Managing Directors
Partners
Principals/Advisors

Office: South San Francisco, CA

Executive Assistant:
Teresa McCoy

(650) 238-5015

Michele Park, PhD
Principal

Michele Park, PhD, serves as a Principal of Clarus Ventures. Dr. Park joined Clarus with five years of sell-side equity research experience covering the biotechnology sector. From 2002-2005, Dr. Park was a research analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston, where she covered biotechnology stocks as a member of the firm’s US biotechnology team. Before joining CSFB, Dr. Park was a biotechnology research analyst at US Bancorp Piper Jaffray.

Dr. Park received a PhD in Molecular Biology from Cornell University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, completing her PhD dissertation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University.

Dr. Park represents Clarus Ventures on the Board of Directors of Sientra and is also a Board Observer for Achillion and SFJ Pharmaceuticals.

Clarus Board Seats

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Public
Team: Nicholas J. Simon
Kurt C. Wheeler
Michele Park

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACHN)

Achillion is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel, small molecule inhibitors targeting infectious disease. Pipeline programs include a first-in-class HCV replicase inhibitor partnered with Gilead and an HCV protease inhibitor. Additional drug candidates target treatment of HIV and bacterial infections.

Achillion Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Nicholas J. Simon
Dennis Henner
Michele Park

Proacta, Inc.

Proacta is a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a new generation of hypoxia-activated prodrug compounds to treat cancer. These compounds are designed to improve outcomes of current cancer treatment regimens with a broader tumor killing effect. Proacta’s lead compound is selectively activated in hypoxic regions of solid tumors and can diffuse locally within the tumor to kill non-hypoxic cells. In January 2007, Proacta secured a $35 million Series B financing led by Clarus Ventures.

Proacta Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences II, L.P.
Sector: Biotechnology
Status: Private
Team: Robert W. Liptak
Kurt C. Wheeler
Michele Park

SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

SFJ Pharmaceuticals (SanFrancisco/Japan) serves as a clinical development specialty pharma company with a focus on obtaining product approval in Japan. Targeted candidates for development in Japan are low risk compounds that are already approved or have a high likelihood of approval in the US with projected Japan annual sales in excess of $100M. To date, SFJ has entered definitive agreements with two major global pharma companies to fund Phase 3 trials for oncology assets. Pre-determined milestone payments to SFJ shall be received on approval of the asset in pre-specified countries.

SFJ Pharmaceuticals Website

Fund: Clarus Lifesciences I, L.P.
Sector: Medical Device
Status: Private
Team: Nicholas J. Simon
Kurt C. Wheeler
Michele Park

Sientra, Inc.

Sientra is a private medical device company focused on developing and marketing a broad portfolio of products within the rapidly growing plastic surgery and aesthetics market. In April 2007, Sientra secured $85 million in a Series B financing co-led by Clarus Ventures.

Sientra 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