YZi Labs boosts AI funding, appoints new investment lead

YZi Labs, previously known as Binance Labs, has named Jane He as General Partner to spearhead its foray into biotechnology investments, signaling a strategic shift beyond its traditional focus on Web3. 

This development comes after the firm's recent rebranding from Binance Labs and demonstrates a heightened focus on artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Jane He, a seasoned investor with extensive experience in biotech and medtech, will take the helm in discovering and nurturing groundbreaking innovations in these sectors. Her expertise encompasses cancer therapies, gene editing, metabolic treatments, and AI-driven biotech solutions. 

Prior to joining YZi Labs, He held the position of investor and Chief Operating Officer at a Hong Kong-based hedge fund, where she concentrated on growth-stage biotech companies. 

Her past leadership roles at PAAMCO Prisma also equipped her with substantial experience in managing investments across Asia.

Ella Zhang, the head of YZi Labs, characterized He’s appointment as a crucial move in the firm’s evolving investment strategy. 

"We are thrilled to have Jane join the YZi Labs team. She is not only a gifted investor but also an entrepreneur with a passion for creating significant change. As we broaden our investment scope beyond Web3 into AI and biotech, we are assembling a team with deep domain knowledge and a zeal for delving into interdisciplinary innovations to propel our vision," Zhang said.

AI, biotech, and Web3

He’s appointment signifies YZi Labs’ wider strategy to back transformative innovations at the crossroads of AI, biotech, and Web3. 

Biotech, in particular, is witnessing swift progress, with AI increasingly contributing to hastening drug discovery, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, and enabling personalized medicine. The amalgamation of these fields offers new prospects for investors and entrepreneurs, a domain YZi Labs is eager to explore.

The firm is actively on the lookout for pioneering founders leading technological advancements in Web3, AI, and biotech.