Jay LichterFounder

United States - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Jay Lichter, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur and seasoned investor in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical arena with over 25 years of expertise in management, scientific research, and business development. Throughout his career, Dr. Lichter has applied an exceptional combination of business acumen and deep technical knowledge to create commercially viable and successful biotech collaborations and identify potential scientific discoveries at their earliest stages. Dr. Lichter is the inventor on over 260 patent and patent applications for six Avalon portfolio companies, including 78 issued patents. Dr. Lichter continues to be a powerful force in the pharmaceutical industry and has been involved in licensing or merger and acquisition deals valued in excess of $1 billion.

Dr. Lichter led Avalon investments in Afraxis, Carolus, Otonomy, Zacharon Pharmaceuticals, and Sova. Dr. Lichter has served as CEO of many these companies, which has included leading both their business and scientific operations during the companies’ formative periods. He is on the board of directors of all of these companies and also serves on the Board of RQx, another Avalon company. He led the first life science investments for Avalon IX, Sova Pharmaceuticals, and serves as it’s CEO and board member and Aratana Therapeutics, where he serves as a member of the board. Dr. Lichter took over the leadership of Avelas in order to turn that company around after a change in management. He also serves as an observer to the board of directors of Syndax. In addition to his Avalon activities, Dr. Lichter serves as a director on the board of the John Wayne Cancer Institute and a trustee and Chairman elect to Pacific Ridge School located in Carlsbad.

Specialties: Investing, entrpreneurship, intelectual property, licensing, negotiation, management