Early Life and Education
Joseph Edelman was born in 1955 to a Jewish family. His father, Isidore Edelman, was a scientist and professor emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Edelman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, graduating magna cum laude in 1978. He later obtained an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business in 1988.
Rise to Success
Edelman began his career in 1987 as a biotechnology analyst. He founded Perceptive Advisors in 1999, a New York City-based hedge fund specializing in healthcare and biotechnology. The firm started with $6 million in assets and grew to $8 billion by April 2023. Edelman’s flagship hedge fund, the Perceptive Life Sciences Fund, has delivered strong returns over the years.
Key Business Strategies
Perceptive Advisors focuses on identifying and investing in promising technologies and innovations in biotechnology. The firm's investment strategy is rooted in deep scientific expertise, paired with a conviction for driving outsized returns in the volatile biotech sector. Edelman’s fund has a history of strong performance and focuses on long-term investments in biotech companies.
Philanthropy
Edelman established the Edelman Family Foundation. His foundation primarily funds the lobbying group Do No Harm, which opposes anti-racism education in public schools and gender-affirming care for minors.