About
Advancing a broad pipeline of next-generation therapies for chronic weight management.
Kailera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad and advanced therapeutic pipeline that is poised to deliver differentiated treatment options for obesity and related conditions. Our experienced leadership team has a track record of building companies that deliver innovative, paradigm-shifting technologies, and is positioned to drive success, ensuring that our breakthrough therapies reach those who need them most.
Backed by top-tier healthcare investors, we’re committed to developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health.
Science
Driven by a commitment to scientific and clinical excellence.
Kailera’s injectable and oral therapies are licensed from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, a leading global pharmaceutical company. We believe that the clinical evidence that exists today, collected from multiple trials and hundreds of dosed participants, underscores the potential of our programs to be best-in-class treatments for chronic weight management.
The goal of advancing our clinical programs is to help people take control over their health, empowering them with the freedom to change their quality of life.
Scientific Publications
Efficacy and Safety of HRS9531, a Novel Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor agonist, in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): A Phase 2 Trial
Efficacy and Safety of HRS9531, a Novel Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist, in Obese Adults: A Phase 2 Trial
Safety, Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Pharmacodynamics (PD) of a Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist HRS9531 in T2DM patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo and Open-label Positive-controlled Phase 1b Trial
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Pharmacodynamics (PD) of a Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist (HRS9531) in Healthy Subjects: A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Single and Multiple Ascending Dose (SAD and MAD) Study
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Pharmacodynamics (PD) of a Novel Oral Small Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist (HRS-7535) in Healthy Subjects: A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Single- and Multiple-Ascending Dose (SAD and MAD) Study
Programs
Our pipeline is diversified across mechanisms of action as well as injectable and oral routes of delivery.
*Clinical trials to date were conducted in China by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals.
Team
Led by biopharma veterans with deep industry expertise and a proven track record.
*Board of Directors is presented for informational purposes only and may not include all directors as of any given date.
Ron Renaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ron Renaud is Kailera's President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Kailera, Ron served as Cerevel Therapeutics’ President and Chief Executive Officer, where he guided the company through significant milestones, culminating in its acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Previously, Ron served as a partner at Bain Capital Life Sciences. Before Bain, he led Translate Bio as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2014 until the close of its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. During his tenure, he transformed the company from a start-up platform into a leading mRNA company.
Ron was at Idenix Pharmaceuticals from 2007 through 2014, where he served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and finally, President and Chief Executive Officer, where he streamlined operations, increased employee engagement, and more focused research and development supported by significant capital raises, he led the company to an acquisition by Merck. Earlier in his career, he was a biotechnology equity research analyst at J.P. Morgan, Schwab Soundview and Bear Stearns. Ron also spent more than five years at Amgen, where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance.
Ron earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Scott Akamine
Chief Legal Officer
Scott Akamine is Kailera’s Chief Legal Officer. He is an accomplished biopharmaceutical legal executive with experience guiding growth strategies through complex competitive, legal, and regulatory landscapes. Scott served most recently as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Cerevel Therapeutics until the company’s acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Prior to Cerevel, he served as general counsel and corporate secretary of AEON Biopharma, Inc., overseeing legal and certain administrative functions, including business development, corporate governance, intellectual property, and compliance. Before AEON, Scott held legal roles of increasing responsibility at Allergan, Inc. until the company was acquired by Actavis plc.
Scott began his legal career as a corporate attorney at Latham & Watkins. He earned his B.A. from Chapman University and his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Doug Bakan, PhD
Chief Technology Officer
Doug Bakan, PhD, is Kailera’s Chief Technology Officer. Doug has extensive expertise in all aspects of pharmaceutical drug development and commercialization along with over 35-years of experience in firms ranging in size from entrepreneurial start-ups to established publicly traded companies. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations and Quality Assurance at Ventyx Biosciences where he was responsible for all CMC and Quality activities for the company’s entire portfolio of medicines.
Prior to joining Ventyx, Doug served as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations and Quality Assurance at Arena Pharmaceuticals, a company acquired by Pfizer. He also served as Vice President, Product Development and Technical Services at Medicis Pharmaceuticals (now Valeant Pharmaceuticals), where he was responsible for more than 35 product development programs and 50 technical services projects as well as business development technical due diligence and intellectual property support.
