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Draft:Joseph Hernandez (businessman)

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Joseph Hernandez
EducationUniversity of Florida (BS, MS, MBA); Yale University (MS); University of Oxford (MS - in process)
OccupationBusinessman · Philanthropist · Political Candidate
Websitehttps://www.hernandezfornyc.com/

Joseph Hernandez (born September 27, 1972) is a Cuban-born American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the former Founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of several healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, including Innovative Biosensors, Ember Therapeutics, Inc., Noachis Terra, Inc. and Blue Water Biotech, Inc. Currently, Hernandez serves as Founder and Senior Managing Partner of Blue Water Venture Partners LLC[1] and Blue Water Acquisition Corp III LLC.[2] In June 2025, Hernandez announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City.[3][4][5]

Hernandez was born in Camaguey, Cuba to immigrant parents and came to the United States at the age of seven.[4][6] He earned a bachelor's, master's and MBA from University of Florida and later went on to earn a degree from Yale University and is currently attending University of Oxford.[6] Hernandez has founded several biotech and special acquisition companies and has recently taken his latest company public.

Early Life & Education

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Joseph Hernandez was born in 1972 in Camaguey, Cuba to immigrant parents.[7] As a Cuban refugee and the son of a political prisoner, his family left Cuba, fleeing from communism, when Hernandez was seven.[6] His family came to the United States where his father washed dishes and his mother cleaned houses in hope of a better life for their children.[4]

Education

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Hernandez attended Florida public schools[6] throughout his education. After high school, he attended University of Florida where he was the first of his family to go to college.[8] Hernandez graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience[9] and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau.[7] Continuing his studies at UF, Hernandez received both his MBA and his Master of Science in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.[10] In a 2017 short bio for the Association of Hispanic Alumni, Hernandez is quoted as saying that he "attributes much of his success to the mentorship received at UF".[8]

Hernandez received a Master of Science Degree in Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Biostatics from Yale University and currently, is pursuing his Master of Science in Global Healthcare Leadership at the University of Oxford.[2][6][7]

Hernandez's has an academic background in biology, medicine, molecular genetics, microbiology, epidemiology and marketing and finance.

Career

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Early career

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Hernandez has started several companies, all within the life sciences and focused on research and development of new technologies and therapies to address critical human diseases. In December 1998, Hernandez began his career in life sciences when he was hired at Merck & Co[11]. He described his experience at the pharmaceutical giant as the "foundational development to his biotech and pharmaceutical career".[11] After Merck, Hernandez went on to explore Silicon Valley as the head of the Marketing Department for Affymetrix, a company that developed the microarray.

In 2005, Hernandez went back east and began working for Digene Corp, a molecular diagnostics company focusing on the area of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Hernandez assisted in developing the first test for HPV, leading to the company's acquisition by Qiagen in 2007.[12] With the capital that came from the acquisition, Hernandez began financing his own entrepreneurial ventures. As of early 2024, Hernandez has founded over twelve different companies in the fields of healthcare and pharmaceuticals.[13]

Entrepreneurship

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In 2004, Hernandez founded his first company, Innovative Biosensors. Innovative Biosensors was a clinical stage diagnostics company that developed and manufactured rapid pathogen detection and diagnostic systems.[14] Hernandez remained the President and CEO from 2004 to 2009.

Hernandez started Microlin Bio, a development stage biotechnology company focused on developing microRNA-based therapeutics for cancer. In 2013, the company partnered with Ohio State University in a license agreement for the University's cancer portfolio of microRNA patents in researching and developing more effective ways to diagnose and treat prostate, ovarian, colon and lung cancers.[15] The company became public in 2015.[16]

In 2014, Hernandez founded Ember Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the clinical application of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) to develop regenerative medicines for the disease modification of osteoarthritis, reversal of insulin resistance, and the inhibition and reversal of organ fibrosis in diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and Alport syndrome, as well as metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. In 2016, Ember Therapeutics became publicly traded.[17]

In 2018, Hernandez founded lue Water Vaccines, a company dedicated to manufacturing a universal influenza vaccine[18] in collaboration with the University of Oxford.[19] In 2022, Blue Water Vaccines became publicly traded on Nasdaq. Members of the corporation, along with Hernandez, rang the closing bell at Nasdaq on February 18, 2022.[20]

