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A quiet biotech comeback for Epstein's 'great friend'

March 11, 2026
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In center frame, from left: Biotech investor Boris Nikolic; Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein; an unidentified individual; and Sam Jaradeh, Nikolic's husband.
Illustration: Camille MacMillin/STAT; Source photo: Department of Justice

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Seemay Chou and Becky Pferdehirt — second row from bottom, second and third from right — are launching a new group within the Astera Institute focused on modernizing scientific research for the AI era.
Courtesy Astera

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