Names Veteran Biotech Entrepreneur and Executive, Laura Lande-Diner, as Managing Partner

Announces investments in Character Biosciences and Juvena Therapeutics

Jefferson River Capital today announced the launch of Jefferson Life Sciences, an early-stage life sciences investment firm investing at the frontier of human health.

Jefferson Life Sciences is focused on therapeutic platforms that harness rigorous science and cutting-edge technologies, with clear line of sight to the clinic, a well-articulated development path, excellent leadership teams and multiple opportunities for success as demonstrated by the firm’s initial investments which include Character Biosciences and Juvena Therapeutics.

Dr. Laura Lande-Diner, veteran biotech entrepreneur and former President and Chief Business Officer of Satellite Bio, has been named as Managing Partner.

“Now more than ever, the biotech industry needs investors with a long-term view that can help turn bold scientific ideas into meaningful therapeutic solutions for patients in need,” said Lande-Diner. “At Jefferson Life Sciences, we know that rigorous science coupled with the inevitable advancements in technology across relevant industries have tremendous potential for benefiting the public good and generating significant financial returns. We are thrilled to bring our focus on future value and flexible investment structures to this industry during a time of deep need. We also hope this effort inspires others to follow suit.”

Most recently Lande-Diner held the role of President and Chief Business Officer of Satellite Bio. Before Satellite, she was a founding team member at Valo Health, where she designed and led the company’s early data strategy and executed four foundational business development partnerships within 18 months of launch. Earlier in her career, she was part of the Origination team at Flagship Pioneering, where she contributed to the founding of four life sciences companies. In these roles, she helped shape early scientific strategy, develop IP estates, build leadership and advisory teams, and engage the investment community. She also served as a Founder Advisor at The Engine and currently is a mentor at the Faculty Founders MIT initiative. Lande-Diner earned her PhD in Epigenetics and Molecular Biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Medical School and conducted her postdoctoral research in Circadian Biology at Harvard Medical School, where she later served as an Instructor in Neurobiology. She is a named inventor on numerous patents and applications and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications.

“Having served as a scientist, entrepreneur, executive and now investor, Laura brings the vision and unique breadth and depth of skills to deliver on the ambitious goals of Jefferson Life Sciences by turning exciting promise into patient impact and financial value,” said Ham James, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Carica Sustainable Investments.

Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company transforming drug development for progressive, polygenic diseases, beginning with ophthalmology. Juvena Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering tissue restorative biologics for chronic muscle and metabolic diseases. The company is unlocking the therapeutic potential of stem-cell secreted proteins through its fully integrated, end-to-end AI-enabled drug discovery and development platform, JuvNET.

About Jefferson Life Sciences

Jefferson Life Sciences, part of Jefferson River Capital, is an investment firm committed to advancing transformative innovations in medicine. The firm brings versatile investment structures and a long-term view to support companies across their full lifecycle—from early development through commercialization, in both private and public settings. By combining intelligent financing with deep operational expertise, we help turn bold scientific ideas into meaningful therapeutic solutions for patients in need.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251008140619/en/

“Now more than ever, the biotech industry needs investors with a long-term view that can help turn bold scientific ideas into meaningful therapeutic solutions for patients in need,” said Dr. Laura Lande-Diner, Managing Partner at Jefferson Life Sciences.