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Kamau Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, next-generation gene correction company harnessing high efficiency targeted gene integration to develop a new class of therapies with the aim to cure a wide range of serious and life-threatening diseases.
Matthew Porteus, M.D., Ph.D. is a co-founder of Kamau Therapeutics as well as a pioneer in the field of gene editing. His work has been the first to demonstrate that gene correction could be achieved in human cells at frequencies that were high enough to potentially cure patients. Currently, he is the Sutardja Chuk Professor of Definitive and Curative Medicine in the department of pediatrics and section of pediatric stem cell transplantation, the co-director of the Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine at Stanford University, and co-executive director of the Stanford GMP (the Laboratory of Cell and Gene Medicine). Dr. Porteus’ work in gene editing spans more than 2 decades, during which he was an academic founder of CRISPR Therapeutics and Graphite Bio. In addition, he has served as an advisor to several other gene editing companies, as well as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on Sickle Cell Disease. As a trained pediatric stem cell transplant physician, he has over two decades of real world experience in the clinical aspects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Finally, he is the academic sponsor of clinical trials, including those pioneering the application of non-chemotherapy based approaches to conditioning for HSCT’s.
Dr. Porteus’ research program at Stanford continues to focus on developing genome editing by homologous recombination as best in class curative therapies for patients with genetic and non-genetic diseases.
Liliana Nordbakk is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and advisor renowned for her expertise in the Life Sciences and MedTech sector. In addition to her role at Kamau Therapeutics, Liliana serves as a Venture Partner for NEVA SGR’s Life Science Vertical, a leading Venture Capital based in Turin, Italy.
With a background in building successful companies focused on Big Data and AI software, she has co-founded NorCom Information Technologies AG and DreTec Software Ltd to successful exits via trade sales or IPOs. With over 20 years of investment experience, Liliana played a key role as the chair of Band of Angel’s Life Science and MedTech Investment group, identifying and supporting promising early-stage companies in the areas of business development, corporate strategy, management, and finance.
With a Master of Biotechnology degree from San Jose State University, Liliana harmonizes academic depth with practical industry knowledge, positioning herself as a driving force in life sciences, entrepreneurship, and investment.
Valentin (Vali) Barsan, M.D. leads the clinical and translational efforts of Nula-cel as a co-founder of Kamau Therapeutics. A former next generation sequencing engineer, Dr. Barsan investigated the clinical safety of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in the laboratory of Dr. Matthew Porteus at Stanford and published their findings in Nature Communications.
Dr. Barsan completed clinical fellowship in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation at Stanford University School of Medicine where he focused on translational research in clinical CAR T-cell and CRISPR technologies as an Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Endowed Fellow. He completed residency in Pediatrics at UC San Diego and holds a B.S. in Bioengineering at University of California San Diego and an M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Barsan is a board director at Umoja Biopharma and ArsenalBio as well as a board observer at Tessera Therapeutics and Synthego.
Ryan Sublett, CFA, CIRA has run finance and operations since the company’s founding in 2023. Prior to joining our company, Ryan held several investment roles at SoftBank Group, most recently with the Vision Fund. While at SoftBank, Ryan managed and served as a director/observer with several growth investments in the life sciences and robotics spaces including: ArsenalBio, AutoStore, CMR Surgical, ElevateBio, Karius, Neuron23, RR.AI and Umoja.
Before SoftBank, Ryan was a Director in the Turnaround & Restructuring group at AlixPartners, supporting operational turnarounds and distressed capital raises. He previously was a member of the investment team at Leucadia National, where he stepped into several interim operating roles in support of portfolio companies at pivotal value inflection points. Ryan is a proud UCLA Bruin, husband and father.
The Kamau Therapeutics team is supported by a team of seasoned advisors providing scientific insight and strategic guidance
Co-Founder And Advisor
Strategic Advisor
Strategic Advisor
Our name, our cause
With roots in Kenyan and Polynesian cultures, the name ‘Kamau’ means silent warrior or the spirit of perseverance, respectively. This name serves as a testament to the strength of those battling serious genetic diseases and embodies our commitment to developing the definitive generation of curative genetic medicines for patients.