Previously, Doug held roles at Novalar Pharmaceuticals (Vice President, Product Development), Neurocrine Bioscience (Senior Director, Development), Alerion Biomedical (Vice President, Business Development), MetaProbe LLC (Chief Operating Officer) and Molecular Biosystems, Inc. (Associate Director, Product Development). Doug has been an author on more than 50 scientific publications and is an inventor on more than 35 issued or pending patents.
Doug earned his BS in Biomedical Engineering at UC San Diego, his PhD in Biology from UC San Diego and completed post-doctoral research at the University of Michigan in the laboratories of Drs. Raymond Counsell and Jamey Weichert.
Paul Burgess
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer
Paul Burgess is Kailera’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer bringing over 20 years of experience working at both start-up companies and larger pharmaceutical organizations. Prior to joining Kailera, Paul was Chief Business Development and Strategic Operations Officer at Cerevel Therapeutics where he led the sale of Cerevel to AbbVie.
Before Cerevel, he was the chief operating officer and chief legal officer of Translate Bio where he led business development, legal, program management, quality, technical operations and partner collaborations. Earlier in his career, Paul worked at a number of companies including Scholar Rock, Civitas Therapeutics, BIND Therapeutics, Transform Pharmaceuticals, and the Genetics Institute.
Paul earned his BS from Merrimack College and an MS in Pharmacology from Northeastern University. He also received his JD from Northeastern University School of Law.
Paula Cloghessy
Chief People Officer
Paula Cloghessy is Kailera’s Chief People Officer, bringing over 20 years of human resources leadership experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. With a strong commitment to fostering dynamic, people-first cultures and high-performing teams, Paula has led human resources organizations through pivotal growth stages. Most recently, she was Chief People Officer at Seres Therapeutics, where she guided the company's growth through to the commercialization stage.
Prior to Seres, she was Chief People Officer at Translate Bio, Inc., where she shaped the people strategy as the company transitioned from an early-stage private biotech to a publicly traded entity, culminating in its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. Earlier in her career, Paula served as Vice President of Human Resources at Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc., and held key HR positions at Interleukin Genetics, Inc., and NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paula earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and holds several professional human resources designations.
Scott Wasserman, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Scott Wasserman, MD, is Kailera’s Chief Medical Officer. Scott brings deep expertise in clinical development to Kailera, spanning global development strategy, clinical trial design and execution, and global regulatory interactions. Most recently, Scott served as Venture Partner at Frazier Life Sciences, focusing on company creation. Prior to Frazier, Scott was the CEO and co-founder of Latigo Biotherapeutics, a venture-backed biotechnology company developing first and best-in-class, non-opioid pain medicines.
Before Latigo, Scott was Vice President, Global Development Therapeutic Area Head for Bone, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, and Neuroscience at Amgen. He was Amgen’s first cardiologist and built the cardiovascular and metabolic portfolios and teams. Scott led the development and global approvals of Repatha® to reduce LDL-cholesterol and prevent heart attacks and strokes. He was instrumental in the development and FDA approval of Evenity® to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high fracture risk and also led the team in the FDA approval of Aimovig® for migraine prevention. Scott oversaw therapeutic development for a range of other conditions, including heart failure, anemia, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Prior to joining industry, Scott was on faculty at Stanford University in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine conducting NIH-sponsored research on endothelial gene expression, and served as a non-interventional cardiologist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.
Scott received his BS, Magna Cum Laude from Haverford College and his MD, Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School. He completed his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University and post-doctoral cardiovascular research at COR Therapeutics, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and Stanford.
Ron Renaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ron Renaud is Kailera's President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Kailera, Ron served as Cerevel Therapeutics’ President and Chief Executive Officer, where he guided the company through significant milestones, culminating in its acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Previously, Ron served as a partner at Bain Capital Life Sciences. Before Bain, he led Translate Bio as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2014 until the close of its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. During his tenure, he transformed the company from a start-up platform into a leading mRNA company.
