# Jeffrey L. Cleland

> Jeffrey L. Cleland is a chemical engineer, company founder and executive. Ashvattha Therapeutics identifies him as its CEO and founder. His career includes more than a decade at Genentech, co-founding and leading Versartis through its 2014 Nasdaq offering, leadership of Graybug Vision, technical authorship and board service.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Ashvattha Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** Ashvattha Therapeutics, Programmable Medicine, APstem Therapeutics, Syncromune, Elixirgen Therapeutics, Versartis, Diartis Pharmaceuticals, Graybug Vision, Genentech, Targesome, Novacea, Telik, BaroFold, University of the Pacific
- **Education:** BS in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, PhD in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- **Known for:** Led Versartis through its 2014 Nasdaq offering: 6.9 million shares at $21, including the additional-share option., Led Graybug Vision during its $44.5 million Series B financing in 2016., Professional biographies credit more than 100 articles, four books and issued patents.

## Career timeline

- **1991-2002** — Worked at Genentech, including as a project team leader.
- **2002-2003** — Vice President of Research and Development at Targesome.
- **2003-2005** — Vice President of Technical Operations at Novacea.
- **2005-2007** — Senior Director of Product Development at Telik.
- **2007-2009** — Vice President at BaroFold; tenure ended April 2009.
- **2009-2015** — President, CEO and director of Versartis from May 2009 to May 2015; also a co-founder.
- **2010-2013** — Co-founded Diartis and served as CEO and director from December 2010 to March 2013.
- **2014** — Led Versartis at the time of its Nasdaq IPO.
- **2016** — As Graybug Vision CEO, led a $44.5 million Series B financing.
- **2019** — Signed an Ashvattha SEC filing as president; filing also identified him as executive chairman.
- **2020** — Listed as an Ashvattha executive and panelist in a RESI term-sheet workshop program.

## Achievements

- Led Versartis through its 2014 Nasdaq offering: 6.9 million shares at $21, including the additional-share option.
- Led Graybug Vision during its $44.5 million Series B financing in 2016.
- Professional biographies credit more than 100 articles, four books and issued patents.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Current leadership pages checked during research list him as CEO and founder at Ashvattha, chairman/president/CEO at Programmable Medicine, chairman at APstem and director at Syncromune. This date records verification, not appointment.

## Links

- Website: https://avttx.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cleland-633574

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/jeffrey-l-cleland
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22