The People Behind Neovia
Different backgrounds.
One shared objective: Developing better options for patients facing drug-resistant cancers.
Trevor G. Blake, B.Sc., M.B.A.
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Trevor founded Neovia Oncology in 2012 with a singular goal: to develop cancer therapies capable of addressing one of oncology's greatest challenges—drug resistance—while minimizing the severe side effects often associated with treatment.
Prior to Neovia, Trevor founded and led QOL Medical, ANU RTS, and ANU Pharmaceutical. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions with 3M, Biogen, and Orphan Medical.
He holds an MBA from Durham University (UK), a B.Sc. in Radiation Technology and Nuclear Medicine from the Royal College of Therapeutic Radiation (London), and is a graduate of Britannia Royal Naval Officer College, UK.
Trevor is also the New York Times bestselling author of Three Simple Steps and Secrets to a Successful Startup.
What drives him:
"Cancer patients already face enough challenges. Treatment should not have to be one of them."
Fun fact:
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Trevor trained as a naval officer and worked in nuclear medicine—a career path that makes for unusual dinner conversations.
Li-Xi Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
INVENTOR & CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Dr. Yang is the inventor of Neovia’s global patent portfolio that includes lead DDC NEV-801. He has devoted much of his scientific career to understanding and overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer.
His research spans novel anticancer compounds, chemoradiosensitizers, mechanisms of drug action, and next-generation therapeutic approaches designed to improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Prior to joining Neovia, Dr. Yang served as Senior Director of Research at California Pacific Medical Center.
He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Dartmouth Medical School, M.D. from Nantong Medical College, China, and M.S. from 2nd Mil. Medical University, Shanghai.
What drives him:
"The most important discoveries often begin with questioning assumptions everyone else accepts."
Fun fact:
Many scientists spend their careers studying cancer resistance. Dr. Yang decided to invent a drug designed specifically to overcome it.
Shashi Marulappa, D.V.M., M.S., M.B.A.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Dr. Shashi Marulappa oversees the company’s operations, bringing more than two decades of experience spanning drug and biologics development, regulatory affairs, business development, licensing, and organizational leadership. His career has focused on advancing innovative therapies from concept to clinic across oncology, immunology, neurology, metabolic disease, and rare disorders. Before joining Neovia, Dr. Marulappa co-founded NanoScrips, a nanopharmaceutical company developing therapies for radiation sensitization of tumors.
Prior to NanoScrips, he held leadership roles at clinical-stage biotechnology companies, including Arog Pharmaceuticals, Metrik Biotech, and Trimer Biotech.
Dr. Marulappa earned an MBA and an M.S. in Immunology and Virology from Oklahoma State University, an M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Punjab Agricultural University in India, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad, India. He is also a Certified Regulatory Affairs Professional (RAC-US).
What Drives Him:
"The convergence of biomedical innovation and entrepreneurial determination creates extraordinary opportunities to reduce—and one day eliminate—the suffering of both humans and animals."
Fun Fact:
While in graduate school, Dr. Marulappa co-invented a rapid diagnostic test for parvovirus and later helped commercialize a novel fatty acid metabolite as an over-the-counter health supplement.
Raymond Su
CO-FOUNDER
Raymond Su spent more than five decades building and investing in healthcare, technology, finance, and real estate ventures.
He is also the founder and chairman of the Yuren Foundation, which has provided merit-based scholarships to hundreds of medical, nursing, and pharmacy students from disadvantaged communities throughout China since 1995.
Raymond earned an M.A. in International Relations from Lehigh University.
What drives him:
"Success has greater meaning when it creates opportunities for others."
Fun fact:
Long before impact investing became fashionable, Raymond was funding future healthcare professionals through scholarship programs.
Gerald Su
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Gerald brings international finance and strategic planning experience gained across New York, London, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
His focus at Neovia is on helping translate scientific innovation into a sustainable business capable of advancing therapies through development and toward patients.
Gerald earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.
What drives him:
"Great science changes lives. Great execution gives science the chance to succeed."
Fun fact:
Gerald has worked across four major global financial centers—useful preparation for navigating the complexities of biotech finance.
Why This Team Works
Neovia's leadership combines expertise in science, medicine, entrepreneurship, finance, and global healthcare. Together, the team brings experience spanning drug discovery, clinical development, commercialization, company building, and strategic partnerships.
Our shared mission is simple:
To develop innovative therapies that may help patients facing cancers where existing treatments have stopped working, without diminishing patients’ quality of life.