CEPTON strategies

From strategy consulting to complex transactions, CEPTON’s expertise covers a number of industries: Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology, medtech & diagnostics, healthcare services, infrastructures, automobile & process industries. Regardless of the nature of the collaboration, our approach remains the same: we combine reliability, industry experience and flexibility throughout our assignments

Collet Consulting LLC

Management consulting practice serving top institutions in their fields. Projects include business unit strategies; leading high-priority project management offices (PMOs); early-stage technology commercialization activities; formation of internal start-ups; clinical development strategies; new business creation (strategy and implementation); and pipeline reviews and quality operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing Clients include Top Ten pharma, chemical and biotechnology companies, a Top Ten Public University and entrepreneurial start-up companies in pharma, biotech, medtech, diagnostics such as Novartis, GSK, Danaher, Pfizer and Zoetis Services are provided directly or through agencies such as a-connect, Business Talent Group, Highpoint Associates, Genioo and Eden McCallum in the US and Europe

Bilayer Therapeutics

Developing first-in-class therapeutics for GI disease and metabolic disorder such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes based on proprietary bilayer tablets and bile acids

The Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Supporting start-up project for ultra-long delivery of parenteral drugs.

Phrixus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Co-founded company based on publication in Science and license from University of Michigan and developed two programs to clinical stage, one for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an orphan disease, and one for heart failure • Set scientific strategy and with CSO managed pre-clinical studies to deliver proof-of-feasibility • Raised $4 million in private and $2.1 million in NIH funding, (plus further off-balance sheet support from NIH) • Opened two INDs, one for DMD and one for acute decompensated heart failure • Company started first Phase 2 trial to develop poloxamer 188, a medium-sized polymer, for DMD in 2018

Meditrina Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Co-founded clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on women’s health • Negotiated licenses with Wayne State University and AstraZeneca for Phase 2 products for endometrial ablation and endometriosis • Further indications: uterine fibroids, menorrhagia, ectopic pregnancy • Product candidates based on estrogen/progestin/aromatase inhibitors • Raised $5 million in capital • Together with VP Clinical Development and co-founder, managed CROs and engaged medical collaborators (Ob/Gyns) to develop therapeutic to IND stage and beyond • Company opened two INDs and completed one phase 2 trial for endometrial ablation

ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc.

Co-led launch of early stage DNA Interference (DNAi)-based biopharmaceutical company with focus on oncology therapeutics (internally created intellectual property, bcl2/NHL as first target) • Responsible for raising initial $4.5 million, assembling key team, preparing business plan, and executing key product development agreement for DNAi delivery vehicle • Prepared company for next stage (additional $11 million follow-on funding & IND within next two years) Company went public in July 2015 with a market capitalization of >$800 million (DNAI), then renamed to Sierra Oncology and later sold to GSK for $1.9B (2022).

Neural Intervention Technologies, Inc.

Simultaneously to ProNAi, co-founded and led early stage medical device company for the treatment of hemorrhaging stroke, a spin-off company from the University of Michigan • Set and executed product development strategy together with two co-founders • Company raised $6.3 million and opened one IDE • Engaged external partners during product development, one of which then acquired the company in 2007 (WL Gore)

Tullis-Dickerson & Co., Inc.

In charge of opening and growing new office for the Midwest • Responsible for investments from $38 million sub-fund with focus on early- to mid-stage opportunities in life sciences, drug discovery, and drug development • Invested in six companies including TransMolecular, ViaCell (acquired by Perkin Elmer in 2007), Synageva BioPharma (formerly Avigenics, acquired by Alexion in 2015)

Rubicon Genomics, Inc.

Re-started university spin off into commercialization-stage life sciences and genomics tools company • Recruited three outside directors including CEOs from two publicly held companies and recruited high caliber management team in order to balance out academic founders • Redirected strategy toward high value, fundable products and market opportunities, and instituted professional management practices • Raised $6 million Series B in spite of genomics implosion Company sold to Takara Bio in January 2017 for $75 million

Monsanto Company (Integrated Protein Technologies)

Started new internal business for the production of therapeutic antibodies, biogenerics/biosimilars in green plants • Led BD efforts with five contracts executed over 18 months and six more contracts under negotiation • Responsible for first contracts of ~$2 - $3.5 million for Phase 1 production of first parenteral protein ever produced in plants (included involvement in development of IND) • Wrote key elements of business plan and assisted in generating internal funding of several million dollars per year (equivalent of about 20 internal FTEs)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

RWTH Aachen University