Christopher Cheng PhD

Christopher Cheng, PhD, is a biotechnology executive and RNA technology expert currently serving as Vice President of Process Development & RNA Technology at Verve Therapeutics. In this role, he leads process development, manufacturing, and technology transfer efforts for RNA-based gene editing therapies, supporting the advancement of clinical-stage programs focused on cardiovascular disease.

Cheng brings extensive experience in nucleic acid therapeutics, including mRNA and gRNA design, RNA biochemistry, drug delivery systems, and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) manufacturing. Before joining Verve, he held leadership roles at Casebia Therapeutics, where he helped establish in vivo CRISPR-based gene editing platforms, and at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, where he led nucleic acid technology development for rare disease therapeutics.

Over his career, Cheng has built and led cross-functional teams spanning research, process development, and GMP manufacturing, contributing to the translation of RNA technologies from early discovery into clinical application. He has co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and is also listed as an inventor on gene-editing–related patents. Cheng earned his PhD from Yale University, where he also completed postdoctoral training, specializing in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.