Seema Kantak

Seema Kantak, MS, PhD has a diverse and extensive work experience in the biotech industry. Seema currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, Biotherapeutics at Exelixis since October 2021. Before this role, they served as Vice President and Executive Director of Biotherapeutics at the same company.

Prior to joining Exelixis, Seema was the President of Byotek Consulting, Inc., a boutique consulting company that provided R&D strategy and project management support to biotech start-ups. Seema has worked with three start-ups to date.

Seema also held the position of Chief Scientific Officer at Symic Bio from 2015 to 2017, where they led the company's R&D strategy and operations in oncology, fibrosis, and CNS disorders. Seema directed a team of 15 scientists and managed a budget of $2.5 million.

From 2010 to 2015, Seema worked at Nektar Therapeutics in various roles. Seema served as the Vice President of Research & Preclinical Development, where they led preclinical development and managed the protein pipeline. Seema also worked as the Managing Director and Board Member of Nektar Therapeutics' India subsidiary, where they were responsible for establishing scientific rigor and R&D expertise in India. Seema directed 90 employees and managed a budget of $15 million.

Prior to Nektar Therapeutics, Seema worked at XOMA (US) LLC as the Senior Director of Disease Biology & Translational Medicine. In this role, they led portfolio strategy and managed the discovery research for oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Seema also worked as the Director of Pharmacology & Translational Medicine, where they established the pharmacology, translational medicine, and biomarker function for oncology.

Seema's early career includes positions at Celera Corporation, where they were a Senior Staff Scientist, Senior Scientist, and Scientist. In these roles, they led oncology drug discovery projects, developed experimental protocols, and established the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology laboratory for oncology.

Overall, Seema Kantak has a strong background in R&D strategy, project management, and leadership in the biotech industry, spanning multiple organizations and therapeutic areas.

Seema Kantak holds a BSc in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Mumbai. Seema then pursued an MSc in Biophysics from the University of Mumbai, completing it from 1985 to 1987. Seema later attended Wayne State University, where they obtained an MS in Biology from 1990 to 1991. Seema continued their education at Wayne State University and received a PhD in Oncology and Cancer Biology, completing it from 1991 to 1995.