Press

Leen Kawas' journey from pharmacy student to biotech investor reveals how female founders navigate entrenched bias to drive breakthrough innovation. As Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners, Kawas invests in companies led by diverse, mission-driven teams focused on patient-first innovation. Her leadership philosophy centers on inclusivity, practical problem-solving, and elevating overlooked markets—principles she practiced while co-founding Athira and continues to c

Leen Kawas, Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners, is challenging the geographic and demographic concentration of biotech innovation. While California and Massachusetts receive nearly 70% of U.S. biotech funding, Kawas focuses on underserved regions and populations, investing in companies like Inherent Biosciences, Persephone Biosciences, and OmniVis. These firms are developing equitable solutions across male infertility, infant gut health, and global disease detect

Leen Kawas, Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners, is reshaping biotech investing through a strategy grounded in health equity and inclusive innovation. In response to the stark disparities in clinical trial representation, treatment access, and affordability, Kawas advocates for intentional innovation—backing companies that prioritize underserved populations globally. From Persephone Biosciences’ microbiome research for infant health to Inherent Biosciences’ epigen

In this episode of the Top Entrepreneurs Podcast  on the Enterprise Podcast Network, Leen Kawas, Managing General Partner of Propel Bio Partners, shares her journey from scientist to investor. With a background in life sciences and a passion for innovation, Kawas now leads a venture capital firm focused on supporting entrepreneurs building biotech companies that deliver transformative health solutions. She discusses the transition from the lab to the boardroom, her vision for

In this Enterprise Radio interview, Leen Kawas—Managing General Partner of Propel Bio Partners—shares insights from her path as a scientist, biotech CEO, and now venture capital leader. She discusses how founders can translate innovation into successful businesses, the importance of investor alignment in high-risk sectors like biotech, and how leaders can create value beyond funding. Kawas also explores balancing scientific rigor with entrepreneurial speed, mentoring women in

The biotechnology investment landscape has fundamentally changed. Traditional drug discovery timelines that stretch 8-10 years from...

Most venture capitalists have never walked in an entrepreneur’s shoes. They’ve built careers evaluating companies from the outside, armed...

The transition from scientist to CEO represents one of the most challenging career pivots in biotechnology. Brilliant researchers who can...

Here’s a statistic that might surprise you: women make up about half of the biotechnology workforce, but they hold only 30 percent of...

Most advice about what venture capitalists want comes from people who've only sat on one side of the table. Leen Kawas offers a different...

In the high-stakes world of biotechnology, where breakthrough discoveries can take decades and billions of dollars to develop, the...

Biotech’s diversity gap runs deeper than workforce stats. Although women make up around 50% of the industry, they occupy just 30% of...

Following a record-breaking $39 billion in venture capital funding in 2021, the U.S. biotech sector saw a sharp downturn. By 2023,...

Artificial intelligence is redefining every stage of the biotech pipeline—from discovery and development to clinical trials and...

A growing number of American parents recognize the importance of AI education, with 88% believing it will be vital to their children’s...

Leen Kawas, a leading biotech professional, highlights ways in which the return of US manufacturing can be beneficial to the economy, the industry, and the overall wellness of individuals.

In an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, biotechnology innovations are revolutionizing treatment approaches and improving patient outcomes. These advancements are reshaping scientific communities and healthcare systems through targeted therapies, precision medicine, and data-driven decision-making. Biotechnology leader Leen Kawas provides insights into how these innovations create a meaningful impact across the healthcare ecosystem.

Leen Kawas on Resilience as a Strategy: The Role of Female Leadership in Transformative Change

The integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into healthcare and biotechnology presents both unprecedented...

Leen Kawas On The Power of Perspective: Women Transforming Leadership Through Vision and Vulnerability