Barbara Nelsen is the founder of Nelsen Biomedical. She brings more than 20 years of experience in R&D, business, and strategic development within life science industry.

Barbara has extensive experience in moving technology from concept to commercialization, developing business models, implementing business plans, and creating strategic partnerships and market expansion activities.

Barbara has truly sat on all sides of the table. She has been an investor (Sofia Fund, Northern Lights Seed Fund), and a scientific investigator (Brandeis University, The Whitehead Institute). She has worked in the industry in both research and development (Director, Cancer Therapeutics and Diagnostics the Austin Institute Australia) and in business development (MGI Pharma). She uses her broad experience, deep expertise, and extensive networks to create successes for her clients.

Barbara sits on the boards of Anatomi Corp, Discovery Capital, and UEL, and Minnesota-based accelerator for life science companies. She holds both PhD in molecular biology and an MBA.

John has had over 25 years of experience in all aspects of pharmaceutical drug development and licensing. He led the preclinical and clinical R&D efforts at MGI Pharma, a Twin Cities based oncology-focused company, from 1996 until retiring as Senior VP R&D at the end of 2005. At MGI John oversaw the FDA approval of several new drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, supportive care of cancer patients and patients with autoimmune disease. He served as a member of the MGI corporate management team that built the company through product and company acquisitions that culminated in the acquisition of MGI by Eisai, Inc.

John is a board certified toxicologist and prior to joining MGI worked in pathology and experimental toxicology in the Parke-Davis Research Division of Warner-Lambert participating in the early development of numerous well known therapeutics.  He is currently active in drug development as the CEO of PepTx, Inc. John is an active consultant to pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, serves of the Board of Discovery Capital, and is an advisor to the Office for Technology Commercialization and to the Committee for Pharmaceutical Development.

Margi brings over 25 years of business and marketing management. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Butler University in Indianapolis. Her career includes both advertising agency side where she led account teams working with DuPont Pharma, Sandoz and MGI Pharma. She worked for MGI Pharma as Director of Marketing and then as the Business and Finance Manager for Quest Food Management, Inc. located just outside Chicago.