Kala Subramanian
Operating Partner
Kala Subramanian joined Flagship Pioneering in 2021 as an Operating Partner working with Flagship NewCos to increase value creation as well as drive operational and strategic initiatives. She brings broad expertise in strategic planning, operations, business development and licensing, and global program and portfolio management. Kala has held leadership positions in emerging biotech companies as well as large pharma.
Before joining Flagship, Kala was Chief of Staff, Head of Strategy and Business Development & Licensing at Ichnos Sciences. She led Ichnos’ separation from its parent company, developing the company’s corporate strategy and preparing for fundraising and due diligence necessary for external partnerships. Prior to Ichnos, Kala served as VP, Chief of Staff Oncology at Gilead Sciences/Kite Pharma and SVP, Head of Strategic Development and Operations at CRISPR Therapeutics. She spent 13 years at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in a variety of roles including VP, Global Head of Strategic Development, and Program Management in Oncology Global Development and Medical Affairs. She led the program and portfolio management, as well as strategic planning and budget management for a portfolio of over 25 compounds. Prior to Novartis, Kala worked at Accenture and Millennium.
Kala holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University, and completed postdoctoral research in cell biology at Duke University Medical Center.