BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) and Montgomery County are pleased to announce the selection of Kevin Heller, MD as a part-time “Executive in Residence”—a position dedicated to providing 1:1 technical assistance to Montgomery County-based biotech and medtech startups.
Heller will join two previously announced “MoCo” Executives in Residence, Jen Butler and Luis Guitierrez, who have been working closely with local entrepreneurs since November.
“I am eager to join Jen and Luis as we strengthen our community’s biohealth cluster,” said Heller. “Starting and growing a successful biotech company takes patience, perseverance, and resources. Supporting the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs is critical from a long-term public health perspective and from a local economic development standpoint.”
Potomac-based Heller is a physician-scientist and drug developer with over 20 years of experience in academia and industry. Dr. Heller’s experience spans all stages of oncology drug development from discovery in academic labs and pre-IND through commercialization and business development. In addition to his new role assisting Montgomery County start-ups, he is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Tallac Therapeutics in the Bay Area.
Previously, Dr. Heller served as the Chief Medical Officer at NextCure in Greenbelt, MD and has experience locally at AstraZeneca. Other industry experience includes time at Bristol Myers Squibb and Incyte Corporation. His extensive work within academia includes several prominent research labs in New York and serving as an adjunct professor at the Yale Medical School.
“The addition of Kevin to our team of life sciences experts is an immeasurable asset for Montgomery County-based startups,” said Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BHI. “Montgomery County’s support of this project illustrates our elected leaders’ commitment to the life sciences industry. It also reflects their understanding of the importance of mentoring, advising and connecting with a robust network in order to cultivate businesses.”
As part of its funding agreement with BHI, Montgomery County’s financial support may also provide access to other specialized experts, attorneys, and regulatory consultants that go beyond the expertise of BHI’s Executives in Residence. Early or growth-stage biohealth company headquartered in Montgomery County may be eligible for this assistance.
To contact Dr. Heller, please email him at kheller@biohealthinnovation.org