About us
Meet the Team
Founded in 2024, nAAvigen Therapeutics is focused on developing novel, safe gene editing solutions for the most common genetic diseases.
Arun Srivastava, PhD
PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER
A recognized pioneer in AAV biology, Arun Srivastava brings over 45 years of expertise in vector development and translational gene therapy. As a founding scientist of Avigen—the first AAV gene therapy company—and a continuously NIH-funded investigator since 1987, he has authored more than 220 publications and holds 40+ U.S. patents. Dr. Srivastava is an AAAS Fellow and respected leader in the NIH and scientific review communities.
Jorg Bungert, PhD
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Jorg Bungert is a faculty member at the University of Florida, where he has led research in globin gene regulation for more than 30 years. He is an expert in synthetic transcription factors and fetal hemoglobin reactivation, pioneering approaches to restore healthy red blood cell function. At UF, Dr. Bungert directs the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MS program and has received multiple awards recognizing his excellence in teaching and mentoring.
Keyun Qing, MD
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Qing earned his MD and MSc from Hunan Medical College, China, where he began studying the genetic mechanisms of hemoglobinopathies. He brings over 30 years of experience in AAV research and 20 years in pharmaceutical R&D, including leadership roles at Eli Lilly. Dr. Qing has been instrumental in advancing AAV molecular biology and developing therapeutic vectors that have shaped the field of gene therapy.
Niranjan Kumar, PhD, EMBA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dr. Niranjan Kumar is a global biopharma leader with more than 34 years of experience across biologics, vaccines, biosimilars, and cell & gene therapy. He has held senior leadership roles at Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Novavax, where he led programs from early research through successful commercial launch. Dr. Kumar brings deep expertise in CMC, manufacturing, regulatory strategy, and global commercialization, with a proven track record of scaling operations and forging strategic investment partnerships.
Husam Abu-Amara, DBA
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Dr. Husam Abu-Amara is an internationally recognized strategist with over 25 years of leadership experience across the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As founder and managing partner of a global advisory firm, he has led more than 65 strategic transformations for corporations and governments in 15+ countries. A certified master in systems thinking and strategic management, Dr. Abu-Amara empowers organizations to achieve sustainable growth, innovation, and cultural transformation.
Scientific Advisory Board
Our Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of leading global experts in hematology and stem cell biology.
Alok Srivastava, MD, FRACP, FRCPA, FRCP
CHAIRMAN
Dr. Srivastava is Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board and a Distinguished Professor of Haematology with more than 35 years leading clinical, laboratory, and stem-cell research programs across India. He directed India’s Centre for Stem Cell Research, led the country’s first successful lentiviral gene-therapy trial for hemophilia A, and is an author of international hemophilia guidelines and an influential member of national and global gene-therapy committees.
Mervin C. Yoder, MD
MEMBER
Dr. Yoder is an internationally recognized expert in hematopoietic and vascular stem cell biology. He founded EndGenitor Technologies and Vascugen Inc., advancing regenerative medicine through innovative stem cell platforms. A long-standing NIH-funded investigator and author of more than 330 scientific publications, he is frequently invited to speak and review for major research funding agencies worldwide.
Betty Pace, MD
MEMBER
Dr. Pace is a distinguished pediatric hematologist and investigator specializing in sickle cell drug development and gene therapy. Currently, she is the Francis J. Tedesco Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, where she leads basic/translational research. A national thought leader in sickle cell therapeutics, she has served on multiple NIH committees and advisory boards.
Reuben Kapur, PhD
MEMBER
Dr. Kapur is Vice Chair for Basic Science Research and Director of the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Indiana University School of Medicine; the Freida and Albrecht Kipp Professor of Pediatrics for the Program in Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Biology; and Co-Program Leader for Hematopoiesis and Hematologic Malignancy at the NCI-designated Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. An internationally recognized investigator in childhood leukemias, stem cell biology, and bone marrow failure syndromes, he has led pioneering studies on molecular pathways driving leukemogenesis and the development of novel targeted therapies.