Ron was at Idenix Pharmaceuticals from 2007 through 2014, where he served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and finally, President and Chief Executive Officer, where he streamlined operations, increased employee engagement, and more focused research and development supported by significant capital raises, he led the company to an acquisition by Merck. Earlier in his career, he was a biotechnology equity research analyst at J.P. Morgan, Schwab Soundview and Bear Stearns. Ron also spent more than five years at Amgen, where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance.
Ron earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Scott Akamine
Chief Legal Officer
Scott Akamine is Kailera’s Chief Legal Officer. He is an accomplished biopharmaceutical legal executive with experience guiding growth strategies through complex competitive, legal, and regulatory landscapes. Scott served most recently as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Cerevel Therapeutics until the company’s acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Prior to Cerevel, he served as general counsel and corporate secretary of AEON Biopharma, Inc., overseeing legal and certain administrative functions, including business development, corporate governance, intellectual property, and compliance. Before AEON, Scott held legal roles of increasing responsibility at Allergan, Inc. until the company was acquired by Actavis plc.
Scott began his legal career as a corporate attorney at Latham & Watkins. He earned his B.A. from Chapman University and his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Doug Bakan, PhD
Chief Technology Officer
Doug Bakan, PhD, is Kailera’s Chief Technology Officer. Doug has extensive expertise in all aspects of pharmaceutical drug development and commercialization along with over 35-years of experience in firms ranging in size from entrepreneurial start-ups to established publicly traded companies. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations and Quality Assurance at Ventyx Biosciences where he was responsible for all CMC and Quality activities for the company’s entire portfolio of medicines.
Prior to joining Ventyx, Doug served as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations and Quality Assurance at Arena Pharmaceuticals, a company acquired by Pfizer. He also served as Vice President, Product Development and Technical Services at Medicis Pharmaceuticals (now Valeant Pharmaceuticals), where he was responsible for more than 35 product development programs and 50 technical services projects as well as business development technical due diligence and intellectual property support.
Previously, Doug held roles at Novalar Pharmaceuticals (Vice President, Product Development), Neurocrine Bioscience (Senior Director, Development), Alerion Biomedical (Vice President, Business Development), MetaProbe LLC (Chief Operating Officer) and Molecular Biosystems, Inc. (Associate Director, Product Development). Doug has been an author on more than 50 scientific publications and is an inventor on more than 35 issued or pending patents.
Doug earned his BS in Biomedical Engineering at UC San Diego, his PhD in Biology from UC San Diego and completed post-doctoral research at the University of Michigan in the laboratories of Drs. Raymond Counsell and Jamey Weichert.
Paul Burgess
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer
Paul Burgess is Kailera’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer bringing over 20 years of experience working at both start-up companies and larger pharmaceutical organizations. Prior to joining Kailera, Paul was Chief Business Development and Strategic Operations Officer at Cerevel Therapeutics where he led the sale of Cerevel to AbbVie.
Before Cerevel, he was the chief operating officer and chief legal officer of Translate Bio where he led business development, legal, program management, quality, technical operations and partner collaborations. Earlier in his career, Paul worked at a number of companies including Scholar Rock, Civitas Therapeutics, BIND Therapeutics, Transform Pharmaceuticals, and the Genetics Institute.
Paul earned his BS from Merrimack College and an MS in Pharmacology from Northeastern University. He also received his JD from Northeastern University School of Law.
Paula Cloghessy
Chief People Officer
Paula Cloghessy is Kailera’s Chief People Officer, bringing over 20 years of human resources leadership experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. With a strong commitment to fostering dynamic, people-first cultures and high-performing teams, Paula has led human resources organizations through pivotal growth stages. Most recently, she was Chief People Officer at Seres Therapeutics, where she guided the company's growth through to the commercialization stage.
Prior to Seres, she was Chief People Officer at Translate Bio, Inc., where she shaped the people strategy as the company transitioned from an early-stage private biotech to a publicly traded entity, culminating in its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. Earlier in her career, Paula served as Vice President of Human Resources at Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc., and held key HR positions at Interleukin Genetics, Inc., and NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paula earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and holds several professional human resources designations.