In 2020, Hernandez founded Noachis Terra, a biotechnology company focused on developing a COVID-19 vaccine. The company was acquired by Oragenics five short months after its official incorporation.[21][22] Blue Water Acquisition Corp., also founded in 2020, was a special acquisition company, or SPAC. In April 2021, Blue Water Special Acquisition Corp. merged with Claris Therapeutic Holdings Inc.[23] In 2022, Clarus filed for chapter 11 and had to auction assets including Jatenzo[24]. Clarus was delisted from Nasdaq in October 2022[25].

In 2023, Hernandez founded Temple Street Biotech, a company focused on Alzheimer's Research. He also founded, Eternity Biotech, a life extension company in collaboration with Yale University[26] focusing on human longevity.

Perseus Therapeutics], also founded in 2023, initiated a partnership with Duke University[27] focusing on hair restoration in patients suffering hair loss due to chemotherapy and other conditions. Continuing on in 2023, Hernandez, moving away from the Life Sciences industry, found a battery technology company, Energia Power Systems, in collaboration with Stanford University[28].

In 2024, Hernandez founded Blue Water Acquisition Corp III, a special acquisition company primarily focused on high-potential companies in the artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, healthcare and technology sectors. In June 2025, Blue Water Acquisition Corp III raised $253M in an upsized SPAC IPO[29]. Hernandez, surrounded by members of his team, was invited back to Nasdaq to ring the opening bell[30].

Political career

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2009 Testimony by Hernandez to the House Subcommittee

In June 2025, Hernandez announced his run for New York City Mayor as an independent candidate.[3][5][31] Although only required to submit 3,750 signatures in order to qualify to be on the ballot of the general election, Hernandez collected almost 15,000 signatures.[5] Hernandez has said he decided to run for mayor because he "believes in citizen leadership...".[4] He has also stated that he is "not here to protect a title or climb a political ladder."[4] and that he just wants to "fix a broken system with bold, common-send plans".[4][32]

Hernandez has been endorsed by the Bodega and Small Business Group and the National Supermarket Association.[33]

On July 18, 2025, Hernandez filed a civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York[34] for the implementation of ranked choice voting in the 2025 general mayoral election.

In 2009, Hernandez gave congressional testimony in front of the House Subcommittee on contracting and technology at the hearing on June 4, 2009,[35] "Legislative Initiatives to Strengthen and Modernize the SBIR and STTR programs".

Philanthropy

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In 2020, Hernandez personally funded a research project at the University of Oxford on the sequencing of the Dodo genome[36]. The university, having the only known specimen that had extractable DNA and soft tissue, conducted research focusing on gaining scientific insight into the genetic mechanisms in hopes of understanding the evolution of extinct island birds losing the ability to fly. The research went on to discover that the specimen, initially thought to have died from natural causes, was found to have died after a gunshot to the head and neck, which brought to light very important additional information on anatomy of the extinct bird.[37]

