Biocom California Names the Ninth Annual Life Science Catalyst Award Winners

10 life science trailblazers under the age of 40 recognized across California

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.

“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.

About Biocom California

Biocom California is the leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 1,800 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom California provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to our San Diego headquarters, Biocom California operates core offices in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with satellite offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers.

For more information on Biocom California, please visit our website at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and X (@BIOCOMCA).

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