Fundraising Fox

Leen Kawas

Investor

General Partner at Propel Bio Partners

Seattle, Washington

Writes $100K – $5M checks Β· typically $1.5M

About

Leen Kawas is co-founder and managing general partner at Propel Bio Partners, a biotech-focused fund supporting life science innovations. She moved to the US from Jordan in 2008, co-founded the company now known as LeonaBio, and became its CEO in 2014, advancing multiple late-stage clinical programs and taking the company public in 2020 with over $400 million raised. Her recognitions include the Life Science Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (2020), French-American Foundation Leader (2019), and GeekWire Startup CEO of the Year (2019).

ContactΒ· published on Leen's own website

Invests in

Biotech

Experience

  1. EIT Pharma, Inc.Chief Executive Officercurrent2026 β€” presentGreater Seattle Area
  2. Propel Bio Partners LLCManaging General Partnercurrent2021 β€” present
  3. WASHINGTON INNOVATION NETWORKMentorcurrent2024 β€” presentSeattle, Washington, United States
  4. Inherent Biosciences, Inc.Member Board of Directorscurrent2022 β€” presentSalt Lake County, Utah, United States
  5. Persephone BiosciencesMember Board Of Directorscurrent2022 β€” presentSan Diego Metropolitan Area
  6. TympanogenBoard Observer- Investorcurrent2023 β€” presentRichmond, Virginia, United States
  7. NOWDiagnostics | NOWDxBoard Observercurrent2023 β€” present
  8. NucleateAdvisor-Seattlecurrent2022 β€” present
  9. ChiefMembercurrent2022 β€” present
  10. Forbes Business CouncilMember2022 β€” 2025
  11. LeonaBioCEO & President2014 β€” 2021Greater Seattle Area
  12. LeonaBioVice President of Research2011 β€” 2014
  13. Washington State UniversityResearch Associate2013 β€” 2015spokane, washington area
  14. Pharmacy1, Amman JordanStaff Pharmacist2008Amman,Jordan
  15. University of Jordan HospitalClinical Pharmacist2007 β€” 2008Amman,Jordan

Skills & more

Institutional Investing8Hedge Funds8Behavioral Finance6Entrepreneurship29Pharmaceutical Industry39Clinical Development32Biotechnology92Drug Discovery14Lifesciences12Life Sciences53Project Management4Drug Development6
+2 moreTeamworkTeaching

Languages Arabic Β· English

From Leen's professional profile.

Investments

Board seats

Inherent BiosciencesPersephone Biosciences

Per the firm's website.

Colleagues at Propel Bio Partners

Armaan Hirani
Data Science Associate at Propel Bio Partners
Carol Criner
Advisor at Propel Bio Partners
Erik Gonzalez-Leon
Analyst at Propel Bio Partners
Jim Harding
Finance at Propel Bio Partners
Joyce Jiang
Analyst at Propel Bio Partners
Laurie Heilmann
Venture Partner at Propel Bio Partners
Mike Gibbs
Senior Advisor at Propel Bio Partners
Richard Kayne
General Partner at Propel Bio Partners

Frequently asked questions

Who is Leen Kawas?
Leen Kawas is co-founder and managing general partner at Propel Bio Partners, a biotech-focused fund supporting life science innovations. She moved to the US from Jordan in 2008, co-founded the company now known as LeonaBio, and became its CEO in 2014, advancing multiple late-stage clinical programs and taking the company public in 2020 with over $400 million raised. Her recognitions include the Life Science Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (2020), French-American Foundation Leader (2019), and GeekWire Startup CEO of the Year (2019).
Where does Leen Kawas work?
Leen Kawas is General Partner at Propel Bio Partners.
What does Leen Kawas invest in?
Leen Kawas invests in Biotech.
What check size does Leen Kawas write?
Leen Kawas typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
What boards does Leen Kawas sit on?
Leen Kawas holds tracked board seats at Inherent Biosciences, Persephone Biosciences.
Where did Leen Kawas go to school?
Leen Kawas studied at Wharton Executive Education (Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management); University of Washington (Executive Education, Foster School of Business); Washington State University (PhD, molecular pharmacology & toxicology).

