WuXi Healthcare Ventures Appoints Renowned Life Science Entrepreneur, Gregory Verdine, Ph.D. as newest Venture Partner

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Healthcare Ventures ("WXHV") announced today the addition of Gregory Verdine, Ph.D., Erving Professor at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School Professor and serial entrepreneur, as its newest Venture Partner.

Dr. Verdine has made numerous important contributions in the translation of bench science to the bedside and has founded, or co-founded, multiple successful biotechnology companies including: Enanta Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq ENTA), Gloucester Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene), Tokai Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq TKAI), WaVe Life Sciences (Nasdaq WVE), Eleven Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq EBIO), Warp Drive Bio, Aileron Therapeutics, and FogPharma. He also co-founded the non-profit Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy.

"Dr. Verdine brings tremendous experience and expertise in life science research, new company formation and early stage operational management to WXHV and its portfolio companies developing innovative products," said Wei Li, WXHV Founding Partner. "In addition, his inspiration and past experience in cross-border activities between the US and Asia suits our investment strategy and need very well. We are honored to add Greg to our growing team. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead, building great companies together that change how future drugs are discovered and developed."

Dr. Verdine is also a leading figure in the field of new therapeutic modalities, and has developed a new class of therapeutics termed stapled peptides, which are currently in clinical development and have received much attention for their ability to drug targets previously considered "undruggable." Dr. Verdine holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University, a B.S. in chemistry from St. Joseph's University, and served as an NIH postdoctoral fellow in molecular biology at MIT and Harvard Medical School.

"WuXi Healthcare Ventures offers a genuinely unique and powerful platform from which to build global drug discovery companies focused on next-generation therapeutics. I am thrilled and honored to join the team of exceptional individuals in this fund who are working together to develop transformative pharmaceutical solutions to the most vexing medical problems of our day," said Dr. Verdine.

About WuXi Healthcare Ventures

WuXi Healthcare Ventures is a leading, cross-border venture capital firm focused in the life sciences and healthcare fields, with offices in Shanghai and Boston. The firm has assembled a team of seasoned investors and company builders with deep roots in science, technology and innovation. The firm's mission is to find, seed and develop life science and healthcare businesses that can benefit the most from the firm's operational expertise, strategic support, capital and the patience of a long-term perspective. For more information, please visit: http://www.wuxiventures.com

SOURCE WuXi Healthcare Ventures

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