A team built around first-in-class biology

Nenad Tomasevic co-founded Dren Bio as CEO in May 2019 and has served on our board of directors since inception. Dr. Tomasevic most recently served as VP of Research for Allakos, a company he helped co-found after identifying the original opportunity for developing therapeutic antibodies against Siglec-8. During his time at Allakos, he was responsible for all research and nonclinical development functions. Prior to co-founding Allakos, Dr. Tomasevic previously held positions at KaloBios and Nuvelo, where his focus was on the development of therapeutic antibodies. Dr. Tomasevic began his career at Cytokinetics after receiving his PhD in protein chemistry from the University of Belgrade and completing his postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch) in Bethesda, Maryland.

Amit Mehta joined Dren Bio in October 2023 and currently serves as our COO and CBO. Dr. Mehta most recently served as the VP and Head of Business Development at Genentech.

In this role, Dr. Mehta was a core member of the Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED) Leadership Team, Research Review Committee, Early Stage Portfolio Committee and led a high-performing team that helped source and execute several strategic partnerships. During his 18-year tenure at Genentech, Dr. Mehta held roles of increasing responsibility that spanned process development, manufacturing, product strategy and business development. He led multiple teams over the years that made significant contributions to numerous early and late-stage programs, helped shape therapeutic area strategies and established vital external partnerships across technology platforms, personalized healthcare, and several therapeutic areas. Dr. Mehta received his Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Bangalore University and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Jeff Macfarland joined Dren Bio in May 2021 and currently serves as our EVP of Finance. Mr. Macfarland most recently served as VP of Finance for Allakos. During his time at Allakos, he helped raise over $900 million in private and public company financings, including their initial public offering in July 2018. Prior to joining Allakos, Mr. Macfarland provided finance and accounting consulting services to early stage, pre-IPO life science companies, including work on multiple S-1 filings. Mr. Macfarland began his career at Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms, after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany.

Benjamin Kozub joined Dren Bio in May 2026 and currently serves as our SVP, Head of Commercial. Mr. Kozub most recently served as SVP of Commercial at CymaBay Therapeutics, leading global and U.S. commercial strategy, commercial infrastructure buildout, the launch of the company's first commercial product, and post-acquisition integration efforts following CymaBay's acquisition by Gilead Sciences. Prior to joining CymaBay, Mr. Kozub held roles of increasing responsibility at Gilead, including serving most recently as Executive Director of the company's PrEP franchise. During his time at Gilead, he was responsible for the build-out of the U.S. HIV Prevention business unit, led multiple global product launches for HIV treatment as the Global Commercial Strategy Lead, and supported the global expansion of the hepatitis B franchise as Senior Director, Global Commercial & New Product Planning. Mr. Kozub received his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Loyola University Maryland.

Sridhar Viswanathan joined Dren Bio in June 2021 and currently serves as our EVP of Process Sciences and Manufacturing Operations. Dr. Viswanathan most recently served as SVP of Process Sciences and Manufacturing Operations for CytomX Therapeutics. During his time at CytomX, he helped establish and lead their 30-person CMC team to advance CytomX’s pipeline based on a novel Probody technology platform developing conditionally active biologics. Prior to joining CytomX, Dr. Viswanathan co-founded a CMC consulting company, Fawkes Bio, and held executive level process development and manufacturing operations positions at Perseid Therapeutics and Maxygen. Dr. Viswanathan began his career at Rockefeller University after receiving his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Wan-Jen Hong joined Dren Bio in November 2024 and currently serves as our Head of Oncology Clinical Development. Dr. Hong most recently served as SVP of Clinical Development at Prelude Therapeutics, where she led the clinical development of hematology assets. Before joining Prelude, Dr. Hong served as Chief Medical Officer at Imago BioSciences and was a Group Medical Director at Genentech in their late-stage clinical development group. Dr. Hong received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University, where she completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology and continues to serve as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in Hematology.

Shalini Gidwani joined Dren Bio in August 2025 and currently serves as our SVP of Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Gidwani most recently served as a regulatory consultant and, prior to that, was SVP of Regulatory Affairs at Allogene Therapeutics. During her time at Allogene, she built the regulatory function and led the filing of multiple INDs, advancing the lead CD19-directed CAR T asset toward registration. Prior to joining Allogene, Ms. Gidwani held regulatory roles of increasing responsibility at AbbVie, Gilead, Alza (a Johnson & Johnson company), and SyStemix (a Novartis company). In these roles, she led U.S. marketing approvals for three novel drugs. In addition, she facilitated global approvals spanning North America, Europe, Canada, and Asia, and supported U.S. and global clinical research aimed at advancing multiple novel therapeutics. Her expertise spans early development through approval and post-marketing across multiple therapeutic areas. Ms. Gidwani began her career at Genentech after receiving her Master of Science in Biochemistry from the Maharaja Sayajirao University in India.

