SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blade Therapeutics, Inc. (Blade) today announced with profound sadness the unexpected passing of company General Counsel and Secretary Alan C. Mendelson on October 8, 2021, in San Francisco.

Wendye Robbins, M.D., president and CEO of Blade, said, “I am shocked and saddened by my dear friend’s sudden passing. Alan had an immeasurable impact on our industry and touched the lives of so many people. On behalf of Blade’s Board of Directors, management team and employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to Alan’s family.”

Mr. Mendelson joined Blade as General Counsel and Secretary in February 2021. During more than 47 years of private practice, Mr. Mendelson focused on representing emerging and public growth companies, primarily in the life sciences industry. He served as the Global Co-Chair of the Life Sciences Industry Group for the Silicon Valley office of Latham & Watkins LLP, a major global law firm where he retired as senior partner after a 20-year career with the firm. Mr. Mendelson served as the incorporator of Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) in April 1980 and played a leading role in all of Amgen’s major transactions during the first 10 years of its existence.

Mr. Mendelson served as a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees of the University of California (UC) Berkeley Foundation and as a member of the Board of Advisors for the UC Berkeley College of Chemistry, a member of the Board of the UC Berkeley Library and a member of the Chancellor’s External Affairs Committee. He was also a member of the UC Innovation Council, established by UC to advise on technology and entrepreneurship initiatives for the UC system. Mr. Mendelson served on the Board of Trustees of The Buck Institute for Research on Aging. He also served on the board of directors of several companies.

The Legal 500, an industry publishing firm, has ranked Mr. Mendelson among just four individuals receiving a star in its Hall of Fame for legal professionals serving the life sciences sector. Mr. Mendelson was the first service provider to receive the Life Sciences Leadership Award at the BayBio Pantheon and was repeatedly recognized as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in the United States by the National Law Journal.

Blade Therapeutics

Blade Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cutting-edge treatments for debilitating, incurable fibrotic and neurodegenerative diseases that impact millions of people worldwide. Visit www.blademed.com and LinkedIn for more information.

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