Prasad Sunkara

Background

About Prasad Sunkara

Dr. Sunkara is a seasoned CEO, accomplished scientist, serial entrepreneur and a successful investor. He helped in building several startup Life Science companies, hiring great talent leading to successful exits. He combines over 35 years of corporate, financing, research, development and management experience in cancer, cardiovascular, CNS disease indications, molecular diagnostics and devices at Marion Merrell Dow pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi Aventis) and twelve other start up biotech and Medical Device companies in California and Michigan. Dr. Sunkara is an expert in identifying and licensing compelling technologies from universities and accelerating their preclinical and clinical development on a virtual basis while minimizing costs. He also gained valuable experience in business development, financing as an officer in four and as a founder, CEO and Board member at nine other start-up biotech, diagnostic and device companies. He helped them to grow and exit with significant appreciation to shareholders. As Senior Managing Director of a Life Science focused investment bank, he also successfully assisted a number of health care companies with strategic advice, fund raising, mergers and acquisitions. Currently he is actively assisting a number of start up Biotech, Medical device and diagnostic companies as Life Sciences Committee member at NuFund Venture Group, active investor, Board member and advisor. He is the founder and Managing Director of Seed to Fruit LLC (STF), a startup studio and accelerator. Eyegenex, Inc, is the first startup established by STF to develop gene and peptide therapeutics for the treatment of glaucoma, a major unmet medical need in ophthalmology. Dr. Sunkara is an author of over 140 peer reviewed publications and an inventor of 35 patents. Specialties: Biotechnology, Medical Devices Diagnostics, CRO and therapeutics start up, management, research and development, financing and business development. Operations, P&L responsibility, Pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics virtual development, Cross border development in India and US. Investment, Mergers, Acquisitions and negotiating licensing deals with Biotech and Pharmaceutical companies. Angel investment, private equity and Venture Capital investment.