Karen Guarco

Karen Guarco serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Research Operations, bringing over 20 years of expertise in drug discovery and finance. She has a robust background as an R&D and Financial consultant for both startup biotechs and established pharmaceutical companies. At Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., she held significant leadership roles, including Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and Global R&D Controller. In these roles, she led a global finance team, managing all aspects of R&D financial management, long-range strategic planning, process improvement, acquisitions, and operational excellence. Prior to this, she worked as Associate Director of Clinical Operation at Vion Pharmaceuticals. Karen began her career at Bayer Healthcare, where she held positions as a Research Scientist and in Research Operations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut and an MBA in Finance from the University of New Haven.