David Schenkein is a first-generation American physician-investor who built a three-act career spanning 13 years as an academic hematologist at Tufts, 19 years leading oncology drug development including as founding CEO of Agios where he oversaw approval of the first metabolism-targeting AML drugs, and now as a GV general partner while maintaining his clinical role. He's known as a win-win or no deal partner-making specialist who pushes CEOs to be explicit about why they're partnering and warns that many non-dilutive deals are actually more dilutive than equity because of lost control and economics.

• A relentless focus on patient outcomes as the primary measure of success. He frequently emphasizes how medical advancements translate into real-world benefits for people suffering from conditions like glioma or sickle cell disease, notably sharing a photo of a wall dedicated to friends and relatives affected by diseases to illustrate his guiding motivation.
• Celebration of clinical execution and drug development milestones. He consistently highlights the difficult journey of moving scientific discoveries through regulatory hurdles, frequently applauding the Agios Pharmaceuticals team for specific wins like positive Phase 3 trial results or new therapies for rare blood disorders.
• Interest in genetic medicine and novel therapies. He actively promotes companies working on cutting-edge technologies like prime editing and gene therapies, showing excitement for transforming academic discoveries into tangible treatments for genetic diseases and cancer.
• Appreciation for strong leadership and team dynamics within the biotech ecosystem. He regularly acknowledges the specific contributions of scientists, board members, and fellow investors at GV, often publicly welcoming new talent or congratulating partners on promotions and well-deserved recognition.