David J Chess, PhD, MBA
About David J Chess, PhD, MBA
David J Chess, PhD, MBA, serves as the Senior Director of Business Development at KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he has worked since 2023. With over 15 years of experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry, he specializes in transforming innovative technologies into therapies for chronic and rare diseases.
Current Role at KalVista Pharmaceuticals
David J Chess, PhD, MBA serves as the Senior Director of Business Development at KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He has held this position since 2023, contributing to the company's strategic initiatives in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to this role, he was the Director of Business Development at the same company from 2020 to 2023. His responsibilities include identifying and developing business opportunities that align with the company's goals in the pharmaceutical sector.
Previous Experience in Biotech and Pharmaceuticals
David Chess has extensive experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. He worked at BioMotiv in various roles, including Manager of Technical Operations from 2017 to 2019 and Director of Technical Operations for a brief period in 2020. He also held the position of Principal Scientist at Flagship Pioneering for seven months in 2016. Additionally, he served as a Senior Scientist at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson from 2014 to 2015, focusing on cardiovascular and metabolism research.
Educational Background and Qualifications
David Chess holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences from Xavier University, obtained from 2000 to 2004. He furthered his education by earning a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Case Western Reserve University between 2004 and 2008. He also completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Entrepreneurship at Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business in 2017. This combination of scientific and business education supports his work in transforming technologies into therapies.
Research and Development Focus
David Chess has a strong focus on transforming groundbreaking technologies into novel therapies for patients with chronic and rare diseases. His work spans over 15 years, encompassing academic, pharmaceutical, biotech, and startup organizations. This diverse background allows him to approach research and development with a unique perspective, integrating scientific knowledge with business acumen.
Post-Doctoral Experience
David Chess completed two post-doctoral fellowships, one at the National Institutes of Health from 2008 to 2012 and another at Boston University School of Medicine from 2012 to 2014. These experiences contributed to his expertise in scientific research and development, further enhancing his qualifications in the pharmaceutical industry.