Mike Mentesana

About Mike Mentesana

Michael Mentesana is a healthcare executive, innovator, and venture investor with more than 25 years of experience across the biopharmaceutical ecosystem. He is widely recognized for leading corporate transformations, R&D modernization, M&A integration, and data-driven innovation across global pharma, biotech, CROs, provider networks, public health organizations, and the FDA.Michael has built a track record of delivering measurable enterprise value—driving more than $50 million in cost reductions,$25 million-plus in EBITDA gains, and a 15% increase in R&D productivity for top pharmaceutical leaders. He has led operational transformations for 18 of the top 25 pharma companies, optimizing portfolio strategy, resource allocation, and governance to accelerate R&D efficiency and improve returns on innovation.As the Founder of Wilbury Ventures, Michael partners with founders and collaborates with PE- and VC-backed startups as an investor, board member, and strategic advisor. His portfolio includes VieCure, N-Power Medicine, BLC, KBA, Aktana, Catalytic Data Science, RxE2, and others—guiding growth strategy, product innovation, and market expansion. He also serves on the advisory boards of Ocean Genomics and the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.Before Wilbury Ventures, Michael was the Founder and CEO of Nextec Neuroscience, a company dedicated to defeating neuro-oncologic and neurodegenerative diseases. Nextec developed a first-in-class platform to safely and precisely deliver therapeutics across the blood–brain barrier and advanced programs into preclinical and early clinical development. He built a world-class Scientific and Advisory Board and forged strategic partnerships with leading academic and industry collaborators, positioning Nextec as an emerging innovator in targeted neurotherapeutic delivery.Michael also held multiple leadership roles at Syapse, evolving from Board Member to Senior Advisor, then President, and ultimately CEO. As CEO, he restructured the company, implemented a new strategic vision, and led its successful acquisition by N-Power Medicine. Earlier in his career, at PwC, he founded and scaled the firm’s Pharma R&D and Health Analytics practices into $100 million-plus annual businesses and held senior roles at Deloitte Consulting.Michael holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Organizational Psychology and Biology from Brooklyn College, and a master’s in Organizational and Behavioral Psychology from Columbia University.

Experience

1. Senior Advisor

   Ellumigen

   Sep 2021 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

Education

• Brooklyn College

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology, General

• Brooklyn College

  BS, Organizational Psychology

• Columbia University

  MA, Organizational Psychology

Skills

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Organizational Design
• Business Management
• Project Portfolio Management
• Business Transformation
• Management Consulting
• Project Planning
• Clinical Development
• R&D
• Biotechnology
• Process Engineering
• Strategic Planning
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Strategy Development
• Sdlc
• Analytics
• Acquisition Integration
• Business Strategy
• Medical Devices
• Portfolio Optimization
• Governance
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Business Process Improvement
• Management
• Program Management
• Portfolio Strategy
• Lifesciences
• Strategy
• Organizational Development
• Business Intelligence
• IT Strategy
• Project Management
• Consulting
• Six Sigma
• Leadership
• Financial Management
• Pharmacovigilance
• Resource Management
• Business Process Design
• Process Improvement