Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases.
We are committed to developing safe and effective therapeutic products that improve the lives of patients living with complex, life-threatening rare diseases with unmet medical needs.
Our leadership team works relentlessly to ensure we uphold our commitment to develop safe and effective products that make a difference in healthcare. Meet the team who continues to lead us towards growth and success.
Dr. Bhatnagar was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer in February 2014. Prior to that, he served as our President and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Bhatnagar joined us in 2006, and has held positions of increasing responsibility since then. Dr. Bhatnagar is a physician with over 15 years of experience in the medical device and biopharmaceutical industries. His experience spans development of biologics, drugs, drug-device combinations and diagnostic as well as therapeutic medical devices. His prior experience includes working at Coulter Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1998 to 2000 and Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2000 to 2006. He is the author of several peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and book chapters. He obtained his medical degree at SMS Medical College in Jaipur, India and completed his Residency and Fellowship training in the U.S. at various institutions, including Georgetown University Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mackaness has been a partner at FLG Partners, a leading Silicon Valley chief financial officer services and board advisory consultancy, since September 2019. Prior to joining FLG, Mr Mackaness served as Chief Financial Officer for Invuity, Inc (NASDAQ: IVTY) sold to Stryker Corporation. Prior to Invuity, Mr. Mackaness served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of IRIDEX Corporation (NASDAQ: IRIX). Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of NextHop Technologies, Inc., a networking wireless technology company. And prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Infogear Technologies Corporation which was sold to Cisco Systems, Inc. where Mr. Mackaness held a senior management role responsible for business development. Mr. Mackaness began his career at Ernst & Young LLP. where he became an audit manager, and received his B.A. with honors in Psychology from the University of Warwick, England and is a Chartered Accountant.
Dr. Cowen joined Capnia as the Senior Vice President of Drug Development in March 2017, at the time of the Capnia acquisition of Essentialis. Previously, Dr. Cowen was part of the senior management team of Essentialis since its founding in May 2003, functioning first as founding CEO and most recently as President and CSO, directing the product development, finance and business development functions. From 2001 to 2003 Dr. Cowen served as VP for Strategic Development at Epicyte Pharmaceutical, directing the product development, regulatory, manufacturing, business development and HR functions of the company. From 1986 to 2001 Dr. Cowen functioned in various business development and research management roles in Dow Chemical and its subsidiaries, ending as Global Business Leader for biopharmaceuticals and animal health. Dr. Cowen has a PhD from Iowa State University an MBA from the University of Indianapolis, and BS and MS degrees from Michigan State University.
Ms. Yen has over 15 years of clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. She joined the Company 2006, and currently serves as the head of Clinical Operations. Prior to joining the Company, she managed multiple U.S. and global clinical studies in oncology, and held various positions of increasing responsibility at Titan Pharmaceuticals. She began her career in the industry as a clinical employee at PRA International. She has served as a team member and managed clinical studies in neonatology, neurology, pulmonary/allergy, cardiovascular disease, endocrine/metabolic disease, and oncology. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science degree in cell, molecular and neurosciences from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Ms. Hirano has over 20 years of regulatory affairs in the biopharmaceutical industry. Her experience encompasses the development of pharmaceuticals, biologics, and drug-device combination products for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonary/allergy, and endocrine/metabolic diseases. Prior to becoming a regulatory consultant, she held various positions of increasing responsibility at the Company Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PRTM (now PWC), CV Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Gilead), and Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc. (acquired by Chiron Corp). She has also been the coordinator of the Bay Area Compliance Discussion Group in 1998. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of California, Berkeley, and Master of Public Health degree from San Jose State University.
Dr. Ravivarapu has over 20 years of CMC and CMC-regulatory experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His experience encompasses the development of small molecule and peptide pharmaceuticals in diverse therapeutic areas. His work on sustained release formulations of leuprolide acetate led to commercialization of the Eligard family of medicines. His work also led to multiple Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and New Drug Applications (NDA), and supported products from early stage development through commercialization. Prior to joining Soleno, Dr. Ravivarapu held various positions of increasing responsibility at Astex Pharmaceuticals, Dynavax, and Atrix Laboratories as well as worked as an independent consultant with multiple pharmaceutical companies. He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in pharmaceutics from BITS, Pilani (India) and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics from The University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases.