Elaine J. Heron, Ph.D. joined our Board in July 2002. From February 2009 to October 2015, Dr. Heron served as Chair and CEO of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private drug development company acquired by Pfizer, Inc. in April 2021.

Dr. Heron currently serves on the boards of Vaxart, Inc., a public clinical-stage biotechnology company, Visgenx, Inc., a private early-stage therapeutics company, and Watershed Medical, Inc., a private early-stage therapeutics company. Dr. Heron is also an advisor to Kyto Technology and Life Science, Inc. (OTCQB:KBPH) and Cairn Biosciences, Inc. From July 2001 to October 2008, Dr. Heron was Chair and CEO of Labcyte Inc., a private biotechnology company. Before joining Labcyte Inc., Dr. Heron spent six years in positions of increasing responsibility at the Applied Biosystems Group of Applera Corporation, a biotechnology company, including the position of General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Dr. Heron holds a B.S. in Chemistry with highest distinction and a Ph.D. in Analytical Biochemistry from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.