Pioneers in neutralizing GDF-15
to overcome cancer therapy resistance
CatalYm has identified GDF-15 as a key cancer therapy resistance mechanism and is developing a safe and efficacious immune therapy for solid tumors. GDF-15, a local immunosuppressant expressed during cellular stress responses, is hijacked by cancer cells to evade immune system attacks. Visugromab, CatalYm’s lead antibody, has demonstrated durable anti-tumor efficacy with long-lasting objective responses in relapsed and refractory metastatic solid tumor patients in combination with anti-PD-1. CatalYm is now advancing into Phase 2b studies to confirm visugromab as a new class of cancer immunotherapy in a broad range of anti-cancer regimens, also in earlier treatment lines.
Leadership Team
+Anne Burger
Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Anne Burger serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer at CatalYm. She brings more than 15 years of experience in financial operations at biotech and medtech companies throughout Europe. She also served as the CFO and Co-Founder of Breath Therapeutics GmbH, where she was instrumental in securing the financing (EUR 43.5million) as well as executing the sale of the company to Zambon S.p.A. in 2019, with a deal value up to EUR 500 million. Previously, Anne served as CFO at Rigontec and had an active role in the execution of Rigontec’s trade sale to MSD (known as Merck & Co. in North America), a deal worth up to EUR 464 million. Throughout her career, Anne has been responsible for corporate fundraising, executing trade sales and licensing agreements, and preparing for IPOs in several senior executive and advisory roles in the life sciences industry. Anne holds a graduate degree in Business Administration from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich and has completed graduate studies in public health.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
+Christine Schuberth-Wagner
PhD, MBA Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)Christine Schuberth-Wagner serves as Chief Scientific Officer at CatalYm. She joined the company in November 2018 with more than 10 years of experience in drug discovery and non-clinical development of immunomodulatory drugs in the immuno-oncology space. She has established a track record as a successful leader and entrepreneur in the biotech industry. Prior to joining CatalYm, Christine co-founded Rigontec in 2014 where she led the company’s discovery and non-clinical development activities as Senior Vice President, Research. Her discoveries on the first-in-class RNA-based innate immune receptor agonist RGT100, built the foundation for the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial as well as the successful acquisition of Rigontec by MSD (known as Merck & Co. in North America) in late 2017. Christine holds a PhD in Molecular Biomedicine from the University of Bonn and an MBA from the University of Potsdam.
+Eugen Leo
MD, PhD, MBA Chief Medical Officer (CMO)Eugen Leo serves as Chief Medical Officer at CatalYm. Prior, he served as CMO for Rigontec, where he helped facilitate the company’s acquisition by MSD (known as Merck & Co. in North America). Eugen brings more than 20 years of experience in industrial phase I-III development of targeted molecules in the immuno-oncology space, ranging from kinase inhibitors, antibodies and antibody derivatives to vaccines, antisense molecules and cell therapies. His contributions were instrumental in reaching proof-of-concept for the BiTE (bi-specific T-cell engager) antibody platform, ultimately leading to Micromet’s acquisition by Amgen in 2012, as well as for the development of various other first-in-class molecules in the immuno-oncology space. Previously, he served in various positions with increasing levels of responsibility in both biotech (e.g. Micromet, Oxford Biotherapeutics, Ambit Biosciences, Isarna Therapeutics) and large pharmaceutical companies (Johnson & Johnson, Merck-Serono). Eugen is a board-certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist and holds an Associate Professorship at the University of Heidelberg. He studied medicine at the Universities of Freiburg, Cincinnati and Münster and obtained an MBA from Colorado State University.
+Silke Brandt-Schmidt
PhD SVP of Program DevelopmentSilke Brandt-Schmidt serves as SVP of Program Development at CatalYm. Before joining CatalYm, she successfully steared early and late-phase immunotherapy programs with increasing levels of responsibility at Affimed and prior to that at Merck KGaA. Silke led a bi-specific molecule through all stages of clinical development, due diligence, contracting, and alliance building in a co-development and co-commercialization partnership between Merck KGaA and GSK. Silke brings a wealth of international program development expertise across a broad range of innovative therapeutic approaches such as vaccines, antibodies, bi-specific molecules, cell therapies and extensive regulatory and CMC expertise to CatalYm. She has a track record in orchestrating cross-functional teams delivering on integrated development plans, with a particular focus on innovative molecules in Oncology and Immuno-Oncology. Silke holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Kiel and an Advanced Certificate in Molecular Biology from the University of Hamburg.
