Robert Chess

Teaching Statement

Rob draws on his experience in starting and growing businesses across multiple science-based industries — biotech, cleantech, and information technology — in teaching courses in entrepreneurship and the management of innovation in the health care industry. His research interests are in the area of health care policy, global health, and science-based start-ups. Rob's teaching focus is on exposing students to the complex, real-world issues and trade-offs they will face in starting, growing, and operating companies in science and technology-based industries. He has been a lecturer at Stanford GSB since 2004.

Bio

Rob Chess is a serial entrepreneur in the life sciences field.  He currently is Chairman of Nektar Therapeutics, (NASDAQ:NKTR), a health care biotechnology company, and Biota Technologies, a company he co-founded which is developing industrial applications of the analysis of microbial communities.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Pelvalon, a medical device company, and Twist Biosciences, which is pioneering a new high throughput system for producing synthetic genes.  Rob joined Nektar as its first non-founder employee in 1991 and led the company as CEO through 1999 and as Chairman since then.   Rob co-founded and was President of Penederm, a dermatology company that went public and was acquired by Mylan Laboratories, and was the start-up CEO and later Chairman of OPX Biotechnologies, a renewable chemicals company which was sold to Cargill.  He started his career in the technology field and held management positions at Intel and Metaphor Computer Systems (later acquired by IBM).  Rob served on the White House Staff in the first Bush Administration as a White House Fellow and Associate Director of the White House Office of Economic and Domestic Policy.

In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors and activities at Stanford GSB, Rob is a trustee of Caltech and Chairman of the Caltech Board Technology Transfer Committee.  He also was the initial Chairman and is now a Board member of Bio Ventures for Global Health, and was a long-time Board member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization where he was chairman of the Emerging Companies Section and co-chairman of the Intellectual Property Committee.  Rob received a BS in engineering with honors from Caltech and an MBA from Harvard.

Rob is an out-of-practice but avid golfer, a reformed political junkie, and father of 18 year old triplets.

Academic Degrees

• MBA, Harvard University, 1980
• BS in Engineering with honors, Caltech, 1978

Academic Appointments

• At Stanford University since 2004

Professional Experience

• President and CEO, Nektar Therapeutics, 1991–2001, Chairman, 2001-present
• Co-Founder and Chairman, Biota Technologies, 2013-present
• Chairman, OPX Biotechnologies, 2007-present, CEO 2007-2008
• Deputy Associate Director, White House Office of Economic and Domestic Policy, 1990–1991
• White House Fellow, 1990–1991
• Cofounder and President, Penderm, 1986–1989
• Partner, Chess, Frederick and Associates, 1985–1986
• Market Segment Manager, Metaphor Computer Systems, 1983–1985
• Product Manager and Strategic Marketing Manager, Intel, 1980–1983

Teaching

Degree Courses

2017-18

GSBGEN 551: Innovation and Management in Health Care

The health care system accounts for over 17% of US GDP and is one of the fastest growing segments of the economy. This two unit class focuses on the interplay and tension between the main players in the health care field - providers of health...

STRAMGT 353: Entrepreneurship: Formation of New Ventures

This course is offered for students who at some time may want to undertake an entrepreneurial career by pursuing opportunities leading to partial or full ownership and control of a business. The course deals with case situations from the point of...

2016-17

GSBGEN 551: Innovation and Management in Health Care

The health care system accounts for over 17% of US GDP and is one of the fastest growing segments of the economy. This two unit class focuses on the interplay and tension between the main players in the health care field - providers of health...

STRAMGT 353: Entrepreneurship: Formation of New Ventures

This course is offered for students who at some time may want to undertake an entrepreneurial career by pursuing opportunities leading to partial or full ownership and control of a business. The course deals with case situations from the point of...

Insights by Stanford Business

videoFaculty and Alumni Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Advice

December 28, 2016

Take these life lessons to heart and reset your thinking for the new year.

writtenHow to Know When It is Time to Switch to Plan B

September 11, 2015

Novice entrepreneurs often make the mistake of sticking with a business plan for too long.

writtenRobert Chess: Big Data is Driving New Health Care Business Models

June 4, 2015

What if algorithms could predict how often someone will get sick, and make it easier to shop around for medical procedures?