# Isan Chen

> Isan Chen is a San Diego-based co-founder, president, and head of research and development at MBrace Therapeutics. He previously held senior roles at Pfizer, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, and Mirati Therapeutics, and has served on the boards of Tyra Biosciences and Treadwell Therapeutics. With Grace Shiao, he supports student scholarships at UC San Diego.

- **Role:** Co-founder, President & Head of Research and Development at MBrace Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** MBrace Therapeutics, Mirati Therapeutics, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Treadwell Therapeutics, Tyra Biosciences, University of California, San Diego, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- **Education:** MD, University of São Paulo, Fellowship, University of California, San Diego
- **Known for:** Co-founded MBrace Therapeutics with long-standing academic collaborators., Led MBrace as CEO during its November 2023 $85 million Series B financing., Held executive leadership responsibilities at Pfizer, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, and Mirati Therapeutics.

## Career timeline

- **2001–2004** — Assistant professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- **2004–2010** — Vice president at Pfizer.
- **2010–2013** — Chief medical officer at Aragon Pharmaceuticals.
- **2013–2020** — Executive vice president and chief medical and development officer at Mirati Therapeutics.
- **2013** — Grace Shiao and Chen renewed their involvement with UC San Diego.
- **2019–early 2022** — Advisor to Tyra Biosciences.
- **2020** — Co-founded MBrace Therapeutics with Renata Pasqualini and Wadih Arap; the company dates its founding to June 2020.
- **2020–2024** — Served on the Tyra Biosciences board.
- **2023** — MBrace announced an $85 million Series B on November 14, reporting $110 million raised to date.
- **Current, verified October 2026** — MBrace lists Chen as co-founder, president and head of research and development; Jay Stamatis is listed as CEO.

## Achievements

- Co-founded MBrace Therapeutics with long-standing academic collaborators.
- Led MBrace as CEO during its November 2023 $85 million Series B financing.
- Held executive leadership responsibilities at Pfizer, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, and Mirati Therapeutics.
- With Grace Shiao, arranged a gift in their trust to create a Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship Endowment at UC San Diego.

## Latest updates

- **2024-03** — As MBrace’s then-president and CEO, welcomed Steve Alley as chief scientific officer on March 5, 2024.
- **2026-10** — Current role verified on MBrace’s leadership page: co-founder, president and head of research and development. This is the research verification month, not an appointment date.

## Links

- Website: https://mbracetrx.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isan-chen-73601749

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/isan-chen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11