Biotech CEO Sisterhood: Trevi Therapeutics' Co-Founder & CEO Jennifer Good on effective communication and capital efficiency, and a unique internship program in life sciences

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Erika Smith, Jennifer Good describes the factors that have led to Trevi's success in an otherwise difficult biotech market. She highlights the importance of speaking clearly and honestly with investors and the company's board. Plus, Erika and Jennifer reflect on Life-Science SPRINTS, an internship program they stood up in the New Haven, Connecticut area.

Biographies

Jennifer Good is the President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Trevi Therapeutics.

Trevi is developing Haduvio for the treatment of patients with chronic cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), non-IPF interstitial lung diseases and refractory chronic cough. Ms. Good co-founded the company with angel financing and has grown the company into a publicly traded company with Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials in three indications with significant unmet need.

Previously, Ms. Good served at Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. from 1997 to 2010, where she held various positions including President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Penwest was ultimately acquired by its partner and Ms. Good led those negotiations. Ms. Good currently serves on the board of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals since June 2019 and is a member of its Audit Committee. Previously, Ms. Good served on the board of Juniper Pharmaceuticals until it was acquired by Catalent, Inc. in August 2018. Ms. Good also serves as a board member of the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), a patient advocacy group advancing treatments for the cure of Friedreich’s Ataxia. Ms. Good received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting from Pacific Lutheran University in 1987 and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the State of Washington, although her license is currently inactive. She lives in Connecticut and outside of work keeps busy with her family, being outdoors and is an avid reader.

Erika Smith is the CEO and Board Member of EpiTET Therapeutics developing novel oral therapeutics that selectively eliminates pathogenic macrophages, the key drivers of chronic inflammation and disease micro-environment. Previously she led ReNetX Bio, venture funded neuro-science company, from preclinical development through Phase 1/2 clinical trials and acquisition.

As an investor, she served as the inaugural director of the $65M Blavatnik Fund at Yale, launched the Johnson & Johnson investment fund in partnership with the Center for Innovative Technology and was a Venture Advisor to Epidarex Ventures, a transatlantic life-science venture firm. These early-stage investments enabled successful exits including medSage (acq: Philips Healthcare), Isoplexis (NASDAQ: ISO), and Biorez ($250M Acq NYSE: CNMD).

She is the Board Chair (ECS) and on the Executive Committee Board of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and a recognized thought leader holding numerous awards including: “Industry Superstar”, “Entrepreneur of the Year,” and co-author of playbook “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs” sponsored by JPMorgan Chase; and TEDx speaker. Erika received a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).