How CMOs Build a Network of Consultants

Sonal brings more than 17 years of industry experience, including leadership roles at AVROBIO, CRISPR Therapeutics and Rubius Therapeutics. She has built and led translational research and medicine teams across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology and rare diseases. In addition, Sonal’s specialties include clinical trial design and execution, medical monitoring, and clinical data management and interpretation, including biomarker strategies. Sonal earned her PhD in cancer research from the University of Bradford in the UK, and her medical degree from the Government Medical College, Surat in India.

Swami Murugappan MD, Ph.D., is an executive biotech consultant and a hematologist oncologist with an established track record in developing Cell and Gene Therapies, Oncolytics, Monoclonal Antibodies, and T-cell engagers for solid and hematological cancers. He founded Trident Bio Consulting Inc. to help startups, biotech, and pharma organizations develop transformational therapies for cancer patients. In his consultant role as a chief medical officer, clinical consultant, or head of clinical development, Swami works closely with C-suite executive leaders, the R&D team, and Board members to help make strategic decisions and deliver on drug development milestones. Before establishing his consultancy firm, Swami held leadership roles at Kite Pharma, Amgen, and Nutcracker Therapeutics. In his prior positions, he has led and supported multiple global regulatory filings and approvals (Vectibix, ImLygic, and Tecartus). Swami also serves as an Industry advisor for startup companies through UCSF Catalyst Ventures, Berkeley SkyDeck, and California Life Sciences.

Dr. Carrie Brownstein is an accomplished global clinical development leader with 20 years of experience developing products in oncology and other therapeutic areas addressing high unmet medical needs in biotech, and large and small pharma. She has previously served as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, where she led global development of small molecules targeting fundamental pathways in cancers, and as CMO of Cellectis Inc. where she led the clinical development of a portfolio of novel, first in class allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies. Previously, Dr. Brownstein held several senior leadership positions including Vice President of Global Clinical Research and Development (R&D), Therapeutic Area Head for Myeloid Diseases at Celgene, and prior to Celgene, she held positions of increasing responsibility at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Hoffman-La Roche. During her career, Dr. Brownstein has made significant contributions to the development and commercialization of several products including REBLOZYL, INREBIC, IDHIFA and ONUREG. She is a graduate of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship program and completed her internship and residency training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Dr. Brownstein received her M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine and received her A.B. in Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Dr Jen Seda is a seasoned medical executive with over 20 years of experience specializing in rare diseases, medical devices, and innovative therapeutics, always prioritizing patient well-being. She excels in developing corporate portfolio strategies and guiding teams through medical and clinical execution. At SSI Strategy, Dr Seda offers interim leadership from VP to CMO levels, advising medical executives and leading teams to develop solutions for clients at various developmental stages. With 5 years in gene therapy, 15 years in rare disease, and 2 years in digital diagnostics and therapeutics. Prior to joining SSI, Dr Seda served as interim CMO/VP at biologics, gene therapy, and digital diagnostic firms, successfully navigating pivotal moments such as Series B rounds, IPOs, and acquisitions, ensuring milestone achievement and facilitating clinical trials and medical affairs activities. She also held the role of VP of Market Access, Government, and Medical Affairs at TerumoBCT, a global device company, overseeing various Therapeutic areas. She also led the Global Medical Affairs team at Baxter Healthcare’s Biologics division, overseeing launches in rare disease within pulmonology and neurology. She has helped build robust medical affairs and medical information teams, at Coviden’s Respiratory and Monitoring division, and led both medical affairs and marketing teams at Talecris Biotherapeutics to market leadership in rare disease. Dr Seda holds a medical degree from the Mayo Clinic, with neuroimmunology training, and completed her undergraduate studies at U.C. Irvine. Her extensive experience, ranging from preclinical work at Amgen to strategic planning from bench to bedside, underscores her comprehensive expertise in the medical field.