Jun Axup

Chief Operating Officer

2023 - Current

Director Of Partnerships

2022 - 2023

E11 Bio (http://e11.bio) is a non-profit Focused Research Organization developing next-generation technologies to accelerate neuroscience and improve human health. We are making single-cell brain circuit mapping a routine and accessible part of every neuroscientist’s toolbox. We are a part of Convergent Research (https://convergentresearch.org/) and supported by Schmidt Futures (https://www.schmidtfutures.com/).

Chief Science Officer & Partner, IndieBio

2016 - 2022

IndieBio (http://indiebio.co/) is the world's leading seed-stage life science accelerator. Based in San Francisco and New York City, our program trains scientists to become entrepreneurs to solve the most pressing issues in human and planetary health. Our 4-month program includes $525K funding, fully-equipped labs, and dedicated mentorship. During my tenure, we funded and advised over 170 biotech companies across all sectors. Notable alumni include: • food - Upside Foods, NotCo, The EVERY Company, Prime Roots, New Culture, Endless West • sustainable agriculture - Beeflow, NovoNutrients, Vertical Oceans • consumer biotech - Geltor, OneSkin, Sun Genomics • computational biology - Catalog Technologies, Gatehouse Bio • therapeutics - SyntheX, Prellis Biologics, Indee Labs • biomaterials - MycoWorks, Huue, Lingrove

Co-founder & COO

2015 - 2016

Next-generation multiplex proteomics profiling technology for precision medicine • Designed and performed proof-of-principle experiments • Managed lab operations and collaborations

Scientist, Biology Lead

2014 - 2015

Lab automation robotics startup to accelerate biological research • Biology and chemistry generalist for oligo synthesis and CRISPR/Cas9 products • Product development, optimization, troubleshooting, and experimental design • Lab robotics programming and operations; data and visualization in Python

Founder & CEO

2011 - 2014

Science toys for education and outreach • Designed and commercialized interactive DNA molecule plush toys • Managed overseas manufacturing and shipping logistics

Scientist, Protein Engineering

2013 - 2014

Biotech company pioneering cell-free synthesis technology for the development of antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and immuno-oncology drugs • Developed and performed high-throughput screening assays for antibody discovery • Biophysical characterization of antibodies and bispecific antibodies • Optimized cell-free synthesis for engineered antibody scaffolds • Performed protein conjugations

Graduate Researcher

2008 - 2013

Advisor: Peter G. Schultz • Developed in vitro and in vivo applications of genetically encoded unnatural amino acids • Synthesized site-specific antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies for selective treatment of cancer

Undergraduate Researcher

2005 - 2008

Advisor: Thomas J. Tolbert • Synthesized post-translationally modified peptides using biological and chemical approaches • Cloned and purified glycan and glycoprotein processing enzymes