Mark Bernard is a leading research biochemist and enzymologist with 17 years of experience in pharma/biotech industry. Areas of expertise include drug discovery, nucleotide metabolism, nucleic acids and enzymology. In large pharma (Pfizer and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals) and startups, Dr. Bernard’s research involves drug discovery and mechanism of action for biopharmaceuticals and small molecules in oncology, immunology and hematology. At the Pfizer Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Unit, he invented and published an enzymatic platform to optimize therapeutic RNA interference molecules and provide mechanistic insight. Bringing his RNAi expertise to Harvard Medical School, he discovered that HIV encodes novel microRNAs that stimulate a pro-inflammatory response through an unconventional mechanism. 

At Targeted Molecules Corp., Dr. Bernard initiated the program for anti-inflammatory Vatelizumab taking the program from proposal and drug discovery through humanization leading to IND. Vatelizumab completed four Phase 2 clinical trials (Sanofi/Glenmark, $613M deal). 

In biotechnology, he led enzymology research at the startup Omniome to produce an enzymatic platform for label-free Next-Gen Sequencing (leading to $8.1M Series A1).  At SmithKline Beckman/Beckman Instruments he produced 11 marketed in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products for drug and immunochemistry analysis while novel prototype  Synchron CX3, CX4 and CX5 analyzers were being developed in parallel with chemistry. 

Mark earned a B.S. Biochemistry degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and Ph.D. Biochemistry and Biophysics degree from Oregon State University.  He conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Texas Medical School (Medical Genetics) and Harvard Medical School (HIV, host defense and innate immunity). He has 10 peer-reviewed publications, 6 Patents issued/pending and prior experience at 2 startups.