Don Payan

Experienced biotechnology physician-scientist-executive

Don Payan, MD, is the CEO and co-founder of Torch Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specializing in tissue-specific allosteric receptor regulation. With over 33 years of experience in the biotechnology sector, he has held significant roles in various companies, including as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Khepri and Rigel Pharmaceuticals, where he led teams that developed the first FDA-approved oral SYK inhibitor for autoimmune diseases and numerous other investigational drug candidates.1

Education and Training

BS in Physics: Stanford University
MD: Stanford University
MS in Physics: MIT
Residency: Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fellowships: Infectious Disease and Allergy Immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Professional Achievements

Authored over 200 scientific articles and holds more than 90 patents.
Former board member of Sana Therapeutics and advisory roles at various biotech firms.
Co-interim CEO of Thyas Evade (now Shinobi) from 2022 to 2023.1 2

Payan's extensive background in drug discovery and development, along with his leadership in various biotech initiatives, underscores his influential role in advancing therapeutic innovations.

Experience

Strategic Adviser and BOD Member at Thyas Evade (now Shinobi)

Co-interim CEO at Thyas Evade (2022-2023), Founding Member of BOD at Sana Therapeutics (2018-2020), SAB Member at Vividion (2018-2020), SAB Member at Terray Therapeutics and Unnatural Products, BOD Member at Aqualung Therapeutics

Education

BS in Physics and MD from Stanford University, MS in Physics from MIT, Residency in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Fellowship in Allergy Immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School