Ms. Karson, Chair of our Audit Committee, is a recognized biopharmaceutical executive with a successful track record of strategic leadership, transaction execution, and accelerating value-generating milestones. Since 2021, she has served as President and CEO of a private, discovery-stage company focused on GPCR neurobiology for the development of medicines that address multiple neuroscience indications. Prior to this role, Ms. Karson served as President and CEO of Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage company focused on cystic fibrosis. During her tenure at Proteostasis, Ms. Karson played a key role in creating value through clinical validation and strategic partnering, raising more than $300 million in crossover and public financings, including the company’s IPO. Prior to Proteostasis, she served as President and CEO at Allozyne Inc., a clinical-stage protein bioconjugation company, where she drove accelerated development of the platform technology and clinical pipeline and created strategic partnering opportunities. Other career appointments include Vice President of Business Development and Licensing at Novartis AG, where she was a key member in all licensing strategies, processes and outcomes in Europe and emerging growth markets as well as global M&A, and Chief Business Officer of Bioxell S.p.A., where she led development of all corporate and commercial strategy. Additionally, Ms. Karson currently serves as a Board Member for Vallon Pharmaceuticals, and Chair of Apexigen’s Board of Directors. Ms. Karson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration in Strategy and Finance from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
