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Mr. Venkataraman is the Founder of Avego and an experienced operating executive from the pharmaceutical industry. He was also CEO of Amplitude Healthcare Acquisition Corporation, a life sciences focused special purpose acquisition company, until its merger with Jasper Therapeutics in September 2021. Since 2003, Mr. Venkataraman has launched, financially sponsored, and successfully built six pharmaceutical companies. Previously, Mr. Venkataraman was Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Vidara Therapeutics until its sale to Horizon Pharma in September 2014. Prior to founding Vidara Therapeutics, Mr. Venkataraman was the Co-Founder and CEO of Alaven Pharmaceutical from 2003 until its sale to Meda Pharma in October 2010. Mr. Venkataraman also served as COO, CFO, and VP of Business Development, Strategic Planning and Operations at First Horizon Pharmaceutical (now Shionogi Pharma). Mr. Venkataraman completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Madras and holds an MS in Chemistry from Case Western University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Vandervort joined Avego in 2015.  His background ranges across numerous positions in the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical services industries, including the 3PL DDN Pharmaceutical Logistics and the ultra-orphan drug specialty pharmacy Centric Health Resources, as well as leadership roles in business development for West-Ward Pharmaceuticals and IGI Laboratories (now Teligent, Inc.).  As a sales leader for DDN and Centric, Mr. Vandervort built a brand for each company as the service provider of choice, as evidenced by the rapid growth in new clients and profitability for both companies.  Mr. Vandervort led M&A for West-Ward and was part of the team that acquired Baxter’s multi-source injectable business as well as numerous products that expanded West-Ward’s R&D portfolio to include NDAs as well as paragraph IV challenges. With IGI laboratories, Mr. Vandervort led multiple M&A transactions, including deals with Valeant and Concordia, as well as the acquisition of the Canadian generic injectable company, Alveda Pharma, Inc.  Mr. Vandervort has a BA from Bethany College in Bethany, WV and an MA from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mr. Flexner joined Avego in 2017. Previously, he was an investment professional with Metalmark Capital, where he focused on leveraged buyout transactions and growth equity investments in healthcare companies. Mr. Flexner began his career as an investment banker in the Global Healthcare Group at Morgan Stanley, where he executed multiple transactions across the life sciences and healthcare services industries. Mr. Flexner graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA degree in Economics and Chemistry.

Mr. Morgan has a career spanning nearly two decades through both the healthcare industry as well as fundamental asset management.  From 2018 to 2020, he was a Senior Analyst at healthcare dedicated Broadfin Capital covering the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to Broadfin Capital, Mr. Morgan was a Senior Analyst covering Medical Devices and Specialty Pharmaceuticals at Iguana Healthcare from 2015-2017, and from 2014-2015 he was an Analyst at Pura Vida Investments, where he covered global Medical Devices. Mr. Morgan transitioned from the healthcare industry through a sell-side role as a Research Associate at Cowen and Company on the firm’s Medical Supplies & Devices team that bolstered his financial acumen against a strong fundamental understanding of the industry. He also spent over a decade at various medical device companies in expanding leadership roles ranging from engineering to sales and marketing to strategy and brings a deep operational understanding of the sector. Mr. Morgan received his BS in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. ​

Mr. Kapoor joined Avego in 2021. He was also President of Amplitude Healthcare Acquisition Corporation, a life sciences focused special purpose acquisition company, until its merger with Jasper Therapeutics in September 2021. Previously, Mr. Kapoor was Chief Business Officer of Iveric bio (formerly known as Ophthotech). At Iveric, he was responsible for acquiring an industry-leading portfolio of gene therapy and therapeutic assets in ophthalmology. Prior to Iveric, Mr. Kapoor was responsible for business development and portfolio strategy in his role as Director of Corporate Development at NPS Pharma, which was acquired by Shire in 2015 for $5.2 billion. Prior to NPS, Mr. Kapoor spent 9 years at Genentech in a variety of positions, including leading strategy for ophthalmology and CNS pipeline assets, Lucentis marketing, commercial assessments for business development and medical affairs. In addition, Mr. Kapoor has previously worked at Pfizer. Mr. Kapoor holds an MBA in Finance and Management from Columbia Business School and a BA in Biology from Columbia University.

Mr. McNeill joined Avego in 2018. Previously, he was a Vice President at Leerink Partners, a healthcare-only investment bank. Mr. McNeill began his career at Lazard where he also advised middle-market healthcare companies. During his investment banking career, Mr. McNeill executed over 15 strategic transactions for companies in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Mr. McNeill graduated from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BS degree in Business Administration.

