments and the ability of society to pay for them.

A native of France, Julie enjoys urban travel with her husband, sampling the cuisines of the world, cooking, and baking. She’s a strong advocate for STEM education for women, saying that any chance to diversify science and medicine is a chance we should take.