Dr. Bernard is a leading research biochemist and enzymologist in pharma/biotech industry. His areas of expertise include nucleotide metabolism, nucleic acids and enzymology. In large pharma (Pfizer, Bayer) and startups, His 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 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 Phase II clinical trials (Sanofi/Glenmark, $613M deal).

In biotechnology, he co-founded Capienda Biotech to develop an advanced bioanalytical platform provide high-throughput experimental results for Medicinal Chemists to accelerate Drug Discovery for the Pharma Industry.  Dr. Bernard serves as PI of Capienda's Phase I SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF 2127159).  Previously, he led enzymology research at the startup Omniome to produce an enzymatic platform for label-free Next-Gen Sequencing, and at SmithKline Beckman/Beckman Instruments he produced 11 marketed IVD products.

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