Office: South San Francisco, CA

Executive Assistant:
Teresa McCoy

(650) 238-5015

Emmett Cunningham, Jr., MD, PhD, MPH
Partner

Dr. Cunningham joined Clarus with more than 20 years experience in the biomedical and biopharmaceutical sectors.  Prior to Clarus, Dr. Cunningham was the Senior Vice President, Medical Strategy at Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYET), where he helped build and lead the team that developed and commercialized Macugen, a first-in-class product for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Prior to Eyetech, Dr. Cunningham was at Pfizer, Inc, where he was responsible for the clinical development of early phase central nervous system compounds and the in-licensing of early and late-stage therapeutic candidates in ophthalmology.

Dr. Cunningham is an internationally recognized specialist in infectious and inflammatory eye disease with over 250 publications. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University, was Clinical Professor and Director of the Uveitis service at NYU from 2002 to 2005, and was Director of both the Uveitis Service and the Kimura Ocular Immunology Laboratory at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) from 1995 to 2001. Dr. Cunningham received an MD and MPH in epidemiology and statistics from Johns Hopkins University, a PhD in neuroscience from the University of California at San Diego for work done at The Salk Institute, and completed both a residency in ophthalmology and fellowship training in Corneal Disease and Uveitis at UCSF.

Dr.Cunningham founded and is the Chairman of the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS).

Dr. Cunningham represents Clarus on the Board of Directors of Restoration Robotics, and is a Board Observer for Aerie, Ophthotech, and Pearl. Previous Directorshiups include SARcode Biosciences (acquired by Shire) and Neomend (acquired by Bard).

Clarus Board Seats

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Kurt C. Wheeler
Dennis Henner
Emmett Cunningham

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aerie Pharmaceuticals is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel treatments for glaucoma. Aerie’s internal research and development engine has generated an innovative glaucoma pipeline. In addition to AR-12286, the Company’s Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, the pipeline includes AR-13165, a novel product candidate with a dual mechanism of action that represents the first of a new proprietary class of glaucoma drugs. AR-13165 is currently in preclinical, IND-enabling studies.

Aerie Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Public
Team: Nicholas J. Simon
Dennis Henner
Emmett Cunningham

Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNR)

Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:AVNR) is focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of chronic diseases. Avanir’s products and product candidates address therapeutic markets that include central nervous system disorders, inflammation, and infectious disease. Zenvia™ is Avanir's lead product candidate for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also known as involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED).

Avanir Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Kurt C. Wheeler
Dennis Henner
Emmett Cunningham

FerroKin Biosciences, Inc. acquired by Shire Plc. in March 2012

FerroKin Biosciences Inc., a San Carlos, Calif.-based company, is developing an iron chelator for the treatment of iron-overload in patients with transfusion-dependent hereditary and acquired refractory anemias. Clarus Ventures has co-invested with Burrill & Co. and Celgene Inc.

Ferrokin Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Medical Device
Status: Private
Team: Robert W. Liptak
Kurt C. Wheeler
Emmett Cunningham

Flowonix Medical

Flowonix Medical is focused on developing better treatment options for the 75 million Americans in chronic pain, more than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.  Our first product for delivery of intrathecal medication, the Prometra® programmable implantable pump, is undergoing clinical trials.  Flowonix is headquartered in Mount Olive, NJ.

Flowonix Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Medical Device
Status: Private
Team: Kurt C. Wheeler
Emmett Cunningham

Neomend, Inc. acquired by Bard, Inc. in October 2012

Neomend, Inc. based in Irvine, CA has developed advanced surgical sealant, adhesion barrier, and applicator technologies based on its proprietary protein and polymer based hydrogel platform. Targeted surgical procedures include thoracic, spine, gynecology and general surgery. The company's initial product, ProGELTM Pleural Air Leak Sealant, has received FDA PMA approval and is the only indicated surgical sealant in the U.S. for sealing lung air leaks in thoracic surgery. ProGEL showed statistically significant reductions in intra-operative air leaks and length of hospital stay days in the PMA trial.

Neomend Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Nicholas Galakatos
Emmett Cunningham

Ophthotech Corporation

Ophthotech Corporation is a privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for both wet and dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Three new molecular entities are currently in clinical development: E10030, an anti-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) pegylated aptamer; ARC1905, a pegylated aptamer targeting the C5 component of the complement cascade; and Volociximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the transmembrane receptor α5β1 integrin. All three Ophthotech drug products are currently in a phase 1 clinical trial for combination treatment with anti-VEGF therapy (Lucentis®). The most advanced product, E10030, has completed a Phase 1 trial.

Ophthotech Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Nicholas J. Simon
Kurt C. Wheeler
Emmett Cunningham

Pearl Therapeutics, Inc.

Pearl Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held company focused on improving the treatment and prevention of widely prevalent respiratory disorders.  Pearl has licensed a suite of particle technologies from Nektar Therapeutics, Inc. to rapidly advance their product candidates through development.

Pearl Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Medical Device
Status: Private
Team: Kurt C. Wheeler
Emmett Cunningham
Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Dennis Henner
Emmett Cunningham

SARcode, Inc. acquired by Shire in March 2013

SARcode is a private, San Francisco based company focused on the development of small molecule LFA-1 inhibitors to treat inflammatory diseases. In December, 2006 SARcode secured $25 million in a financing co-led by Clarus Ventures and Alta Partners.

SARcode Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Nicholas Galakatos
Emmett Cunningham

Taligen acquired by Alexion (ALXN) in January 2011

Taligen is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing inhibitors of the complement system for a variety of therapeutic indications.

Taligen Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Public
Team: Kurt C. Wheeler
Michele Park
Emmett Cunningham

Zogenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGNX)

Zogenix, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to treat CNS disorders and pain. Zogenix’ initial focus is the late-stage development and commercialization of Intraject® sumatriptan -- a needle-free, single-use, disposable, subcutaneous delivery system that will compete in the $2.5 billion triptan segment of the migraine market.  In August, 2006, Zogenix secured $60 million in a financing co-led by Clarus Ventures.

Zogenix Website