Scott Wasserman, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Scott Wasserman, MD, is Kailera’s Chief Medical Officer. Scott brings deep expertise in clinical development to Kailera, spanning global development strategy, clinical trial design and execution, and global regulatory interactions. Most recently, Scott served as Venture Partner at Frazier Life Sciences, focusing on company creation. Prior to Frazier, Scott was the CEO and co-founder of Latigo Biotherapeutics, a venture-backed biotechnology company developing first and best-in-class, non-opioid pain medicines.
Before Latigo, Scott was Vice President, Global Development Therapeutic Area Head for Bone, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, and Neuroscience at Amgen. He was Amgen’s first cardiologist and built the cardiovascular and metabolic portfolios and teams. Scott led the development and global approvals of Repatha® to reduce LDL-cholesterol and prevent heart attacks and strokes. He was instrumental in the development and FDA approval of Evenity® to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high fracture risk and also led the team in the FDA approval of Aimovig® for migraine prevention. Scott oversaw therapeutic development for a range of other conditions, including heart failure, anemia, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Prior to joining industry, Scott was on faculty at Stanford University in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine conducting NIH-sponsored research on endothelial gene expression, and served as a non-interventional cardiologist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.
Scott received his BS, Magna Cum Laude from Haverford College and his MD, Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School. He completed his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University and post-doctoral cardiovascular research at COR Therapeutics, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and Stanford.
John F. Milligan, PhD
Board Chair
John F. Milligan, PhD, is Kailera’s Board Chair. John joined Gilead Sciences as the 32nd employee in 1990 and had a 29-year career with the company, retiring as President and Chief Executive Officer in December 2018. During his tenure at Gilead, he led teams that developed, manufactured and commercialized 27 new therapies for significant unmet needs, including the first single tablet regimen for HIV treatment and the first 12-week, all oral cure for HCV. John led multiple transformative acquisitions including Triangle Therapeutics in 2003, Myogen in 2006, CV Therapeutics in 2009, Pharmassett in 2012 and Kite in 2017.
John helped the Gilead become a global organization with direct operations in 44 countries that were able to deliver Gilead’s medicines to more than 10 million patients every day. When John retired in 2018, Gilead had over 11,000 employees, sales of over $21 billion and a market cap of $85 billion. John serves as the Executive Board Chair of 4D Molecular Therapeutics (4DMT, Nasdaq: FDMT), Board Chair of PacBio (Nasdaq: PACB) and a member of the Board of Directors of TurnCare, Inc. He also served at Board Chair of Aiolos Bio prior to their acquisition by GSK in February 2024.
John received a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he has served as a trustee since 2010 and was Board Chair from 2018 until 2022, PhD in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and was an American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at San Francisco.
Will Cozean
Managing Director, Bain Capital Life Sciences
Mr. Cozean is a Managing Director of Bain Capital Life Sciences, which he joined in 2013. He was previously a part of the North American Private Equity team in the Healthcare Vertical. Mr. Cozean is a Board Director for Seran Biosciences and a Board Observer for Cardurion Pharmaceuticals and Areteia Therapeutics. He was previously a Board Observer for Cerevel Therapeutics. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Mr. Cozean was a consultant with McKinsey & Co. in the Atlanta office.
Mr. Cozean received an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and received a BS in Commerce with Distinction.
Michael Gladstone
Partner, Atlas Venture
Michael Gladstone is a partner at Atlas Venture and focuses on building new therapeutics companies. Michael is a co-founder and board member of Diagonal Therapeutics and Third Harmonic Bio (NASDAQ: THRD), and a board member of Day One Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: DAWN), Pheon Therapeutics, and several stealth NewCos. Michael was previously a board director for Aiolos Bio (acquired by GSK), Versanis Bio (acquired by Lilly), and a board observer for Akero (NASDAQ: AKRO), AvroBio (NASDAQ: AVRO), Delinia (acquired by Celgene), Replimune (NASDAQ: REPL), and Xilio Therapeutics (NASDAQ: XLO).
Prior to joining Atlas in 2012, Michael worked at L.E.K. Consulting, where he focused on business development and corporate strategy for biopharma clients. Previously, Michael worked in the Viral Pathogenesis department of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he led research on HIV vaccines with Harvard Medical School Professor Norman Letvin.
Michael received an AB in biochemical sciences with highest honors from Harvard College.
