Abizar Lakdawalla Email & Phone Number

Edmonds, WA, US

Seattle, WA, US

Development of process equipment for genomics and genome/cell engineering.

San Carlos, California, US

Product development of an exciting amplification technology that retains DNA methylation marks.

Santa Cruz, CA, US

A unique 4-day intensive workshop on genomics and next generation sequencing technologies offered to an audience ranging from investors, patent attorneys, faculty, students and scientists from commercial and academic institutions.

• Established a robust processes for Agile development and commercialization of a NGS platform and consumables for ultra-high throughput DNA sequencing and single-molecule protein quantitation.
• Innovated simultaneous genomic and epigenomic analyses (patent pending).
• Forged a network of academic and assay providers to expedite product development, validation and launch
• Instrumental in securing funding and achieving successful acquisition by PacBio for ~US$110M.

San Diego, CA, US

• Built and led a gene and cell therapy team for the development of CRISPR/transposase based ultra-rapid genome modification processes.
• Pioneered continuous AAV production and T-/B-cell engineering and single-cell genomics and transcriptomics to reduce cost of therapies by ~10x.
• Evaluated multiple technologies in gene and cell therapy space for potential investment and acquisitions.

Menlo Park, California, US

• Spearheaded a new team for agile development of genome editing of complex cells, catalyzing high-value projects with leading pharma, biotechs, and academia leading to ~5x increase in service revenues.
• Extensively used CRISPR screens to determine best guides and to establish biological impacts of the edits.

• Engineered non-invasive liquid biopsy technology based on high-accuracy library prep for organ transplant, cancer Dx, and disease host response to sepsis using a non-UMI based system.
• Out-licensed technology.

Provided seed funding for companies focused on health related mobile applications. Reached out to companies in start-up modes, evaluated product market fits, potential for success and suggested paths to effocient product launch. Companies were focussed on health monitoring, heuristic algorithms to predict future outcomes based on correlation of vital signs.

Oakland, California, US

Charitable institution providing science gear to educators and researchers for free. Managed the marketing and fund-raising process, supervision of educator registration and outreach. Facilitated relationships with donor enitities such as small to large pharmas and univeristies.

Helped establish the product strategy for the company with an updated focus on Single cell RNA sequencing technology. Directed the commercial strategy from direct sales to OEM arrangements. Company acquired by BioRad.

Fremont, California, US

• Pioneered novel DNA sequencing platform, co-inventing cost-efficient hardware and processes to bring costs down by ~50x.
• Won PhII SBIR grants for ~ US$4M. Helped raise $200M through compelling investment pitches.
• Forged robust product and business processes to improve time to market.
• Evaluated multiple technologies for licensing, acquisitions and collaborations.

Waltham, MA, US

• Led applications development of cancer liquid biopsy and sepsis-pathogen detection for the Ion Torrent
• Co-ordinated product development strategies for sepsis across TMO blood-culture, mass spec and Procalcitonin groups.
• Evaluated multiple NGS related technologies and start-ups such as Complete Genomics, LaserGen for investments and acquisitions.
• Mentored extended team members to incorporate strategic thinking, market research, business modeling and business development in product and applications developmental.
• Patent application for a novel electronic readout method for growing DNA chains.

San Diego, CA, US

• Strategic development of the GA, HiSeq, NextSeq, iSeq next-generation sequencing systems and applications in liquid biopsy, NIPT, targeted sequencing, and infectious disease.
• Evaluated multiple technologies and companies for in-licensing or acquisitions such as Complete Genomics, GnuBio, Epicenter, MagSweeper, Caliper, Advanced Liquid Logic, and Moleculo.
• Led the launch of the HiSeq sequencer in Europe and emerging territories.
• Fostered collaborations with KOLs and leading institutions, driving NGS system adoption.

San Diego, CA, US

Market launch of the Genome Analyzer. Product definition and development of the cBot cluster generation system and HiSeq 2000 sequencing system. Launch of the HiSeq product proved transformative for genomics research as labs could now easily analyze genomes and interactomes with an unimagined depth and breadth.

Waltham, MA, US

Led a technology incubator that followed "The Innovators Solution" methods to rapidly commercialize novel systems (for e.g., protein expression by qPCR/CE). Required significant collaboration with internal and external thought leaders with intense planning and execution to align with project milestones and to drive opportunities to respective exits..

Waltham, MA, US

Substantial reorganization of a DNA Resequencing product line. Co-ordination of bioinformatics, R&D, Product test, Manuf., Marketing & Sales teams to achieve product launch on a highly aggressive schedule. P&L responsibilities. Market research, Voice of Customer, Requirements, business cases, strategy for product life cycle management. Margins/Pricing..

Fremont, California, US

Development of automated staining and imaging systems for ISH and IHC. Interaction with thought leaders to convert challenging needs for digital pathology into robust ground-breaking product.

InnoGenex was an exciting startup spun off from BioGenex. I was primarily responsible for developing products for a lucrative adjacent market in academic and commercial bioresearch for tissue microarrays and related reagent and redefining Dx automation systems for the detection of in situ gene expression and protein localization for genomics research. Wore.

Responsible for sales and support for products from Endotronics (hollow fiber tissue culture), Cruachem (DNA synthesis), Juan (centrifuges, ultra-low freezers) and microplate equipment from FLOW labs. Developed a nepholmeter for sale with automated microbiological ID FLOW Labs equipment.

Field sales of glucometers to consumers and clinical chemistry analyzers to clinics and hospitals.

Clinical analysis of hematological samples for clinical chemistry, total blood counts and immuno-reactivity by ELISA. Great experience in understanding large hospital dynamics and need for effective and rapid diagnosis for patients.

Post-Doctorate, Molecular Biology

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular Genetics

M.S., Biochemical Toxicology

D.M.L.T., Medical Lab Technology

B.Sc., Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics

I.C.S.E., Science