Corinna Chen

As a Partner at Material Impact, Corinna is focused on applying fundamental technologies across sectors to meet new needs and solve emerging real-world problems.  Her areas of interest include synthetic biology, bio-based materials, advanced electronic materials, next gen computing and climate tech.

With experience in engineering, life sciences, medical devices, and aerospace, Corinna’s expertise spans many fields—including sensor technologies, biotechnology, systems hardware, electronics, and semiconductors. She has a successful record of transactions, totaling over $1.25B across eight products and several geographies, and including licensing, acquisition, divestitures, and new company formation.

As VP of corporate development and finance at Medeor Therapeutics, Corinna created the growth strategy for the firm’s cell therapy pipeline. She also led deal sourcing focused on technology platforms, clinical assets, and acquisitions. Prior to this, Corinna was responsible for business development and strategy for the Surgery and Perioperative Care business unit at the Medicines Company, where she focused on growth through worldwide partnerships and commercialization of novel therapies.

At Incline Therapeutics, Corinna worked both in business development and in engineering. She helped design, develop, and commercialize the transdermal device IONSYS, and led the company’s integration by the Medicines Company following its $390M acquisition. Corinna also helped develop a sublingual therapy for acute pain at AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, and created additional diagnostic therapies in other roles.

She began her career as a rocket scientist at the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, designing instrumentation and building spacecrafts for NASA’s THEMIS mission to examine space storms.

Corinna received her MBA from Duke University and her BS in Electrical Engineering from Boston University. She holds 9 patents in drug and device design, and has published on the economic impact of organ transplantation in the American Journal of Transplantation.

Over the course of her career, she has advised and supported the launch of several startups.

Corinna is dedicated to the advancement of science and technology to better human lives and the environment. She is also an avid swimmer, SCUBA diver, and urban farmer who is in constant pursuit of unique adventures.