TCA Deal Lead Sergio Gurrieri Says Exceptional Leadership, a World-Class Team and Experienced Board were all Key in “Backing a Winner”
IRVINE, Calif. – May 9, 2017 – Tech Coast Angels (TCA) congratulates Savara Inc. (NASDAQ: SVRA) on its recent listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company’s Series B round in 2012-13 was the largest single raise by TCA ($3.2 M). Overall, TCA members together with a few family and friends have invested over $6M in various financing rounds of Savara, the most for any portfolio company since TCA’s inception in 1997. In total, Savara received almost $50M in non-institutional capital, and has been supported by a $4M grant from the National Institutes of Health as well as a $1.7M research award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nearly every funding round was oversubscribed and extended.
Sergio Gurrieri, TCA deal lead, current president of the San Diego chapter of TCA, and observer on the Savara Board since 2012, explained three key elements that made Savara such a winning formula for angel investors:
“First of all, Rob Neville, Savara’s CEO and chairman, is truly exceptional. He adheres to a well-balanced and extremely effective decision-making process whereby every single stakeholder’s opinion is considered. Also, Rob’s execution skills are outstanding, his integrity is impeccable, his communication skills powerful, and his management style highly professional.”
“Secondly, the entire Savara team is phenomenal,” Gurrieri continued. “The team’s ability to execute is second to none. In particular, Dr. Taneli Jouhikainen, COO, has been indispensable, co-leading Savara, its programs, and corporate development activities. Taneli is one of the most talented, and knowledgeable COO’s I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“And finally, the board of directors is truly outstanding. The level of expertise, the collective wisdom and experience, the constructive conversations, resulted in an extraordinary board for an extraordinary company,” Gurrieri concluded.
“We truly appreciate the support from Tech Coast Angels’ members and we thank each investor for believing in Savara’s purpose to find new therapies and treatment for rare and debilitating lung diseases,” said Mr. Neville. “Through our excellent team and proven ability to execute, Savara presents an attractive business opportunity with our pipeline of unique products with considerable market potential. We will continue to diligently work to make their investment a success.”