Join us in celebrating the achievements and contributions of these extraordinary women. Their stories not only inspire but also pave the way for future generations.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Withum is proud to spotlight some incredible women leading the way in the life sciences industry. We asked a few of our clients to share their journeys, inspirations, and advice for the next generation of female leaders.
Sharing Our Stories
Emily Man, Co-Founder and CEO – Venova Technologies, Inc
Provide a brief overview of yourself and your company.
Venova Technologies is a women-led startup developing a novel hormone-free female birth control device designed to be highly effective, long-acting, and side-effect-free. Our mission is to empower women to take control of their reproductive health by addressing the global need for more acceptable and accessible contraceptive options.
Co-founding Venova Technologies was the culmination of my experience with biotech startups and my longstanding interest in women’s health. I have worked in multiple areas in the life sciences, including orthopedic implants, stenting technologies, heart valve implants, rehabilitative exoskeleton devices, and cell therapies. I have also conducted research on breast cancer and the convergence of menopause and obesity on breast cancer risk in women.
As a leader in the life sciences industry, what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I have a background in art and design and became interested in medical device development while interning at a biomechanics lab. In college and graduate school, I studied biomedical engineering and was originally on a pre-med track to become an OB/GYN. After gaining some industry experience, I was introduced to a new career path and was drawn to the idea of innovating in the medtech space as a way to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Venova Technologies was created in response to reviewing case studies across the women’s health spectrum. We identified significant gaps in birth control innovation and chose to focus on contraceptive devices. As someone who started using birth control as a young competitive gymnast, the unmet needs we identified immediately resonated with me.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
Kristine Ball, CEO – Antiva Biosciences, Inc.
Provide a brief overview of yourself and your company.
I joined Antiva Biosciences as CEO approximately two years ago. I started my career as an auditor in a Big Four firm before being recruited out by a client into my first finance leadership role. I now have over 20 years of executive experience building multiple successful biopharma companies that have developed FDA approved medicines. I have also led numerous corporate transactions throughout my career, including multiple IPOs, M&A transactions, pharmaceutical partnerships and other private and public financings.
At Antiva Biosciences, our passionate team is developing the first potential treatment for high-risk HPV infection. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and persistent, high risk HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancers. Currently, if diagnosed with HPV, a women must “wait and see” if the infection clears by itself or persists and progresses to pre-cancerous lesions or cervical cancer as there is no approved treatment for high-risk HPV infection. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and represents a major public health problem. Each year nearly 660,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 350,000 women die from the disease.
If Antiva’s development program is successful, we will achieve a major global public health impact by enabling earlier disease intervention instead of “wait and see”, which should reduce disease progression to cancer, and decrease HPV transmission to partners which can impact fertility and cause oropharyngeal and other cancers.
As a leader in the life sciences industry, what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I was drawn to the life sciences industry for the opportunity to contribute to advancements in medicine that can improve health outcomes and create lasting change. The ability to lead teams that develop innovative medicines that can save or improve people’s lives brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment and is one of the fundamental reasons I love what I do.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
My advice to young women aspiring to succeed in the biopharma industry is to stay curious and embrace continuous learning. Seek out roles and projects that push you outside your comfort zone, as this is how you build experience and confidence. Surround yourself with strong peers and mentors, and with people with diverse perspectives, as innovation thrives in environments where different ideas come together. And don’t be afraid to trust in your abilities because your unique views and experiences will add valuable insight.
Claire Beskin, Co-Founder & CEO – Empallo, Inc.
As a leader in the life sciences industry, what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I grew up wanting to be a doctor like my dad but later realized my skills could potentially make a bigger impact through healthcare innovation. In 2021, my grandmother unexpectedly passed away from heart failure. I co-founded Empallo to improve access to cardiac care. Cardiovascular disease kills 1 in 5 Americans and costs the US over $300 billion dollars annually. Empallo is making concierge-level cardiac care affordable and accessible through its virtual clinic and proprietary platform that makes care delivery more efficient and effective.
I earned an MBA from MIT with a concentration in healthcare and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. I have prior work experience in product management, management consulting and finance.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Focus on solving a problem that really matters to you. Starting a company is challenging, but a strong sense of purpose will keep you moving forward. Don’t be discouraged by rejection—it often takes many ‘no’s’ to get to a ‘yes.’
Contact Us
For more information on this topic, please contact a member of Withum’s Life Sciences Services Team.
