Brent Ahrens

Brent Ahrens invests in cutting edge medical technologies, diagnostics and therapeutic treatments. Since joining Canaan in 1999, Brent has led successful investments in novel companies such as Cerexa (FRX), one of the largest private biotech M&As in history; DexCom (DXCM), a pioneer in sensor technologies that wirelessly transmit glucose readings to patients and their doctors; Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, developer of antibiotic medications to treat life-threatening infections (JNJ), acquired by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary; Revivant, a cutting edge medical device company acquired by ZOLL, and Calixa, which develops hospital-based antibiotics to treat infections resulting from resistant strains of bacteria, acquired by Cubist (CBST).

Prior to joining Canaan, Brent honed his operational and investing skills at a variety of top tier companies, including General Surgical Innovations, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and IAP Research, a developer of technologies for defense and industrial applications. During his career, Brent diversified his healthcare experience, working in a variety of sales, marketing, business development and technical roles. His technical expertise as a professional engineer with several patents to his credit is also an invaluable asset to Canaan’s innovation-driven portfolio companies.

Brent currently sits on the boards of CoAxia, a pioneering device company focused on acute stroke treatment; Data Sciences International, a pioneer and the global leader in implantable wireless sensors for medical research; Durata Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing late-stage clinical development of novel antibiotic programs; Elevation Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on the development of new aerosol therapies for the treatment of COPD; Endogastric Solutions, the leading company offering medical devices for treatment of reflux disease;  Kalidex, developer of next-generation, broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of serious infections; and Relievant Medsystems, maker of minimally invasive devices to relieve chronic back pain.

Brent earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton. Brent has been named to the Forbes Midas List, a prominent list ranking the best dealmakers in technology and life sciences; he is also an alumnus of the prestigious Kauffman Fellows Program, an educational program designed to identify, develop and network future leaders of the global venture capital industry.

Print Photo [tif]
Web Photo [jpg]

CALIFORNIA LOCAL TIME: