Business Of Biotech Investing In Early-Stage Oncology With Yosemite's Dan McHugh
Mar 30, 2026
Dan McHugh, head of Yosemite's investment team and former interim CEO at Tune Therapeutics, blends bioengineering and VC experience. He discusses Yosemite’s approach to funding early-stage cancer therapeutics and unrestricted academic grants. He shares lessons from stepping in as a CEO and why Yosemite backs diverse oncology modalities and first-in therapies.
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Interim CEO Role at Tune Guided A First-In-Modality Clinic Push
- Dan McHugh stepped in as interim CEO at Tune Therapeutics to shepherd an epigenetic editing program through its first clinical filing.
- He credited deep existing relationships, the founding scientists like Charles Gersbach, and an exceptional internal team for enabling rapid progress to a CTA and subsequent Series B.
Epigenetic Editing Controls Genes Without Changing DNA
- Epigenetic editing modifies chemical markers rather than DNA sequence to switch genes on or off, offering durable transcriptional control without altering genome sequence.
- Tune localized editors to genes like genome editors do, then changed methylation/acetylation to compact or unspool chromatin, enabling potential cures including a hepatitis B program tied to cancer prevention.
Prioritize Team Quality When Planning High Intensity Milestones
- Prioritize people and leadership as primary drivers of biotech execution; exceptional teams sustain long, intense pushes like regulatory filings.
- Dan observed months of half-hour scheduling and all-hours commitment at Tune, driven by leaders who set the pace and culture.