Daphne Zohar (Seaport Therapeutics)

Overview

Daphne Zohar is a notable American entrepreneur, recognized for founding Seaport Therapeutics where she serves as CEO. She has a prolific background in biotechnology and entrepreneurial ventures, including her role as the Founder and former CEO of PureTech Health. Her vision has propelled innovation, particularly in the field of neuropsychiatric medicines, with her efforts resulting in the establishment of multiple successful entities such as Karuna Therapeutics. Under her leadership, Seaport Therapeutics is advancing its pipeline of neuropsychiatric therapies utilizing its proprietary Glyph™ platform.

Recent Developments

October 2024: Seaport Therapeutics closed a $225 million oversubscribed Series B financing round, led by General Atlantic and including participation from top-tier investors such as T. Rowe Price, Foresite Capital, Invus, and Goldman Sachs. The funds are earmarked for advancing Seaport's pipeline of neuropsychiatric medicines, leveraging the Glyph technology to enhance drug bioavailability and reduce side effects.
April 2024: Seaport launched with an initial $100 million Series A funding led by ARCH Venture Partners and Sofinnova Investments. The initial funding supports the clinical pipeline and the development of the Glyph platform.
March 2024: Karuna Therapeutics, previously co-founded by Zohar and part of her portfolio through PureTech Health, was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb for $14 billion, a significant endorsement of her leadership and strategic capabilities in the biotech sector.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Daphne Zohar
Nationality	American
Occupation	Entrepreneur, CEO
Known For	Founding Seaport Therapeutics, PureTech Health
Education	Business Administration from Northeastern University
Notable Achievements	Named one of the most influential people in Biopharma in 2023 by Fierce Pharma
Social Media	Co-host of Biotech Hangout podcast, active on Twitter

Early Life and Education

Daphne Zohar grew up in the Boston area. She exhibited entrepreneurial tendencies early in life, starting her first business ventures during her teenage years. Zohar studied Business Administration at Northeastern University, which laid the groundwork for her business acumen. Her family background, particularly her father's involvement in research, sparked her interest in biotechnology, which would later manifest in her founding and leading PureTech Health and Seaport Therapeutics.

Career and Notable Achievements

Zohar's career began with her establishing PureTech Health, which she led to great success. Under her leadership, PureTech developed multiple therapeutics that received regulatory approval. Her entrepreneurial vision is evident in her founding of Seaport Therapeutics which focuses on neuropsychiatric disorders. Her influence extended with Karuna Therapeutics, developing groundbreaking treatments in the field of schizophrenia.

Achievements:
- Co-founder of Karuna Therapeutics
- Founding and leading PureTech Health, resulting in innovative drug development pipelines
- Establishing Seaport Therapeutics, significantly advancing neuropsychiatric medicines

Current Work and Impact

Daphne Zohar remains instrumental at Seaport Therapeutics as both a strategic leader and visionary. Her work is heavily focused on neuropsychiatric disorders, addressing significant unmet needs in mental health through novel therapeutics. Her initiatives spearheaded through the Glyph™ platform aim to improve drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, potentially transforming treatment paradigms in neuropsychiatry.

Seaport Therapeutics Stock

Seaport Therapeutics, while privately held, has raised substantial capital through strategic funding rounds. The recent financial boost has positioned it well for ongoing and future clinical developments. The company's investment success, though not reflected in a public stock market presence, signals strong investor confidence and potential future financial ventures.

Conclusion

Daphne Zohar's contributions to biotechnology and her entrepreneurial journey have marked her as a pivotal figure in innovative health solutions. Her strategic leadership at Seaport Therapeutics and previous ventures like PureTech Health and Karuna Therapeutics have had significant impacts on addressing complex health challenges, particularly in neuropsychiatric care. Zohar continues to shape and inspire within the biotech industry, with potential future advancements promising substantial impact on mental health therapeutics.