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Daniel Janse

Chief Executive Officer at AffyImmune Therapeutics

Greater Boston

Overview 

Daniel Janse is a biotech executive based in Greater Boston, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of AffyImmune Therapeutics. With a Ph.D. from Harvard University and experience at companies like Juno Therapeutics and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, he has a strong background in business development, operations management, and venture financing in the biotechnology industry. Highlights of his career include serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer at Arbor Biotechnologies, and working as a Managing Director at Northpond Ventures, where he gained experience in strategic thinking, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement.

Work Experience 

  • Chief Executive Officer

    2024 - Current

AffyImmune Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically engineered immune cells to fight cancer.

Raised $28,900,000.00 from ORI Capital.

  • Consultant and Advisor

    2023 - 2024

    Consulted for Seed-stage biotech companies with novel therapeutic modalities, seeking to raise their Series A round. Focused on corporate strategy, pipeline definition and fundraising pitch. Identified indications and patient populations where the extrapolated therapeutic advantage of the platform is clear when compared to existing modalities. Constructed a portfolio that prioritizes derisking the novel platform with the first two programs, with commercial upside following.

  • Managing Director

    2023 - 2023

    Led Northpond Labs, the research and development-focused affiliate of Northpond Ventures, including our collaborations with the Wyss Institute, MIT and Stanford. Served as Director on the Boards of Aro Biotherapeutics, Artisan Bio, EnPlusOne, Isolere Bio (acquired Feb 2023), Garuda Therapeutics, Triumvira Immunologics and Walking Fish Therapeutics.

  • Director, Northpond Ventures

    2021 - 2023

Northpond Ventures is a private equity and venture capital that focuses on science-driven projects in life sciences and technology.

  • Chief Operating Officer

    2020 - 2021

    I led Scientific and General Operations, Program Management, Corporate Development, Strategy, Business Development and Alliance Management.

  • Chief Business Officer

    2018 - 2020

    I led Corporate Development, Strategy, Business Development and Alliance Management.

Arbor Biotechnologies is an operator of a bio-discovery company intended to provide human diagnostic development services.

Raised $230,600,000.00 from TCG Crossover, ArrowMark Partners, Ally Bridge Group, Logos Capital, Tao Capital Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Tekla Capital Management, Surveyor Capital, Deep Track Capital and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

  • Senior Director, Business Development

    2016 - 2018

    I identified, evaluated and negotiated agreements to access promising therapeutics and technologies, including: i) defining the strategic landscape for opportunities aligned with Juno’s corporate interests, ii) leading diligence and planning teams to assess opportunities and iii) leading negotiation teams in drafting and executing term sheets and contracts with potential partners.

AbVitro, a spinout from George Church’s lab at Harvard University

Raised $1,873,997.00 from Sante Ventures.

  • Senior Director, New Ventures

    2013 - 2016

    I identified early-stage (pre-clinical proof-of-concept) innovation at academic institutions, start-up biotech companies and venture capital firms. I coordinated the evaluation, funding and subsequent on-boarding of new science aligned with JJIC's overall strategic vision for therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and consumer healthcare.

Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare provider, expertise in innovative medicine and MedTech for every patient & for everyone.

  • Investment Manager

    2011 - 2013

    I sourced and assessed investment opportunities for mid-stage (post proof-of-concept) life-science companies. My remit included therapeutics, medical devices and diagnostics that address chronic diseases (GI, CNS and diabetes). I developed an investment roadmap for personalised medicine, which encompassed strategies to address prognostics, diagnostics and treatment decision support.

  • Director of Operations

    2011 - 2011

    I managed the on-site research operations to prepare our stem cell regenerative medicine platform for clinical trials. My remit included driving the strategic agenda for the business with the other members of the Executive Team, providing overall project management to the research teams and leading the experimental design for our wound healing product.

  • Engagement Manager and Associate

    2008 - 2011

    I focused primarily on two industries, Pharma and Private Equity. Within Pharma I have experience in Commercial, R&D, Business Development and Corporate Strategy. Within Private Equity I performed commercial due diligence on targets across sectors including High Tech, Consumer Goods, Medical Devices and Pharma.

McKinsey Growth Tech serves leading growth stage tech players, venture capital, and growth private equity

  • Presidential Fellow

    2006 - 2008

    I led the development of a novel drug discovery platform based on my patented Ph.D. work on targeted protein degradation.

Education 

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