Karthik Musunuri is a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Avstera Therapeutics. Karthik’s most recent experience as an entrepreneur included launching and successfully operating several high complexity CLIA commercial labs, as well obtaining FDA EUA for a serology-based assay. Prior in big pharma, he held a commercial role within vaccines at GSK, recognized by senior leadership as a top performer who contributed to the Shingrix® manufacturing and supply strategy. He also held a commercial role of increasing responsibility at Merck within chronic care, managing a top 5 revenue-generating territory for the multi-billion-dollar chronic care franchise and leading the northeast in sales performance targets. In addition, Karthik worked within R&D clinical development at GSK. Karthik also serves on the board of The Ark Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia focused on pandemic preparedness.