Propel Bio Partners is a leading global venture fund specializing in life science investments, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of experts to empower entrepreneurs to realize their visions.
Richard Kayne is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, inventor, and strategist, leveraging a wealth of experience in his role as Partner at Propel Bio Partners. He is the founder and co-chairman of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, a leading alternative asset manager overseeing $34 billion in assets. Previously, he founded Kayne Anderson Rudnick, growing it to over $10 billion before its sale in 2001; today, the firm manages approximately $80 billion. Mr. Kayne's success stems from his adeptness at forging fruitful partnerships, cultivating extensive networks, and leveraging knowledge and sourcing advantages. He serves as the former chairman and current trustee of the UCLA Foundation and as former co-chairman and current trustee of the investment committee of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. Beginning his career in the mid-1960s as an analyst at Loeb, Rhodes & Co. in New York, Mr. Kayne later became a principal at Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Inc., managing private accounts, a hedge fund, and a portion of the firm's capital. Mr. Kayne earned a BS in Statistics from Stanford University in 1966 and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1968.
Leen Kawas is the co-founder and managing general partner at Propel Bio Partners, where she is spearheading a biotech-focused fund aimed at advancing life science innovations. Drawing on her background as an inventor, scientist, and entrepreneur, Leen relocated from Jordan to the US in 2008 to pursue her career. Leen co-founded Athira in 2014 and assumed the role of CEO, leading the company through the development of multiple late-stage clinical programs and overseeing its successful IPO in 2020, which raised over $400 million. She made history as the first woman in 20 years in Washington State, and one of only 22 women founders in the US, to take a company public. Her achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including the Life Science Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (2020), French-American Foundation Leader (2019), and GeekWire Startup CEO of the Year (2019). Beyond Propel Bio Partners, Leen serves on the boards of Inherent Biosciences and Persephone Biosciences. She is an active member of the Springboard Network and is dedicated to empowering scientist entrepreneurs, particularly women. In her current role, Leen aims to support impactful research and nurture the next generation of innovators, striving to enhance the quality of life through healthcare advancements. Residing in Los Angeles with her husband and two young children, Leen enjoys music, culinary exploration, continuous learning, and meaningful conversations.
Propel manages discretionary assets totaling $137,021,209, as reported in their Form ADV dated March 2024. They serve two clients, with their latest 13F filing for Q1 2024 disclosing $171,564,878 in managed 13F securities and a top 10 holdings concentration of 82.99%. Applied Therapeutics Inc. stands as the firm's largest holding, with 6,111,906 shares held.
