uCity Square Life Science Luncheon

Joan Lau is Chief Executive Officer of Spirovant, responsible for the strategic direction and growth of the gene therapy company. She delivers more than 20 years of biopharma leadership experience, including as CEO for several venture-capital-backed biotech companies. Dr. Lau co-founded Spirovant (then called Talee Bio), envisioning the potential for advanced gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis and other patients in need.

Previously, Dr. Lau co-founded and served as Managing Partner of Militia Hill Ventures. Dr. Lau also has served as President and CEO of Azelon Pharmaceuticals; President and CEO of Locus Pharmaceuticals; and in various leadership roles at Merck. In addition, Dr. Lau is an adjunct instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and serves on several boards including the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and the Roy & Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences Management, and she co-founded the nonprofit PhillyBio.

Kurt advocates for policies that incentivize the research and development of medicines and technologies and works to ensure public officials understand Pennsylvania’s life sciences ecosystem and its positive affect on patients and the economy. Kurt also oversees our international relationships and works to facilitate discussions between Life Sciences PA members interested in doing business internationally, and international entities interested in the Commonwealth’s life sciences community.

Barb’s 25-year background in finance and accounting management ranges from life science start-ups to commercial-stage companies. Prior to joining Danforth she served as CFO of Enterin, where she established the financial infrastructure to support the company’s progress in its clinical trials and preparing for the company’s capital raise. She previously held finance leadership roles at Egalet Corporation (Zyla Life Sciences), Sobi, Topaz Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Sanofi-Pasteur), Genaera Corporation and Vicuron Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pfizer). Barb served as Director of Client Service at Resources Global Professionals (RGP). She began her career as an auditor at Deloitte.

In addition to her work at Danforth, Barb serves on the Board of Directors of Life Sciences Pennsylvania and the Board of Advisors of Life Science Cares Philadelphia. Barb is a CPA and holds a BS in Accounting and MBA in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing from St. Joseph’s University.

Heather A. Steinman, Ph.D., M.B.A., joined The Wistar Institute as vice president for business development and executive director of technology transfer in October 2014. Dr. Steinman was hired into a newly created position to forge new strategic partnerships with industry, nonprofit, and local academic institutions and advance Wistar’s growing pipeline of biomedical research discoveries. Dr. Steinman leads and oversees the implementation of Wistar’s intellectual property strategy and all technology commercialization activities.