VIC Tech, a leading venture studio focused on building high-impact life science companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrés Lorente, PhD, as Vice President of AI Strategy & Enablement. In this pivotal new role, Dr. Lorente will spearhead the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to accelerate opportunity assessment, refine commercial strategy, and ensure both VIC Tech and its portfolio companies remain at the cutting edge of AI advancement.
"Andrés has been an invaluable member of our team, and this promotion recognizes the immense strategic value he brings to our organization," said Calvin Goforth, CEO at VIC Tech. "His transition from Senior Fellow to Vice President ensures continuity in our mission while supercharging our ability to translate intricate data into high-stakes corporate strategy. His expertise will be transformative in maintaining our competitive edge in an AI-driven landscape."
During his tenure as a VIC Senior Fellow, Dr. Lorente demonstrated a unique ability to evaluate emerging technologies and bridge the gap between complex laboratory science and market-ready business models. He developed and implemented AI workflows for technology scouting, scientific due diligence, and competitive intelligence, and established AI data governance, confidentiality protocols, and risk management practices tailored to the venture studio environment. In his new executive role, he will leverage this deep institutional knowledge to empower VIC’s portfolio companies with the data-driven insights necessary to influence R&D and commercial decisions.
Dr. Lorente’s track record includes high-impact success at Reata Pharmaceuticals, where he built a corporate valuation model used as the basis for discussions leading up to Biogen's $7.3 billion acquisition of Reata, and his forecast modeling and competitive intelligence played central roles in the strategic $350 million reacquisition of rights to Bardoxolone and Omaveloxone from AbbVie and in supporting drug pricing and launch sequence decisions for Skyclarys. After leaving Reata in 2024, he founded BioScience Strategy IQ to provide corporate strategy support for early-stage biotechnology firms.
"I am honored to take on this new leadership role within VIC Tech," said Dr. Lorente. "Having worked closely with our technologies as a Senior Fellow, I am excited to now apply robust market research and AI-driven insights on a broader scale. My focus is to ensure VIC and our portfolio companies not only navigate the complexities of the modern healthcare landscape but remain at the absolute forefront of innovation."
Dr. Lorente earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Dartmouth and completed postdoctoral fellowships in Physiology and Cancer Biology/Pharmacology at UT Southwestern. In addition to his technical and strategic prowess, he is a natural collaborator known for being "fluent in dad jokes" in both English and Spanish, a skill he considers vital for maintaining a high-performing, engaged team.