Thomas Chalberg

A trailblazer in the fields of health and technology, Thomas Chalberg is widely recognized for his contributions to advancing medical techniques and knowledge through the innovative use of molecular biology and advanced biologics. Over the course of his career spanning more than 15 years, Thomas Chalberg has worked extensively in research, development, and commercialization in oncology and ophthalmology. In addition, he has built a solid track record of execution.

Having received his bachelor’s degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard University, Tom Chalberg spent two years as an operations research consultant with ZS Associates, where he worked with the firm’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients and consulted across therapeutic areas. He then pursued doctoral studies in genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where he was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute predoctoral fellowship.

After completing his PhD, Thomas Chalberg founded Avalanche Biotechnologies, a pioneering firm dedicated to developing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene delivery technology for the treatment of ophthalmic conditions. During his nine years as CEO, Tom Chalberg invented foundational intellectual property, spearheaded licensing and collaborations transactions with pharmaceutical partners and universities, and guided Avalanche from a small startup to a major presence in the biotechnology sphere, raising over $330 million through various financing sources and leading the company through one of the top IPOs of 2014.

Alongside his work with Avalanche, Thomas Chalberg spent five years as a group product manager with the biotechnology company Genentech, where he served in numerous positions on the oncology and ophthalmology commercial teams. He also served for three years as a board member of the private digital health company DigiSight Technologies. Moreover, he has been a member of the scientific advisory board of the nonprofit organization Hope for Vision since 2005.

In addition to earning scientific degrees from Harvard and Stanford, Thomas Chalberg received an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.