Gotham Makker, MD
Partner, RTW Investments
Gotham Makker, MD, is a partner and head of strategic investments at RTW. Prior to joining RTW, Gotham served as CEO of Simran Investment Group, LLC. Before Simran, Gotham was a healthcare portfolio manager and principal at Citadel Investment Group LLC and before that served in various analyst roles at Oracle Partners LP, covering biotechnology and medical device sectors. He began his career on the life sciences investment banking team at Hambrecht & Quist. Gotham serves on the board of directors of Rocket Pharmaceuticals.
Gotham received his MD from the University of Nebraska Medical School and completed the Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellowship at Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons and at Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital.
Ron Renaud
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ron Renaud is Kailera's President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Kailera, Ron served as Cerevel Therapeutics’ President and Chief Executive Officer, where he guided the company through significant milestones, culminating in its acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Previously, Ron served as a partner at Bain Capital Life Sciences. Before Bain, he led Translate Bio as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2014 until the close of its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. During his tenure, he transformed the company from a start-up platform into a leading mRNA company.
Ron was at Idenix Pharmaceuticals from 2007 through 2014, where he served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and finally, President and Chief Executive Officer, where he streamlined operations, increased employee engagement, and more focused research and development supported by significant capital raises, he led the company to an acquisition by Merck. Earlier in his career, he was a biotechnology equity research analyst at J.P. Morgan, Schwab Soundview and Bear Stearns. Ron also spent more than five years at Amgen, where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance.
Ron earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Amir Zamani, MD
Managing Director, Bain Capital Life Sciences
Amir Zamani is a Managing Director at Bain Capital Life Sciences and leads investments in biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies. He currently serves as a board observer at Rivus Pharmaceuticals. He previously served as a board member at Aiolos Bio (acquired by GSK) and ViaCyte (acquired by Vertex), and as a board observer at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals and Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLX). His other biopharmaceutical investments include Amunix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Sanofi) and EyeBio (acquired by Merck).
Prior to joining Bain Capital, Amir was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he was a leader in the firm’s Life Sciences Practice. Before McKinsey, he was a resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.
Amir received his MD from Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with distinction in both Biological Sciences (BS) and Economics (BA).
John F. Milligan, PhD
Board Chair
John F. Milligan, PhD, is Kailera’s Board Chair. John joined Gilead Sciences as the 32nd employee in 1990 and had a 29-year career with the company, retiring as President and Chief Executive Officer in December 2018. During his tenure at Gilead, he led teams that developed, manufactured and commercialized 27 new therapies for significant unmet needs, including the first single tablet regimen for HIV treatment and the first 12-week, all oral cure for HCV. John led multiple transformative acquisitions including Triangle Therapeutics in 2003, Myogen in 2006, CV Therapeutics in 2009, Pharmassett in 2012 and Kite in 2017.
John helped the Gilead become a global organization with direct operations in 44 countries that were able to deliver Gilead’s medicines to more than 10 million patients every day. When John retired in 2018, Gilead had over 11,000 employees, sales of over $21 billion and a market cap of $85 billion. John serves as the Executive Board Chair of 4D Molecular Therapeutics (4DMT, Nasdaq: FDMT), Board Chair of PacBio (Nasdaq: PACB) and a member of the Board of Directors of TurnCare, Inc. He also served at Board Chair of Aiolos Bio prior to their acquisition by GSK in February 2024.
John received a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he has served as a trustee since 2010 and was Board Chair from 2018 until 2022, PhD in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and was an American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at San Francisco.
Will Cozean
Managing Director, Bain Capital Life Sciences
Mr. Cozean is a Managing Director of Bain Capital Life Sciences, which he joined in 2013. He was previously a part of the North American Private Equity team in the Healthcare Vertical. Mr. Cozean is a Board Director for Seran Biosciences and a Board Observer for Cardurion Pharmaceuticals and Areteia Therapeutics. He was previously a Board Observer for Cerevel Therapeutics. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Mr. Cozean was a consultant with McKinsey & Co. in the Atlanta office.
Mr. Cozean received an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and received a BS in Commerce with Distinction.
