# Sofie Qiao

> Sofie Qiao, Ph.D. is a chemist-turned-biotech-founder who has built a career at the intersection of hard science and dealmaking. Trained in organic chemistry at Harvard and MIT, she founded LEAD Therapeutics (acquired by BioMarin in 2010, source of the PARP inhibitor Talazoparib now sold by Pfizer), ran WuXi Ventures, and then founded and led Vivace Therapeutics from 2015 to 2026, raising more than $100 million to advance first-in-class small molecules targeting the Hippo/YAP-TEAD pathway in cancer. She now leads Virtuoso Therapeutics, another company she founded.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at Virtuoso Therapeutics; Advisor to Vivace Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** Virtuoso Therapeutics, Vivace Therapeutics, WuXi Ventures (WuXi AppTec), LEAD Therapeutics, Genzyme, McKinsey & Company, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
- **Education:** Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), A.B. in Chemistry, Harvard University
- **Known for:** Founded LEAD Therapeutics and led its 2010 acquisition by BioMarin (up to $97M), the origin of Talazoparib, now marketed by Pfizer, Founded Vivace Therapeutics and raised more than $105M across Series A-D to develop first-in-class YAP-TEAD/Hippo-pathway inhibitors, Served on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), 2020-2024

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Medicinal chemist at Genzyme Corporation (now part of Sanofi)
- **Business roles** — Consulting and business development at McKinsey & Company, Syrrx, and Discovery Partners International
- **2006** — Co-founded LEAD Therapeutics and raised $17M Series A
- **2010** — LEAD Therapeutics acquired by BioMarin for up to $97M, source of the PARP inhibitor Talazoparib
- **Pre-2015** — Managing Director of WuXi Ventures, the corporate venture arm of WuXi AppTec
- **2015** — Founded Vivace Therapeutics; served as President, CEO and board member
- **2020** — Vivace announces $30M Series C financing
- **2020-2024** — Member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) board of directors
- **2025** — Vivace raises $35M Series D to advance its Hippo-pathway cancer program
- **2026** — Transitioned to advisor role at Vivace; founded and leads Virtuoso Therapeutics as President and CEO

## Achievements

- Founded LEAD Therapeutics and led its 2010 acquisition by BioMarin (up to $97M), the origin of Talazoparib, now marketed by Pfizer
- Founded Vivace Therapeutics and raised more than $105M across Series A-D to develop first-in-class YAP-TEAD/Hippo-pathway inhibitors
- Served on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), 2020-2024
- Built and led three biotechnology companies as founder
- Earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from MIT and an A.B. in chemistry from Harvard

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — Vivace Therapeutics raised $35M in Series D financing to support clinical development of its first-in-class Hippo-pathway cancer drug.
- **2026-05** — Transitioned from President and CEO of Vivace Therapeutics to an advisory role; now founder, President and CEO of Virtuoso Therapeutics.

## Links

- Website: https://vivacetherapeutics.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sofie-qiao-013138

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sofie-qiao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-27