Our leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Elik Chapnik is a technology transfer and innovation leader with a strong scientific background and extensive experience in research, drug development, and commercialization. As CEO of Yeda, he leads the translation of Weizmann Institute discoveries into real-world impactful applications through licensing, strategic partnerships, and venture creation. Previously, he served as VP of Business Development at Yeda and held senior roles at Quark Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Elik holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and an M.Sc. in Developmental Biology from the Weizmann Institute. His blend of scientific expertise with strategic vision and business acumen drives Yeda’s mission forward.

Vice President for Technology Transfer

Born in Israel, Prof. Irit Sagi attended university in Washington, DC, receiving a BSc degree in Physical Chemistry from American University (1988), and PhD degree in biophysics/bioinorganics from Georgetown University (1992). She returned to The Weizmann Institute to perform postdoctoral research in the group of Prof. Ada Yonath, laureate of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Prof. Sagi continued her postdoctoral studies at the Max-Planck Institute in Berlin and joined the faculty of Chemistry at the Weizmann Institute in 1998. Between 2005-2006 she spent a sabbatical as a visiting professor at Harvard University and at Novartis research institute, USA. She became the dean of the Feinberg Graduate School in 2014 and is the incumbent of the Maurizio Pontecorvo Professorial Chair. In December 2019, she finished her term as dean and assumed the position of Vice President for Technology Transfer.

Irit will be departing this position on December 1, 2025.

William Slattery is a Partner on the Therapeutics team and joined the Firm in 2000. Prior to Deerfield, Mr. Slattery was a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has held various positions in research including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. Mr. Slattery is the Chairman of Gilda’s Club New York City, a non-profit organization supporting cancer patients and their families. He holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry from State University of New York at Albany and completed coursework in Immunology at the Graduate School-New Brunswick, Rutgers University.