The Managing Partners of Concept Bio
By leveraging over 60 years of combined experience in taking therapies from lab discovery to clinical trials and commercialization, Concept Bio operates with a focus on innovation and rapid scaling. We nurture new ventures through a milestone-driven approach, helping startups not only secure funding but also execute strategic plans and form critical partnerships.
Alan Horsager, PhD
Managing Partner
Dr. Alan Horsager is a biotechnology executive, entrepreneur, and company builder with deep expertise in genetic medicines. He holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California and has led multiple biotech companies from inception through commercialization and acquisition.
Alan began his career in academic gene therapy research at USC. He later founded and served as CEO of Episona, where he launched a first-in-class epigenetic screening assay for infertility. Most recently, he was President & CEO of Duet BioTherapeutics, a genetic medicines immuno-oncology company developing therapies for solid tumors. He also held strategic advisory roles at L.E.K. Consulting, supporting oncology-focused biopharma clients.
Alan is currently a founding partner at Concept Bio, a venture studio focused on launching breakthrough biotech companies, and a co-founder of a stealth-stage immuno-oncology company.
Cyrus Arman, PhD MBA
Managing Partner
Dr. Cyrus Arman is a biotechnology executive, investor, and company builder with deep expertise in drug development, strategy, and venture creation. He holds a PhD in Neuroscience and an MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California and an MBA from UCLA Anderson.
Cyrus began his career in competitive intelligence and strategic advisory at Deallus Consulting and Amgen, where he helped shape global product strategies across multiple therapeutic areas. He later served as Chief Business Officer at Nimble Therapeutics and President of CytoDyn, overseeing clinical, regulatory, and corporate development functions. As a venture partner at Apollo Health Ventures, he supports company formation and early-stage investment in aging and age-related disease.
He is currently Co-Founder of a stealth-stage biotech and a founding partner at Concept Bio, a venture studio focused on launching breakthrough biotech companies at the intersection of unmet medical need and translational science.
The Concept Bio Team
Shivu Sharma, MSc
Venture Advisor
Shivu Sharma is a biotech strategy executive, industry analyst, and futurist with expertise in corporate strategy, corporate development, portfolio strategy, new product planning, and competitive intelligence. He holds an MS in Physiology & Biophysics from Georgetown and a BS in Psychobiology from UCLA, with over 13 years of experience advising large-cap, small-cap, and private biopharma companies.
He began in life sciences strategy consulting at Deallus before joining Gilead Sciences, where he worked across competitive intelligence, corporate strategy, executive operations, and corporate development. He later led Product & Portfolio Strategy at Instil Bio (NASDAQ: TIL), building strategy for its TIL programs, and served as Head of Strategy & Business Development at cTRL Therapeutics, overseeing partnering, fundraising, and corporate strategy.
Shivu founded Big Pharma Sharma, a biopharma media and consulting platform, and serves as a strategic advisor to ConceptBio, supporting search, evaluation, and company formation.
Paige Unger
Intern
Paige is a current junior at the University of Southern California, pursuing a B.S. in Global Health and an M.S. in Healthcare Decision Analysis. She is an intern at Concept Bio, and her work lies at the intersection of research and strategy.
Ranga Yarlagadda, MSc
Venture Advisor
Sri Ranga Yarlagadda is a biotech operator and company builder focused on science-driven strategy and execution. Over 15+ years, he has helped teams navigate pivotal moments across the biopharma lifecycle, from NewCo formation and business development at venture-backed biotechs to portfolio strategy and commercialization efforts within large pharma.
He began his career at Amgen across competitive strategy and commercialization. He later transitioned into small biotech, serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO and leading corporate development at Rain Oncology through a strategic review that culminated in an acquisition. He then joined Stratus Therapeutics, focusing on driving operational execution during a period of transition.
He is currently a founding team member & Head of Corporate Affairs/Business Development at a stealth-stage biotech and a Venture Advisor at Concept Bio.