Louisa Helms, a principal at Flagship Pioneering, attributes her successful career in biotech to her high school librarian, Tammy Carabello. Carabello, who equipped students with hands-on learning experiences using lab equipment, played a significant role in Helms’ early inspiration to pursue science. Helms described Carabello as a “guiding light,” highlighting the librarian’s influence even before they met in high school.
Helms, recently honored as one of BioSpace’s 40 Under 40, reflects on her experiences and the path that led her to consider educational leadership in science. After high school, she first pursued her PhD before determining the importance of decision-making roles within scientific fields.
Following her academic tenure, Helms engaged in entrepreneurial training that connected her with venture capitalists and biotech companies in Seattle. In 2022, she seized an opportunity at Flagship, a venture firm known for its influential role in the biotech industry. “I knew what it was, and the role was just this, like mystical, mysterious, mythical, perfect role,” Helms said of her position at Flagship.
Upon securing her role, Helms described the experience as an entrepreneurial training ground, essential for recognizing what it takes to commercialize scientific ideas. She began her journey with Serif Biomedicines, a company officially launched in April with a focus on developing modified DNA medicines. Helms played an integral part in various aspects of the company’s early development, from designing experiments to helping in corporate development processes.
Despite her contributions, Helms jokingly mentioned, “I do not touch pipettes. That would be a disservice to these companies,” indicating her strategic rather than hands-on role. She combines her professional responsibilities with her passion as a CrossFit athlete, finding discipline and motivation in both her athletic and professional pursuits. “I think people forget that by being a whole human, you do your job better than when you’re just a work human,” she noted.
Now a principal at Flagship and co-founder of Serif, Helms is focusing on a new biotech venture, details of which remain confidential. While she has not defined her upcoming role, she expressed a desire to be a serial biotech CEO, echoing aspirations shared by her peers at Flagship. “What is important about our role at Flagship is knowing when to hire yourself out of your job and give it to someone who’s doing it better than you,” she said.