Dr. Eric Pham joined Avego in 2024. Previously, he was a Vice President at Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities (formerly known as Cowen Healthcare Opportunities), where he was an investor in mid-to-late stage private and public biotechnology companies developing novel therapies for patients with high unmet need. Dr. Pham served as Board Observer or Director for Anaveon, Aro Biotherapeutics, Escient Pharmaceuticals, MapLight Therapeutics, MBrace Therapeutics, and Arch Oncology. Prior to Blue Owl, Dr. Pham was a Senior Analyst on the Investments Team at Roivant Sciences, where he focused on identifying, evaluating, and acquiring promising therapeutic programs for further development. Dr. Pham received his BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Houston.

Dr. Liu joined Velan in 2023. He has nearly a decade of healthcare investing experience, focusing on small and midcap therapeutics. Previously, he was an Analyst at Altium Capital covering the biotech sector. Prior to Altium, he was as a Senior Analyst at Iguana Healthcare covering biopharma. Dr. Liu began his career as an equity research associate covering Biotechnology at RBC Capital Markets. Dr. Liu received his PhD in Molecular Biology from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and did his thesis work in cell cycle regulation at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He graduated from Stanford University with a BS in Biological Sciences with honors.

Mr. Liao joined Avego in 2021. Previously, he was a Vice President at Signet Healthcare Partners, where he focused on growth equity and venture investments in pharmaceutical products (branded and generics), pharmaceutical services, and medical device companies. Mr. Liao’s notable investment experience includes Vigene Biosciences, Goodwin Biotechnology, and Leading Pharma. Mr. Liao began his career as an investment banker in the healthcare groups at Nomura and Jefferies after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business with an MS degree in Accounting and a BS degree in Finance, Accounting, and Economics.

Dr. Kuo joined Avego in 2024 with a focus on biotech therapeutic companies at pre-clinical and clinical stages. Dr. Kuo’s life sciences industry experience includes various roles – as an investor, a drug developer, and a translational scientist. Prior to joining Avego, she was at RA Capital, working on both public and private investments, as well as serving on boards and as a scientific advisor. Previously, she was a drug developer at Pfizer, where she led oncology drug discovery projects to enable portfolio transitions to lead optimizations or IND enabling studies across small and large molecules. She began her career as a translational scientist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where she worked to optimize allogeneic T-cell therapies for transplant patients suffering from viral infections. Dr. Kuo received a Ph.D. in Immunology from Weill Cornell Medical College.

Mr. Savani joined Avego in 2020. Previously, he was an investment banker at Piper Sandler, where he executed multiple transactions in the life science tools & diagnostics and healthcare services sectors. Mr. Savani holds an BS in Business Administration from North Carolina State University and an MS in Finance from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Balani joined Avego in 2024, bringing extensive experience in business and corporate development. Most recently, he led Business Development at Escient Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Incyte. Previously, he served as Director of Business Development at Zogenix, playing a key role in the company’s acquisition by UCB. Dr. Balani also held various positions at Bayer, where he focused on U.S. Business Development & Licensing and Global Mergers, Acquisitions & Licensing, managing in-licensing initiatives, acquisitions, and asset divestitures. Earlier in his career, he worked as a consultant in Huron’s Corporate and Operational Consulting group. Dr. Balani earned his PharmD from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and a B.S. from DePaul University.

Mr. Jo joined Avego in 2022. Previously, he was an investment banking Associate in the healthcare group at Nomura Securities. While at Nomura, Mr. Jo executed multiple transactions for companies in the life sciences and healthcare services sectors. Mr. Jo graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School with a BBA in Finance & Accounting.

Mr. Yip joined Avego in 2024. Previously, he was an associate on the healthcare team at Marathon Asset Management, where he focused on acquiring drug royalties and providing capital solutions to commercial-stage life sciences companies. Mr. Yip began his career at J.P. Morgan and later joined the healthcare investment banking team at Mizuho, where he executed multiple transactions across the broader healthcare industry. Mr. Yip graduated from NYU with a BS in Economics.

Ms. Romano joined Avego in 2023. She previously worked at Pura Vida Investments, a healthcare-focused investment firm, where she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer beginning in 2018. From 2008 to 2017, Ms. Romano worked at Arrowstreet Capital, a quantitative equity firm in Boston that manages global equity portfolios for institutional investors around the world. At Arrowstreet, she was the Partner in charge of the Fund Group, which was responsible for fund structuring, formation, launch and ongoing operations and administration of investment funds with $23 billion in assets under management. Prior to Arrowstreet, she was Vice President of Operations in the Alternative Investment Group at Bank of America, an Assistant Controller at TA Associates Realty, and a Manager in the Alternative Investment Group at PwC. Ms. Romano received her M.S./M.B.A in Accounting from Northeastern University.

