Dr. Janet Chollet

Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Procyrn LLC

Dr. Janet Chollet is a board-certified obstetrician–gynecologist, biotechnology co-founder, and translational medicine leader based in Boston. As the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Procyrn LLC, she oversees the development of sustained-release hydrogel immune therapeutics and reformulated antivirals designed for maternal–fetal health, neuroinflammation, and HPV-related cervical disease. With more than thirty years of clinical and academic experience, she has contributed to programs shaped by both clinical practice and early-stage therapeutic development. She has served at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh, holds three U.S. patents in women’s health drug delivery, and has advanced multiple preclinical and clinical programs that reflect her commitment to improving treatment options for women and families. She continues to shape translational research that supports targeted, accessible care.

Early Education and Medical Foundation

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1986. Her interest in understanding how scientific principles influence human health motivated her to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree at New York Medical College, where she graduated in 1991.

After completing medical school, she entered residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at LAC/USC Women’s Hospital from 1991 to 1995. These formative years strengthened her dedication to women’s health and gave her extensive exposure to complex clinical environments. Her residency experience laid the foundation for her long-term interest in translational medicine and in developing therapeutic solutions to address unmet needs in maternal and reproductive health.

Clinical and Academic Practice

Following residency, Janet Chollet joined Magee-Women’s Hospital, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, as a staff physician and instructor. Between 2000 and 2007, she balanced clinical responsibilities with teaching, working closely with medical trainees while continuing to build her understanding of how frontline patient care can guide therapeutic innovation. These years deepened her belief that translational medicine requires close attention to clinical insight and patient needs.

In 2007, she joined Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, where she continues to practice as an obstetrician–gynecologist. Her work integrates clinical care, academic mentorship, and research to advance therapies for women’s health. Her position allows her to combine clinical experience with translational research, strengthening the connection between patient care and new therapeutic approaches.

Pear Tree Pharmaceuticals and Foundational IP

In 2005, she co-founded Pear Tree Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to site-targeted therapies for women’s health, particularly for breast cancer survivors and women experiencing vulvovaginal atrophy. As Vice President of Clinical Affairs until 2018, she supported the development of vaginal drug delivery systems designed to limit systemic exposure while addressing localized symptoms in individuals unable to use hormone-based therapies.

Her contributions resulted in three issued U.S. patents in topical and vaginal drug delivery:

US 9,693,953 — Method of treating atrophic vaginitis

US 9,675,546 — Method of treating atrophic vaginitis with triphenylethylene derivatives

US 9,480,662 — Compositions and methods for topical tamoxifen citrate therapy

This intellectual property played a central role in the company’s merger with Dare Bioscience, a publicly traded company focused on advancing innovative therapies for women’s health. Janet Chollet MD's work at Pear Tree strengthened her interest in targeted drug delivery as an important tool for improving patient care.

Founding Procyrn LLC

In 2023, she co-founded Procyrn LLC, a Boston-based biotechnology company advancing sustained-release biologics and reformulated antivirals. As Chief Medical Officer, she oversees translational planning, clinical development, and regulatory strategy. Procyrn focuses on applying drug delivery science to medical conditions for which effective long-term treatment options remain limited, including maternal–fetal health, neuroinflammatory disorders, and HPV-driven cervical disease. Her leadership supports the company’s mission of responsibly advancing therapies grounded in scientific rigor and clinical relevance.

Therapeutic Programs Under Her Leadership

At Procyrn, she guides three core therapeutic programs:

Maternal–Fetal Health (PC101): Procyrn’s lead program targets preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, two hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that can require early delivery to protect maternal and fetal survival. These preterm deliveries contribute significantly to medical and economic burdens in the United States. PC101 is a sustained-release hydrogel biologic designed to stabilize maternal–fetal health by addressing the underlying disease process. After completing preclinical validation, the program is advancing to the next stage in collaboration with academic and industry partners. The therapeutic platform is designed to provide continuous exposure compatible with pregnancy, aiming to prolong gestation and improve outcomes.

Neuroinflammation and ALS: Dr. Janet Chollet's background in immune-modulating therapeutics created an opportunity to explore their application in neurodegenerative disease. This program focuses on C9orf72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the most common genetic form of ALS, where inflammatory pathways contribute to disease progression. In collaboration with research partners, she is advancing an immune-modulating strategy designed to target key inflammatory mechanisms. This work extends her translational approach into a new therapeutic area supported by careful preclinical evaluation.

HPV-Driven Cervical Dysplasia: Procyrn is developing a non-hormonal, small-molecule therapeutic to selectively modulate stress-survival pathways in HPV-transformed squamous epithelial cells. In high-grade cervical dysplasia, viral proteins create oxidative stress and shift survival mechanisms. The company’s candidate selectively targets these pathways to induce apoptosis in dysplastic tissue while sparing healthy epithelium. This approach offers a mucosa-focused strategy distinct from traditional antiviral or hormonal methods.

An exploratory program that has triggered much debate:

Autism Prevention Through Maternal–Fetal Immune Therapeutics (Exploratory):

She is exploring a concept aimed at reducing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism by stabilizing the maternal–fetal immune environment. Research suggests that maternal immune activation and placental inflammation may influence fetal brain development. Preclinical work, including Zika virus studies, indicates that reducing neuroinflammation and preserving placental integrity may support healthier neurodevelopment. Building on these findings, she is evaluating pregnancy-compatible immune therapeutics that may help support maternal–fetal stability. Although preliminary, the concept reflects her broader interest in preventive strategies that may protect fetal development.

Regulatory and Development Expertise

Her leadership extends into regulatory planning and early development strategy. Janet Chollet creates IND-enabling pathways, aligns program milestones with funding timelines, and reinforces the importance of clear go/no-go criteria. Her emphasis on reproducibility in preclinical work supports scientific rigor and strengthens stakeholders' confidence in development efforts.

Creative Work and Narrative Perspective

Earlier in her career, she co-wrote the Emmy-winning ER episode “Love’s Labor Lost,” which later contributed to the series winning five Emmys. Although she was offered a staff writing role, she chose to continue with her medical career, reflecting her dedication to clinical work while maintaining an interest in creative expression.

Personal Interests and Balance

Outside her professional work, she values family, wellness, and creative exploration. She practices exercise and strength training as part of her routine, enjoys time spent with family and holidays, and appreciates the companionship of pets. She also finds clarity in golf, valuing both its steady pace and its defined endpoint.

Her interests include travel, learning, and writing. Dr. Janet Chollet has recently expanded her attention to the practical use of artificial intelligence in clinical workflows and translational development, exploring how these tools may support more efficient progress from discovery to patient care.