Ramani Varanasi

Ramani Varanasi is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of global industry experience spanning company formation, corporate strategy, business development, operations, and governance. She is the Founder and Managing Director of ReVive Advisors and serves as an Executive-in-Residence at UCSF Innovation Ventures, where she advises early-stage companies and supports new venture creation, launch, and strategic growth initiatives.

Ramani was most recently the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of X-Biotix Therapeutics, a company focused on developing novel antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Previously, she was Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Checkmate Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Regeneron), and has held senior research and business leadership roles across a range of biopharma companies including RXi Pharmaceuticals, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Avillion Pharmaceuticals, Millennium Pharmaceuticals (a Takeda company), and Merck.

Over the course of her career, Ramani has led the structure and execution of strategic partnerships and M&A transactions valued at over $5 billion, and has successfully raised more than $150 million in private and public capital. Her expertise spans therapeutic areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, metabolic, immunology, and inflammation, as well as diverse modalities including small molecules, biologics, RNA/DNA therapeutics, and cell and gene therapies.

She brings a global and multicultural perspective to leadership, with a strong track record of building high-performing teams and fostering cross-border collaborations—including in emerging markets such as Asia. Ramani is deeply committed to advancing innovation at the intersection of science and business, and to mentoring founders, executives, and boards of early- and growth-stage companies.

She holds a BSc and MSc in Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry, respectively, from McGill University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a Certificate in AI/ML for Pharma and Biotech from the MIT Sloan School of Management. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ramani serves as a mentor and advisor to mission-driven ventures and sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations focused on global health and philanthropy.