Who We Are
Our mission is to make the most effective living biotherapies ever created by taking advantage of millions of years of evolutionary interplay between microbes and immune cells.
Be Curious - Always try to understand the why, whether it's in the clinic, the lab, the meeting room, or the boardroom. We are driven by curiosity and ask questions to uncover the why, and use the why to develop strategies to learn the how.
Be Wayfinders - Use the knowledge gained from past experience, but don't be confined by it. We imagine what's possible and find new ways to get there.
Be Best-In-Class - If it’s worth doing, it's worth doing to the absolute best of our abilities. This extends from bench to bedside - we give our best effort for each other and patients.
Be Supportive - Care deeply about our work and one another. We ensure that everyone has what they need to succeed, whether it's a helping hand for a colleague, or the best possible medicine for patients.
Jonathan Kotula, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a distinguished leader and innovator in biotech. After receiving training at Duke University and Harvard Medical School, he has spent 10 years leading R&D, BD, and Investment teams to develop living therapeutics that transform patient care at leading companies such as Laguna Bio, Caribou Biosciences, Synlogic, Spero Therapeutics and Felix Bio.
Jonathan Kotula, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a distinguished leader and innovator in biotech. After receiving training at Duke University and Harvard Medical School, he has spent 10 years leading R&D, BD, and Investment teams to develop living therapeutics that transform patient care at leading companies such as Laguna Bio, Caribou Biosciences, Synlogic, Spero Therapeutics and Felix Bio.
Russell Carrington, PhD, COO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a scientist and entrepreneur with deep business expertise. Prior to Laguna, he served as Chief Technology Transfer Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he led a diverse team of PhDs, JDs, and MBAs to commercialize scientific discoveries and support collaborations.
Russell Carrington, PhD, COO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a scientist and entrepreneur with deep business expertise. Prior to Laguna, he served as Chief Technology Transfer Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he led a diverse team of PhDs, JDs, and MBAs to commercialize scientific discoveries and support collaborations.
Prof. Dan Portnoy, PhD, co-founder of Laguna Bio, is the world’s foremost expert on Listeria monocytogenes and has made seminal contributions to multiple aspects of bacterial pathogenesis, cell biology, innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and immunotherapy. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Prof. Dan Portnoy, PhD, co-founder of Laguna Bio, is the world’s foremost expert on Listeria monocytogenes and has made seminal contributions to multiple aspects of bacterial pathogenesis, cell biology, innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and immunotherapy. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Barbara Troupin, MD, MBA, Laguna Bio Fractional CMO, is an experienced emerging biotech company executive and board member with expertise in drug development and regulatory strategy, pre-commercial positioning for early pipeline optimization, and stage/resource appropriate company growth. Her experience covers 10+ therapeutic areas and multiple modalities at companies like MyoKardia (acquired by BMS), Aquinox, Apricus, VIVUS, and Equillium.
Barbara Troupin, MD, MBA, Laguna Bio Fractional CMO, is an experienced emerging biotech company executive and board member with expertise in drug development and regulatory strategy, pre-commercial positioning for early pipeline optimization, and stage/resource appropriate company growth. Her experience covers 10+ therapeutic areas and multiple modalities at companies like MyoKardia (acquired by BMS), Aquinox, Apricus, VIVUS, and Equillium.
Chris Rae, PhD, has worked extensively with Listeria for over a decade as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and industry scientist. He earned his PhD in Prof. Dan Portnoy’s lab at UC Berkeley before working as a scientist at Aduro Biotech developing Listeria-based immunotherapeutics, head of microbiology at Actym Therapeutics, and Associate Director at Nutcracker Therapeutics developing multispecific T cell engager therapies.
Chris Rae, PhD, has worked extensively with Listeria for over a decade as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and industry scientist. He earned his PhD in Prof. Dan Portnoy’s lab at UC Berkeley before working as a scientist at Aduro Biotech developing Listeria-based immunotherapeutics, head of microbiology at Actym Therapeutics, and Associate Director at Nutcracker Therapeutics developing multispecific T cell engager therapies.
Shannon Dahl, PhD, Fractional CSO of Laguna Bio, translates therapeutics into the clinic and connects the dots between science and business to maximize value creation in growing companies. She has built strong pipelines with multiple successful INDs, advanced therapeutics through global Phase 3 trials with paths to reimbursement and BLA, and built robust IP portfolios. Previously, she was Co-Founder of Humacyte, CSO at Cell Care, and Adjunct Faculty at Duke.
Shannon Dahl, PhD, Fractional CSO of Laguna Bio, translates therapeutics into the clinic and connects the dots between science and business to maximize value creation in growing companies. She has built strong pipelines with multiple successful INDs, advanced therapeutics through global Phase 3 trials with paths to reimbursement and BLA, and built robust IP portfolios. Previously, she was Co-Founder of Humacyte, CSO at Cell Care, and Adjunct Faculty at Duke.
Jim Adair has over 20 years of experience helping new and established companies through fund-raising, non-dilutive licensing transactions, team-building, and successful collaboration governance. He spent much of his career at Genentech, in senior business development and alliance management roles, and then at Roche, where he spent two years managing critical external manufacturing arrangements. Jim has also held positions of escalating responsibility at Five Prime Therapeutics, Exelixis, and Centogene. Prior to his operating career, he was an investment professional with an early-stage venture fund in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Jim Adair has over 20 years of experience helping new and established companies through fund-raising, non-dilutive licensing transactions, team-building, and successful collaboration governance. He spent much of his career at Genentech, in senior business development and alliance management roles, and then at Roche, where he spent two years managing critical external manufacturing arrangements. Jim has also held positions of escalating responsibility at Five Prime Therapeutics, Exelixis, and Centogene. Prior to his operating career, he was an investment professional with an early-stage venture fund in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Ly Kawaguchi is a seasoned executive with direct experience and demonstrated success in drug development, with product approvals with FDA, EMA, MHRA and other healthcare regulatory agencies. She is known to efficiently drive clinical trial operations, vendor outsourcing, and budget oversight, and is known for the ability to influence timely and compliant outcomes for clinical trials within a cross-functional environment.
Ly Kawaguchi is a seasoned executive with direct experience and demonstrated success in drug development, with product approvals with FDA, EMA, MHRA and other healthcare regulatory agencies. She is known to efficiently drive clinical trial operations, vendor outsourcing, and budget oversight, and is known for the ability to influence timely and compliant outcomes for clinical trials within a cross-functional environment.
Ed Lemmens has over 20 years of laboratory research experience in the field of Immunology, including 10 years investigating Listeria-immune system interactions. He is an independent research contractor collaborating with Laguna Bio and other innovative organizations.
Ed Lemmens has over 20 years of laboratory research experience in the field of Immunology, including 10 years investigating Listeria-immune system interactions. He is an independent research contractor collaborating with Laguna Bio and other innovative organizations.
Joel Berry PhD, Principal Scientist, has 8 years of experience leading development of platform technologies. Joel strives to help patients with unmet medical needs through tool and process development. Prior to joining Laguna Bio he served as Director of Biology at Felix Bio.
Joel Berry PhD, Principal Scientist, has 8 years of experience leading development of platform technologies. Joel strives to help patients with unmet medical needs through tool and process development. Prior to joining Laguna Bio he served as Director of Biology at Felix Bio.
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
Mike Whittaker, of Acuity Law Group, is Laguna’s IP counsel. He has 25 years of experience in IP law, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, and deep expertise in the Listeria patent landscape, having drafted and prosecuted most of the patents in Laguna’s portfolio.
Mike Whittaker, of Acuity Law Group, is Laguna’s IP counsel. He has 25 years of experience in IP law, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, and deep expertise in the Listeria patent landscape, having drafted and prosecuted most of the patents in Laguna’s portfolio.
Our Investors
Jonathan Kotula, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a distinguished leader and innovator in biotech. After receiving training at Duke University and Harvard Medical School, he has spent 10 years leading R&D, BD, and Investment teams to develop living therapeutics that transform patient care at leading companies such as Laguna Bio, Caribou Biosciences, Synlogic, Spero Therapeutics and Felix Bio.
Jonathan Kotula, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a distinguished leader and innovator in biotech. After receiving training at Duke University and Harvard Medical School, he has spent 10 years leading R&D, BD, and Investment teams to develop living therapeutics that transform patient care at leading companies such as Laguna Bio, Caribou Biosciences, Synlogic, Spero Therapeutics and Felix Bio.
Russell Carrington, PhD, COO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a scientist and entrepreneur with deep business expertise. Prior to Laguna, he served as Chief Technology Transfer Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he led a diverse team of PhDs, JDs, and MBAs to commercialize scientific discoveries and support collaborations.
Russell Carrington, PhD, COO and co-founder of Laguna Bio, is a scientist and entrepreneur with deep business expertise. Prior to Laguna, he served as Chief Technology Transfer Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he led a diverse team of PhDs, JDs, and MBAs to commercialize scientific discoveries and support collaborations.
Prof. Dan Portnoy, PhD, co-founder of Laguna Bio, is the world’s foremost expert on Listeria monocytogenes and has made seminal contributions to multiple aspects of bacterial pathogenesis, cell biology, innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and immunotherapy. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Prof. Dan Portnoy, PhD, co-founder of Laguna Bio, is the world’s foremost expert on Listeria monocytogenes and has made seminal contributions to multiple aspects of bacterial pathogenesis, cell biology, innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity, and immunotherapy. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Barbara Troupin, MD, MBA, Laguna Bio Fractional CMO, is an experienced emerging biotech company executive and board member with expertise in drug development and regulatory strategy, pre-commercial positioning for early pipeline optimization, and stage/resource appropriate company growth. Her experience covers 10+ therapeutic areas and multiple modalities at companies like MyoKardia (acquired by BMS), Aquinox, Apricus, VIVUS, and Equillium.