Board of Directors
Jon Edwards
PhD Interim ChairmanJon is a Managing Partner at Bioqube Ventures. Previously, he served as Managing Director at Red Tree Venture Capital and was part of the founding team at Medicxi where he was a partner in the London office. He has led multiple investments spanning company formation, syndicated deals, and late-stage crossover/IPO financings. A few notable investments include Impact Biomedicines (acquired by Celgene), Synthorx (acquired by Sanofi), Phathom Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:PHAT), and Checkmate Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Regeneron). Jon conducted his postdoctoral research at MIT and holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Jon is a Managing Partner at Bioqube Ventures. Previously, he served as Managing Director at Red Tree Venture Capital and was part of the founding team at Medicxi where he was a partner in the London (...)
Colleen Cuffaro
PhD Board memberColleen Cuffaro is a partner on Canaan’s healthcare investment team. She serves on the boards of Arrakis Therapeutics, Alphina Therapeutics, RADD Pharmaceuticals and is a board observer at Agomab Therapeutics. Additionally, Colleen is on the board of Connecticut Innovations and the New England Venture Capital Association. Prior to joining Canaan in 2014, Colleen was an analytical chemist at PMRS, Inc., where she worked with small and large pharmaceutical companies on drug product development, ranging from preclinical feasibility studies to commercial supply. She also served as a bioscience analyst for Entrepreneurship Lab NYC, an accelerator program for healthcare startups. Colleen holds a PhD in cellular and molecular physiology from Yale University and a BA in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.
Colleen Cuffaro is a partner on Canaan’s healthcare investment team. She serves on the boards of Arrakis Therapeutics, Alphina Therapeutics, RADD Pharmaceuticals and is a board observer at Agomab (...)
Hans van Eenennaam
PhD Independent board memberHans van Eenennaam is CEO and founder of IMMIOS and Chief Scientific Officer at Sairopa. Previously, he served as Chief Scientific Officer of AIMM Therapeutics and as Executive Vice President of Antibody Research and Site Head for Aduro Biotech Europe. In 2015, Aduro acquired BioNovion, a company advancing novel antibody therapies for immuno- oncology, which van Eenennaam co-founded in 2011 and also served as its Chief Operational Officer. He is a (co-)inventor of pembrolizumab (KeytrudaTM), BION-1301 (Zigakibart), MK-5890, ADU-1805 and ADU-1604. Earlier in his career, he held different positions at Organon, Schering-Plough and MSD/Merck.
Hans also serves on the Board of Directors of Lygature. Dr. van Eenennaam is a chemist by training and received his doctorate in autoimmune biochemistry from Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Hans van Eenennaam is CEO and founder of IMMIOS and Chief Scientific Officer at Sairopa. Previously, he served as Chief Scientific Officer of AIMM Therapeutics and as Executive Vice President of Antibody (...)
Jonathan Tobin
PhD Board memberJonathan is a Partner at Brandon Capital where he heads European operations and serves on the boards of Pheon Therapeutics, Myricx Bio, Astronautx and NRG Therapeutics. Previously, he was Managing Director at Arix Bioscience where he was responsible for numerous early and late-stage biotech investments and was also Principal at Touchstone Innovations. He has a PhD in Molecular Biology from UCL, an MBA from Imperial College and studied undergraduate Biology at Oxford University.
Jonathan is a Partner at Brandon Capital where he heads European operations and serves on the boards of Pheon Therapeutics, Myricx Bio, Astronautx and NRG Therapeutics. Previously, he was Managing Director (...)
Otello Stampacchia
PhD Board memberOtello founded Omega Funds in 2004 and leads the firm’s investor relations and strategic initiatives. He is a member of the firm’s investment committee and is also heavily involved in a number of Omega’s therapeutic areas of interest, particularly in oncology, rare diseases and inflammatory disorders.
