VIPIN SURI, PhD, MBA
Summary
Visionary biotechnology executive with 26+ years of global leadership across pharmaceutical, biotech, venture capital, and startup ecosystems. Recognized for building and scaling breakthrough oncology, cell therapy, gene therapy, and metabolic disease platforms from concept through clinical development and value-creating exits. Proven record of securing over $150M+ in venture financing, advancing multiple first-in-class and best-in-class therapeutics into clinical development, leading IND-enabling strategies, and driving enterprise growth. Trusted partner to Boards, investors, and C-suite leaders, combining scientific innovation, capital strategy, regulatory expertise, and high-performance team leadership to deliver transformational impact in precision medicine.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Scientific Leader
CLASP THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, MA
04.2024 - Current
- Advanced precision oncology T-cell engager pipeline, driving two programs toward first-in-human studies including CLSP-1025 (dose escalation) and CLSP-5282 (IND planned 2026).
- Directed research, translational strategy, and clinical positioning of differentiated peptide-HLA platform targeting oncogenic mutations in solid tumors.
- Led board-level R&D communications, investor presentations, and strategic fundraising initiatives supporting corporate growth objectives.
- Partnered with executive leadership to define enterprise strategy, operational infrastructure, and long-term clinical expansion roadmap.
Chief Scientific Officer | Co-Founder
CATAMARAN BIO
Boston, MA
03.2020 - 04.2024
- Co-founded and scaled allogeneic cell therapy company; secured $75M in Series A financing from leading venture capital and pharma investors.
- Advanced two solid tumor cell therapy programs to development candidates and initiated regulatory interactions.
- Built and led cross-functional R&D organization (35+ FTEs) across synthetic biology, cell engineering, CMC, process development, and translational sciences.
- Oversaw program management, intellectual property strategy, preclinical development, and global CRO partnerships to accelerate IND readiness.
Co-Founder & Vice President, Discovery
OBSIDIAN THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, MA
03.2016 - 03.2020
- Co-founded next-generation gene and cell therapy company; secured $49.5M Series A financing.
- Built and validated the cytoDRiVE™ regulated transgene expression platform enabling controlled cell therapy therapeutics.
- Advanced three adoptive cell therapy programs to in vivo proof-of-concept and one into Phase I clinical trials.
- Executed multi-year strategic pharma partnership, achieving key technical and milestone deliverables.
Entrepreneur-in-Residence / Advisor
ATLAS VENTURE
Cambridge, MA
07.2013 - 03.2020
- Conducted scientific and commercial due diligence across early-stage biotech investments for Fund IX and X.
- Co-built and operationalized portfolio companies including Raze Therapeutics and Obsidian Therapeutics.
- Structured company formation strategy, platform positioning, and leadership team recruitment.
- Identified high-value academic partnerships and emerging therapeutic platforms.
Co-Founder & Head of Biology
RAZE THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, MA
07.2013 - 02.2016
- Secured $24M Series A funding to launch metabolism-focused oncology and fibrosis platform.
- Delivered cellular proof-of-concept for three novel metabolic targets within 24 months.
- Established global virtual biology operations across US, Europe, and Asia CRO networks.
- Enabled strategic transaction of lead asset with multinational pharmaceutical partner.
Director & Head of Pharmacology
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK)
Cambridge, MA
04.2010 - 07.2013
- Led pharmacology and biomarker strategy advancing SRT3025 into clinical trials.
- Discovered molecular signature of SIRT1 activation establishing translational biomarker platform.
- Managed and mentored team of 8+ scientists delivering IND-enabling pharmacology packages.
- Initiated and managed 10+ academic collaborations accelerating compound progression.
Principal Research Scientist II and Progressive Le
WYETH (Now Pfizer)
Cambridge, MA
09.2000 - 03.2010
- Led cross-functional drug discovery team from target identification through IND filing (HSD-621; Phase Ib).
- Directed six discovery programs across small molecules, biologics, and nucleic acid therapeutics.
- Developed HTS-compatible assays and PK/PD translational frameworks accelerating lead optimization.
- Served on Metabolic Diseases Strategy Team and chaired multi-year cardiovascular business planning initiative.
Education
MBA (Executive), Healthcare Leadership
Yale School of Management
New Haven, CTSkills
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Pharmacology
- Translational
- Biomarkers
- Regulatory
- Fundraising
- Leadership
- Strategy
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Mentorship
- Execution
- Vision
CORE COMPETENCIES
Precision Oncology | Cell Therapy | Gene Therapy | Immuno-Oncology | Translational Medicine | Drug Discovery | IND Strategy | Clinical Development | Platform Innovation | Venture Capital | Fundraising | Business Development | Regulatory Affairs | PK/PD | Biomarkers | Preclinical Development | Synthetic Biology | Corporate Strategy | Board Governance
BOARD & GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE
Board of Directors – Raze Therapeutics
Scientific Advisory Board – Polymed Biopharmaceuticals
Board of Directors – Brandeis University Alumni Association
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
- 20+ issued and pending patents in immunotherapy and regulated protein expression systems
- 14+ peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (Nature Communications, Cell Metabolism, PNAS)
- Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year Award
- Fluent in English and Hindi
KEYWORDS EMBEDDED FOR ATS
Precision Oncology | T-cell Engagers | CAR-T | Allogeneic Cell Therapy | Gene Therapy | IND Filing | GLP Toxicology | Clinical Trials | Series A Financing | Venture Capital | PK/PD Modeling | Biomarker Strategy | CMC | Regulatory Strategy | Synthetic Biology | Drug Development | Immuno-Oncology | Platform Technology | Board Reporting | Due Diligence | Business Development | Strategic Partnerships | Preclinical Development | Translational Science
Timeline
Executive Scientific Leader
CLASP THERAPEUTICS
04.2024 - Current
Chief Scientific Officer | Co-Founder
CATAMARAN BIO
03.2020 - 04.2024
Co-Founder & Vice President, Discovery
OBSIDIAN THERAPEUTICS
03.2016 - 03.2020
Entrepreneur-in-Residence / Advisor
ATLAS VENTURE
07.2013 - 03.2020
Co-Founder & Head of Biology
RAZE THERAPEUTICS
07.2013 - 02.2016
Director & Head of Pharmacology
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK)
04.2010 - 07.2013
Principal Research Scientist II and Progressive Le
WYETH (Now Pfizer)
09.2000 - 03.2010
MBA (Executive), Healthcare Leadership
Yale School of Management