Michael Gladstone
Partner, Atlas Venture
Michael Gladstone is a partner at Atlas Venture and focuses on building new therapeutics companies. Michael is a co-founder and board member of Diagonal Therapeutics and Third Harmonic Bio (NASDAQ: THRD), and a board member of Day One Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: DAWN), Pheon Therapeutics, and several stealth NewCos. Michael was previously a board director for Aiolos Bio (acquired by GSK), Versanis Bio (acquired by Lilly), and a board observer for Akero (NASDAQ: AKRO), AvroBio (NASDAQ: AVRO), Delinia (acquired by Celgene), Replimune (NASDAQ: REPL), and Xilio Therapeutics (NASDAQ: XLO).
Prior to joining Atlas in 2012, Michael worked at L.E.K. Consulting, where he focused on business development and corporate strategy for biopharma clients. Previously, Michael worked in the Viral Pathogenesis department of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he led research on HIV vaccines with Harvard Medical School Professor Norman Letvin.
Michael received an AB in biochemical sciences with highest honors from Harvard College.
Gotham Makker, MD
Partner, RTW Investments
Gotham Makker, MD, is a partner and head of strategic investments at RTW. Prior to joining RTW, Gotham served as CEO of Simran Investment Group, LLC. Before Simran, Gotham was a healthcare portfolio manager and principal at Citadel Investment Group LLC and before that served in various analyst roles at Oracle Partners LP, covering biotechnology and medical device sectors. He began his career on the life sciences investment banking team at Hambrecht & Quist. Gotham serves on the board of directors of Rocket Pharmaceuticals.
Gotham received his MD from the University of Nebraska Medical School and completed the Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellowship at Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons and at Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital.
Ron Renaud
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ron Renaud is Kailera's President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Kailera, Ron served as Cerevel Therapeutics’ President and Chief Executive Officer, where he guided the company through significant milestones, culminating in its acquisition by AbbVie in 2024. Previously, Ron served as a partner at Bain Capital Life Sciences. Before Bain, he led Translate Bio as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2014 until the close of its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021. During his tenure, he transformed the company from a start-up platform into a leading mRNA company.
Ron was at Idenix Pharmaceuticals from 2007 through 2014, where he served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and finally, President and Chief Executive Officer, where he streamlined operations, increased employee engagement, and more focused research and development supported by significant capital raises, he led the company to an acquisition by Merck. Earlier in his career, he was a biotechnology equity research analyst at J.P. Morgan, Schwab Soundview and Bear Stearns. Ron also spent more than five years at Amgen, where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance.
Ron earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Amir Zamani, MD
Managing Director, Bain Capital Life Sciences
Amir Zamani is a Managing Director at Bain Capital Life Sciences and leads investments in biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies. He currently serves as a board observer at Rivus Pharmaceuticals. He previously served as a board member at Aiolos Bio (acquired by GSK) and ViaCyte (acquired by Vertex), and as a board observer at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals and Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLX). His other biopharmaceutical investments include Amunix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Sanofi) and EyeBio (acquired by Merck).
Prior to joining Bain Capital, Amir was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he was a leader in the firm’s Life Sciences Practice. Before McKinsey, he was a resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.
Amir received his MD from Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with distinction in both Biological Sciences (BS) and Economics (BA).
Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD
Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Koslapp Therapeutics. Prior to founding Koslapp, he served as founding CEO and later President and CSO of Versanis Bio, an obesity company acquired by Eli Lilly & Co. Previously, he was Adicet Bio’s Chief Innovation Officer after its merger with resTORbio and currently serves as an independent Director.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Klickstein was Head of Translational Medicine for the Exploratory Disease Area at Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research and prior to that, was an academic physician-scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).
Dr. Klickstein received his BS degree from Tufts University, his MD and PhD degrees from Harvard University, completed post-graduate clinical training in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology at BWH and a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Center for Blood Research in Boston.
Darren K. McGuire, MD, MHSc
Dr. Darren K. McGuire, MD is a general cardiologist in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a clinical trialist with expertise in large-scale CV outcomes trial design and execution, and drug registration/regulation, with a focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Medicine with Tenure, is the Jere H. Mitchell, MD Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Science and is the Lead Physician of the Parkland Health Cardiology Clinics.
