Jake Simson

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Jake Simson

Jake Simson is a Partner at RA Capital Management. Jake works on both public and private investments and serves as a Board Director for Xenikos, B.V, Janux Therapeutics, Tyra Biosciences, AavantiBio, and DiCE Molecules. Previously, Jake covered solid tumor oncology landscapes. Jake holds a B.S. in materials science and engineering from MIT and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. In his doctoral research, he investigated clinically translatable treatments for musculoskeletal tissue repair using injectable hydrogels.

Dominik Naczynski, PhD

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Dominik Naczynski, PhD

Dominik Naczynski, Ph.D., joined Boxer Capital, LLC in 2014. As Senior Vice President, Dr. Naczynski is responsible for conducting due diligence of public and private investments in healthcare. In his role, he also serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for Cedilla Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Naczynski received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University. He completed his postdoctoral training in radiation oncology at the Stanford University School of Medicine where his research focused on the application of novel nanomaterials for molecular imaging of cancer. He was also a graduate of the Ignite Program in the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He has authored and been the recipient of research grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and Department of Defense.  He has also published in leading scientific journals and is listed as a co-inventor on several medical device patents.

Rosana Kapeller, M.D., Ph.D.

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Rosana Kapeller, M.D., Ph.D.

Rosana Kapeller is the co-founder, CEO and president of ROME Therapeutics and a fellow at GV (formerly Google Ventures), focused on the intersection of therapeutics and machine learning. In her former role as the founding CSO at Nimbus Therapeutics, Rosana led the company’s drive to apply advanced computational technologies to the design and development of novel therapeutics. In her eight years at Nimbus, she assembled a strong scientific team that validated the company’s platform and advanced multiple promising programs. Before joining Nimbus, Rosana worked as vice president of research at Aileron Therapeutics. She started her career as a scientist at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, where she advanced through positions of increasing responsibility to director. Rosana has served as an adviser to Atlas Venture and has a consultant to Third Rock Ventures. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular physiology from Tufts University and a M.D. from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Neil Exter, MBA

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Neil Exter, MBA

Neil Exter brings more than two decades of experience in biotech business development and strategy. A partner at Third Rock Ventures, he has served in key leadership roles at more than a dozen portfolio companies, including Bluebird Bio, Goldfinch Bio and Revolution Medicines. Before joining Third Rock in 2007, Neil was chief business officer of Alantos Pharmaceuticals and led the sale of the company to Amgen. He also served as vice president at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, directing in-licensing and M&A. Neil holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a master’s degree from Stanford University.

Abbie Celniker, Ph.D.

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Abbie Celniker, Ph.D.

Abbie Celniker brings 30 years of experience in R&D and senior leadership roles. A partner at Third Rock Ventures, she focuses on the formation, development and strategy of portfolio companies. She has served as president and CEO of Eleven Biotherapies and Taligen Therapeutics and as a board member and interim chief executive officer at Goldfinch Bio. Abbie has also served as the global head of biologics of Novartis AG, the senior vice president of R&D strategy and operations of Millennium Pharmaceuticals (now Takeda) and the vice president of protein technologies of the Wyeth Research facilities. Abbie is a member of the MassBio board of directors, a member of the board of ImaginAb, where she was previously the chair, and a member of the scientific advisory board for Adimab. She is also a member of the board of directors of the nonprofit Unitio and T1D. She has a B.A. in biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Arizona.

Eli Casdin, MBA

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Eli Casdin, MBA

Eli Casdin founded Casdin Capital in 2011 after nearly ten years spent focused on disruptive technologies and business models in life sciences and healthcare, including authoring the black book, The Dawn of Molecular Medicine. Casdin Capital’s combination of long-term vision and strong industry relationships keep it focused on the big picture yet nimble, while maintaining a consistent approach: Take aim at big markets; Invest in great ideas and great teams; Stay focused; Avoid hubris. Prior to founding Casdin Capital, Eli was a Vice President and Analyst at Alliance Bernstein and a member of its “thematic” based investment group, responsible for researching and investing in the implications of new technologies for the life science and healthcare sectors. Eli’s early experience includes time at Bear Stearns and at Cooper Hill Partners, one of the earliest biotechnology focused investment firms. Eli earned his B.S. from Columbia University and his MBA from Columbia Business School and serves on the Columbia University School of GS Board of Directors.

Chris Bowden, M.D.

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Chris Bowden, M.D.

Dr. Bowden joined Agios as chief medical officer in May 2014​.  He has more than ​20 years of experience in clinical drug development, including the approval of several cancer medicines ​with the most recent being TIBSOVO® approvals for IDH1 mutation positive AML in the U.S. Prior to joining Agios, Dr. Bowden was vice president product development oncology, franchise lead (Signaling Group) at Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group. During Dr. Bowden’s eight years at Genentech, he was responsible for the successful development of a number of novel targeted oncology medicines, including Zelboraf™ for patients with BRAF V600E positive melanoma and Tarceva™ for patients with EGFr activating mutation positive, non-small cell lung cancer. From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Bowden was the executive director for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) regions for Bristol-Myers Squibb. In this role, he led medical affairs strategies for cancer, immunology and pain medicines. Earlier, Dr. Bowden held positions of increasing responsibility in oncology clinical development, Phases I-III at Pharmacia Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc. Prior to his industry experience, Dr. Bowden was on the oncology faculty at the University of Virginia Health Science Center where he participated in numerous industry and cooperative group trials. Dr. Bowden received his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia followed by internal medicine training at Roger Williams Medical Center and the Providence VA Medical Center, Rhode Island. He completed his medical oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute Medicine Branch. Dr. Bowden is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, and he serves on the board of directors at Ziopharm Oncology Inc.

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