Connect with James on LinkedIn

James D. Laur, JD, is Chief Intellectual Property Officer and heads up Cedars-Sinai Technology Ventures reporting to the health system’s chief financial officer. In addition, Laur is the Managing Director of Cedars-Sinai Health Ventures, the institution’s venture fund. Laur’s primary responsibilities are focused on innovation, technology transfer, venture investment, and international business activities. He drives new business development and investment opportunities involving innovation and technology-related activities at Cedars-Sinai and its global partners. Laur serves as the executive responsible for the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator Program and also represents Cedars-Sinai on the board of directors of Coronet Ventures (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. in addition to board positions on some of the institution’s spinoff companies and other investments.

Laur began his career at Cedars-Sinai in 1991 in the Legal Affairs Department. He was deputy general counsel and served as primary counsel for the Cedars-Sinai Research Institute and its information technology department. Since 1994, Laur has played a leadership role in the Cedars-Sinai Technology Transfer Office, which has earned over $150 million in royalty income from its licensing program over the past 5 years. In addition to managing the institution’s intellectual property portfolio, Laur has been instrumental in structuring numerous spin-off companies based on early-stage technologies from research laboratories at Cedars-Sinai and its international partners. Among the better known of these companies are Prometheus Biosciences, Gemelli Biotech, Gravidas Diagnostics, and Evida Biosciences (f/k/a Prometheus Laboratories).

Laur is a frequent speaker at local and international meetings on intellectual property issues, technology ventures, innovation development and commercialization best practices. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees, with honors, from UCLA in political science and philosophy. He earned his doctorate of law degree, cum laude, from the Boston College Law School.

Connect with Nirdesh on LinkedIn

Nirdesh K. Gupta, PhD, is Managing Director of Cedars-Sinai Technology Ventures and the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator. Dr. Gupta also leads and provides key operations leadership to Business Units and Commercial Enterprises at Cedars-Sinai such as 3rd Street Technologies, The Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) & Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center (CBC). Dr. Gupta directed CSTV’s Seed Fund and Equity investments and have $275M+ equity under management representing over 20 companies, with multiple significant financial exits.

Dr. Gupta works closely with, and mentors, world-class scientists and entrepreneurs to build companies to develop innovative products and platforms that address critical healthcare needs. Dr. Gupta and his team support company creation, equity and IP portfolio management, preclinical and clinical development of breakthrough technologies, business development, licensing & industry alliances including pilot programs and co-development partnerships with startups and major industry players. Dr. Gupta’s leadership has led to multiple successful partnerships with industry, and he has directly played an instrumental role in company co-creation of several Cedars-Sinai spinoffs notably Prometheus Biosciences, Gemelli Biotech, and Gravidas Diagnostics.

Dr. Gupta was a nominated member of the Business Advisory Council of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and has served as member of their Innovation and Competitiveness Task Force. He holds a bachelor's and doctorate degrees in pharmaceutical sciences.

Email Samantha | Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn

Samantha brings operational and administrative expertise as the Manager at the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator, where she helps company founders and their teams find their path through the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A leader in the program for the last five classes, Samantha has helped usher the Accelerator through unprecedented obstacles with innovative direction. As Manager, Samantha leads all program operations, engages internal and external mentors, supervises company success during and after program, and guides partnership efforts.

With over 8 years of healthcare experience, Samantha has held administrative roles at the Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, assisting physicians in the Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU. After receiving her BA in Health Administration from California State University Northridge, Samantha also earned her MS in Public Administration with an emphasis on Health. She is dedicated to working with emerging digital health companies, believing that health-tech solutions can provide new, alternative methods of care for patients today and in the future.

Email Omar | Connect with Omar on LinkedIn

Omar Perez is the Manager of Business Development and Strategic Alliances for the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator. Omar has worked in the healthcare field for over 30 years and in Cedars-Sinai collectively for over a decade. For his first 10 years at Cedars-Sinai, he held roles in human resources, quality management, and physician billings. Omar served as the Manager of Operations of Physician Reimbursement Services before becoming the Vice President for Business Development and Operations for various revenue cycle management start-up companies. In addition, he has also held director positions for both UCLA Health and USC Care Medical Group.

Email Jeremy | Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn

Jeremy Roseman joined the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator as a Program Administrator where he facilitates collaboration between the Accelerator’s health-tech startups and the Medical System. He also engages with companies in understanding the competitive landscape, articulating their market position, and aligning their operations to their strategic vision.

Jeremy previously worked as a Special Assistant to three Speakers of the California State Assembly. There he consulted California Assembly Members and Offices on strategic communications and outreach as well as advocated on key legislative issues. Jeremy is a graduate of UCLA with a BA in Geography, and minors in Global Studies and Human Complex Systems. He holds an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management.

Email Janny | Connect with Janny on LinkedIn

Janny Hsu is a dynamic professional with a passion for driving positive change within the healthcare industry. With a keen eye for strategic planning and operations, she excels in curating and coordinating innovative programs that address the evolving needs of the health system. She’s also deeply inspired by the work of startups and finds joy in connecting them with resources and people they need to accelerate business growth. She strongly believes in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Her enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and empowering individuals contributes to leading a solid team of Associates.

Janny has been with Cedars-Sinai since 2014, initially working in Nursing Administration where she focused on process improvement projects and regulatory compliance. In 2016, she joined the Technology Ventures Office where she spearheaded numerous initiatives to enhance Cedars-Sinai’s global presence and grow its international network of strategic partners. Janny is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside and holds a degree in Sociology and Administration.

Email Rithik | Connect with Rithik on LinkedIn

Rithik Jain joins our team as an Accelerator Recruitment Specialist to help identify, interact with, and curate future classes of cutting-edge startup companies. Additionally, he will be crucial in connecting with Cedars-Sinai stakeholders to analyze pain points and gaps in care that potential startups could help fill.

Rithik is a recent graduate from UC Berkeley where he double majored in Molecular/Cellular Biology and Business Administration, while minoring in African American Studies. He has served as President of a Healthcare Consulting Organization on campus, researched in the Department of Energy's "Keasling Lab" looking for enzyme-based renewable jet fuel, and worked for five healthcare startups in the past. Ultimately, Rithik is dedicated to increasing equitable care access for patients at an early age regardless of their socioeconomic status or health literacy.