Nagesh Mahanthappa, Ph.D., MBA

Nagesh is an advisor to biotechnology companies with a particular interest in start-up and early-stage ventures focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. He was mostly recently the founding employee of Scholar Rock, Inc., a biotech for which he served as CEO from 2012-2020.  He currently serves on the Boards of Casma Therapeutics, Exo Therapeutics, and Kojin Therapeutics. Previous experiences include being the founding employee and VP of Corporate Development at Avila Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Celgene in 2012), and a founding employee of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals where he rose to VP, Scientific & Strategic Development.

In addition, Nagesh is President of the Board of Global Arts Live, the premier presenter of international music and contemporary dance in greater Boston; co-founder and Board member of the Movement Arts Creation Studio; and he serves on the Boards of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Nagesh completed post-doctoral training at E.K. Shriver Center for Mental Retardation (an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital) and Harvard Medical School after receiving his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the California Institute of Technology.  Nagesh received his B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Colorado, and his M.B.A. from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Management at Babson College.