Our Team.
Meet Our Team
The Lerna Bio management and scientific team comprises experienced biotech and life science professionals with diverse expertise ranging from research and development, business development, clinical affairs, manufacturing, and commercialization.
General Management & Scientific Team
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Chief Executive Officer
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Kathy He
Seasoned and insightful biopharmaceutical industry executive with over 20 years of experience in helping to grow multiple global companies, leading many successful strategic collaborations and fundraising events. Extensive US and China cross-border business leadership experience in start-ups and MNCs, including at Kira Pharmaceuticals, Abbisko Therapeutics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co. and Abbott Labs.
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Chief Scientific Advisor
Sergei M. Gryaznov,PHD
A leader in nucleic acid therapeutics who held key leadership roles in Janssen Pharma (part of Johnson and Johnson family of companies), Geron Corporation and MAIA Bio-technology. Co-author of more than 120 scientific publications and co-inventor on more than 50 issued or pending patents.
Vice President, Chemistry
Rajendra Pandey,PHD
A pioneer in nucleic acid therapeutics at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and held senior leadership positions at prominent pharmaceutical companies including Aligos Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals. Co-author of 27 scientific publications and co-inventor on 22 issued or pending patents.
Senior Director, Finance
Eileen Wang
Financial and accounting expert with more than 15 years of experience in the corporate financing arena, with responsibilities ranging from auditing and internal control, to corporate fundraising and M&A deals, while working in multinational as well as private companies.
Director, Research
Binxia Yang, PHD
MD/PhD scientist with more than 10 years of experience in iPSC and translational regenerative medicine. Co-author of 15 scientific publications and co-developer of multiple technologies and therapies related to eye disease and oncology.
Director, Chemistry
Sissi Lin,PHD
US-trained organic chemist with extensive research experience in nucleic acid chemistry and biomedical application of nucleic acids. Co-author of multiple scientific publications and co-inventor on several patents.
Director,
Preclinical Development
Caiyun Deng,PHD
Preclinical development specialist with experience in preclinical development and IND application for various therapeutic modalities including monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and small nucleic acids. Recipient of multiple competitive research grants and co-author on several international peer-reviewed research articles.
Vice President, Biology
Si Hui Tan, PHD
Stanford-educated cancer biologist with publications in Nature and Science and more than 10 years’ research experience in cancer, stem cell and regeneration. In recognition of her outstanding research, she was awarded several grants and the President’s Young Scientist Award.
Scientific Advisory Board
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Co-founder and Scientific Advisor
Torsten Wuestefeld, PHD
Seasoned scientist with over 2 decades of target discovery experience for liver diseases. Principal Investigator at Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS, A*STAR)
Co-founder and Advisor
Yann Chong Tan, PHD
Stanford-educated serial entrepreneur and a successful inventor with extensive experience in the biotech space, who co-founded and held senior leadership roles in Atreca, a Nasdaq-listed biotech, and Nuevocor.
Scientific Advisor
Professor Scott Friedman
Dean for Therapeutic Discovery and Chief of the Division of Liver Diseases, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. A pioneer in the research of chronic liver disease-induced fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell and has received numerous awards for his contributions including the International Hans Popper Award by the Falk Foundation, International Hans Popper the EASL International Recognition Awards, the AASLD Distinguished Award and the American Liver Foundation Distinguished Award
Scientific Advisor
Kai Lin, PHD
Seasoned drug discovery and development expert with over 20 years of experience in biotechs and pharmas such as Novartis, Vertex, Atea, Enanta and Idenix. Contributor to 15 INDs and 2 NDAs, across multiple modalities including siRNA and author of 40+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Currently SVP, Head of Research at Aerium Therapeutics. Kai received PhD in Biochemistry from University of Pennsylvania.
Scientific Advisor
Dr Xinyi Su, PHD
Graduated from University of Cambridge, Xinyi is a Clinician-Scientist, Retinal Surgeon and Research Director at the Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore (NUS). As Divisional Director and Senior Principal Investigator at Institute of Molecular Cell Biology (IMCB, A*STAR), her lab's research interests are in developing biomaterials, translational stem cell and nucleic acid therapeutics for degenerative retinal diseases.
Scientific Advisor
Mark Muthiah,
MBBS, FRCP, FAMS
Clinician-scientist expert in NASH, end stage liver diseases and liver transplant, with experience ranging from basic and translational science to clinical trials. Currently Assistant Professor at National University of Singapore, Consultant of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Centre for Organ Transplantation at National University Health System (Singapore). Received numerous awards and grants for clinical and research achievements.
Scientific Advisor
Tony Ho, MD
Veteran entrepreneur-drug developer with extensive experience and track record in biotech and pharma, having been EVP, Head of R&D at CRISPR Therapeutics, SVP and Head of Oncology Integration and Innovation at AstraZeneca, Head of Neurology and Ophthalmology at Merck and Co-Founder and CSO of Neuronyx. Currently Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at University of Pennsylvania and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University.
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Scientific Advisor
Melissa Palmer,
MD, FAASLD
Internationally renowned Hepatologist and biotech/pharma executive with leadership experience as CMO of Gannex/Ascletis, Head of Liver Disease Clinical Development at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Shire Pharmaceuticals and Kadmon Corporation. Hepatology consultant to more than 60 biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and PI on numerous clinical trials in NASH and other liver diseases. Author of over 100 publications, abstracts, manuscripts, book chapters, a best-selling book on liver disease, guidelines with colleagues from the FDA. Previously clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and director of Hepatology at NYU Plainview with MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
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Scientific Advisor
Professor Stuart Forbes
Chair of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh University and a Hepatologist Consultant at the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. An expert in liver regeneration and liver diseases who has been researching into cell therapies for liver diseases.