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Leen Kawas

Managing General Partner of Propel Bio Partners LLC

Leen Kawas is the Co-founder and managing general partner of Propel Bio Partner, a notable life science investment firm dedicated to nurturing top talent and cutting-edge technologies.

She has a strong background in the biopharmaceutical industry, having previously co-founded Athira Pharma and played a key role in the development of its lead drug candidate ATH-1017, as well as several other innovative drug candidates within the company's pipeline.

Her leadership was instrumental in boosting the technological and financial growth of Athira, where she successfully raised approximately $400 million and led the company through a successful public offering.

Recognized for her exceptional achievements, Leen Kawas was distinguished by Business Insider and GeekWire as one of only 22 female founders and CEOs who guided their companies to an IPO as of February 2021.

She notably became the first woman in over 20 years to navigate a company through an IPO in Washington State at the time of Athira's IPO in September 2020.

Her educational background includes studies in Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management at Wharton Executive Education, executive education at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, a PhD in molecular pharmacology & toxicology from Washington State University, and a pharmacy degree from the University of Jordan.

Leen Kawas has been actively involved in various notable organizations, serving in diverse roles such as mentor at Washington Innovation Network, board observer at Tympanogen and NOWDiagnostics | NOWDx, member of the Forbes Business Council, member of the Board of Directors at Inherent Biosciences, Inc., advisor at Nucleate, member of the Board of Directors at Persephone Biosciences, and member at Chief.

Her professional journey also includes roles such as Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners LLC, CEO & President at Athira Pharma, research associate at Washington State University, vice president of research at Athira Pharma, staff pharmacist at Pharmacy1 in Amman, Jordan, and clinical pharmacist at the University of Jordan Hospital.

Leen Kawas
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Location

Los Angeles, California, United States