PatientPartner Appoints Former Eli Lilly Executive Dr. Jeffrey Kasher to Board

28-year pharmaceutical industry veteran brings deep clinical trial and patient-engagement expertise to guide PatientPartner’s next phase of growth

“PatientPartner’s mentor-driven model creates that connection, giving patients a trusted peer who can help them stay informed, supported, and engaged throughout the trial.”— Dr. Jeffrey Kasher

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / -- PatientPartner, the peer mentor-driven patient connectivity platform that matches patients with peers who have navigated similar health journeys to improve treatment adoption, adherence, and clinical trial participation, announced the appointment of Jeffrey Kasher, PhD, to its Board of Directors, effective August 24, 2026.

Dr. Kasher brings 28 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership from Eli Lilly, where he rose to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Clinical Development Organization and Vice President of Clinical Innovation and Implementation. His appointment comes as PatientPartner expands its work with pharmaceutical and clinical trial sponsors, bringing deep experience in clinical development, patient engagement, and the operational realities of implementing new models within large life sciences organizations.

“Jeff spent nearly three decades inside one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and understands both the challenges sponsors face and what it takes to implement meaningful change at scale,” said George Kramb, CEO and Co-Founder of PatientPartner. “As we expand our clinical trial business, his experience gives us invaluable perspective on how patient engagement can become a more integrated part of clinical development. His judgment, industry relationships, and ability to bridge innovation with the realities of pharma will be incredibly valuable as we enter our next stage of growth.”

Since leaving Eli Lilly, Dr. Kasher has continued to work at the intersection of clinical development, patient engagement, and innovation, helping organizations rethink how patients and research sites participate in the clinical trial process. He is President of Patients Can’t Wait, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Javara, an independent director at Univo, and a strategic advisor to Cognivia. He also advises pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and emerging technology companies on clinical development strategy and implementation. This combination of sponsor-side leadership and hands-on work with emerging clinical trial models will help PatientPartner strengthen its approach to patient retention, engagement, and recruitment while building programs designed to integrate into the complex operating environments of global life sciences companies.

“What drew me to PatientPartner is its focus on one of the most persistent challenges in clinical development: keeping patients engaged once they’ve enrolled in a trial,” said Dr. Kasher. “Participation can be a long and demanding journey, and too often patients are expected to navigate that experience without the support of someone who truly understands what they’re going through. PatientPartner’s mentor-driven model creates that connection, giving patients a trusted peer who can help them stay informed, supported, and engaged throughout the trial. I’m excited to work with George and the board to bring that approach to more patients and sponsors.”

Dr. Kasher’s appointment strengthens PatientPartner’s clinical development expertise as the company scales its mentor-driven engagement model across life sciences. His experience will help guide PatientPartner’s work with sponsors to integrate peer mentorship into the patient journey, from clinical trial recruitment and retention through treatment adoption and long-term adherence.

About PatientPartner

PatientPartner operates a mentor-driven patient connectivity platform that matches and connects patients, and their caregivers, with peers who have navigated similar healthcare journeys, delivering real-time, personalized mentorship that builds treatment confidence. The company works with pharmaceutical, medical device, and clinical trial organizations to improve patient adoption, adherence, and trial recruitment and retention.

George Kramb
PatientPartner
george@patientpartner.com

About FCA Venture Partners

FCA Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing in companies transforming healthcare through innovative technology and services that improve patient outcomes, empower providers, lower costs, and redefine how care is delivered. FCA manages over $285 million and invests across the Series Seed to Series B stages.

FCA brings portfolio companies valuable healthcare insights, connections, and board-level experience to accelerate growth and build disruptive and sustainable businesses. Based in Nashville and Charlotte, the FCA team has a decades-long track record including more than 60 investments in the rapidly changing healthcare industry.