The catalyst

Brian Slingerland (finance '00) co-founded Stemcentrx, a biotechnology company in San Francisco developing new types of cancer treatments.

With five cancer drugs in human clinical trials, Stemcentrx was acquired in June by AbbVie Inc. in a deal valued up to $10.2 billion, one of the biggest biotechnology deals in history.

After launching his career in investment banking, Slingerland resigned from Goldman Sachs as a managing director in 2008 to co-found two companies: tech-focused investment bank Qatalyst Partners; and Stemcentrx, with research scientist Scott Dylla.

Slingerland was eager to "be an entrepreneur rather than just service entrepreneurs," he said. And the cancer-related deaths of three relatives, including a beloved aunt, brought new clarity to his focus. "After three of these in succession, frankly I hated cancer. And nobody had any good answers for how we were going to cure it."

That is, he said, until he met Dylla and learned about the stem-cell approach that seeks to identify and kill "the root cells that initiate cancer and perpetuate it."

Speaking at the Pamplin College of Business commencement in May 2016, Slingerland offered graduates three points to keep in mind:

"You have what it takes to be the catalyst to start innovative businesses that change the world. The best ventures have a sound balance of technical and business skill. And most ventures will not get off the ground without a business mind like yours."

"Make your avocation your vocation. I encourage you to align your passion and personal mission with your job. And if you do, you'll have a sustainable career that you'll love. It'll be very tempting over the years to maintain the status quo and choose the less risky path. But I cannot emphasize to you enough how amazing it is to work every day on something that inspires you, instead of just working for a paycheck."

"Choose a life partner, and surround yourself with friends who will give you honest advice and encourage you to pursue your dreams and reach your potential. While I was pitching to investors the idea of starting Stemcentrx and recruiting our first employees, behind the scenes, it was my wife, Emily, and my parents and my close friends who encouraged me and gave me the confidence to start Stemcentrx."