Abcuro

Breakthrough Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases & Cancer

About

LEADERSHIP

OUR TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INVESTORS

Selective Targeting of Highly Cytotoxic T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases

Abcuro is developing its lead product candidate ulviprubart for autoimmune disorders and rare cancers, including inclusion body myositis (IBM), T Cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (T-LGLL) and T and NK cell lymphomas. Ulviprubart is a monoclonal antibody designed to selectively deplete highly cytotoxic T cells by targeting killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1), a marker selectively expressed on these highly cytotoxic T cells.

In IBM and T-LGLL, cytotoxic T cells are a major source of chronic tissue damage. For mature T and NK cell lymphomas, the KLRG1 expressing T cells or NK cells are malignant. In November 2021, we presented initial results from a Phase 1 open-label trial of ulviprubart in IBM at American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2021 (view poster) and an updated dataset was presented at GCOM 2022 (view poster). In this trial, ulviprubart demonstrated potent depletion of KLRG1+ T cells in patients with IBM.

View Pipeline

Martin, Alex

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA

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Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

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Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA Pharma (EPIX). He was also Chief Operating Officer of Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), and Chief Finance Officer of BioXell (BXLN) which was acquired by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (COPN). He began his career at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing and business development and later joined Novartis as Vice President, Global Business Development & Licensing. Alex is an active coach and mentor to other senior executives, and a guest lecturer at Wharton and Columbia Business School on biotech, entrepreneurship, and raising capital. He holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard.

Tubridy, Karen

Karen Tubridy is the Chief Operating Officer of Abcuro.  She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND,

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Karen Tubridy, PharmD

Chief Operating Officer

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Karen Tubridy, PharmD

Chief Operating Officer

Karen Tubridy is the Chief Operating Officer of Abcuro.  She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND, NDA and J-NDA filings. In addition, she has had responsibility for oversight of drug development operations including the build out of core R&D infrastructure and quality systems. Previously, she held senior positions in clinical and regulatory operations at Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Taligen Therapeutics (acquired by Alexion) and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Biogen). She held a senior position at AVANT Immunotherapeutics directing several vaccine programs and held positions of increasing responsibility in clinical research and medical affairs at Genetics Institute/Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where she directed hematology and oncology programs. Karen holds a BS in pharmacy and a PharmD from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences.

Wilkins, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among

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H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD

Chief Medical Officer

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H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among others, Jeff led clinical development programs at Avalo Therapeutics, Lycera, Ceptaris Therapeutics, Cephalon, and Ception Therapeutics. He entered the pharmaceutical industry with GlaxoSmithKline, where he rose to become Vice President of Discovery Medicine for GSK’s Center of Excellence in External Drug Discovery. Jeff received his MD from Temple University School of Medicine and his BS from Bucknell University.

Borbas, Dave

Dave Borbas

Research VP,
Head of Data Management

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Dave Borbas

Research VP,
Head of Data Management

Byrne, Donna

Donna Byrne

Director, Clinical Operations

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Donna Byrne

Director, Clinical Operations

Chartienitz, Brett

Brett Chartienitz

IT Operations Manager

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Brett Chartienitz

IT Operations Manager

Cooper, Ken

Ken Cooper

Director Clinical Operations, Trial Management

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Ken Cooper

Director Clinical Operations, Trial Management

Greenberg, Steven A.

Steven A Greenberg, M.D., M.S. is a founder of Abcuro and the Chief Scientific Advisor. Steve is a clinical neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. His clinical and laboratory research focus involves translational medicine, inventing diagnostics including blood tests for dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis, and therapeutics,

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Steven A. Greenberg, MD

Chief Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder

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Steven A. Greenberg, MD

Chief Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder

Steven A Greenberg, M.D., M.S. is a founder of Abcuro and the Chief Scientific Advisor. Steve is a clinical neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. His clinical and laboratory research focus involves translational medicine, inventing diagnostics including blood tests for dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis, and therapeutics, including co-inventing a therapeutic monoclonal antibody for dermatomyositis currently in late-stage clinical trials. He has authored over 100 publications and served as Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials. Steve received an A.B. degree in Mathematics from Princeton University, an M.S. degree in Medical Informatics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School through the Harvard-MIT Health Science and Technology Program.

Gress, Mike

Mike Gress

VP, Clinical Development,
Head of Clinical Trial Management

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Mike Gress

VP, Clinical Development,
Head of Clinical Trial Management

Hwang, Ella

Ella Hwang

Vice President, Quality

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Ella Hwang

Vice President, Quality

LeMessurier, Hugo

Hugo LeMessurier

Director, Abcuro Pty Ltd

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Hugo LeMessurier

Director, Abcuro Pty Ltd

Martin, Alex

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA

 READ MORE

Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

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Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA Pharma (EPIX). He was also Chief Operating Officer of Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), and Chief Finance Officer of BioXell (BXLN) which was acquired by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (COPN). He began his career at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing and business development and later joined Novartis as Vice President, Global Business Development & Licensing. Alex is an active coach and mentor to other senior executives, and a guest lecturer at Wharton and Columbia Business School on biotech, entrepreneurship, and raising capital. He holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard.

