California Life Sciences Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) established in 1990 as the Bay Area Bioscience Center (BayBio Institute) by the founders of biotechnology, a consortium of public officials, and educators who saw a need to maintain and promote the intellectual and educational climate of the region. In 2006, the organization divided its activities into two separate but coordinated entities: the BayBio Institute and the BayBio Association, a 501(c)(6) trade association. The Institute continued its critical focus on supporting California’s innovation pipeline through programs in education, workforce development and entrepreneurship. In 2015, the BayBio Institute became the California Life Sciences Institute, and BayBio merged with the California Healthcare Institute to become the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA).

In 2021, the Institute and CLSA brought their activities together under the umbrella of California Life Sciences, a strong, united effort to serve the full California life sciences ecosystem by driving solutions on issues of importance for the communities, businesses and customers we serve. California Life Sciences remains committed to serving as a resource for educators, entrepreneurs, diverse professionals, and those who can serve as collaboration partners across the entire biopharma lifecycle.

Mission

To maintain California’s leadership in life sciences innovation through support of entrepreneurship, education and career development.

Impact Statement

The California Life Sciences Institute supports California’s innovation pipeline, comprised of students, educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, and diverse professionals that are fueling the next generation of life sciences discovery that will promote healthier lives around the world. Through community programs and partnerships, we aim to inspire and develop talent and innovation while supporting some of the state’s most compelling researchers and startups through commercialization of their discoveries. We engage with school districts, community colleges, 4-year academic institutions, community-based organizations, civic leaders, and other industry stakeholders, at all stages of their scientific careers, in an effort to bolster our thriving life sciences eco-system while taking meaningful actions that promote equity and access for all.

Board of Directors

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Lesley Calhoun, Treasurer
EVP, Chief Financial Officer at Aligos Therapeutics

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Frederick Dorey, Chair
Special Counsel in Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP

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Marc Fields, CLSI President & CEO
Senior Vice President, Racial & Social Equity and Culture, CLS

 

Mike Guerra President and Chief Executive Officer

Mike Guerra
President & CEO, CLS

Advisory Board

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Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, Chair
 CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum Therapeutics

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Monica Beam, PhD
Senior Vice President – Science & Technology at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

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Mara Brazer
CEO, Brazer Communications

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Lisa Carmel
Vice President Strategy at Ximedica

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Saptarsi Haldar, MD
 Vice President Research, Cardiometabolic Disorders Amgen

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Vera Imper
Vice President and Head, Business Development Roche Molecular Solutions

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Gail Maderis
 President & CEO of Antiva Biosciences

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Liza Mendoza, PhD
 Senior Director of External Innovation & Alliances, Bayers Open Innovation Center

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Todd Peterson, PhD
Founder and Principal, GenApex Bio

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Samuel Wu, MD, PhD
 Managing Director Acuris Partners

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Alberto Zacarias
Site Head of AbbVie Redwood City (ABR)