Kris Elverum

Kris Elverum is the President and Chief Executive Officer of AIRNA, a biotech company developing RNA editing therapeutics for rare and common diseases. Here are some key details about Kris Elverum and his role at AIRNA:

Professional Background

Kris Elverum has extensive experience in the biotech industry. Prior to joining AIRNA, he held several senior management positions:

• CEO of Diagon Therapeutics
• Various senior roles at companies like Rubius Therapeutics, Turnstone Biologics, and SQZ Biotech1

Education

Elverum received his education from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management:

• B.S. in Business with a minor in Chemistry
• M.B.A., graduating as valedictorian and receiving the Dean's Fellow Scholarship5

Role at AIRNA

As President and CEO of AIRNA, Elverum is leading the company's efforts to develop RNA editing therapeutics. Some of his key responsibilities and achievements include:

• Overseeing the company's emergence from stealth mode in September 2023 with $30 million in initial financing1
• Leading a successful $60 million Series A financing round in July 2024, bringing total funding to $90 million3
• Guiding AIRNA's development of its lead program targeting Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)2
• Expanding the company's pipeline to include therapies for common disorders in areas like cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and blood disorders2

Vision and Approach

Elverum is passionate about the potential of RNA editing to transform patient care. He believes that:

• RNA editing can lead the next generation of RNA therapeutics by targeting diseases not accessible through other approaches1
• AIRNA's technology can provide unique therapeutic potential across various indications2
• The company's approach offers advantages over DNA editing, as RNA editing is temporary and allows for more flexible dosing4

Under Elverum's leadership, AIRNA is working to advance its first drug candidate into clinical trials in 2025.3