Dr. Crawford is a scientist and drug development expert with over 12 years of experience spanning drug discovery, development, regulatory strategy, and biotech venture creation. As a Principal Consultant in the Product Development group at Sia/LBG, she advises clients on discovery programs, nonclinical development, translational strategies, IND-enabling planning, and cross-functional program execution. Laura’s expertise lies in advancing discovery stage assets into clinic ready programs. She has led integrated development teams across nonclinical, CMC, clinical, and regulatory functions, and has regularly contributed to program risk assessments, portfolio prioritization, and investor communications.
Her prior roles include nonclinical and operational leadership at Athenex, where she advanced multiple programs through discovery, IND- and NDA-enabling stages and contributed to the development and approval of the marketed product Klisyri. She also held a drug development leadership role at Nirogy Therapeutics and has served as a nonclinical strategy consultant for a broad range of biotech clients. Most recently, Laura served as Vice President of Operations and Early Development at Orange Grove Bio, where she led discovery, early development, and operational strategy across a portfolio of early-stage therapeutic programs, supported venture creation and fundraising efforts, and managed external alliances.
Laura serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Yale Ventures, where she supports academic founders and fellows on platform evaluations, scientific narrative development, and early operational and fundraising strategies.
Laura holds a PhD in Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is board-certified in toxicology (DABT), and holds the Regulatory Affairs Certification for drugs (RAC-Drugs).