Leen Kawas
Chief Executive Officer at Propel Bio Management LLC
Profile
Leen Kawas is the co-founder and managing general partner at Propel Bio Partners.
Leen is building a biotech focused fund to support life science innovations, leveraging her experience as an inventor, scientist, and entrepreneur.
She came to the US from Jordan in 2008.
She co-founded Athira and became CEO in 2014.
She led the advancement of multiple late-stage clinical programs and took the company public in 2020 raising over $400 million.
She was the first woman in 20 years in Washington State, and one of only 22 women founders in the US to take their company public.
She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Life Science Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (2020), French-American Foundation Leader (2019), and GeekWire Startup CEO of the Year (2019).
Leen serves on multiple boards including Inherent Biosciences and Persephone Biosciences, and she is part of the Springboard Network and is a passionate supporter of scientist entrepreneurs, in particular women.
In her current position, in addition to capital, her vision is to support impactful research and next gen innovators; helping people live better healthier lives.
Leen lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two young children – she enjoys music, good food, learning and engaging conversations.
Leen Kawas active positions
| Companies | Position | Start |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association | Director/Board Member | - |
Propel Bio Management LLC
 Propel Bio Management LLC Investment ManagersFinance Propel Bio Management LLC provides investment advice. The private company is based in Los Angeles, CA. The company was founded in 2022. Leen Kawas has been the CEO of the company since 2022. | Chief Executive Officer | 2021-12-31 |
Persephone Biosciences, Inc.
 Persephone Biosciences, Inc. BiotechnologyHealth Technology Persephone Biosciences, Inc. engages in developing nutritional products to support the human gut microbiome. The company was founded by Stephanie Culler and is headquartered in Dan Diego, CA. | Director/Board Member | 2022-06-30 |
Propel Bio Partners LLC
 Propel Bio Partners LLC Investment ManagersFinance Propel Bio Partners LLC (Propel Bio Partners) is a venture capital firm founded in 2022 by Leen Kawas and Richard Alan Kayne. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. | Founder | 2021-12-31 |
Inherent Biosciences, Inc.
 Inherent Biosciences, Inc. Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Inherent Biosciences, Inc. is a commercial-stage life science company based in Salt Lake City, UT. Inherent Biosciences has developed an epigenetic platform that detects gene dysregulation across multiple genes and related pathways to pioneer a new category of diagnostics and therapeutics that leverage epigenetics, biology's inherent mechanism for gene regulation, to radically transform how we diagnose and treat complex diseases like infertility. The company is actively involved in clinical trials to further validate its diagnostic tools. The company was founded by Kristin Brogaard and Andrew C. Olson, who has been the CEO since incorporation. | Director/Board Member | 2022-07-31 |
Former positions of Leen Kawas
| Companies | Position | End |
|---|---|---|
| ATHIRA PHARMA, INC. | Founder | 2021-10-17 |
Alzheimer’s Association
 Alzheimer’s Association Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services The Alzheimer's Association is based in Chicago, IL and has subsidiaries in the United States. The Alzheimer's Association provides information and resources for Alzheimer's and other dementias. Alzheimer’s Association was founded in 1980. Joanne Pike has been the CEO of the company since 2016. | Corporate Officer/Principal | - |
Training of Leen Kawas
| Washington State University | Doctorate Degree |
| The University of Jordan | Undergraduate Degree |
Experiences
Positions held
Connections
1st degree connections
1st degree companies
Male
Female
Members of the board
Executives
Linked companies
| Listed companies | 1 |
|---|---|
| ATHIRA PHARMA, INC. | Health Technology |
| Private companies | 6 |
|---|---|
| Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association | |
Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Association Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services The Alzheimer's Association is based in Chicago, IL and has subsidiaries in the United States. The Alzheimer's Association provides information and resources for Alzheimer's and other dementias. Alzheimer’s Association was founded in 1980. Joanne Pike has been the CEO of the company since 2016. | Commercial Services |
Propel Bio Management LLC
Propel Bio Management LLC Investment ManagersFinance Propel Bio Management LLC provides investment advice. The private company is based in Los Angeles, CA. The company was founded in 2022. Leen Kawas has been the CEO of the company since 2022. | Finance |
Persephone Biosciences, Inc.
Persephone Biosciences, Inc. BiotechnologyHealth Technology Persephone Biosciences, Inc. engages in developing nutritional products to support the human gut microbiome. The company was founded by Stephanie Culler and is headquartered in Dan Diego, CA. | Health Technology |
Propel Bio Partners LLC
Propel Bio Partners LLC Investment ManagersFinance Propel Bio Partners LLC (Propel Bio Partners) is a venture capital firm founded in 2022 by Leen Kawas and Richard Alan Kayne. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. | Finance |
Inherent Biosciences, Inc.
Inherent Biosciences, Inc. Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Inherent Biosciences, Inc. is a commercial-stage life science company based in Salt Lake City, UT. Inherent Biosciences has developed an epigenetic platform that detects gene dysregulation across multiple genes and related pathways to pioneer a new category of diagnostics and therapeutics that leverage epigenetics, biology's inherent mechanism for gene regulation, to radically transform how we diagnose and treat complex diseases like infertility. The company is actively involved in clinical trials to further validate its diagnostic tools. The company was founded by Kristin Brogaard and Andrew C. Olson, who has been the CEO since incorporation. | Health Services |
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