Shilpi Arora

Background

About Shilpi Arora

Chief Scientific Officer and oncology R&D leader with 20+ years of experience building and advancing therapeutic portfolios from target discovery through translational development and into the clinic. I have led multidisciplinary research organizations across biotech, academia, and non-profit sectors, driving programs in oncology, rare diseases, and inflammatory disorders. My work has contributed to the advancement of multiple discovery programs to development candidates and clinical-stage assets, including a Phase 2 oncology program, a program out-licensed to Genentech, and a discovery effort that led to the creation of ZebiAI Therapeutics, later acquired by Relay Therapeutics. As a scientific and organizational leader, I have built and scaled R&D teams, established integrated discovery and translational capabilities, and developed portfolios focused on novel mechanisms of action. I have also played a key role in company growth, contributing to over $100M in Series A and B financing, and shaping research strategy to align with long-term value creation. A central component of my leadership has been fostering external innovation and strategic partnerships, including collaborations with academic institutions, biotech partners, and global pharmaceutical companies to accelerate target validation and therapeutic development. I am passionate about building high-performing, collaborative teams and translating cutting-edge science into impactful medicines. My leadership approach emphasizes clear strategic direction, disciplined portfolio execution, and strong cross-functional alignment to drive successful outcomes. I have authored 35+ peer-reviewed publications, serve as a reviewer for leading journals, and regularly present at international scientific conferences.