Dr. Thon is an inspirational executive who creates a positive, collaborative culture in his labs and workplaces.
He has significant experience raising venture capital; recruiting talent at the leadership, board and operational levels; and translating scientific advances into discovery, preclinical and clinical stage programs.
He is a recognized leader in cell culture, platelet formation, hematology, hematopoietic stem cells, and cellular signaling. He is a widely published researcher with more than 30 peer-reviewed articles – more than 20 as first author – and a sought-after speaker for keynote addresses, presentations, panels and media interviews.
Key Accomplishments
- Built novel cell therapeutic company from startup to post-Series A-1.
- Raised more than $65M in non-dilutive financing from government organizations including the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
- Proven expertise in transforming basic research into focused discovery and preclinical programs.
- Prepared pre-IND materials to FDA, establishing clinical pathway for novel treatment modality.
- Demonstrated that human platelets could be manufactured from human iPSC lines, created scalable commercial manufacturing process and demonstrated commercial feasibility.
- Winner of numerous academic awards for scientific achievement and business competitions for entrepreneurial skill.
- Proven leader with strong value set: scholarly excellence, disruptive innovation, hands-on engineering/hacking/building, partnership and collaboration, open communication, respect for employees and their career development.
Education
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Hematology
Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Joseph E. Italiano, Ph.D., faculty advisor, (2008-2013)
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of British Columbia, Vancouver (2008)
Hors. B.Sc., Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (2004)
Professional Experience
Platelet BioGenesis, Cambridge, MA • 2014-present
Founder, Chief Executive Officer (until Jul. 2019), Chief Scientific Officer (current)
- Co-founded breakthrough startup that is the only company in the world to manufacture functional human platelets with wide application as a substitute for donated platelets and a new therapeutic modality to treat cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
- Recruited executive team, board of directors, and scientific advisory board.
- Raised more than $100M in two rounds of venture financing and non-dilutive grants to bring company to clinical trials.
- Grew company from startup to 40+ employees
- Established broad, blocking IP portfolio
Faculty Appointments
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA • 2013-2018
Lecturer
August 2017 – July 2019
Assistant Professor in Hematology
May 2015 – July 2017
Instructor in Hematology
October 2013 – May 2015
Selected Awards
| 2019 | Nature Biotechnology’s Academic Spinouts of 2019 Research Distinction |
Nature Biotechnology |
| 2017 | Startup of the Year Business Competition |
Venture Capital Investment Competition, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| 2017 | Biotech Startup Competition Business Competition |
Biopharm America™ 2017 startup winner |
| 2016 | BioSciKin Competition for Life Sciences Start-Ups Business Competition |
BioSciKin, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center |
| 2016 | Amgen Golden Ticket Business Competition |
Amgen |
| 2015 | Arch Award for Outstanding Contributions to Society Graduate Distinction |
McMaster University |
| 2015 | Chair’s Research Award Academic Distinction |
Brigham and Women’s Hospital |
| 2015 | Top 100 Stories of 2014 (#26) Academic Distinction |
Discover Magazine |
| 2014 | Selection Business Accelerator |
MassCONNECT |
| 2014 | Finalist Business Competition |
MassChallenge |
| 2014 | Deans' Health & Life Sciences Challenge Finalist Business Competition |
Harvard University (Innovation Lab) |
| 2011 | Honorary Medal of Graduation Academic Distinction |
Kitasato University |
| 2009 | Young Investigator Research Award Research Distinction |
The International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis |