Laura K. Shawver , PhD
Executive in Residence

Laura K. Shawver, Ph.D is an Executive in Residence at 5AM Ventures.  Prior to joining 5AM, Dr. Shawver was the Chief Executive Officer of Phenomix Corporation where she also served on the board since June 2002.  Previously, Dr. Shawver was the President of SUGEN, Inc. from October 2000 to May 2002, after holding various positions since June 1992.  SUGEN, Inc. focused on understanding key molecular pathways of cancer cells and developed the drug Sutent™.  The company was acquired by Pharmacia in 1999.  Prior to SUGEN, Dr. Shawver was employed at Berlex Biosciences, formerly known as Triton Biosciences, from August 1989 to June 1992.  In addition to serving as an advisor to the biotech industry, Dr. Shawver remains involved in cancer research and is the deputy editor of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics as well as serving on other editorial boards. She is an active member of the American Association for Cancer Research.  Shawver is also an ovarian cancer survivor and advocate.  After her diagnosis and treatment, she established The Clearity Foundation in 2007 to provide access to molecular profiling for other ovarian cancer patients in hopes of improving their treatment options.  Shawver received her Ph.D in Pharmacology and a B.S. degree in Microbiology, both from the University of Iowa.