Daniel Capon

Dr. Capon is a molecular biologist with extensive experience in biotech invention and innovation. He holds forty-seven United States Patents covering recombinant Factor VIII for the treatment of hemophilia as well as several widely adopted foundational technologies including Fc fusion proteins, chimeric antigen receptors for T cell therapy, and genetically engineered mice using embryonic stem cells for the creation of fully human antibodies. His inventions have been broadly licensed and have led to the discovery and development of over twenty FDA-approved, marketed therapeutics including Enbrel for rheumatoid arthritis, Yescarta for B cell cancer, Vectibix for breast cancer, and Prolia/Xgeva for osteoporosis. Dr. Capon joined Genentech in 1981, serving in various positions including Staff Scientist and founding member of its Product Development Committee. He joined Cell Genesys in 1990, serving as Senior VP Research and Chief Technical Officer, and as a founder, director, and officer of Xenotech/Abgenix, a joint venture between Cell Genesys and Japan Tobacco, later acquired by Amgen for $2.2 billion. In 1995, Dr. Capon founded ViroLogic/Monogram Biosciences, today an operating subsidiary of LabCorp, serving as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to commercialize his invention of an HIV drug resistance diagnostic test used to guide HIV antiviral therapy. Dr. Capon has authored more than sixty peer-reviewed scientific publications. He received a B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.