Dr. McGuire has participated in numerous international cardiovascular clinical outcomes trials, including T2DM, obesity, and lipid trials. He is a previous member of the FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. Additionally, Dr. McGuire is Deputy Editor of Circulation, Senior Editor of Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research, and co-editor of the textbook: Diabetes in Cardiovascular Disease: A Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease. He has authored/co-authored over 500 peer-reviewed manuscripts, reviews, editorials and book chapters and is recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.
Dr. McGuire earned his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at UT Southwestern. He then received advanced training in cardiology through a fellowship at Duke University. He also earned a master’s degree in health sciences in clinical trials at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Alan Moses, MD, FACP
Dr. Alan Moses is an independent consultant for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector with extensive experience in both academia and industry. He served for nearly five years as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of the Joslin Diabetes Center, specifically responsible for the operation of the Joslin Clinic.
In 2004, Dr. Moses joined Novo Nordisk, Inc rising through several positions to ultimately become a Senior Vice President and the Global Chief Medical Officer stationed in Copenhagen. He retired from Novo Nordisk in June 2018 to pursue independent consulting. He has written over 100 papers and articles on the treatment of diabetes, is an Editor of the Fourteenth edition of Joslin’s Diabetes Mellitus.
Dr. Moses currently serves of the Board of Directors of two nonprofit diabetes organizations: The diaTribe Foundation and Joslin Diabetes Center. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of BiomX and Chemomab Inc, two clinical phase biotechnology companies.
Dr. Moses received a BS from Duke University and an MD from Washington University School of Medicine prior to training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, and Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in Endocrinology and Metabolism and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD
Lloyd Klickstein, MD, PhD, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Koslapp Therapeutics. Prior to founding Koslapp, he served as founding CEO and later President and CSO of Versanis Bio, an obesity company acquired by Eli Lilly & Co. Previously, he was Adicet Bio’s Chief Innovation Officer after its merger with resTORbio and currently serves as an independent Director.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Klickstein was Head of Translational Medicine for the Exploratory Disease Area at Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research and prior to that, was an academic physician-scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).
Dr. Klickstein received his BS degree from Tufts University, his MD and PhD degrees from Harvard University, completed post-graduate clinical training in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology at BWH and a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Center for Blood Research in Boston.
Darren K. McGuire, MD, MHSc
Dr. Darren K. McGuire, MD is a general cardiologist in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a clinical trialist with expertise in large-scale CV outcomes trial design and execution, and drug registration/regulation, with a focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Medicine with Tenure, is the Jere H. Mitchell, MD Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Science and is the Lead Physician of the Parkland Health Cardiology Clinics.
Dr. McGuire has participated in numerous international cardiovascular clinical outcomes trials, including T2DM, obesity, and lipid trials. He is a previous member of the FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. Additionally, Dr. McGuire is Deputy Editor of Circulation, Senior Editor of Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research, and co-editor of the textbook: Diabetes in Cardiovascular Disease: A Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease. He has authored/co-authored over 500 peer-reviewed manuscripts, reviews, editorials and book chapters and is recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.
Dr. McGuire earned his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at UT Southwestern. He then received advanced training in cardiology through a fellowship at Duke University. He also earned a master’s degree in health sciences in clinical trials at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Alan Moses, MD, FACP
Dr. Alan Moses is an independent consultant for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector with extensive experience in both academia and industry. He served for nearly five years as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of the Joslin Diabetes Center, specifically responsible for the operation of the Joslin Clinic.
In 2004, Dr. Moses joined Novo Nordisk, Inc rising through several positions to ultimately become a Senior Vice President and the Global Chief Medical Officer stationed in Copenhagen. He retired from Novo Nordisk in June 2018 to pursue independent consulting. He has written over 100 papers and articles on the treatment of diabetes, is an Editor of the Fourteenth edition of Joslin’s Diabetes Mellitus.
Dr. Moses currently serves of the Board of Directors of two nonprofit diabetes organizations: The diaTribe Foundation and Joslin Diabetes Center. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of BiomX and Chemomab Inc, two clinical phase biotechnology companies.
Dr. Moses received a BS from Duke University and an MD from Washington University School of Medicine prior to training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, and Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in Endocrinology and Metabolism and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.