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Dennis Podlesak

CEO and Chair

Dennis is the Chairman and CEO of Transposon and a co-founder of the company. Dennis is also the Chairman of Syndax Pharmaceuticals (SNDX) and a Managing Partner of Canaan Partners’ Axcelius LLC which is the largest investor in Transposon. Dennis is also an Advisory Partner to Domain Associates, a life science venture capital firm Dennis joined as a Partner in 2007.

Following a successful career as a Senior Pharmaceutical Executive, Dennis transitioned to becoming a bio-tech CEO and venture capitalist. Dennis has been an active investor, a company founder and the CEO or Executive Chairman for a number of biotech companies resulting in multiple successful exits, IPOs, and novel new drug approvals across a variety of therapeutic areas.

Most recently, Dennis served as Chairman of Tobira Therapeutics (TBRX) and led the growth and sale of Tobira to Allergan. Dennis previously served on the Board of Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) through its growth and acquisition by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Dennis was a founding investor and Board member of RightCare Solutions through its acquisition by Cardinal Health.

Earlier in his career, Dennis served as the CEO of Peninsula Pharmaceuticals and, after building the company, led its IPO and concurrent sale to Johnson & Johnson. Dennis was also a founder and CEO of Cerexa and led its growth and sale to Forest Laboratories. Dennis was also a founder and CEO of Calixa Therapeutics and successfully led the growth and subsequent sale to Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Dennis also served as Executive Chairman of Corthera and, after repositioning the company into the cardiovascular space, led the sale of Corthera to Novartis AG.

Prior to Domain, Dennis served as Head of the North American Business Unit for Novartis AG and a member of Novartis' Pharmaceutical Executive Committee and Global Leadership Team. Earlier in his career, Dennis served as Vice President, Head of the CEC Division of Allergan and a member of Allergan's Global and North American Management Teams. Dennis spent the first ten years of his career with SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). Dennis received a B.A. and MBA from Pepperdine University and has completed post-graduate studies at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.