Executives from JP Morgan Chase & Company, AGC Biologics, Innosphere Ventures, GelSana, and Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies Join Board

Denver – Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), which creates co-opportunity for Colorado’s life sciences community through its work to champion a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocate for a supportive business climate, today announced the appointment of new officers and members to its board of directors. Kathleen (Kiki) Traylor, M.D., Amgen Director of State Government Affairs, will serve as CBSA Board of Directors Chair and Ethan Mann, Ph.D., M.B.A., Validus Cellular Therapeutics Co-Founder and CEO, will act as CBSA Board of Directors Vice Chair.

A physician and former Colorado State Senator, Kiki Traylor manages government affairs for Amgen in seventeen states. Her work focuses on building coalitions to create consensus on healthcare policy. She’s a trusted voice and advocate at statehouses throughout her region.

Scientist-entrepreneur Ethan Mann co-founded Validus Cellular Therapeutics, a pre-clinical stage company developing activated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to overcome drug-resistant bacterial infections. The startup executive previously worked in leadership roles at Sharklet Technologies and manages a partnership consulting firm called Blacktip Ventures.

“We congratulate Kiki Traylor on her appointment as CBSA’s new board chair. Her deep knowledge of our life sciences ecosystem and our work to save and change lives around the world comes from her work as a physician, former legislator, and advocate for life sciences at the state level,” said Elyse Blazevich, CBSA President & CEO. “It’s an honor to welcome Ethan Mann as vice chair. He is a startup veteran with a successful track record bringing breakthroughs from concept to commercialization. We also thank Bob Reddy, our outgoing board chair for his commitment to our community.”

Additionally, five leaders from across Colorado’s life sciences community, Phillip Ebner, Executive Director, Life Sciences, JPMorgan Chase & Company; Tony Fraij, General Manager, AGC Biologics Longmont; Mike Freeman, CEO, Innosphere Ventures; Melissa Krebs, Ph.D., CEO, GelSana; and Erik Velapoldi, Deputy General Counsel, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies; joined the board following approval on April 21 at CBSA’s annual board retreat in downtown Denver.

“I’m pleased to welcome the incoming CBSA Board of Directors members. Phillip, Mike, Tony, Melissa, and Erik represent the diversity of our member base, from startups and commercial companies, ecosystem partners, and service providers,” said Kiki Traylor, CBSA Board of Directors Chair. “Together, we will build on our ecosystem’s momentum to advance Colorado’s reputation as a leading global hub for life sciences.”

“I look forward to working with Kiki, the board, and the CBSA team to accelerate the health and growth of Colorado’s life sciences community,” said Ethan Mann, CBSA Board of Directors Vice Chair. “It’s an honor to serve as CBSA Board of Directors Vice Chair and champion Colorado’s life sciences community in collaboration with these outstanding leaders.”

Thirty board members representing medical device and diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, ag bio and animal health, digital health, academic and research institutions, and service providers make up the CBSA board. Board members work in partnership with CBSA staff to support the growth of Colorado’s more than 720 life sciences companies. Names and photos of the full board of directors are available on the CBSA website.

About Colorado BioScience Association

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com

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Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739
sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com