Mission BioCapital Announces Team Promotions and New Hires
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., February 5, 2025 — We are proud to announce today that we have promoted three Mission BioCapital (MBC) investment professionals and extended our capabilities by adding three new team members.
“In recognition of their contributions and value to our team, we are so pleased to have promoted Cassidy Blundell and Zach Collins to Partners, as well as Chaya Patel to Principal. These key members of our investment team have been fundamental to the success of our firm by sourcing and leading investments, as well as taking Board seats and operational roles in key portfolio companies.” Steve Tregay, Managing Partner.
Cassidy Blundell is based in MBC’s Cambridge office and joined the firm in 2018 after completing her PhD in bioengineering at UPenn and the Venture Labs fellowship at Flagship Pioneering. She serves as a board director at Mediar Therapeutics, Progentos Therapeutics, March Biosciences, Volnay Therapeutics, and ARase Therapeutics and as a board observer at Vaxess Technologies. She formerly served as a board observer at Tidal Therapeutics (acquired by Sanofi).
Zach Collins is based in MBC’s San Francisco office and joined the firm in 2018 after completing his PhD in biological and biomedical sciences at Harvard University. Zach serves as a board director at Cavalry Biosciences, SiteOne Therapeutics, and Alessa Therapeutics where he also serves as interim Chief Business Officer. He serves as a board observer at Nuvig Therapeutics, Jupiter Bioventures, Telo Therapeutics, and Ribonaut Therapeutics where he also serves as interim Chief Operating Officer. Zach plays a key role in supporting biotech founders in the San Francisco Bay Area as an Entrepreneur Success Partner at MBC BioLabs.
Chaya Patel is based in MBC’s Cambridge office and joined the firm in 2021 after completing her PhD in microbiology and immunology from Dartmouth College as well as healthcare fellowships at Alloy Therapeutics and Ulysses Diversified Holdings. Chaya serves as a board observer for Eikonizo Therapeutics, ImmunOs Therapeutics, and Arclight Therapeutics. She holds operational roles at Arclight Therapeutics and Proximity Therapeutics. In addition, Chaya is a Chapter Lead for the Emerging Venture Capitalists Association where she supports the next generation of venture professionals in the Boston area.
Joining the team in 2024 are Sarika Temme-Bapat, Nana Kusi Minkah, and Clay Rowland.
Sarika Temme-Bapat has joined MBC as a Venture Operations Analyst and is based in our Cambridge office. Sarika joins us from ClearView Healthcare Partners where she was an analyst. Sarika earned a BS in biological sciences from the University of Chicago where she also ran for the track and field team. At MBC Sarika is supporting both the diligence team and the firm’s pre-seed investment vehicle, the Platinum Program.
Nana Kusi Minkah has joined MBC as an Accounting and Operations Associate and is based in our Cambridge office. Nana worked as a Senior Operations Associate at The Engine Accelerator after earning a B.S. from Boston College where he studied finance and studio art photography. He has since combined his creative and technical talents, using his photography, videography, and graphic design skills to help startup founders craft compelling marketing materials for their companies. At MBC Nana supports both the finance and operations functions of the firm.
Clay Rowland has joined MBC as an Investment Analyst supporting the work of the diligence team in sourcing and diligence for new investment opportunities. Clay spent three years as a member of the T1D Fund supporting work on therapeutics and medical device investments. Prior to that Clay worked in corporate development at Syros Pharma and consulting at Artisan Healthcare Consulting. Clay has a B.A. from Colby College where he studied biology and economics while also playing varsity football.
“As early-stage biotech investors, we know the importance of investing in not only great science, but also great teams that can execute. We are fortunate to have incredible people in our firm who have created a supportive culture that emphasizes teamwork”, said Doug Crawford, Managing Partner. “That culture has enabled us to attract new talent increasing our ability to execute on our mission of enabling awesome.”
About Mission BioCapital
Mission BioCapital is a venture capital firm focused on making pivotal early-stage investments in life sciences companies. We support our portfolio companies through a unique combination of shared lab space, capital investment, and access to strategic partners. With offices in the nation’s leading life sciences clusters in Cambridge, MA and San Francisco, Mission BioCapital is dedicated to helping entrepreneurial scientists build successful companies, from idea to exit. Learn more here.
