Dr. Ed Engleman: Vivo Capital’s Cancer Hacker

Dr. Ed Engleman: Vivo Capital’s Cancer Hacker

From Sand Hill Road by NBC Bay Area

December 4, 2025 · 18 min · Episode 192

About this episode

Dr. Ed Engleman discusses his contributions to cancer treatment and his role at Vivo Capital.

Legendary Stanford immunologist Dr. Ed Engleman helped create the foundations of modern cancer treatment. From early breakthroughs in immune-cell training to a brand-new discovery, Engleman explains how the immune system can now be switched on and off like circuitry, with implications for cancer, autoimmune disease, infections and more. He also breaks down his role at Vivo Capital, the global life-sciences venture firm where he evaluates and guides new biotech startups. Engleman describes how Vivo’s more conservative, data-driven investment style matches his own approach: digging deep into the science, waiting for real clinical signals, and backing teams that can translate discoveries into actual drugs. A rare conversation with a scientist-founder-investor whose discoveries and companies have reshaped medicine — and who’s still chasing the next breakthrough.

People in this episode

Host: NBC Bay Area

Guest: Dr. Ed Engleman

Topics covered

  • cancer treatment
  • immunology
  • biotech startups
  • venture capital
  • medical breakthroughs

Keywords

  • cancer
  • immune system
  • biotech
  • Vivo Capital
  • Stanford
  • clinical signals
  • drug development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vivo Capital, Stanford

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