Pathway to Cures, the venture philanthropy fund of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, is delighted to name Sylvia Fong, PhD as a member of its Scientific Advisory Group. Dr. Fong joins Katherine High, MD; Haiyan Jiang, PhD; Glenn Pierce, MD, PhD; Steven Pipe, MD; Leonard Valentino, MD; and Michael Recht, MD, PhD, MBA, who also serve with distinction as members of Pathway to Cures Scientific Advisory Group.
Dr. Fong is an independent consultant and adjunct associate professor at Queen’s University in Canada, specializing in gene therapy, gene editing, and non-viral platforms. With more than 25 years of R&D experience, she is recognized for pioneering the development of the first approved AAV-based gene therapy for hemophilia A, successfully leading the program from research through regulatory approval and life-cycle management.
At BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Dr. Fong held several key roles, including executive director and head of non-oncology hematology research, where she oversaw programs for hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease. Earlier in her tenure as director and senior director, she led the translational development of therapies for metabolic, cardiovascular, and lysosomal storage disorders, advancing multiple programs from preclinical to clinical stages.
Dr. Fong’s expertise spans the development of biologics, gene therapies, and small molecules, with a strong focus on addressing unmet medical needs in rare genetic diseases. She continues to drive innovation across diverse therapeutic areas and drug modalities, leveraging her extensive experience to support cutting-edge advancements in the field.
“We are delighted to have Sylvia join us as a high-caliber advisor to support best practices in early-stage investing, which currently focuses on opportunities in non-viral-mediated gene therapy, gene editing platforms, and next-generation cures, therapies, diagnostics and devices,” said Dr. Recht, chief medical and scientific officer at both Pathway to Cures and the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. He chairs the Pathway to Cures Scientific Advisory Group.
Pathway to Cures focuses on focused on early-stage companies developing cures, therapies, or enabling technologies in support of the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community. It brings investment dollars, knowledge, and scientific and community relationships together to facilitate development of new products to address the unmet needs of the community. The Scientific Advisory Group makes recommendations to the Investment Committee regarding promising opportunities.
To learn more about Pathway to Cures and its portfolio, visit the website.
