WLIB: Understanding Your Biotech Employment Contract

Darius Kharabi is the Chief Business Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals. He was co-founder and CEO of Combangio, a clinical stage ophthalmology mesenchymal stem cell secretome company that Kala acquired in November 2021. He is also the co-founder and COO of Lagunita Biosciences, an early-stage medical investment company. He helped to create and served in board and executive leadership positions in multiple Lagunita portfolio companies, including xCella Biosciences, acquired by Ligand, Kedalion Therapeutics, acquired by Novartis, and Combangio. Prior to Lagunita, he served as VP, Corporate Development and International Sales at OrthAlign, a commercial stage orthopedic surgery navigation company, where his responsibilities included the launch of the KneeAlign® total knee arthroplasty navigation product line in the United States and global markets. Mr. Kharabi started his career as a biotechnology licensing attorney at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, PC. He received his BS in Biochemistry from Georgetown University and his JD and MBA degrees from Stanford University.

Howard Matalon is an equity partner of OlenderFeldman LLP in charge of the firm’s Employment Practices and Litigation Group and co-founder of NAV, a cutting-edge software company combining AI assessment and human coaching to improve career trajectory for mid-level and senior employees. Mr Matalon is an accomplished legal advisor with over 30 years of experience offering precision guidance and cost-effective solutions in Human Capital Management to employers and executives alike in a cutting-edge “360 degree” practice across the United States. He previously developed a proactive approach to employment law challenges based on a sophisticated audit and guidance system called HIRES, which maximizes the enterprise value of the workforce for business clients by managing issues in every stage of the employee life cycle, including hiring, onboarding, retention and termination.Mr Matalon routinely counsels his clients on a wide range of complex employment issues, including hiring practices and business accountability for workplace conditions and adverse employment actions. Mr Matalon received a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). He also coaches select executives in their hiring and separation negotiations. Forbes interviewed Mr Matalon in 2019 on recommended approaches to negotiations of this nature. Mr Matalon utilizes the Leadership and Self Deception principles developed by the Arbinger Institute in every facet of his legal and coaching work.Mr Matalon received his Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and his J.D. from Boston University Law School. He lives with his wife and four ambitious daughters in Far Hills, New Jersey.

Howard Matalon is an equity partner of OlenderFeldman LLP in charge of the firm’s Employment Practices and Litigation Group and co-founder of NAV, a cutting-edge software company combining AI assessment and human coaching to improve career trajectory for mid-level and senior employees. Mr Matalon is an accomplished legal advisor with over 30 years of experience offering precision guidance and cost-effective solutions in Human Capital Management to employers and executives alike in a cutting-edge “360 degree” practice across the United States. He previously developed a proactive approach to employment law challenges based on a sophisticated audit and guidance system called HIRES, which maximizes the enterprise value of the workforce for business clients by managing issues in every stage of the employee life cycle, including hiring, onboarding, retention and termination.Mr Matalon routinely counsels his clients on a wide range of complex employment issues, including hiring practices and business accountability for workplace conditions and adverse employment actions. Mr Matalon received a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). He also coaches select executives in their hiring and separation negotiations. Forbes interviewed Mr Matalon in 2019 on recommended approaches to negotiations of this nature. Mr Matalon utilizes the Leadership and Self Deception principles developed by the Arbinger Institute in every facet of his legal and coaching work.Mr Matalon received his Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and his J.D. from Boston University Law School. He lives with his wife and four ambitious daughters in Far Hills, New Jersey.

Dr Barbara Wirostko is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Qlaris Bio. Dr Wirostko is a practicing glaucoma specialist and is also a Clinical Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, Moran Eye Center. She was previously the Chief Medical Officer of EyeGate Pharmaceuticals following its acquisition of Jade Therapeutics where Dr Wirostko was Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer spearheading the development of the Ocular Bandage Gel for human use. Prior to Jade, she served as the Chief Medical Officer of Altheos, a glaucoma company, and held leadership positions in medical and clinical development at Pfizer in Ophthalmology.Dr Wirostko received her MD from and completed her residency at Columbia University and holds a BA in Microbiology from Cornell University.