Biographies

Greg has spent more than 20 years advising biotech companies on corporate and complex transactional matters, including structuring and negotiating strategic R&D collaborations, interactions with academic institutions, board governance and venture and non-dilutive financings. His mix of business and legal in-house experience enables him to provide pragmatic, business-focused solutions to intricate challenges faced by life sciences companies.

Representative clients include Aduro Biotech, Aimmune Therapeutics, Allogene Therapeutics, The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, Epalex Corporation, IDEAYA Biosciences and Pliant Therapeutics.

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Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
CEO

Led the successful sale of its operating business, and subsequently led the team after the acquisition in building out its microbial platform and development of new microbial products
Served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, where he developed the business case and strategy for the microbial-focused technology platform that drove the acquisition
Served as the company’s General Counsel, advising on corporate governance matters, successfully completing equity and R&D financings, negotiating collaboration agreements with BP, Bayer Crop Sciences and the Monsanto Company, and overseeing regulatory matters, including representing the company in the BIO trade association
Served as General Counsel for a venture-backed biologics company developing therapies for respiratory diseases

Venture Law Group and Heller Ehrman
Partner

Focused on licensing and strategic collaborations for life sciences and technology companies

Recent Client Work +

Recent Client WOrk –

Community +

Community –

Joe is or has been involved in a wide range of philanthropic and community organizations, including:

The Center for Discovery. Pro bono counsel for R&D initiatives at a leading provider of medical and clinical care and education services for people with complex developmental disabilities.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Partners in Health. Pro bono counsel for an international health services joint venture.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Board of DirectorsTrustees.
Partners Healthcare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine, Genetics Advisory Council, past member.
Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Science and Technology Council, past member.
CAVU Foundation, Board of Directors, past member. CAVU supported community programs that enhance the health care of underserved children in Massachusetts.
Venturing Out, Board of Directors, past member. Venturing Out was an innovative not-for-profit organization that taught entrepreneurship to incarcerated and court-involved adults and high-risk youth.
The Possible Project, Co-Founder of a not-for-profit that helps young people imagine, create and run their own business.
Slow Money, Maine and New York chapters. Joe worked with leadership to create pathways for individuals and families to provide financial assistance to farmers and agriculture businesses promoting sustainable local food systems. He also developed novel “patient loan” structures that have been used to raise critical financing for businesses that are re-building agricultural and fisheries food infrastructures.

Joe has spoken on business law and ethics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Program of Health Sciences and Technology), Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (Net Impact Conference), and Boston College Law School.

Joe was a member of the National Finance Council and actively involved in the voter protection team for the Stacey Abrams for Governor campaign.

Bar Admissions

California
New York

Education

Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude
University of Michigan, B.S., Chemical Engineering

Gregory J.

Ikonen

Principal

Industry Experience

CEO

General Counsel

Partner

Associate