Barbara Troupin, MD, MBA, Laguna Bio Fractional CMO, is an experienced emerging biotech company executive and board member with expertise in drug development and regulatory strategy, pre-commercial positioning for early pipeline optimization, and stage/resource appropriate company growth. Her experience covers 10+ therapeutic areas and multiple modalities at companies like MyoKardia (acquired by BMS), Aquinox, Apricus, VIVUS, and Equillium.
Chris Rae, PhD, has worked extensively with Listeria for over a decade as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and industry scientist. He earned his PhD in Prof. Dan Portnoy’s lab at UC Berkeley before working as a scientist at Aduro Biotech developing Listeria-based immunotherapeutics, head of microbiology at Actym Therapeutics, and Associate Director at Nutcracker Therapeutics developing multispecific T cell engager therapies.
Chris Rae, PhD, has worked extensively with Listeria for over a decade as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and industry scientist. He earned his PhD in Prof. Dan Portnoy’s lab at UC Berkeley before working as a scientist at Aduro Biotech developing Listeria-based immunotherapeutics, head of microbiology at Actym Therapeutics, and Associate Director at Nutcracker Therapeutics developing multispecific T cell engager therapies.
Shannon Dahl, PhD, Fractional CSO of Laguna Bio, translates therapeutics into the clinic and connects the dots between science and business to maximize value creation in growing companies. She has built strong pipelines with multiple successful INDs, advanced therapeutics through global Phase 3 trials with paths to reimbursement and BLA, and built robust IP portfolios. Previously, she was Co-Founder of Humacyte, CSO at Cell Care, and Adjunct Faculty at Duke.
Shannon Dahl, PhD, Fractional CSO of Laguna Bio, translates therapeutics into the clinic and connects the dots between science and business to maximize value creation in growing companies. She has built strong pipelines with multiple successful INDs, advanced therapeutics through global Phase 3 trials with paths to reimbursement and BLA, and built robust IP portfolios. Previously, she was Co-Founder of Humacyte, CSO at Cell Care, and Adjunct Faculty at Duke.
Jim Adair has over 20 years of experience helping new and established companies through fund-raising, non-dilutive licensing transactions, team-building, and successful collaboration governance. He spent much of his career at Genentech, in senior business development and alliance management roles, and then at Roche, where he spent two years managing critical external manufacturing arrangements. Jim has also held positions of escalating responsibility at Five Prime Therapeutics, Exelixis, and Centogene. Prior to his operating career, he was an investment professional with an early-stage venture fund in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Jim Adair has over 20 years of experience helping new and established companies through fund-raising, non-dilutive licensing transactions, team-building, and successful collaboration governance. He spent much of his career at Genentech, in senior business development and alliance management roles, and then at Roche, where he spent two years managing critical external manufacturing arrangements. Jim has also held positions of escalating responsibility at Five Prime Therapeutics, Exelixis, and Centogene. Prior to his operating career, he was an investment professional with an early-stage venture fund in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Ly Kawaguchi is a seasoned executive with direct experience and demonstrated success in drug development, with product approvals with FDA, EMA, MHRA and other healthcare regulatory agencies. She is known to efficiently drive clinical trial operations, vendor outsourcing, and budget oversight, and is known for the ability to influence timely and compliant outcomes for clinical trials within a cross-functional environment.
Ly Kawaguchi is a seasoned executive with direct experience and demonstrated success in drug development, with product approvals with FDA, EMA, MHRA and other healthcare regulatory agencies. She is known to efficiently drive clinical trial operations, vendor outsourcing, and budget oversight, and is known for the ability to influence timely and compliant outcomes for clinical trials within a cross-functional environment.
Ed Lemmens has over 20 years of laboratory research experience in the field of Immunology, including 10 years investigating Listeria-immune system interactions. He is an independent research contractor collaborating with Laguna Bio and other innovative organizations.
Ed Lemmens has over 20 years of laboratory research experience in the field of Immunology, including 10 years investigating Listeria-immune system interactions. He is an independent research contractor collaborating with Laguna Bio and other innovative organizations.
Joel Berry PhD, Principal Scientist, has 8 years of experience leading development of platform technologies. Joel strives to help patients with unmet medical needs through tool and process development. Prior to joining Laguna Bio he served as Director of Biology at Felix Bio.
Joel Berry PhD, Principal Scientist, has 8 years of experience leading development of platform technologies. Joel strives to help patients with unmet medical needs through tool and process development. Prior to joining Laguna Bio he served as Director of Biology at Felix Bio.
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
We are Hiring
Mike Whittaker, of Acuity Law Group, is Laguna’s IP counsel. He has 25 years of experience in IP law, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, and deep expertise in the Listeria patent landscape, having drafted and prosecuted most of the patents in Laguna’s portfolio.
Mike Whittaker, of Acuity Law Group, is Laguna’s IP counsel. He has 25 years of experience in IP law, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, and deep expertise in the Listeria patent landscape, having drafted and prosecuted most of the patents in Laguna’s portfolio.
Our Investors
