WATCH webinar

Dr. Haak-Frendscho serves as President and CEO of Spotlight Therapeutics. She has over two decades of expertise in the discovery, translation and early development of novel therapeutics primarily for the treatment of immunological and oncological diseases. Prior to Spotlight, she was a venture partner with Versant Ventures and CEO of Blueline Bioscience, Versant’s vehicle for new company creation in Canada. Earlier Dr. Haak-Frendscho established and served as Chairman of Compugen, Inc., CEO of Igenica Biotherapeutics, and was the founding President and CSO of Takeda San Francisco. Mary began her industry career at Genentech, where she played a key role in the development of omalizumab (Xolair®).

Dr. Haak-Frendscho has 70 scientific publications and over 40 patents. An immunologist by training, she received her BS from the University of Michigan, MLA from Washington University, MS from SUNY-Stony Brook, CSEP from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and PhD from the University of Wisconsin. Learn More

Linda and her team at Pullan Consulting offer biotech and pharmaceutical companies consulting in all aspects of partnering. Linda has a PhD in Biochemistry, a BS in Chemistry, and over twenty years of drug industry experience, including work on more than 75 deals. Learn More

Dr. Bowdish joined PIC Therapeutics as its President & CEO in August 2020, bringing more than 20 years of biopharmaceutical business and scientific leadership to the company. 

Kathy was most recently at Sanofi, where she launched and led Sanofi Sunrise, a venture investment and partnering vehicle to accelerate early-stage pioneering science for patients benefit, and more recently served as Vice President and Head of R&D Strategy.

Prior to her leadership roles at Sanofi, Kathy co-founded or led several early-stage life science companies focused on biological therapies. Kathy’s positions include President & CSO, Permeon Biologics; President & CEO, Anaphore; President, Alexion Antibody Technologies and Senior Vice President, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Founder, CEO & CSO, Prolifaron, prior to its acquisition by Alexion. 

Kathy has served on the Boards of Directors of MyoKardia, Warp Drive Bio, Portal Instruments, Thermalin, Permeon Biologics, Anaphore and Prolifaron, and most recently as an Observer on the DiCE Molecules Board. Kathy received her Ph.D. in molecular genetics from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and her B.Sc. degree in biology from the College of William and Mary. Learn More

Carolyn Ng is Managing Director at Vertex Ventures HC. At Vertex HC, Carolyn leads venture investments across biotechnology, medical devices, and health technology fields. Carolyn currently serves on the Board of Directors for Epirium Bio, Obsidian Therapeutics, Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boundless Bio, and Nuvaira. She led Vertex HC’s investment into Elevate Bio, was previously on the Board of Directors of Bicycle Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCYC), and a Board Observer for Visterra before it was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical for USD430M. She has previously closely supported Vertex’s investment into Twelve (acquired by Medtronic for USD458M). Working across the US, Europe and Asia, she plays an active role in expanding the geographical reach of Vertex HC and its portfolio companies for cross-border collaborations, business development and syndication.

She started her healthcare training in the oncology pharmacy department of the National University Cancer Institute of Singapore, where first-hand clinical experience inspired her to pursue scientific research in oncology. As an oncology scientist, she is deeply passionate about innovation that impacts patients’ lives. Prior to joining Vertex, Carolyn was also a Pharma Strategy Consultant at Deallus Consulting, a specialized London-headquartered life sciences consulting firm where she led global strategic projects for clientele comprised of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies.

Carolyn holds a PhD in Cancer Molecular Biology from the NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Technology (NGS), where she was a recipient of the prestigious NGS PhD Scholarship. As an inventor and patent holder of a novel small molecule nuclear receptor activator indicated for the treatment of neuroblastoma, her research work was awarded the AAPS-NUS Prize (American Association of Pharmaceutical Society-National University of Singapore). She also holds a BS degree in Pharmacy with First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore, where she received the PSS Prize for Pharmaceutics awarded to the top graduating student in the class.

Outside of Vertex, Carolyn is a retired competitive squash player, a high-intensity interval training enthusiast, and an aspiring but untalented oil painter. Learn More