About Us

Company Profile

  • Emerald Bioventures was formed to incubate and build transformational life sciences companies with extraordinary entrepreneurs. Based on cutting-edge science, medicine, and technology, our aim is to improve human health today and for future generations

  • Emerald is one of at least several dozen life sciences focused incubators based in the United States. ​

    A unique aspect of our philosophy is the combination of a mission-driven approach with a focus on “white space” problems.​

    That is, we take on hard problems that, if solved, have the potential to positively impact humanity. ​

    We will often start with a blank sheet of paper and look at a difficult medical issue like autism, breast cancer, heart failure or the obesity epidemic and we ask “how can one best address these diseases?” ​

    We then go about creating a for-profit business that will permit this to happen. In other cases, we will encounter a new technology or scientific innovation and then go through an ideation phase of figuring out how to use the innovation for the benefit of patients. ​

    A key aspect of Emerald’s philosophy is that mission-driven businesses need to ultimately become profitable. Otherwise, they will not be able to deliver on their mission.

Our Team

Andy Dannenberg

Partner

Previously, Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Expert on cancer prevention, obesity, inflammation & biomarkers. MD, Washington University in St. Louis.

Tiffany Choi

Executive in Residence

Former Director of Strategic Operations at Celltrion. Received MS in Nursing from University of Illinois Chicago and BS in Nursing from Pittsburgh State. Worked as an RN at Petersen Healthcare. Fluent Korean speaker.

Leena Das-Young

Managing Partner

Previously VP and Head Late Phase Strategy & Development Group, Oncology at Pfizer. Former head of early cancer detection at Guardant. Previous roles at Bayer and various health systems. BS, PharmD, Purdue University.

Bryant Jin

Analyst

Recently graduated from NYU with a B.S. in Economics. Has experience in working in several pharmaceutical companies, private equity, and supports incubation projects at Emerald.

Kristen Frederick

Executive in Residence

Working to develop a clinical business focused on female health. Previously, CFO of Torreya for 16 years. Began career at Merrill Lynch and Cowen. Has BA in Marketing from University of Delaware

Ellen Porges

Legal Advisor

Former Partner and Deputy General Counsel, Goldman Sachs. Previously at Sullivan & Cromwell. JD, Yale Law School, Managing Editor, Yale Law Journal; Clerkship on Second Circuit. Advises Emerald and related companies. 

Ariana Shuckerow

Venture Manager

Manages new ventures for Emerald. Expertise in laboratory operations, CLIA regulations etc. Leadership role at Carta Health. Previous roles at Essential Data, Health Outlook, AccurexDx and Yale University. BA, University of Bridgeport.

Michael Friedman

Executive in Residence

Leads fund raising for Emerald companies. Michael is a former banker who has been at Ladenburg, Jefferies, Baird and Bank of America. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from the University of Wisconsin.

Eli Dorf

Senior Associate

Highly entrepreneurial starter of businesses. Organizes Emerald’s ideation efforts and active in developing a number of new businesses. Recent graduate from Bard College.

Vishal Reddy

Senior Associate

Recent graduate of the University of Michigan. Interested in health systems and the pharma industry. Actively working on Health Outlook. Previously an intern at Torreya and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. BS, U Michigan.

Catherine Smith

Head of Finance

Manages finances and investments for Emerald. Formerly in a management role at Wells Fargo. Received degree in Accounting from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Leslie Gautuam

Executive in Residence

Former investment banker and pharmaceutical industry executive. Has worked at Houlihan Lokey, Stifel, Torreya, Noven Pharma and Purdue Pharma. Holds an MBA from Columbia and a BS in Psychobiology from UCLA.

Ernest Li

Senior Associate

Ernest is very focused on novel business models in healthcare and is active with Harmonia Healthcare and Precise Health. Worked previously at Timberwind Capital. Graduated from Cornell with a degree in Economics.

Pauline Richard

Head, Administration

Oversees Emerald’s office in New York City and manages events and the team. Previously in a variety of administrative roles.

Aaron Aug

Senior Associate

Recent graduate from Rutgers University. Highly focused thinker. Leading business development for Valorum Biologics. Previously, interned at Torreya and Huadong Medicine.