Houman Ashrafian

During his time as a Partner then Managing Partner as SV 2016-2023, Houman co-founded seven SV companies. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development at Sanofi.

Previously, Houman co-founded the services company Cardiac Report in 2003, as well as Heart Metabolics in 2008. Heart Metabolics successfully repositioned perhexiline, as a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Perhexiline is now in advanced clinical trials and has orphan drug designation. He went on to become Vice President and head of the Clinical Science Group at UCB Pharma.

Outside of SV, following completion of his cardiology training, Houman was appointed as an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist in 2011 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Additionally, Houman co-founded Weatherden, a boutique clinical development company.

Academic credentials

Undergraduate degree, University of Cambridge; BM BCh, DPhil, University of Oxford.