References

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  1. ^ "Home | BWVP". Bluewaterventurepartners.net. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Leadership | Blue Water Acquisition Corp III". Bluewaterspac.com. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Candidate List | New York City Campaign Finance Board". New York City Campaign Finance Board. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Hernandez, Joseph (June 27, 2025). "Why I'm Running | Hernandez for NYC". Hernandezfornyc.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c ""Joseph Hernandez, Independent Entrepreneur, Files 15,000 Petition Signatures and Launches Mayoral Campaign to Restore Safety and Bring Back Common Sense to NYC"". The Wall Street Journal MarketWatch. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Hernandez, Joseph (June 26, 2025). "Meet Joseph | Hernandez for NYC". HernandezforNYC.com. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Joseph Hernandez | Bio". Josephhernandez.com. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "grancaiman/joehernandez". Association of Hispanic Alumni. 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Tower 1996. Vol. 14. Gainesville, FL: Tower Staff. 1996. pp. Page 267. ISSN 0748-0563.
  10. ^ "UF Alum show $10 million worth of appreciation - news - University of Florida". UF News Science & Wellness. June 16, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Joseph Hernandez, Blue Water Vaccines: Developing Transformative Vaccines to Address Major Health". Docwire News. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Flaherty, Michael (August 9, 2007). "Netherlands' Qiagen buying Digene for $1.6bln". Reuters. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "Portfolio". Blue Water Venture Partners. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  14. ^ Flandez, Raymund (July 11, 2004). ""Putting Pathogen Detection in the Palm of Your Hand"". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  15. ^ "The Ohio State University Partners with Microlin Bio Inc. to Bring the University's Transformational Cancer Discoveries to Patients". The James - OSUCCC. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  16. ^ ""Microlin Bio, Inc. Completes Reverse Merger and Becomes a Publicly Traded Company"". Globe Newswire. December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  17. ^ ""Ember Therapeutics Completes Reverse Merger and Begins Trading as a Public Company"". GlobeNewswire. February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  18. ^ Wood, Izzy (January 23, 2023). ""Transformational vaccines that address global health challenges"". Drug Target Review. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  19. ^ ""Blue Water Vaccines: Stirring the Waters of Vaccine Advancement!"". Growfers.com. January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "Bluewater Vaccines Rings The Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell". Nasdaq. February 18, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  21. ^ ""Oragenics Acquires Noachis Terra Inc."". The Business Report. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  22. ^ Dagen, Sara (May 4, 2020). "Oragenics Acquires Noachis Terra Inc., to Develop Its TerraCoV2 NIH-Generated SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 19) Vaccine Candidate Utilizing "Spike Protein"". UF Innovate. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  23. ^ Therapeutics, Blue Water Acquisition Corporation; Clarus. "Blue Water Acquisition Corporation Announces Merger Agreement with Clarus Therapeutics, Forming A Publicly Listed Company To Address Unmet Needs Of Men And Women Through Development Of Androgen And Metabolic Therapies". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved January 29, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ ""Clarus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. Announces Plan for Near-Term Sale of JATENZO® Using Structured Process Through Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code"". www.BioSpace.com. September 5, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  25. ^ ""Delisting of Securities of Renovare Environmental, Inc.; Endo International plc; Clarus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.; NewAge, Inc.; and Allena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from The Nasdaq Stock Market"". www.Nasdaq.com. September 13, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  26. ^ ""Eternity Biotech: Yale Spin-out Unveils Advancement in Life Extension Technology"". EIN Presswire. December 6, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  27. ^ ""Perseus Therapeutics Announces Development of TSLP Antibody for Prevention of Hair Loss in Cancer Patients and Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases with well-known CRO partner"". Biospace.com. May 22, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  28. ^ ""Stanford University Spin-Out, Energia, Unveils 6x Higher Density than Standard Lithium Batteries"". EIN Presswire. December 28, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  29. ^ ""Blue Water Acquisition Corp. III Announces Closing of Upsized $253 Million Initial Public Offering"". Stock Titan. June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  30. ^ ""Blue Water Acquisition Corp. III Rings the Opening Bell"". Nasdaq.com. June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  31. ^ Sanchez, Gretchen (July 17, 2025). "Cuban launches candidacy for New York City mayor: Who is Joseph Hernández?". CibreCuba. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  32. ^ Jimenez, Claire. "July 17, 2025". Cuba Headlines. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  33. ^ ""LARGEST GROUP OF BODEGA OWNERS BACK INDEPENDENT MAYORAL CANDIDATE JOSEPH HERNANDEZ AT CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AS HE DEFENDS CAPITALISM AND REJECTS SOCIALIST POLITICS"". KTLA5. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  34. ^ ""INDEPENDENT MAYORAL CANDIDATE JOSEPH HERNANDEZ FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO BRING RANKED-CHOICE VOTING TO NYC'S GENERAL ELECTION"". The Wall Street Journal Market Watch. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  35. ^ HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP UNITED STATES SENATE (REAUTHORIZATION OF THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS ed.). Washington DC: US Government. February 11, 2011. pp. 49–54.
  36. ^ "Researchers launch project for whole genome sequencing of extinct flightless birds". University of Oxford. October 26, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  37. ^ ""Who shot the Dodo?"". University of Oxford Museum of Natural History. Retrieved June 26, 2025.


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