That Nguyen joined Dren Bio in September 2021 and currently serves as our VP of Quality. Mr. Nguyen most recently served as Head of Quality for Catalyst BioSciences. During his time at Catalyst BioSciences, he led the Quality team in building their systems and processes to support GxP activities and their Phase 3 development program. Prior to joining Catalyst BioSciences, Mr. Nguyen oversaw Quality at CytomX Therapeutics as their VP of Quality. Mr. Nguyen held roles of increasing responsibility at PharmAthene and Wuxi AppTec. Mr. Nguyen began his career at The Scripps Research Institute after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego.

Jake Rasmussen joined Dren Bio in January 2022 and currently serves as our VP of Clinical Operations. Mr. Rasmussen most recently served as Executive Director of Clinical Project Management at Allakos. During his time at Allakos, Mr. Rasmussen supported late-stage development of the company’s lead clinical program being evaluated for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Prior to joining Allakos, Mr. Rasmussen served as Senior Director of Clinical Operations at ZS Pharma, where he was a key member of the company’s clinical team responsible for executing pivotal studies of Lokelma, an approved treatment for adults with hyperkalaemia. Mr. Rasmussen began his career working in the capital markets, spending time working for the NASDAQ and within sell-side healthcare equity research at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, after receiving his MBA from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Rachel Warren joined Dren Bio in 2020 and currently serves as our Head of Strategy and Portfolio Management. Ms. Warren most recently served as Project Manager at Allakos. During her time at Allakos, Ms. Warren supported technical operations and advancement of the company’s lead asset into late-stage development. Prior to joining Allakos, Ms. Warren held roles of increasing responsibility in upstream process development and manufacturing at OncoMed Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Warren received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Jennifer Richardson joined Dren Bio in September 2021 and currently serves as our VP of Nonclinical Development. Dr. Richardson most recently served as VP of Pharmacology and Toxicology for CytomX Therapeutics. During her time at CytomX, she led pharmacology, toxicology and bioanalysis functions in support of discovery research and product development for a portfolio of conditionally active antibodies. Prior to joining CytomX, Dr. Richardson held Director of Preclinical Development roles at ARCA Biopharma, Nuvelo, Abgenix and was a Senior Scientist at Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Richardson began her career at Harvard University Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute after obtaining her PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Leicester. Dr. Richardson has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology since 2011.

Kevin Leong joined Dren Bio as our Vice President of Oncology Research in March 2024. Dr. Leong most recently served as Senior Director of Tumor Biology at Exelixis, leading oncology discovery efforts focused on new target identification and validation, cellular assay development and screening, and pharmacodynamic biomarker identification and assessment. Prior to joining Exelixis, Dr. Leong served as Director at Omniox, where he headed the Oncology Research group responsible for advancing their lead biologic candidate from preclinical oncology studies through late-stage development. Dr. Leong began his career at Genentech, where he held roles of increasing responsibility in Discovery Oncology after obtaining his PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Anna Hyatt joined Dren Bio in September 2024 and currently serves as our Head of Intellectual Property, Risk & Compliance. Ms. Hyatt most recently served as Senior Patent Agent - Specialist at Genentech, where she directed global IP strategies across early-stage and commercial portfolios, negotiated intellectual property terms in strategic collaborations and licensing agreements, and pioneered initiatives to enhance knowledge management and professional development within the legal organization. Prior to joining Genentech, Ms. Hyatt served as Patent Agent - Technology Specialist at Fish & Richardson, advising life sciences companies on patent portfolio development, due diligence, and IP strategy. Ms. Hyatt began her career at Darby & Darby after receiving her PhD in Immunology from Yale University.

Thayne Holyoak joined Dren Bio in October 2021 and currently serves as Corporate Controller. Mr. Holyoak most recently served as Controller at Berkeley Lights, where he led all areas of accounting and helped facilitate the company’s successful IPO in July 2020. Prior to joining Berkeley Lights, Mr. Holyoak held roles of increasing responsibility in accounting at Atara Biotherapeutics and Bill.com.

Rajeev joined SR One in 2004 and is an alum of the Kauffman Fellows Program. His prior and current investments include Adheron, iPierian, True North, Propeller Health, Concert Pharmaceuticals, CyDex Pharmaceuticals, NeuroTherapeutics Pharma, Tranquis Therapeutics, IlluminOss Medical and Avhana Health. Rajeev also spent time with GSK’s competitive excellence group, where he worked on company-wide strategic projects and operational projects. Prior to SR One, Rajeev worked at Genentech, where his role included technology and clinical development, and at Bio-Rad Laboratories in a product development role. Rajeev received his B.A. in chemistry and mathematics from Knox College, his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Stanford University.

