Rod is a co-founder of Panorama Capital, where he focuses primarily on life sciences investments. Previously, Rod was a Partner at JPMorgan Partners, where he co-led their life sciences venture practice. From 1999 to 2001, Rod was a partner at InterWest Partners where he focused on life sciences investments. Prior to InterWest, he held a variety of management positions over an 11-year career at Genentech, Inc., most recently as Senior Director of Business and Corporate Development responsible for worldwide licensing transactions for both technology and pharmaceutical products. Prior to joining Genentech, Inc. in 1988, Rod was an associate with the law firm McCutchen, Doyle, Brown, & Enersen (currently known as Bingham McCutchen llp).

Rod received a B.S. with honors in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University. Dr. Ferguson serves on the technology advisory board of The Economist, a variety of advisory boards in the life sciences industry, and two non-profit boards. In addition, he currently serves on the board of directors of Cardiokinetix, Itero Biopharmaceuticals and Presidio Pharmaceuticals and is a board observer at Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Hyperion Therapeutics and NextWave Pharmaceuticals. Rod was responsible for investments in Corus (acquired by Gilead), Genomic Health (NASDAQ:GHDX), Myogen (acquired by Gilead) and Santarus (NASDAQ:SNTS).