Paul Laikind

PhD Chemistry, '83

Paul Laikind is a scientist and serial entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience establishing, operating and advising both private and public biotechnology companies. He has founded three companies — Gensia Pharmaceuticals, ViaGene (the industry’s first gene therapy company), and Metabasis Therapeutics — each of which successfully conducted an IPO and were eventually acquired. Most recently, Laikind served as the President and CEO of ViaCyte, where he led the development of stem cell-derived therapies for Type 1 diabetes through its clinical programs and leading to an acquisition by Vertex.

A long-standing leader in the San Diego life sciences ecosystem, Laikind is a former chairman of the board for both BIOCOM and CONNECT. His ties to UC San Diego are deep: he earned his PhD in chemistry (biochemistry) from the university and also completed his postdoctoral fellowship here. Now retired, Laikind splits his time between San Diego and Park City, Utah with his wife, Lisa. With both of his children now adults, he pursues a variety of personal interests, including camping, skiing, sailing and astrophotography.