Hardean E. Achneck

About Hardean E. Achneck

Physician–Scientist | Chief Medical Officer | EIR, Yale Ventures | Founder-Operator (Venture Creation)I’m a dual US/EU-licensed physician–scientist and public-company biotech executive with a track record driving clinical strategy, investor/board engagement, and contributing to major value-creating events. I have extensive experience leading global clinical programs from IND through Phase 3 and NDA. My focus has been in liver, fibrotic, and rare diseases, with additional experience in multiple other areas of high unmet medical need primarily across siRNA, small-molecule, and antibody platforms.Most recently, I served as EVP & Chief Medical Officer at Aligos Therapeutics. I’m currently an EIR at Yale Ventures, partnering in venture creation and evaluating translational opportunities. My focus is founder-aligned company building—advancing high-potential assets alongside founders and investors, from newco formation through clinical stage. I also take on select advisory and fractional CMO/interim clinical development engagements that align with this focus.Key areas of impact:• Advanced programs from preclinical to pivotal stages across liver diseases, infectious diseases, rare diseases, pulmonology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, oncology, and neurology.• Led global regulatory submissions and secured IND/CTA approvals in 15+ countries (North America, EU, Asia) and negotiated adaptive trial designs with FDA.• Helped secure $100M+ in PIPE financing from premier life sciences investment firms.• Contributed to major transactions, including the $1.67B+ out-licensing of xalnesiran to Roche and Dicerna’s $3.3B acquisition by Novo Nordisk.• Regularly engaged with Boards of Directors on development strategy, value creation, and corporate alignment.• Proven leadership in building and managing high-performing teams across clinical development and clinical operations, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, data management and biostatistics, and clinical pharmacology—including hiring, mentoring, and developing talent across functions.Earlier in my career, I served as Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pathology at Duke University Medical Center and of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders at Duke-National University of Singapore. Bilingual in English and German, I integrate a global perspective, scientific rigor, and agile execution into my leadership style.Experiences: Small Molecules, Antibodies, Cell Therapy, Stem Cells, Gene Therapy, siRNA, Oligonucleotides, ASOs, mRNA, DNA

Experience

1. Entrepreneur in Residence (Eir)

   Yale Ventures

   Jan 2026 — Present

Education

• Harvard Business School

  Executive Education, Program for Leadership Development

  2020 — 2021

• Yale School of Medicine

  Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

  2000 — 2005

• Yale University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry

  1998 — 2000

Skills

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Medicine
• Microfluidics
• Technical Writing
• Clinical Trials
• Lifesciences
• Cardiovascular Disease
• German-English
• Commercialization
• Surgery
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Invention
• Mammalian Cell Culture
• University Teaching
• Venture Capital
• Cell Biology
• Medical Writing
• Grant Writing
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Protein Chemistry
• Patent Applications
• Product Design
• Translational Science
• Stem Cells
• Mentoring
• Career Development
• Patents
• Medical/Surgical
• Cell Therapy
• Clinical Development
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Biomaterials
• Medical Technology
• Technological Innovation
• Adverse Event Reporting
• Translational Research
• Cardiovascular Devices
• Prescription Drugs
• Business Strategy