Founder mafias

University of Washington mafia114

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Arvind JainMastersFounded GleanJane MooneyBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded Collaborative RoboticsMatthew ScholzBSFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3Emmett ShearFounded Softmax +2Emin Gun SirerPh.D.Founded Avalanche +2Sara VaezyMPHFounded Dexcare +1

+ 107 more

Washington State University mafia8

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Jeong-Suh ChoiBAFounded ζ ͺ式会瀾MEAL FORWARD +1Anuj ShahPhDFounded Rethink YearbooksDavid HintonMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)Founded TruEffectEthan HerdrickB.A.Founded BiographiconBrek GoinFinanceFounded HammrOliver JonesBachelor of Science - BSFounded Manifold Freight

+ 1 more

Chief mafia4

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Helen MurphyFounding MemberFounded Opply +1Nicole BradberryMemberFounded Mind24 7Betsy ForeFounding MemberFounded Tiny Organics

Wharton Executive Education mafia3

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Mike MoradiCertificate of CompletionFounded Southwest Nanotechnologies +1Wale OyepejuChief Technology OfficerFounded Vendease

University of Jordan mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Mohammad GharbatComputer ScienceFounded Open

Same school

Also attended Wharton Executive Education33

Mike MoradiGeneral Partner at Cortado VenturesTracy PooleInvestor at FortySix Venture CapitalShalanda ArmstrongManaging Partner at 100Km Ventures LlcMitty ChangChief Growth Officer & Operating Partner at Sora VenturesLaura HiltyVenture Partner at Excelerate Health VenturesTamir MeiriPrincipal, Venture Investments at JJDC

+ 27 more

Also attended University of Washington277

Andrew ChenGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzArvind JainFounder & CEO of GleanJane MooneyCo-founder & VP, Strategy and Finance at Collaborative RoboticsVictoria TreygerGeneral Partner at Felicis VenturesAndrewAdvisor at Clear VenturesJoe HorsmanInvestor at Madrona Venture Group

+ 271 more

Also attended Washington State University32

Rajat TanejaInvestor at Foundation CapitalKim TranFinance at Lux CapitalPatrick LoerchBio Advisor at Amplify PartnersBrad H. ValeFounding General Partner at Treo Ventures, LlcEllaina DiederichExecutive Assistant at Endeavour CapitalHamad AlkharashiChief Financial Officer at SVC

+ 26 more

Also attended University of Jordan10

Dr. Mazin AlzaidiGeneral Partner at STVMaryam Abu RaghebLegal & Compliance Director at Silicon BadiaFahed QteishatAssociate Director at Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)Ayman HammoudehExpert Advisory Board β€” Venture Advisor at 33NAdey SalaminFounder & Board Member at iMENA GroupKhaldoon H. TabazaFounder & Managing Director at iMENA Group

+ 4 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Persephone Biosciences3

Karl BrackenFounder & General Partner at Ocampo CapitalDaniel BradburyInvestor at BioBritThaxter SharpPartner at Zetta Venture Partners

Also worked at Chief69

Hans TungManaging Partner at Notable CapitalKen ChenaultInvestment Team at General CatalystLiz FoxProduct Marketing and Communications at In-Q-TelJesse MiddletonGeneral Partner at Flybridge Capital PartnersRobin LiInvestor at GGV CapitalSaydeah HowardCo-founder & Managing Partner at Cherryrock Capital

+ 63 more

Also worked at Forbes Business Council37

Karthik ChakkarapaniInvestor at Foundation CapitalJay FulcherManaging Partner at Cheyenne VenturesBrendon GrunewaldGrowth – Data Sovereignity – Finance at AngelwiseChamp SuthipongchaiGeneral Partner at Creative VenturesMana HosseiniManaging Partner at Apex Innovative Investments VenturesCait BrummeChief Executive Officer at MassChallenge Mexico

+ 31 more

Also worked at Washington State University9

Jack WhartonSoftware Engineer at Gray Line PartnersDerick En'WezohPartner at Susa VenturesHeather RedmanManaging Partner at Flying Fish VenturesSara PatenaudeDirector, Policy Solutions, Southeast at Reinvestment FundIsaiah TaylorSenior Advisor at DISCIPULUS VENTURESConnor LeeFounder at Anthrogen

+ 3 more