Mario Barro, PhD

Venture Partner

Mario Barro is the Head of Infectious Disease at RA Capital Management. Mario’s primary responsibility is to lead efforts to support the firm’s evidence-based investment strategy in infectious diseases. Mario is also the founder and CEO of GIVAX, a Raven-built startup developing next-generation mucosal vaccines against gastrointestinal pathogens. Prior to RA Capital, Mario was Associate Vice President for Advanced Research at Sanofi Pasteur, where he led initiatives integrating machine learning and antigen design into influenza vaccine development. Previously, at BARDA, Mario directed influenza vaccine and antiviral programs and oversaw the technical and strategic management of multiyear, multimillion-dollar vaccine development efforts. Mario has also served as Government and Pharma liaison with the FDA, CDC, and international organizations to support development of infectious disease interventions. Mario brings over three decades of experience in R&D in infectious disease across large pharma, government, academia, and biotech. Mario serves or has served on the Boards and Scientific Advisory Boards of several portfolio companies, including Vaxess, Curevo, Icosavax, and Cidara.