Mr. Martin joined the firm in 2023. He has nearly two decades in private fund capital raising and investor relations. Previously, he was a Principal and Head of Business Development at Newbrook Capital, a long/short and long-only equity fund manager. His prior experience includes serving as Head of Business Development at Arrow Capital, an event-driven fund manager, as a Principal at Atlantic-Pacific Capital, and as a Vice President at Credit Suisse in the Private Fund Group. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, he  spent six years in investment banking at J.P. Morgan. Mr. Martin received an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BBA degree in Finance from James Madison University.

Mr. Berk joined Avego in 2022. Previously, he was Assistant Controller at ZMC Advisors, where he gained experience working on all aspects of the firm’s funds and management company. Prior to joining ZMC, Mr. Berk worked for Ernst & Young as an Assurance Manager in their Wealth and Asset Management practice, where he audited a variety of unregistered and registered investment companies. Mr. Berk graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and International Business. Mr. Berk also earned an MS in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University School of Medicine and an MS in Accounting from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. Mr. Berk is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Marino joined Avego in 2024. Previously, he worked as a Senior Accountant at Interval Partners, LP, an alternative asset management firm. Prior to joining Interval Partners, Mr. Marino was an Accounting Manager at Pura Vida Investments, a healthcare-focused investment firm, and from 2019-2022, Mr. Marino was an Associate at One William Street Capital Management, which manages a diversified portfolio of structured credit. Mr. Marino began his career working on the Finance and Accounting team at AMG Funds, a boutique investment manager. Mr. Marino received his B.S. in Business Administration, with concentration in Finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Ms. Lucky joined Avego in 2022. Previously, she was an administrative assistant/office manager at Gage Spencer and Fleming LLP, where she oversaw daily operations in the office. She has over six years of experience in customer service and sales. In her prior roles, Ms. Lucky was responsible for leading teams, including providing development and training, while also understanding and addressing the needs of a wide variety of clients. Ms. Lucky graduated from the University of Tampa – John Sykes College of Business with a BA degree in Business Management.

Dr. Nohria currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Saol Therapeutics and Sebela Pharmaceuticals. He is an experienced biotechnology entrepreneur and drug developer with a track record of success in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Dr. Nohria is a board-certified neurologist with special qualification in child neurology. Dr. Nohria co-founded Vidara Therapeutics in 2011 and served as its President and Chief Medical Officer until the company’s sale to Horizon Therapeutics in 2014. In the past, Dr. Nohria was part of the founding team of Alaven Pharmaceutical and Alaven Consumer Health LLC and served as its Chief Medical Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Executive Vice President from 2008 until its sale to Meda Pharma in 2010. Additionally, Dr. Nohria worked for Eli Lilly on Zyprexa and at UCB, where he was clinical lead for submission and commercialization of Keppra in the United States. Between 2003 and 2005, he was Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Xcel Pharmaceuticals where he led development of retigabine (ezogabine) for the treatment of epilepsy. Dr. Nohria’s medical training was conducted at the University of Cambridge in England. His postgraduate training was completed in the United Kingdom and the United States at Duke University. He also holds a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology and has authored many publications and book chapters.

Dr. Devane currently serves as a board member to Saol Therapeutics and Sebela Pharmaceuticals. Most recently, Dr. Devane was Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) with Horizon Pharma Ireland Ltd. and previously (2012-2014) served as CSO to Vidara Therapeutics Research Ltd. In the past, Dr. Devane was part of the founding team of AGI Therapeutics plc. and served as its CEO from 2004-2012. Additionally, Dr. Devane founded and led Athpharma Ltd. as CEO from 2002-2005. Dr. Devane worked for Elan Corporation from 1981 to 2001 and held various senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President R&D (1993-2001) and Senior Vice President Clinical & Regulatory, where he led key clinical trial programs in the USA and negotiated NDA approvals directly with FDA. During the period 1990 to 2001, Dr. Devane and his team were responsible for 6 NDA and 3 ANDA approvals. Dr. Devane has had a long career designing and successfully delivering major product development programs spanning activities in preclinical, clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, and intellectual property. He has a deep knowledge in pharmacology, drug delivery, clinical development, regulatory affairs and intellectual property. Dr. Devane is the inventor/co-inventor on many granted and pending patent applications and has also been widely published in scientific/medical literature. His graduate and post-graduate scientific training was conducted at University College in Dublin, Ireland. He received a diploma in Accounting & Finance (ACCA) by exam and received a certificate and diploma from the Institute of Directors (UK) by exam relating to their Chartered Director Program.