Beni Rovinski, Ph.D.

Managing Director

Current investments

Antios Therapeutics
Antiva Biosciences
Bright Angel Therapeutics
Fusion Pharmaceuticals
G1 Therapeutics
Notch Therapeutics

Previous board roles

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals
Depomed
Forbius
ISTA Pharmaceuticals
KAI Pharmaceuticals
Morphotek
Pharmasset
Zymeworks

Education

PhD (biochemistry) McGill University Montréal, Québec
BSc (biochemistry) Rice University, Houston, Texas
Post-doctoral studies in molecular oncology and retrovirology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario

Industry affiliations

American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society for Microbiology
Canadian Association for HIV Research
Canadian Center for Regenerative Medicine Investment & Technology Advisory Group
Government of Canada COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force – Active Member
International AIDS Society
Life Sciences Ontario – Board Director
National Venture Capital Association
Ontario Genomics – Board Director
Rice University Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
Volunteer member of personal career mentoring programs targeting young adult entrepreneurs

With over 30 years of investment, operational, managerial and research experience in the healthcare industry, Beni has helped build life sciences companies at all stages of development. Known both as a senior scientist and as an achievement-oriented executive, with demonstrated success in strategic planning, drug development, and operational management of global multifunctional teams, Beni has established a sound reputation built on his clarity of objectives, leadership, judgement and integrity.

Beni’s investment focus is primarily on North American mid- to late-stage private and public companies involved in drug discovery and development, biological and small molecule therapeutics, drug delivery, specialty pharmaceuticals, genomics, proteomics and diagnostic devices.

With a proven track record of delivering results both as a senior scientist and a business executive, Beni has held several senior management positions in the biotechnology sector, including 13 years at Sanofi Pasteur (formerly Aventis Pasteur) where he was a senior scientist and director of molecular virology, with a particular focus in the areas of virology, vaccine development, recombinant protein production, and functional genomics. While at Aventis, Beni led global research and development programs in the areas of HIV/AIDS and therapeutic cancer vaccines (e.g., colorectal, prostate and cervical cancers), bringing several of them through to clinical stage.

In May of 2020 the Government of Canada asked Beni to join its COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force drawing on his expertise in vaccine development and commercialization as part of the Government of Canada’s strategy on COVID-19 Vaccines.

Beni is fluent in English, French and Spanish. He has published over 25 scientific articles and reviews and is the recipient of 32 issued patents.