Motschwiller, Ricky

Richard Motschwiller

VP, Finance

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Richard Motschwiller

VP, Finance

Reyes, Armando

Armando Reyes

Director, Clinical Operations

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Armando Reyes

Director, Clinical Operations

Shen, Yuyi

Yuyi Shen, PhD

VP, Technical Operations

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Yuyi Shen, PhD

VP, Technical Operations

Sundaram, Sam

Sam Sundaram

Executive Assistant & Operations Manager

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Sam Sundaram

Executive Assistant & Operations Manager

Tubridy, Karen

Karen Tubridy is the Chief Operating Officer of Abcuro.  She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND,

 READ MORE

Karen Tubridy, PharmD

Chief Operating Officer

x

Karen Tubridy, PharmD

Chief Operating Officer

Karen Tubridy is the Chief Operating Officer of Abcuro.  She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND, NDA and J-NDA filings. In addition, she has had responsibility for oversight of drug development operations including the build out of core R&D infrastructure and quality systems. Previously, she held senior positions in clinical and regulatory operations at Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Taligen Therapeutics (acquired by Alexion) and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Biogen). She held a senior position at AVANT Immunotherapeutics directing several vaccine programs and held positions of increasing responsibility in clinical research and medical affairs at Genetics Institute/Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where she directed hematology and oncology programs. Karen holds a BS in pharmacy and a PharmD from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences.

Weems Gary

Garry Weems

VP, Clinical Science

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Garry Weems

VP, Clinical Science

Wilkins, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among

 READ MORE

H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD

Chief Medical Officer

x

H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among others, Jeff led clinical development programs at Avalo Therapeutics, Lycera, Ceptaris Therapeutics, Cephalon, and Ception Therapeutics. He entered the pharmaceutical industry with GlaxoSmithKline, where he rose to become Vice President of Discovery Medicine for GSK’s Center of Excellence in External Drug Discovery. Jeff received his MD from Temple University School of Medicine and his BS from Bucknell University.

Pruzanski, Mark

Mark Pruzanski is a physician and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the life sciences. Most recently he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Versanis Bio where he spearheaded the development of novel therapies for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases until the company’s acquisition in 2023 by Eli Lilly and

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Mark Pruzanski, MD

Chairman of the Board

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Mark Pruzanski, MD

Chairman of the Board

Mark Pruzanski is a physician and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the life sciences. Most recently he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Versanis Bio where he spearheaded the development of novel therapies for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases until the company’s acquisition in 2023 by Eli Lilly and Company. Prior to joining Versanis, he founded and was the longstanding Chief Executive Officer of Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT). At Intercept, he pioneered a novel regulatory and development strategy in chronic nonviral liver diseases that resulted in the successful global commercialization of the first-in-class FXR agonist obeticholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), marketed in more than 40 countries under the brand name OCALIVA™. He also led the effort to establish the regulatory, development and commercial basis for therapies targeting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has become a leading reason for liver failure due to the global obesity epidemic. Mark is currently a member of the Board of Directors of several biotechnology companies, the Emerging Company Section of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mark received his MD from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, a MA degree in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C., and a BA degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Martin, Alex

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA

 READ MORE

Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

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Alex Martin, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA Pharma (EPIX). He was also Chief Operating Officer of Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), and Chief Finance Officer of BioXell (BXLN) which was acquired by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (COPN). He began his career at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing and business development and later joined Novartis as Vice President, Global Business Development & Licensing. Alex is an active coach and mentor to other senior executives, and a guest lecturer at Wharton and Columbia Business School on biotech, entrepreneurship, and raising capital. He holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard.

Boyce, Sarah

Sarah Boyce served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Avidity Biosciences since October 2019. She has more than 25 years of global leadership experience in both pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Sarah’s tenure at Avidity was marked by transformative leadership, starting with the company’s successful Series C

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Sarah Boyce

Director

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Sarah Boyce

Director

Sarah Boyce served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Avidity Biosciences since October 2019. She has more than 25 years of global leadership experience in both pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Sarah’s tenure at Avidity was marked by transformative leadership, starting with the company’s successful Series C funding round and IPO. She continued to drive the company’s evolution from a research and development entity to a biopharmaceutical company through the advancement of three rare neuromuscular disease therapies into clinical development and the expansion of the broad utility of the company’s RNA technology. Her tenure at Avidity culminated with the approximately $12 billion acquisition by Novartis for its neuroscience pipeline and differentiated RNA-delivery platform. Prior to joining Avidity, Sarah held the position of president and a member of the board of directors of Akcea Therapeutics. She previously held executive roles in business development and global operations for leading life sciences companies including Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Oncology and Roche. Sarah currently serves as chair of the board of Atrium Therapeutics and as a member of the board of directors at Abcuro and Contineum Therapeutics.

Dybbs, Mike

Mike is currently a partner at Samsara BioCapital, where he has worked since March 2017. Prior to joining Samsara, Mike was a partner at New Leaf Venture Partners. Before New Leaf Venture Partners Mike was a principal at the Boston Consulting Group, where he consulted for biotech and pharma clients. Mike currently serves on the

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Mike Dybbs, PhD

Partner, Samsara BioCapital

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Mike Dybbs, PhD

Partner, Samsara BioCapital

Mike is currently a partner at Samsara BioCapital, where he has worked since March 2017. Prior to joining Samsara, Mike was a partner at New Leaf Venture Partners. Before New Leaf Venture Partners Mike was a principal at the Boston Consulting Group, where he consulted for biotech and pharma clients. Mike currently serves on the boards of directors of Nkarta (NKTX), Sutro (STRO), and several private companies, including EnaraBio, Fluent Biosciences, Respira Therapeutics and Ionpath. Mike received an AB in biochemical sciences from Harvard College and a PhD in molecular biology from University of California, Berkeley, where he was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship.

Fang, Ming

Ming Fang is a Managing Director at Redmile Group, LLC, a healthcare-focused investment firm. Prior to joining Redmile in 2016, Ming worked in the healthcare space as an investor at Safeguard Scientifics, a consultant at McKinsey & Company and ZS Associates, and an operator at Gilead Sciences. He received a BA in Computer Science from

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Ming Fang

Managing Director, Redmile Group

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Ming Fang

Managing Director, Redmile Group

Ming Fang is a Managing Director at Redmile Group, LLC, a healthcare-focused investment firm. Prior to joining Redmile in 2016, Ming worked in the healthcare space as an investor at Safeguard Scientifics, a consultant at McKinsey & Company and ZS Associates, and an operator at Gilead Sciences. He received a BA in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and an MBA in Finance and Healthcare Management from the Wharton School of Business.

Hunt, Ron

Ron Hunt is a Managing Director at New Leaf Venture Partners, and focuses on investments in biopharmaceuticals.  He was one of the founders of New Leaf in 2005 and today has nearly three decades of experience investing in, and building companies focused on developing novel medicines.  Prior to his start in venture capital in 1998,

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Ron Hunt

Managing Director,
New Leaf Venture Partners

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Ron Hunt

Managing Director,
New Leaf Venture Partners

Ron Hunt is a Managing Director at New Leaf Venture Partners, and focuses on investments in biopharmaceuticals.  He was one of the founders of New Leaf in 2005 and today has nearly three decades of experience investing in, and building companies focused on developing novel medicines.  Prior to his start in venture capital in 1998, Mr. Hunt was a strategy and operations consultant to clients in the pharmaceutical industry. His experience also includes a number of sales & marketing positions with Johnson & Johnson and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Hunt is a graduate of The Wharton School (MBA) and Cornell University (BS).

Cashdan, Jonah

Jonah Cashdan joined Bain Capital Life Sciences in 2018. Prior to joining Bain Capital, he worked at J.P. Morgan in their healthcare investment banking group, evaluating and executing strategic alternatives including M&A and debt/equity financings for clients across the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Jonah studied synaptic physiology and sensory system

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Jonah Cashdan

Observer
Principal, Bain Capital Life Sciences

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Jonah Cashdan

Observer
Principal, Bain Capital Life Sciences

Jonah Cashdan joined Bain Capital Life Sciences in 2018. Prior to joining Bain Capital, he worked at J.P. Morgan in their healthcare investment banking group, evaluating and executing strategic alternatives including M&A and debt/equity financings for clients across the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Jonah studied synaptic physiology and sensory system development in various labs at Georgetown University. He graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University receiving a BS in Neurobiology.

Knowles, Julius (Jay)

Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics.  Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President

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Julius (Jay) Knowles

Observer
Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures

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Julius (Jay) Knowles

Observer
Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures

Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics.  Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President of Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Business Development at Novacea, and Director, R&D Planning at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He represents Mass General Brigham Ventures on the boards of Apres Therapeutics, Keros Therapeutics, SwanBio Therapeutics, and Triplet Therapeutics. Jay earned his MBA in Finance from Wharton Business School, an MSc in Chemistry from UC Berkeley, and a BA with Distinction in Chemistry from Carleton College.

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