Dr. Handelin is a veteran entrepreneur and molecular medical geneticist who has pioneered the responsible application of genetics to clinical medicine over a 20-year career. In 1987 Dr. Handelin established one of the first commercial DNA testing laboratories at Integrated Genetics (now Genzyme Genetics). After co-founding a gene therapy company (Genovo), Dr. Handelin began her own consulting practice, Handelin Associates. She delivered consulting services to venture capital investors, start-ups, biomedical universities, biotechnology, diagnostics, genomics, pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics companies. She founded a biosimulation company, Kenna Technologies, where she has served as CEO until its acquisition by DNA Print Genomics. At DNAG she led the development of new pharmacogenetics diagnostic tests as well as bringing DNA identity technology to intelligence and forensic criminal investigations. In 2014 she cofounded the nonprofit organization, BioPontis Alliance for Rare Diseases, dedicated to a nontraditional model for drug discovery in rare, orphan diseases. Today she is founding Audacity Therapeutics, PBC, a new business model in the biopharmaceutical industry, bringing affordable medicines for unmet medical needs, utilizing the revisited, reconsidered, repurposed and reformulation wealth of existing drugs. She also serves the research management needs of rare disease patient organizations through NovoKen, LLC. Dr. Handelin served on the boards of several genomics companies (e.g. EXACT Sciences and RedPath Integrated Pathology). She served 10 years as a board member of Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) as well as on a variety of federal committees and advisory panels on ethics in genetic testing, including the Secretary’s Advisory Panel on Genetics, Health and Society.
