Charles M. Cohen Ph.d.

Biography

Dr. Charles M. Cohen, also known as Charlie, Ph.D., is a Co-Founder of Synthesis Capital. Dr. Cohen served as a Vice President of Biological Sciences at Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. At Synthesis Capital, Dr. Cohen focuses on investments in private companies in the biopharmaceutical, healthcare, life science venture capital and medical technology industries since 2003. Dr. Cohen joined Advent's healthcare and life sciences venture capital team in mid-2003. He co-founded Prexa Pharmaceuticals Inc., in August 2006 and has been its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since August 2006. Dr. Cohen served as a Partner at Advent International Corporation, on the healthcare and life science venture deal team, since May 2003. His responsibilities include sourcing, evaluating and managing portfolio company investments. Dr. Cohen worked as the Co-Founder of Cellzome AG since 2000 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2000 to August 2002. He also served as a Senior Executive of six biotechnology companies: AlgoRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., Archemix Inc., Aureon BioSciences Inc., Exelixis Inc., and Xenon Genetics Inc. in which AlgoRx, Anadys and Exelixis are Advent portfolio companies. Dr. Cohen co-founded Creative BioMolecules Inc. in 1982 and served as its Chief Scientific Officer since June 1990 to 2000. He served as its Chief Executive Officer from January 1985 to December 1991 and again from November 1993 to July 1995, President from January 1985 to December 1991 and again from January 1995 to July of 1995. Dr. Cohen also served as its Vice President and Scientific Director from April 1982 to January 1985. He served as Manager of Biochemical Development for Waters Associates. Dr. Cohen also served as a Research Manager and Senior Scientist at Waters Corp./Millipore Corp. He served as a Special Advisor of PaineWebber Inc. from January 1998 to December 2001, where he served as a Director of several clinical R&D partnerships, including those affiliated with Genzyme Corp., Cephalon Inc., Alkermes Inc., and ICOS Corp. Dr. Cohen is an active Board Member of the Advent's portfolio companies including Ampla Pharmaceuticals, Cellzome, Inc, Prexa Pharmaceuticals, Exelixis and Sirion Therapeutics. He serves as a Member of the Advisory Council of Harvard Medical School's Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and a Director of Foundation Sante. He serves at Curis Inc. and also as a member of the Advisory Council at University Technology Development Accelerator Fund. Dr. Cohen serves as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of Supervisory Board of Cellzome AG. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advent International. Dr. Cohen served as the Chairman of the Board of Creative BioMolecules Inc. from June 1990 to January 1995. He served as the Chairman of Anesiva, Inc. since December 2004. Dr. Cohen has been Independent Director of Exelixis, Inc. since November 1995. He serves as a Director of Exelixis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Xenon Bioresearch, Inc., Xenon Genetics Inc and also as a Director and Member of Supervisory Board of Cellzome AG. He served as Director of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., since March 1999. Dr. Cohen served as Director of Anesiva, Inc. from February 2004 to June 11, 2007. He served as a Director of Corgentech Inc., since December 2005. Dr. Cohen served as a Director of Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., from May 2000 to June 3, 2005. Dr. Cohen also served as a Director of Archemix Corp. and Aureon Laboratories Inc. (Formerly Aureon Biosciences Corporation). He served as a Member of Board of Directors of Creative Biomolecules Inc. from April 1982 to 2000. He served as a Research Fellow in the University of Virginia's Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry. He has 28 years of experience as an entrepreneur, senior executive and venture capitalist in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. His area of focus includes biotechnology and emerging pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cohen holds Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences from New York University School of Medicine in 1976 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia. He also holds PhD from Harvard University in Bio Physics and a B.A. from State University of New York at Buffalo.

Research Interest

Business and Management