Director

Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D.

Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. rejoined our Board in December 2024. She previously served on our Board from July 2018 to August 2022. From February 2009 to October 2015, Dr. Heron served as Chair and CEO of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private drug development company acquired by Pfizer, Inc. in April 2021.

Dr. Heron currently serves on the boards of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN), a commercial stage company with eight marketed products including seven with orphan designation, Vaxart, Inc. (VXRT), a public clinical-stage biotechnology company which is developing oral vaccines, Visgenx, Inc., a private early-stage ophthalmology company, BlueWhale Bio, a private early-stage company developing products for cell therapy manufacturing, and Watershed Therapeutics, Inc., a private early-stage urology company. Dr. Heron is also an advisor to K2X Technology and Life Science, Inc., a FinTech company developing a vehicle for investing in early-stage companies.

From July 2001 to October 2008, Dr. Heron was Chair and CEO of Labcyte Inc., a private biotechnology tools company. Before joining Labcyte Inc., she spent six years in positions of increasing responsibility at the Applied Biosystems Group of Applera Corporation, a biotechnology tools company, including the positions of General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Dr. Heron holds a B.S. in Chemistry with highest distinction and a Ph.D. in Analytical Biochemistry from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.