Tom Woiwode has an unusual dual-track career at Versant, having served as startup CBO and COO in operating roles at companies like Amira, Synosia, Flexion, and Okairos before becoming a managing director who has led multiple IPOs and M&A exits including CRISPR Therapeutics, Audentes, Gritstone, and Vividion. As a PhD medicinal chemist who started in drug discovery at XenoPort, he brings direct scientific experience from the bench that he applies to company-building and investing, and he frequently partners early with prominent academic scientists to found companies around their work, such as co-founding iECURE with gene therapy pioneer Jim Wilson.