PANEL 2 • 11:00-11:50am
Mike Krenn is CEO of Connect, leading a mission to thoughtfully grow the innovation economy in San Diego – for the benefit of future generations. The Connect organization regularly mentors companies, helps companies secure funding, and helps existing companies to scale. Mike has been instrumental in influencing VCs to proactively seek out Southern California companies for investment. He brings more than 200 VCs annually to San Diego.
During his career, Mike has been fortunate to work with thousands of startups, helping more than 100 companies raise angel and venture capital, in excess of $800M. He’s likely read more pitch decks, advised more entrepreneurs, and helped more companies raise money than most anyone in San Diego history. Yada yada. He also has experience (and empathy) with start-ups, having worked as COO at a venture-backed tech start-up.
Carter Cliff is CEO of Papillon Therapeutics. He has raised over $250 Million as co-founder and executive of biotechnology companies developing disease-modifying genetic medicines, including Opsis Therapeutics and Kenai Therapeutics. Opsis entered a Strategic R&D Alliance with BlueRock Therapeutics (a Bayer AG company), who provided a $70 Million up-front commitment for option to three programs. Kenai raised an $83 Million Series A financing co-led by Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, Cure Ventures and The Column Group, with participation from Euclidean Capital and Saisei Ventures.
Stephanie Cherqui is Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics at the University of California San Diego. She is also the Director of the UC San Diego Gene Therapy Initiative. Her laboratory primarily centers on two research areas: the development of hematopoietic stem cells and gene therapy-based treatments for genetic disorders. Her work led to the first-in-human HSPC gene therapy clinical trial for cystinosis. She is now applying this strategy to other disorders including the neuromuscular degenerative disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, Sanfilippo C, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her work is mainly funded by grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH), California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the Cystinosis Research Foundation, Friedreich’s ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), and National MPS Society.
Dr. Devora Rossi is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, specializing in corporate and business development and innovation commercialization. As Senior Innovation & Commercialization Manager at UC San Diego, she manages a diverse portfolio of life sciences intellectual property (IP), advises scientists on IP strategy, and negotiates licenses that have contributed to the creation of numerous biotech start-ups. Dr. Rossi evaluates cutting-edge technologies, fosters collaboration with academia, and identifies valuable commercial opportunities in the biopharma sector. She has been instrumental in driving the licensing of over 100 technologies and materials, contributing to the founding of successful companies such as ARVC Therapeutics, now part of Lexeo Therapeutics. Her efforts also include connecting early-stage companies with venture capitalists, CEOs, and CSOs, and organizing impactful events such as the 2019 SBA San Diego Tour, which attracted over 200 attendees.
Dr. Laurie McNamara is a partner in the San Diego and San Francisco offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she focuses her practice on matters related to intellectual property and patent prosecution strategy for early-stage through clinical stage therapeutics companies. She counsels clients on matters related to global patent portfolio development and strategy, non-infringement, patentability, and freedom-to-operate studies. She advises company clients in connection with major financial transactions such as collaboration agreements, venture financings, merger & acquisitions, and public offerings. In addition to company-side representation, Laurie works with top venture capital firms related to IP diligence of target companies for financings. Laurie has represented venBio, OrbiMed, Logos Capital, Venrock, Foresight Capital, Novo Holdings, Vida Ventures, Avalon BioVentures, Two Bear Capital, and Samsara BioCapital, in connection with financings of target companies developing biologics therapeutic programs.
