Biocom California Names the Ninth Annual Life Science Catalyst Award Winners

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SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES & SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Biocom California, the association representing the California life science industry, today announced the winners of its ninth annual Life Science Catalyst Awards. The awards celebrate rising and accomplished academics, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders and business advisers who are making significant contributions to the life science industry in California before reaching their 40th birthday.

Sophia Lugo and the Radar Therapeutics team. Photo by Jim Block.

“For nine years now, our Catalyst Award has honored exceptional young leaders who are impacting the life science industry now and are positioned for even greater influence in the future,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom California. “This year’s list of leaders, including many founders and co-founders, have demonstrated exceptional skill, insight and passion in their respective areas within the life science ecosystem, including drug development, venture capital, business consulting and nonprofit advocacy. I’m delighted to celebrate these up-and-coming leaders.”

Biocom California selected the 10 winners from an impressive pool of nominees from all facets of the life science industry, including pharma, diagnostics, venture funding, industrial biotech and digital health. The nominees were vetted statewide by a panel of industry leaders, subject matter experts and past winners who considered their impact to their company, community and industry, as well as their accomplishments, leadership, innovation and contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion.

In alphabetical order, the Life Science Catalyst Award winners are:

Denise Bronner, Ph.D., founder & CEO, Empactful Ventures
Tyler Brown, Ph.D., founder, chair and president, OUTbio San Diego
Nick Goeden, Ph.D., co-founder and chief technology officer, Capsida Biotherapeutics
Michael Henderson, M.D., CEO, Apogee Therapeutics
Sophia Lugo, co-founder, chairman and CEO, Radar Therapeutics
Ana Moreno, Ph.D., founder and CEO, Navega Therapeutics
Nindhana Paranthaman, M.D., executive medical director of clinical development, Summit Therapeutics
Kevin Parker, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder, Cartography Biosciences
Hunter Reed, vice president, Alexandria Venture Investments at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
David Weinberg, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO, ParcelBio

The award winners will be highlighted in the Biocom California LifeLines digital platform and newsletter, on social media platforms and celebrated at the Annual Gala on November 21, 2024.

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Biocom California Names the Ninth Annual Life Science Catalyst Award Winners

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HOPO Therapeutics Awarded Up to $226 Million from BARDA for Advanced Development of its Oral Decorporation Agent for Heavy Metal Toxicity

NIH Awards ResVita Bio a $2M Phase II SBIR Grant for Continuous Protein Therapy for Netherton Syndrome

ARIZ Precision Medicine Announces Grant of Key US Patent Covering Lead Cancer Drug

L’Oréal and Bakar Labs Join Forces To Advance Bio-Based Cosmetic Testing and Product Development