Jeff Jonker
CEO, Belharra Therapeutics
Jeff was named CEO of Belharra Therapeutics in September 2021. He is an accomplished veteran biotech executive with extensive experience in operational, strategic, business development and legal roles across public and private companies. Jeff’s most recent role, prior to joining Belharra, was at Ambys Medicines where he served as President and CEO from 2018 to 2020. Prior to Ambys, Jeff served as President of NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NGM) where he established the Merck partnership, grew the organization into a fully integrated clinical development company and guided the company’s robust pipeline, including therapeutics for immunooncology, retinal, liver, and metabolic diseases. Jeff served as Senior Vice President, Corporate and Business Development at Theravance Biopharma (NASDAQ: TBPH) and Theravance, Inc. (NASDAQ: THRX) before completing the spin-out of TBPH and creation of Innoviva, Inc. (NASDAQ: INVA). His other executive roles include Chief Business Officer of Satori Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Strategy for Gloucester Pharmaceuticals prior to its acquisition by Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), and multiple leadership positions in the business development and legal groups at Genentech. Prior to Genentech, Mr. Jonker was a member of the Technology Transactions Group at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, representing clients in the life science and hightech industries. Since March 2021, Jeff has served on the Board of Directors of California Life Sciences. Jeff holds a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, an M.LITT. from the University of St. Andrews, and a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College.