Avak Kahvejian

Avak Kahvejian, Ph.D., is a prominent figure in the life sciences sector, serving as the Chairman of the Board at Ring Therapeutics. He is also a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, where he has played a pivotal role in founding and developing numerous innovative companies in biotechnology.

Background and Education

Kahvejian earned both his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. His academic background laid the foundation for his extensive career in life sciences and entrepreneurship.

Career Highlights

• Flagship Pioneering: Since joining in 2011, Kahvejian has been instrumental in launching over ten companies, including notable names like Seres Therapeutics, Rubius Therapeutics, and Laronde. His work focuses on inventing new therapeutic platforms that address significant medical needs.126

• Ring Therapeutics: As a co-founder and the founding CEO from 2017 to 2020, he has been at the forefront of developing Ring's unique Anellovector™ platform, which aims to revolutionize gene therapy using the human commensal virome.45 Under his leadership, Ring is exploring new avenues for gene therapy that promise to overcome existing limitations in the field.35

• Previous Roles: Before his tenure at Flagship, Kahvejian served as Vice President of Business Development at Helicos BioSciences, where he was responsible for commercializing the world's first single-molecule DNA sequencer.126

Leadership and Board Roles

In addition to his role at Ring Therapeutics, Kahvejian serves on various boards, including:

• The International Institute of New England, which supports refugees and immigrants.
• The Advisory Board of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST).
• The McGill University Regional Advisory Board US.12

Kahvejian's contributions to biotechnology have positioned him as a key leader in advancing therapeutic innovations aimed at addressing complex health challenges.