David Kabakoff, PhD
David joined the HealthQuest team in 2012 to leverage decades of experience as an entrepreneur in the diagnostics and biotech fields. While a chemist by training, the companies that David has led as President, CEO or Chairman have produced billions of dollars in returns for investors and employees. David brings over 44 years of industry experience to HealthQuest (14 of which have been in healthcare investing), and currently serves on the Board of portfolio company RareCyte, and previously served on the Boards of Lineagen (sold to Bionanogenomics), Biotheranostics (sold to Hologic) and Castle Biosciences (CSTL).
As an operator David’s successes include leading the development of some of the diagnostic industry’s most iconic products like the first yes/no color changing pregnancy test, the PSA test for prostate cancer and the rapid strep throat test, plus numerous cancer diagnostics. He served in senior executive positions at Hybritech, was President of Dura Pharmaceuticals, CEO of Spiros Development Corp., Corvas International and co-founder/CEO of Salmedix. Each of the products he developed succeeded because it made a large impact on the medical management of patients and David keeps a keen eye out for innovative products when he considers investments for HealthQuest.
He has served as Chairman of Trius Therapeutics (acquired by Cubist), Chairman of Cebix Inc., Chairman of Amplimmune, Inc. (acquired by AstraZeneca), and as a Director of InterMune, Inc. (acquired by Roche), Principia Biopharma (acquired by Sanofi), and Allylix, Inc. (acquired by Evolva).
David earned his BA in chemistry from Case Western Reserve University and then his PhD from Yale University. He lives with his wife and enjoys fine wine, print collecting, skiing and golf.
