Cynthia Xiao-Jia
Board Observer @Haya Therapeutics
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WORK HISTORY
Board Observer @Haya Therapeutics
CH
HAYA Therapeutics, SA is pioneering precision RNA-guided regulatory genome targeting therapeutics that reprogram disease-driving cell states to treat rare, common, chronic, and age-related diseases. Its lead candidate, HTX-001, targets long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and is advancing in clinical development for heart failure.During my tenure as Board Observer, HAYA secured a landmark multi-year partnership with Eli Lilly to apply its RNA-guided regulatory genome platform in preclinical drug discovery for obesity and related metabolic conditions. This collaboration includes an upfront payment, equity investment, and potential milestone payments totaling up to $1 billion, plus royalties on product sales. In early 2025, HAYA successfully raised $65 million in Series A funding to accelerate HTX-001’s development and expand its RNA-guided regulatory genome pipeline. This financing underscores strong investor confidence in HAYA’s groundbreaking science and mission to deliver disease-modifying precision medicines faster and more efficiently.
EDUCATION
The Wharton School
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Management and Marketing
Harvard University
Executive Education Certificate -- Women on Boards: Getting On and Adding Value
Tsinghua University
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), PChem & Analytical Instrumentation
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry
Tsinghua University
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Chemical Engineering
SKILLS
ABOUT CYNTHIA XIAO-JIA
Seasoned life sciences executive and investor with over 30 years of global experience in healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cynthia Cai brings deep expertise in equity investment, board governance, global marketing, and business development. Known for her ability to bridge science, business, and finance across cultures and geographies, she is a trusted partner to CEOs, founders, and investors.As Founder and President of Tharton Consulting, Dr. Cai advises clients on investment strategy and business operations. She also serves as a Venture Partner at Viva BioInnovator, focusing on investments in transformative therapeutics across diverse indications. Previously, she was a Senior Advisor at Northern Light Venture Capital, leading U.S-focused healthcare investments. Earlier in her career, Dr. Cai held senior leadership roles at Agilent Technologies, including Associate Vice President of Global Marketing, where she oversaw multi-billion-dollar businesses in chromatography, automation, and mass spectrometry.Dr. Cai serves on the boards of both public and private biotech companies, including Spectral AI (NASDAQ: MDAI), Arthrosi Therapeutics, Amberstone Biosciences, HAYA Therapeutics, Basking Biosciences, Acelink Therapeutics, and f5 Therapeutics. She is also a Board Director at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia and contributes to academic and nonprofit initiatives, including the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University.She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.A frequent speaker at global healthcare and investment conferences, Dr. Cai has presented at the BIO International Convention, RESI, J.P. Morgan China Showcase, SAPA Annual Meeting, and the Wharton China Business Forum. She is also a dedicated mentor to Tsinghua Global MBA and Wharton EMBA students, and actively supports life science entrepreneurs.
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