Clarevia Ventures has expanded its leadership expertise by appointing veteran healthcare executive Cheryl R. Blanchard, Ph.D., as its new Executive in Residence.
The Madison, Wisconsin-based healthcare venture capital firm said the appointment is designed to strengthen its investment evaluation process while providing deeper operational support to entrepreneurs within its growing portfolio.
Veteran Executive to Support Investment and Growth Strategies
In her new role, Blanchard will contribute strategic and operational guidance across multiple areas of company development.
She will work closely with Clarevia Ventures as it reviews potential investments while also mentoring founders and leadership teams navigating various stages of growth.
Her responsibilities will include advising companies on corporate strategy, product development, organizational leadership, commercialization planning, regulatory and clinical pathways, fundraising initiatives, governance structures, strategic collaborations, and long-term business expansion.
Extensive Experience Across the Healthcare Industry
Blanchard brings decades of executive leadership spanning biotechnology, regenerative medicine, orthopedics, women’s health, medical devices, and drug-delivery technologies.
Throughout her career, she has led both publicly traded and venture-backed companies while helping organizations navigate product development, commercial launches, acquisitions, financing rounds, and strategic partnerships.
Her operational background is expected to complement Clarevia Ventures’ mission of identifying promising healthcare innovations and helping emerging companies accelerate their path toward commercialization.
Leadership Role at Anika Therapeutics Continues
Among Blanchard’s most recognized leadership positions was her tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of Anika Therapeutics, where she spent six years leading the publicly traded company specializing in joint preservation and orthopedic solutions.
Earlier in 2026, she transitioned to the position of Executive Chair of the company’s Board of Directors, having served as a board member since 2018.
Her leadership at Anika focused on advancing innovative treatments designed to improve musculoskeletal health through early intervention.
Driving Innovation at Microchips Biotech
Before joining Anika, Blanchard served as President, CEO, and Director of Microchips Biotech.
During her leadership, the company shifted its focus toward implantable long-acting drug-delivery technologies while strengthening its executive team, expanding its intellectual property portfolio, and advancing both clinical and regulatory development.
She also helped secure substantial investment from venture capital firms and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation while establishing a high-profile partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals that carried multibillion-dollar commercial potential.
Microchips Biotech was ultimately acquired by Daré Bioscience in 2019.
Key Contributions During Zimmer Career
Earlier in her career, Blanchard spent more than ten years at Zimmer, now known as Zimmer Biomet, where she held several senior leadership positions, including Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.
During that period, she oversaw global research and development, quality, regulatory affairs, clinical operations, biologics, advanced technologies, and medical affairs.
She also played a central role in building the company’s biologics division while supporting numerous product launches, acquisitions, licensing agreements, and strategic collaborations.
Broad Governance and Industry Leadership
Beyond executive management, Blanchard has built an extensive portfolio of board and advisory experience across the healthcare sector.
She currently serves on the boards of Anika Therapeutics, Xilio Therapeutics, Lumicell, and Surgicure Technologies.
Her previous governance roles include companies such as Vigil Neuroscience, SeaSpine, Daré Bioscience, CeramTec, Neuronetics, MassBio, and several venture-backed biotechnology and medical technology businesses.
She is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, reflecting her longstanding contributions to scientific and medical innovation.
Clarevia Ventures Continues Focus on Healthcare Innovation
Led by Managing Partner Jim Adox, Clarevia Ventures invests exclusively in healthcare companies developing technologies aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Founded in 1984 and formerly known as Venture Investors Health Fund, the firm has supported the growth of healthcare innovators including HistoSonics, Neurovance, and EarliPoint.
With Blanchard joining as Executive in Residence, the firm is adding seasoned operating expertise to help guide both future investments and existing portfolio companies through critical stages of development.