Previously, Otello was in charge of life sciences direct investments and diligence for healthcare venture fund of fund investments at AlpInvest Partners, one of the largest private equity asset managers worldwide. Before AlpInvest, he was the portfolio manager of the Lombard Odier Immunology Fund, a $3 billion listed investment vehicle in Geneva, Switzerland, investing in public and private healthcare companies worldwide. Previously, Otello was a member of the HealthCare corporate finance and M&A team at Goldman Sachs (London and New York offices). Before Goldman, he helped co-found the healthcare investment activities at Index Securities (now Index Ventures). Otello has a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Geneva, holds a European Doctorate in Biotechnology from the EU, and obtained an MSc in Genetics from the University of Pavia.
Otello founded Omega Funds in 2004 and leads the firm’s investor relations and strategic initiatives. He is a member of the firm’s investment committee and is also heavily involved in a number of (...)
Rachel Mears
Board memberRachel Mears is a Partner at Jeito Capital and has over 20 years of transactional, operational, and legal experience in biotechnology and pharma companies.
She led Strategy and International Business Operations at Forest Laboratories, where she worked on the successful development and commercialization of more than 10 FDA approved drugs, including Lexapro®, Namenda®, Linzess®, Vraylar® and AvyCaz®, and spearheaded the company’s integration with Allergan (then known as Actavis). She also served as Chief Business Officer and General Counsel at Modern Meadow, a biotechnology company focused on sustainable materials and as Senior Counsel, Chief of Staff to PepsiCo’s General Counsel.
Rachel began her career as a patent attorney, first with Morrison & Forester and later Kirkland & Ellis, specializing in complex intellectual property strategy and litigation. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Hackley School. Rachel received her B.S. degree with honors in chemistry from Stanford University and her J.D. degree from NYU School of Law and is admitted to the US Patent Bar.
Rachel Mears is a Partner at Jeito Capital and has over 20 years of transactional, operational, and legal experience in biotechnology and pharma companies.
She led Strategy and International (...)
Rogier Rooswinkel
PhD Board memberRogier Rooswinkel is General Partner at Forbion where he is responsible for evaluation and structuring of new investment opportunities across all disease areas with an emphasis on oncology. Prior to joining Forbion, Rogier worked as a post-doc at the division of immunology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Rogier holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam/NKI-AVL and a master’s degree in Oncology from the VU University of Amsterdam.
Rogier Rooswinkel is General Partner at Forbion where he is responsible for evaluation and structuring of new investment opportunities across all disease areas with an emphasis on oncology. Prior to (...)
Roy Baynes
MB, BCh, PhD Independent board memberRoy Baynes received his MB, BCh (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) from the University of Witwatersrand, where he also received an MMed (specialist registration) and completed a PhD exploring mechanisms of human iron metabolism.
After additional clinical training in Johannesburg, and service on the faculty of the Department of Medicine at the University of Witwatersrand Medical School, Roy moved to the United States and joined the Division of Hematology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center where he served as Professor of Medicine in both hematology and bone marrow transplantation. From 1997 until 2002, he led the bone marrow transplantation service at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he was also a Professor of Medicine (Medicine, Hematology and Oncology), and the Charles Martin Professor of Cancer Research. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the College of Physicians of South Africa.
Thereafter, Roy joined Amgen, Inc., where he became Vice President of Global Development and head of the hematology/oncology development team. He left Amgen in 2012 to become Senior Vice President at Gilead, Inc. where he led the establishment of the Oncology, Respiratory and Inflammation TAs, and joined Merck in 2013 where he was Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer. At Merck he was responsible for the development of the entire clinical portfolio in Merck Research Laboratories and was the architect of the development strategy for dozens of important new medicines including Keytruda®, a drug that has revolutionized cancer treatment around the world.
After retiring from Merck in 2022, Roy took on the role of EVP and Chief Medical Officer at Eikon Therapeutics. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Natera Inc., and Travere Inc. He is a compensated advisor to Nurix Inc. and to Decheng Capital.
Roy Baynes received his MB, BCh (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) from the University of Witwatersrand, where he also received an MMed (specialist registration) and completed a PhD exploring mechanisms (...)
Our Investors
Our mission is supported by a syndicate
of renowned life science investors
