Jeffrey Lu

Co-Founder

2021 - Current

Co-Founder and CEO

2016

www.enginebio.com Venture-backed technology-enabled drug discovery company pioneering data-driven approaches for addressing complex diseases. Our integrated computational and experimental biology platforms search and probe gene networks at 100-10,000x greater scale/speed than conventionally, driving more efficient and effective discovery of new targets and biomarkers for precision medicine. We uncover critical biology underlying complex gene networks, and we have internal drug design and chemistry to develop new therapeutics. We have a growing and advancing drug discovery pipeline in oncology and new targets and biology in other diseases (e.g. neurodegeneraiton). We have raised $53M of Seed and Series A funding from notable investors, including Polaris, 6 Dimensions, Temasek, Camford, WuXi, Invus, EDBI, WI Harper, Baidu Ventures, and others. In addition, we have received several million in grant funding from Pfizer and government bodies. Our founding team comprises domain experts in machine learning in life sciences, genome engineering, and genetic interactions/systems biology from MIT, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and UCSD. Our executive team brings several decades of biopharma industry experience leading to multiple FDA-approved drugs, numerous clinical programs, and several exits. The team has published several papers in Nature Biotechnology, Science, Cell, Nature Methods, and PNAS regarding elements of the technologies.

Founding Board Director

2020

Next-gen cancer immunotherapy company

Partner

2017

Biotech VC and venture creation firm focused on breakthrough platform technologies and novel therapeutics. Portfolio includes Bota Bio, Rootpath, HiFiBio, and 10+ other exciting companies

Co-Founder and Advisor

2013

Investment firm focused on seed and early stage opportunities across Asia and USA in tech and biotech, with opportunistic investments later-stage. With affiliated family office D3 Capital, participate in real estate and other sectors as well. Investments include Enleofen, Nubank, Senti, 88rising, Engine Bio, ResTORbio, Synlogic, ZUZU Hospitality, and more.

Founding Board Director

2017 - 2020

Preclinical stage biotechnology company developing anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Board director from day one, worked on spin-out from academia, company building for virtual drug development of antibodies for novel target (IL-11), financing, and business development. In early 2020, we announced a transaction with Boehringer Ingelheim, a landmark deal for Singapore biotech. BI is acquiring our preclinical assets, including multiple product candidates and platform, in an upfront and earnout deal in excess of US$1 billion per product in combined payments. We are pleased that our first-in-class antibodies are in the hands of a great company with deep experience and commitment developing treatments in fibro-inflammatory diseases, like NASH and IPF. https://endpts.com/boehringer-ingelheim-inks-singapores-largest-biotech-deal-promising-1b-each-for-a-suite-of-anti-fibrotic-il-11-drugs/

Head of Strategy and Analytics

2013 - 2014

- Online travel business with >US$1B in annual bookings from the Expedia and AirAsiaGo brands in 12 APAC markets. A JV between AirAsia and Expedia Inc - Acted as #2 to the CEO, served on the Leadership Team. Responsible for corporate strategy, special projects and business initiatives, supply and destination strategy, and data analytics - Built plans for AirAsia's online travel strategy prior to JV discussions, then worked on the JV negotiations/establishment and early planning. Later joined AAE full-time - Formed data analytics team as group-wide function and business partner for data-driven decision-making in the company - Joined to chart strategy and translate to specific initiatives and execution. Resulted in strong revenue growth and first-time profitability - Responsible for hotel and air supply strategy, driving demand/supply alignment and growth - Responsible for bulk of board of directors communication (including AirAsia Group CEO and Expedia Inc CEO and CFO) - reports and BoD meetings - Partial exit to Expedia Inc at $345M valuation. Selling shareholders recorded gain on disposal of >10X

Board Director

2012 - 2013

- Board director at Think BIG Sdn Bhd, a technology-driven regional coalition loyalty business - Helped establish the JV between AirAsia and Tune Money and formulate strategy, later received strategic investment from AIMIA (TSX: AIM)

Group Head of Commercial Strategy / Head of Strategy

2011 - 2013

- Member of AirAsia Group office, covering airlines in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, India - Served as Head of Strategy & Innovation in Group CEO's (Tony Fernandes) office - Operational role, reporting to and deputizing for Group Head of Commercial responsible for group revenue - Started and led commercial strategy and data analytics team, intending to harness large customer datasets, market research, and analytics to drive decision-making. Also managed the digital marketing function - Worked with team to found 3 subsidiary/associate JV companies (AAE Travel, Think Big Digital, Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence) and to close 1 strategic acquisition - Led cross-functional projects for airline turnaround/launches. Involved in strategies for marketing, network planning, revenue management, and sales & distribution

Consultant

2007 - 2011

Associate Consultant Intern --> Associate Consultant (AC) --> Senior AC --> Consultant - Main sectors covered: airlines & travel, financial services, and consumer goods/retail, with experience in Private Equity Group, including healthcare. - Main geographies: SE Asia + Greater China. - Supported clients ranging from global MNCs, Asian sovereign wealth funds and PE firms, Asian regional corporations, and Malaysian government. - Broad mix in project natures, including multiples cases each in strategy planning, private equity due diligence, merger integration, JV/M&A (including supporting multiple deals to closing), and implementation.