Partner
Dr. Caldwell is a partner at Red Tree Venture Capital. A widely respected executive and scientist with deep industry expertise built through a decorated career of industry and venture activities, Dr. Caldwell’s accomplishments span from creating innovative drug development companies to driving discovery, development and translation of novel therapies. He has forged deep ties to the San Diego and San Francisco Bay Area biotechnology communities, as well as far-reaching relationships within the global pharmaceutical space.
Most recently Dr. Caldwell was CEO of Inception Therapeutics, Versant Ventures’ San Diego-based discovery engine for new company formation, a venture partner with Versant Ventures and a member of the firm’s investment team. In these roles, he co-led ¬the formation of Chinook Therapeutics (acquired by Novartis for $3.5B), and co-led the investment and formation of Lycia Therapeutics, Belharra Therapeutics, Light Horse Therapeutics, among others, acting as founding CEO and board director of each. Prior to Inception/Versant, Dr. Caldwell was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Third Rock Ventures, where he participated in the genesis and formation of Revolution Medicines (RVMD), Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX), Decibel Therapeutics (DBTX), Relay Therapeutics (RLAY) and Nurix Therapeutics (NRIX). He also played key roles in the foundational science on which Rigel, Inc. (RIGL), and Kalypsys, Inc., were formed, as well as advising in the evolution of Syrrx, Inc. (acquired by Takeda for $270M).
With drug discovery and development expertise primarily focused on oncology, immunology, neurology and cardiometabolic disease, Dr. Caldwell is credited with significant contributions to research leading to four commercial drugs. He previously served as executive vice president and chief scientific officer at Ardelyx, Inc., where he advanced a portfolio of novel anti-fibrotic and cardiorenal therapeutics to the clinic. His career has also included key leadership roles with Sirna, Merck Research Laboratories, and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF).
Dr. Caldwell is a member of the board of Sardona Therapeutics and Biograph 55. He received a B.A. in molecular and cellular biology with an emphasis in neuroscience from the University of California at Berkeley and a Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology from Stanford University.