Lacerta Bio is led by Carlos N. Velez, Ph.D., MBA.

Prior to the formation of Lacerta Bio, Dr. Velez was the Director of Business Development at Penwest Pharmaceutical Co., a leader in the development and licensing of oral controlled release technologies and products.

While at Penwest, Dr. Velez had the responsibility of out-licensing three assets (the Oral Drug Delivery technology (TIMERx), one US approved asset; and a Phase IIa asset) to companies in and outside the US. Successful transactions were completed with Valeant, Otsuka, Cobalt, and several other companies.

In parallel, Dr. Velez also scouted, assessed, and in-licensed NCEs in neurology, with a focus on niche neurological indications such as muscular dystrophy. Penwest was acquired by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 2010.

Previously, Dr. Velez served as Consultant, then Senior Consultant with The Frankel Group (now Huron Consulting), a New York-based consultancy specializing in life science strategy and transaction consulting. He served a number of clients, from start-up biotechnology companies to multinational pharmaceutical companies and venture capital firms, on a wide range of technology assessment and business development projects.

Dr. Velez started his career as a business development analyst with Genencor International (now part of Dupont), a leading manufacturer of enzymes for the food and textiles industry.

Dr. Velez holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Albany College of Pharmacy, a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MBA in Finance from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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