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J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Welcomes Dr. Dashyant Dhanak as New Venture Partner

In a significant move for its Life Sciences Private Capital sector, J.P. Morgan has announced the appointment of Dr. Dashyant (Dash) Dhanak, Ph.D., as its new Venture Partner. This decision, revealed on May 19, 2025, comes as part of J.P. Morgan's ongoing strategy to leverage exceptional talent in the field of therapeutics research and development.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Dhanak brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the J.P. Morgan team. He most recently served as the Chief Scientific Officer at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, which was notably acquired by Ono Pharmaceuticals in 2024 for an impressive $2.4 billion. His exceptional leadership at Deciphera focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments, showcasing his dedication to advancing healthcare solutions.

Prior to his role at Deciphera, Dr. Dhanak played a pivotal role at Incyte, where he was Chief Scientific Officer overseeing groundbreaking research and the preclinical development of medicines targeting hematology, oncology, and immunology. His time at Incyte was marked by strategic advances, including the filing of over fifteen Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, a testament to his impactful contributions towards building a robust portfolio of therapies.

Dr. Dhanak's profound expertise doesn't stop there. Before joining Incyte in 2018, he served as the Vice President and Global Head of Discovery Sciences at Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Research & Development group, leading vital drug discovery efforts. His journey also includes an impressive 25-year tenure at GlaxoSmithKline, culminating in his role as Vice President and Head of the Cancer Epigenetics Discovery Performance Unit. At GlaxoSmithKline, he made notable strides in enhancing cancer research capabilities.

Dr. Stephen Squinto, Chief Investment Officer of Life Sciences Private Capital, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Dhanak's appointment. He stated, "Dr. Dhanak has a proven track record of building and establishing leading biotech companies with scientific and operational excellence. We are excited to welcome Dr. Dhanak to the team and believe he will play an essential role as our platform continues to grow."

Dr. Dhanak earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and earned his Ph.D. from the University of London. His dedication to science was further exemplified during his postdoctoral research in Natural Product Synthesis at Northwestern University.

About J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital

J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital (LSPC) is a prime platform of J.P. Morgan Private Capital, dedicated to investing in promising life sciences ventures. With a focus on venture and growth investments, LSPC partners with groundbreaking companies in biotherapeutics and healthcare. The platform is focused on both early-stage biotechnology and late-stage healthcare investments, addressing a wide array of therapeutic areas. They aim to invest in company creation and growth from Seed and Series A funding to Series B and pre-IPO stages.

About J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Renowned globally, J.P. Morgan Asset Management oversees assets totaling $3.7 trillion as of March 31, 2025. The firm is consistently recognized as a leader in investment management, catering to a diverse clientele that includes institutions, retail investors, and high-net-worth individuals. Their services extend across multiple asset classes, including equities, fixed income, real estate, and private equity. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., the parent company of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, stands as a leader in the U.S. financial market and serves a wide array of clients worldwide. To learn more about their services, visit www.jpmorgan.com/am.