Ben Shepherd

Ben Shepherd is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trestle Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California. Prior to establishing the venture-backed startup in 2020, he spent over ten years building research teams in the biotechnology industry, including holding scientific leadership roles at Organovo. Before transitioning to the commercial sector, Shepherd held an academic research position at the Yale School of Medicine. As a vascular biologist and tissue engineer, he specializes in utilizing 3D bioprinting and biofabrication technologies to develop in vitro human tissue systems. He guided Trestle Biotherapeutics through its initial seed financing round and secured foundational technology licensing agreements between 2021 and 2022 to address end-stage renal disease. His current focus remains on translating academic tissue engineering research into commercial therapeutic approaches and bioengineered kidney tissues for clinical applications.