Arjun “JJ” Desai, MD brings a diverse and successful track record as a Stanford-trained clinical physician, medical technology executive, biotechnology executive, and investor. His early career started as an early or founding team member at multiple medical and biotechnology companies including Profusa (acquired), Qool Therapeutics, Incline Therapeutics (acquired), and Avinger (Nasdaq: AVGR). Concomitantly, JJ served as both clinical instructor for Stanford Healthcare and faculty for the Stanford Biodesign Program. In 2016, JJ was recruited to serve as Global Vice President, External Innovation for Johnson & Johnson, where he led the JLABS organization and Center for Device Innovation as Chief Operating Officer. He led a global team, with >500 early-stage assets under management across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer technology. Following JNJ, JJ joined Insightec, the world's foremost leader in focused ultrasound therapeutics, with an emphasis on neuroscience, as CSIO. JJ leads teams across Israel, Europe, the US, Japan, and China - responsible for both commercial and R+D strategic development, global pharmaceutical development partnerships, and global market access and reimbursement. JJ serves on the Board of Directors for TriSalus Life Sciences (Nasdaq: TLSI); Clene Nanomedicine (Nasdaq: CLNN); Obvius Robotics (Co-Founder, Chairman of BOD), PathologyWatch (Digital Pathology, Acquired), Tympa Health (Hearing Health Tech), Wesper (Sleep Tech), OpenWater Software, Inc (Neuro Tech), and as a senior advisor to Empyrean Neuroscience (co-founder; CRISPR Therapeutics). JJ is a frequent contributor to Forbes Healthcare, the Milken Institute, and a keynote speaker at leading global healthcare conferences. JJ has been featured in Life Force (Tony Robbins), Becker’s, CNN, BBC, and Medtech Strategist. Finally, and most importantly, JJ is the proud father of 4 children under 12, a Chocolate Labrador, and husband to a much smarter wife.
