Ariane Vasilatis, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer @ Zena Therapeutics Inc.

About

I'm on a mission to address one of healthcare's most critical challenges: the benzodiazepine overdose crisis claiming over 12,000 lives annually in the U.S.As Co-Founder and CEO of Zena Therapeutics, I lead the development of ZTX-001, a first-in-class partial GABA-A receptor modulator designed to deliver the rapid efficacy of benzodiazepines without the risks of addiction, overdose, or withdrawal. Our novel approach combines the speed patients need with the safety they deserve.Since co-founding Zena in 2021, I've:-Successfully spun out the company from Rutgers University with exclusive IP licensing-Secured $1.6M+ in grant funding and venture capital backing-Led patent strategy resulting in multiple filings protecting our novel chemical entities-Completed Yale I2I, NSF Innovation Corps, and NIH Innovation Corps programs to validate market needs directly with buyers and payers-Guided preclinical development strategy positioning ZTX-001 for candidate selection and IND-enabling studiesMy background in natural products chemistry—focused on developing druggable lead compounds for human health—uniquely positions me to bridge scientific innovation and commercial execution. I understand both the chemistry behind our molecules and the strategic pathway to bring them to patients.What drives me: The knowledge that millions of anxiety patients are either undertreated due to safety concerns or exposed to medications with life-threatening risks. We're building a company that changes that equation.Visit us to see what we are up to:https://www.zenatherapeutics.com/

Country

United States

City

North Brunswick

Industry

Research

Skill

Project Management, Program Management, Technology Commercialization, Technical Translation, Grant Writing, Pharmaceutics, Due Diligence, New Business Development, Business Model Canvas, Entrepreneurship, Interviewing, Presentation Skills, Business Development, Chemistry, Laboratory, Research, Data Analysis, Science, Public Speaking, Statistics

Experience

Chief Executive Officer

Zena Therapeutics Inc.

2022-6 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

Co-Founder

Zena Therapeutics Inc.

2021-6 - Present · 5 yrs 4 mos

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

Postdoctoral Researcher

Rutgers University

2021-5 - 2023-8 · 2 yrs 4 mos

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Development and implementation of projects funded by New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) involving GABAergic compounds isolated from natural plant products to treat addiction and anxiety. Analyze and identify the aroma profiles of basil and other herbs (catnip) in support of USDA funded grants.

Start An SUD Start-up Challenge Award Recipient

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

2022-2 - 2022-7 · 6 mos

Was a part of team Zena Therapeutics which was awarded a $10,000 grant for the advancement of our technology. Received mentorship in the development and translation of novel products in the substance use disorder space for the submission of SBIR grants and presented at the board of director's meeting.

Entrepreneurial Lead

I-Corps™ Hub West

2022-2 - 2022-4 · 3 mos

As co-entrepreneurial lead of team Zena Therapeutics, I helped conduct 100 interviews in the drug abuse and pharmaceutical space in order to identified a beachhead market and develop a business plan for our technology. I presented our findings weekly and defended cross-examinations from teaching team and cohort members.

Entrepreneurial Lead

Rutgers I-Corps

2021-2 - 2021-3 · 2 mos

Learned how to navigate the Business Model Canvas and basic principles of customer discovery. Conducted weekly presentations and interviews with individuals in the health care space.

Graduate Student Researcher

Rutgers University

2014 - 2021-3 · 7 yrs

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Graduate student researcher in the Department of Plant Biology focused on natural plant products and natural products chemistry. Projects include phyto-chemical analysis of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) for improved health, the profiling of aroma compounds in tomato, thyme, oregano, and basil to improve breeding efforts, and the application of anti-microbial plant essential oils to improve food security.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Rutgers University

2015-8 - 2020-8 · 5 yrs 1 mo

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Development and integration of interactive learning utilizing peer-led workshops for Biology I and II.

Education

Rutgers University

Chemistry

2010 - 2014 · 4 yrs

Undergraduate degree in Chemistry with applications and lab experience in Physical Chemistry, Applied Biological Systems, and Natural Products Chemistry

Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Natural Products Chemistry

2014-9 - 2021-4 · 6 yrs 8 mos

My dissertation work focused on natural products chemistry for human health including screening of plant secondary metabolites and druggability of natural products. This work was followed by my participation in entrepreneurship programs such as I-Corps leading to the spinning-out my current start-up company, Zena Therapeutics.