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About
Dave Johnson joined Moderna when it had about 150 employees and left when it had 5,500, having built the data and AI backbone underneath the COVID-19 vaccine, personalised cancer vaccines and high-throughput mRNA synthesis — a roughly 200-person organisation spanning R&D technology, data science and software engineering, latterly as Chief Data and AI Officer. In 2024 he co-founded Dash Bio to do the same for the rest of the industry: a modern contract research organisation whose robotics, automation and software return preclinical bioanalysis results in days rather than months. It has raised $47.5 million, including a $30 million Series A led by Oak HC/FT in 2026.
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Co-founded Dash Bio in 2024 with Ander Tallett and Ely Porter, building a GLP-compliant lab that combines robotics, automation and proprietary software.
- Education
- Holds a physics PhD from the University at Albany and a biotechnology master's from Johns Hopkins, after an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
- More
- Joined Moderna at roughly 150 employees and left at about 5,500, leading a ~200-person data, AI and engineering organisation. His Moderna work underpinned high-throughput mRNA synthesis, personalised cancer vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine. Oak HC/FT credits him and his co-founders with having architected Moderna's digital and automation infrastructure during one of the most consequential scale-ups in modern history.
Mentioned above: the University at Albany mafia → · the Moderna mafia →
From biospace.com — common ground for a warm intro.
Co-founder & CEO at Dash Bio
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Dash Bio's investors · 8
Podcasts & interviews
featuring Dave JohnsonFrequently asked questions
- Who is Dave Johnson?
- Dave Johnson joined Moderna when it had about 150 employees and left when it had 5,500, having built the data and AI backbone underneath the COVID-19 vaccine, personalised cancer vaccines and high-throughput mRNA synthesis — a roughly 200-person organisation spanning R&D technology, data science and software engineering, latterly as Chief Data and AI Officer. In 2024 he co-founded Dash Bio to do the same for the rest of the industry: a modern contract research organisation whose robotics, automation and software return preclinical bioanalysis results in days rather than months. It has raised $47.5 million, including a $30 million Series A led by Oak HC/FT in 2026.
- Where does Dave Johnson work?
- Dave Johnson is Co-founder & CEO of Dash Bio.
- What companies did Dave Johnson found?
- Dave Johnson founded Dash Bio.
- What podcasts and interviews feature Dave Johnson?
- Tracked appearances include "Revolutionizing Drug Development", "AI and the COVID-19 Vaccine".
Founder mafias
The Johns Hopkins University mafia222
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
University at Albany mafia32
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Moderna mafia10
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
About this profile. Compiled from public sources — Dash Bio's own website, press coverage and public professional profiles — and summarised by Fundraising Fox; every fact is kept with where it came from. Spotted an error, or would rather not be listed? Email privacy@fundraisingfox.com · How we build profiles · Your rights