Investor panel: What it takes to build a fundable biotech – with Life Science Nation

Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, Certara

Geoff brings 20+ years of regulatory and business expertise across the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific (with in-depth experience in Japan, China, and Korea), and the Middle East, having lived and worked in many countries throughout his career. He is an entrepreneur and global subject matter expert in regulatory affairs and product development, including medical devices, having founded and led several of his own companies. Geoff’s work sits at the intersection of health tech and regulatory strategy, driving innovation by helping organizations translate scientific and technical progress into compliant, market-ready outcomes.

Managing Director, Technomark Life Sciences

Allen Hakimi, Managing Director and CEO of Technomark. Mr. Hakimi joined Technomark Consulting Service Ltd. in the UK in 2006 and has successfully led its corporate transition to Technomark Life Sciences, which now invests via a co-development business model, by sharing the cost of pre-clinical development in exchange for downstream remuneration. Under this new co-funding model, Technomark has invested in 14 development programs, with successful exits of three programs through large pharma (Wyeth/Pfizer, BMS, D-Pharm Israel), and a fourth through IPO. 

Senior Associate / EIR, Xontogeny

Jayanth is a Senior Associate at Xontogeny leveraging his diverse skill set to aid the due diligence efforts of the Xontogeny investment team.

Jayanth is experienced in building up multiple biotech and medtech ideas including cell therapies (cancer & autoimmune), engineered enzymes & antibodies, core needle biopsy devices, infectious disease diagnostics, and urinary microvalves. Over the course of advancing prior projects, Jay has been involved with TuckLab and Tuck-Magnuson Startup Incubator and is driven to aid in the advancement of biomedical innovations.

Jayanth received an AB degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, a BE degree in Biomedical Engineering and MEng degree in Biological/Chemical Engineering from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering. While at Dartmouth, Jay was an active member of the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network (DEN) Associates/Magnuson Center Student Leadership Board.

Investment Director

Robert has a successful background in venture capital and Big Pharma, with companies such as GSK and Eli Lilly. He is a passionate startup entrepeneur with experience in university technology transfer. Robert holds a BSc in Physiology and a PhD in Neurophysiology.

TegMine Therapeutics

Jeff brings over 17 years of pharmaceutical and biotech experience spanning Merck and Stemcentrx. He holds a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from UCLA and contributed to the development of V114, an approved glycoconjugate vaccine. His background combines 8+ years advancing pre-clinical cancer drug leads with 5+ years in process development for clinical-stage therapeutics, giving him a rare view across the full arc from early discovery through manufacturing readiness.