Dr. Mento has over thirty-five years of combined experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, Dr. Mento was President, CEO, Co-founder, and a member of the Board of Directors of Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. He held these positions from July 2005 to May 2020. From 1997 to 2005, Dr. Mento was President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Idun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In April 2005, Idun was sold to Pfizer. Previously, Dr. Mento served as President of Chiron Viagene, Inc. (subsequently Chiron Technologies, Center for Gene Therapy), and Vice President of Chiron Corporation from 1995 to 1997. Dr. Mento was Vice President of R & D at Viagene from 1992 to 1995. Prior to Viagene, Inc., Dr. Mento held various positions at American Cyanamid Company from 1982 to 1992. His last position was Director of Viral Vaccine Research and Development at Lederle-Praxis Biologicals, a business unit of American Cyanamid.
Dr. Mento currently serves on the Board of BIOCOM and the BIOCOM Institute and had previously served on the Boards of BIO, BIO Emerging Company Section Governing Body, BIO Health Section Governing Body, Sangamo Biosciences, Inc., and various academic and charitable organizations.