MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sofinnova Investments, a healthcare investment firm, announced today the appointment of Jakob Dupont, M.D., to the investment team as an Executive Partner.
Dr. Dupont brings more than two decades of experience in the field of oncology and other therapeutic areas, in developing therapies and programs dedicated to addressing high unmet medical needs. He was previously Global Head of Research & Development (R&D) and Executive Vice President at Atara Biotherapeutics, where he helped lead efforts to secure regulatory approval of the first-in-kind product, Ebvallo® and advancing a multiple sclerosis candidate (ATA188) to a key Phase 2 read out. Prior to Atara, he served as the Chief Medical Officer at Gossamer Bio, overseeing global development, regulatory, and quality activities for the company, and advancing therapeutics in the disease areas of immunology, inflammation, and oncology.
Prior to his role at Gossamer Bio, Dr. Dupont served as Vice President and Global Head of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Development for Genentech/Roche, where he was responsible for the global development of Herceptin®, Perjeta®, Kadcyla®, Tecentriq®, among others, and where he previously led the development of Avastin® for GYN and Breast Cancers when starting his industry career. He was also Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he oversaw the successful submissions of eight investigational new drug applications (INDs) and 26 clinical trial initiations. Through his industry career he has contributed to 12 regulatory approvals and 13 successful IND filings.
Dr. Dupont has been involved in tumor immunology research and clinical investigations for more than 25 years, ranging from antibodies, to ADC, to targeted therapies, cell therapy, immune check point inhibitors and other novel therapies. He has received numerous grants and awards, and has co-authored 47 peer-reviewed publications, has 18 patents, and has also served as a faculty member and laboratory researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and adjunct clinical faculty in medical oncology at Stanford University.
“We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jakob for a number of years, he has had a broad impact across the healthcare landscape, and we are extremely pleased to have him join us,” said Jim Healy, M.D., Ph.D., Managing Partner, Sofinnova Investments. “With Jakob’s track record of leading and advancing numerous clinical programs dedicated to addressing high unmet medical needs, in particular within the field of oncology, he will add incredible value to our team and our portfolio companies by helping select and support new clinical-stage investment opportunities.”
“I’m excited to join the Sofinnova Investments team and look forward to contributing to the long-term success of the organization and patients by focusing on robust science and therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs across Sofinnova’s portfolio,” said Dr. Dupont.
Dr. Dupont received his M.D. from the Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, his M.A. in philosophy from New York University, and his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Vassar College. He also served as Assistant Chief Resident and completed his Medical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), his Internal Medicine Residency at the New-York Presbyterian Hospital — Cornell Campus, and his Internal Medicine Internship at The University of Michigan Medical Center.
About Sofinnova Investments
Sofinnova Investments is a healthcare investment firm committed to funding innovative products that aspire to meaningfully impact the lives of patients. We invest in both private and public equity companies. Sofinnova actively partners with entrepreneurs across all stages of company formation, we are long-term investors with extensive scientific expertise, vast industry knowledge, and a track record of helping forge the path from drug development and navigating the regulatory process to company building and IPO or M&A.
Founded in 1976, Sofinnova has a long legacy of building what we believe are great companies in both the U.S. and Europe with approximately $3.0B in assets under management and committed capital as of 3/31/2023. For more information, please visit www.sofinnova.com.
