Catalys Pacific Strengthens Company Creation Team with New Operating Partner
Tokyo, Japan – November 4, 2020
Catalys Pacific announced that Mr. Jay Shepard has joined the team at Catalys Pacific as Operating Partner. He will focus on creating new life sciences venture companies and advising portfolio companies for growth and further development.
Jay brings 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech and drug delivery industries with his extensive corporate leadership and multiple product successes to his role as Operating Partner.
In addition to working for Catalys Pacific, he currently serves as Chairman of The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and is on the board of directors of Esperion Therapeutics, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, and Craig Hospital, a world-renowned center for specialty rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury.
Prior to his current positions, he joined Versartis as President and CEO in May 2015. In 2018 when Versartis merged with Aravive, he became CEO of the newly formed company until January of 2020 when he retired. He was an Executive Partner at Sofinnova Ventures until May 2015. Previously, he served as President and CEO of NextWave Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pfizer), Ilypsa (acquired by Amgen), and interim CEO of Relypsa (Ilypsa’s spin-out company, which was acquired by Galencia). He has participated in or led over 16 product launches by preparing markets and establishing sales and marketing operations, having served as Vice President of Commercial Operations at Telik and Alza Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Johnson & Johnson).
He holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Arizona.
“We are delighted to welcome Jay to our team, who brings over 35 years in life sciences. Jay’s leadership, ethics, entrepreneurship, and network will provide significant value to our current companies and coming creations.” said BT Slingsby, Founder & Managing Partner of Catalys Pacific.
“People who have the ability to believe that they can make a meaningful difference in changing the world are the ones that do. I am proud to work with a group of individuals at Catalys Pacific that are doing just that.” said Jay.
About Catalys Pacific
Catalys Pacific is an independent venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in life sciences. Founded in 2019, the firm’s mission is to focus on providing healthcare solutions for patients worldwide through the creation of and investment in bioventure companies. Catalys Pacific is led by a global team versed in working closely with its partners in academia, biotech, venture capital and the pharmaceutical industry in Japan and worldwide. The firm maintains offices in Tokyo and Kanagawa (Shonan Health Innovation Park), Japan and in San Francisco, California.
Please see https://catalyspacific.com for more information.