Mr. Sakae Asanuma established Taiho Ventures as the founding President in 2016. Prior to this position, he was President and CEO at Astellas Venture Management and U.S. Head of Astellas Innovation Management from 2011-2015. Before joining Astellas, he worked for Yasuda Enterprise, a Japan/US-based VC firm from 2000-2011. He has invested in more than 50 biotech companies since 2000 and majority of which achieved IPOs or M&As. During his tenure at Taiho and Astellas, Mr. Asanuma closed dozens of research collaborations with academia and biotech ventures, including several build-to-buy or spin-out deals.

Alex Kolicich focuses on IT and Bio-IT investments.

Prior to joining 8VC, Alex was a Partner at Formation 8. Alex has also worked with Peter Thiel as a Principal at Mithril Capital Management, a growth-stage venture fund, where he helped lead investments in AppDirect, C2FO and Helion Energy.

Preceding his venture career, Alex worked as engineer and early-product advisor at Clarium, Palantir, and Google. He was an early member of the Clarium Capital quantitative engineering team (with Joe Lonsdale) and close advisor/collaborator with the early Palantir team; advising on product design and contributing to the product. At Google Research, Alex worked on Google Street-Views before and during launch. Preceding Street-Views, also at Google, he worked on the development and launch of the Google Checkout product.

Chandra P. Leo joined the Private Equity Team of HBM Partners in 2007. His board and investment experience includes biotech and medtech companies such as ChemoCentryx (IPO NASDAQ), ESBATech (acquired by Alcon/Novartis), Homology Medicines (IPO NASDAQ), ObsEva (IPO NASDAQ), Symbiomix Therapeutics (acquired by Lupin), CardiacAssist (acquired by LivaNova) and Gynesonics.

Prior to HBM, Chandra served as a postdoctoral scientist at Stanford University Medical Center, as a physician at the University Hospital Leipzig (Germany) and as a principal in the life sciences team at Wellington Partners. He completed his medical studies in Berlin and London and holds a doctoral degree from the Freie Universität Berlin (Charité) and an MBA degree with distinction from INSEAD.

Dr. Schiff joined Aisling in 2000 and serves as one of the Managing Partners. Prior to Aisling, Dr. Schiff practiced internal medicine for six years at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he maintains his position as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Schiff currently serves as a director of Aclaris Therapeutics and Monte Rosa Therapeutics. His prior board service includes Adams Respiratory Therapeutics (acquired by Reckitt Benckiser), Agile Therapeutics, ArgiNOx Pharmaceuticals, ARMGO Pharma, Barrier Therapeutics (acquired by Stiefel Laboratories), Bioenvision (acquired by Genzyme), CardioKine (acquired by Cornerstone), Cempra Pharmaceuticals, F2G, Harmony Biosciences, Miramar Labs (acquired by Sientra), Myogen (acquired by Gilead Sciences), PowerVision (acquired by Alcon), Quintiles (now IQVIA), SkinMedica (acquired by Allergan), Sirion Therapeutics (licenses acquired by Alcon), TransEnterix, Zavante Therapeutics (acquired by Nabriva) and ZELTIQ Aesthetics (acquired by Allergan). He is a longtime supporter and board member of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Dr. Schiff received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and his B.S. with honors in Neuroscience from Brown University.

Gorjan Hrustanovic, PhD is a Partner at BVF Partners, where he is responsible for overseeing biotech investments for both private and public companies. Dr. Hrustanovic currently serves on the board of directors of Olema Pharmaceuticals, Kymera Therapeutics, Forward Therapeutics, Plexium, and also served on Board of Nimbus Therapeutics and Rain Therapeutics.

Prior to joining BVF in 2015, Dr. Hrustanovic obtained his PhD in cancer biology and cell signaling at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with a primary focus on precision medicine and resistance to targeted therapies in lung cancer. His graduate research led to publications in leading scientific journals such as Nature Medicine and others. Dr. Hrustanovic earned a BS degree in molecular biology, and a BS in economics and management science from the University of California, San Diego.

Robert is a passionate biotechnologist with a diverse skillset spanning business, life science, engineering and intellectual property. Robert Blazej has 10 years of operational experience both as a successful entrepreneur and as a leader within an international corporation.

Robert was CEO of Allopartis Biotechnologies, a company he co-founded with the vision that mircrodoplets would transform the scale and pace of life science research. Allopartis was acquired by Novozymes in 2013. After the acquisition, Robert directed Novozymes’ Digital Biotechnology unit in San Francisco and lead global biotechnology scouting efforts.

Robert earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering jointly from UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. He is a published contributor to the human, drosophila, and canine genome projects.

Dr. Luehrsen is currently a consultant and independent board member at Dren Bio and has over 25 years of experience working with monoclonal antibodies. His prior roles and consulting work include KaloBios, Allakos, Complete Genomics, Omniox, and GPCR Therapeutics. Earlier in his career, Dr. Luehrsen held research positions at Roche, Motorola, and Applied Biosystems. Dr. Luehrsen received his BS and MS in Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and completed his postdoctoral training at Stanford University. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on numerous patents.