• About
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    • Overview
    • Leadership
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Investors
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    • KLRG1
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Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Abcuro

Breakthrough Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases & Cancer

  • About
    • Overview
    • Leadership
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Investors
  • Science
    • Overview
    • Highly Cytotoxic T Cells
    • KLRG1
    • Publications
  • Pipeline
    • Overview
    • ABC008
    • IBM
    • T-LGLL
    • Additional Indications
    • ABC015
  • News
  • Careers
  • Contact

Board of Directors

Edwards, John

September 7, 2021

John Edwards brings over 30 years of experience in discovery, development, and global commercialization of biopharmaceuticals. He was involved in the development or commercialization of ten FDA-approved biologics and has had successful exits at eight of the ten biotech companies he helped to build, including Tilos Therapeutics, Siamab Therapeutics, Exonics Therapeutics, Adnexus Therapeutics, F-star Therapeutics,

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John Edwards

Executive Chair

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John Edwards

Executive Chair

John Edwards brings over 30 years of experience in discovery, development, and global commercialization of biopharmaceuticals. He was involved in the development or commercialization of ten FDA-approved biologics and has had successful exits at eight of the ten biotech companies he helped to build, including Tilos Therapeutics, Siamab Therapeutics, Exonics Therapeutics, Adnexus Therapeutics, F-star Therapeutics, and Genetics Institute. He built a hematology therapeutic business that reached over $1 billion in annual revenue for Wyeth/Genetics Institute and was responsible for leading the development of the fastest biologic to progress from phase I to FDA approval. John started his career in research and development as one of the first employees at Genzyme. He received his M.B.A. from Boston University and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Martin, Alex

September 29, 2022

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA

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Alex Martin

Chief Executive Officer

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Alex Martin

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA Pharma (EPIX). He was also Chief Operating Officer of Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT), and Chief Finance Officer of BioXell (BXLN) which was acquired by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (COPN). He began his career at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing and business development and later joined Novartis as Vice President, Global Business Development & Licensing. Alex is an active coach and mentor to other senior executives, and a guest lecturer at Wharton and Columbia Business School on biotech, entrepreneurship, and raising capital. He holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard

Knowles, Julius (Jay)

March 7, 2022

Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics.  Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President

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Julius (Jay) Knowles

Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures

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Julius (Jay) Knowles

Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures

Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics.  Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President of Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Business Development at Novacea, and Director, R&D Planning at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He represents Mass General Brigham Ventures on the boards of Apres Therapeutics, Keros Therapeutics, SwanBio Therapeutics, and Triplet Therapeutics. Jay earned his M.B.A in Finance from Wharton Business School, an M.Sc. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. with Distinction in Chemistry from Carleton College.

Hafler, Jason P. , PhD

March 7, 2022

Jason P. Hafler is the Managing Director of Sanofi Ventures. Prior to joining Sanofi in 2014, Jason was the Director of Corporate Development at RaNA Therapeutics, a company co-founded by his previous firm Atlas Venture. While at Atlas, Jason was an Associate in the Life Sciences group. Previously, he was a Flagship Ventures Entrepreneurial Fellow,

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Jason P. Hafler, PhD

Managing Director, Sanofi Ventures

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Jason P. Hafler, PhD

Managing Director, Sanofi Ventures

Jason P. Hafler is the Managing Director of Sanofi Ventures. Prior to joining Sanofi in 2014, Jason was the Director of Corporate Development at RaNA Therapeutics, a company co-founded by his previous firm Atlas Venture. While at Atlas, Jason was an Associate in the Life Sciences group. Previously, he was a Flagship Ventures Entrepreneurial Fellow, and consulted for the technology transfer company at the University of Cambridge while performing his doctoral research. Before his time at Cambridge, Jason was an analyst at JSB Partners LP, an investment banking firm.  Jason’s active investments include Abcuro, Amathus Therapeutics, Escient Pharmaceuticals, Expansion Therapeutics, Glycomine, Q32 Bio, ReCode Therapeutics, Rome Therapeutics and Navitor Pharmaceuticals. Jason graduated with honors from Bowdoin College and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.

Kariv, Tomer

March 8, 2023

Tomer is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pontifax. He serves as an active board member of many of the funds’ portfolio companies, assuming a special responsibility for strategic planning. Among other positions, Tomer serves as the chairman at Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, board member in Cathworks, Keros Therapeutics, Ocon Healthcare, ARMGO and V-Wave. During the

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Tomer Kariv

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pontifax

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Tomer Kariv

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pontifax

Tomer is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pontifax. He serves as an active board member of many of the funds’ portfolio companies, assuming a special responsibility for strategic planning. Among other positions, Tomer serves as the chairman at Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, board member in Cathworks, Keros Therapeutics, Ocon Healthcare, ARMGO and V-Wave. During the 10 years prior to establishing Pontifax, he held senior management positions at top Israeli financial institutions, playing a key role in investing in, nurturing and managing technology-driven startups. Tomer holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Shah, Rajeev

March 7, 2022

Rajeev Shah has been a Managing Partner at RA Capital Management since 2004. Raj is active in both public and private investments in companies developing drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and research tools. He is also active in the firm’s outreach efforts, speaking frequently both at industry events and in classrooms.  He previously worked as a

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Rajeev Shah

Managing Partner, RA Capital Management

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Rajeev Shah

Managing Partner, RA Capital Management

Rajeev Shah has been a Managing Partner at RA Capital Management since 2004. Raj is active in both public and private investments in companies developing drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and research tools. He is also active in the firm’s outreach efforts, speaking frequently both at industry events and in classrooms.  He previously worked as a Senior Project Leader at Altus Pharmaceuticals, a spin-off company of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where he assessed business processes and implemented system solutions across all areas of science. Rajeev is currently a member of the board of directors of the public companies Solid Biosciences, Black Diamond Therapeutics and Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, as well as of a number of private biotechnology companies. He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, where he majored in Chemistry.

McCarthy, Donnie

October 27, 2022

Donald McCarthy is Vice President at Samsara Biocapital. Prior to joining Samsara, he was a Partner at Global Founders Capital where he founded and invested in multiple therapeutics companies. Previously, Donald served as a Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Life Science Angels where he helped source and evaluate new deals and was a Managing Director

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Donnie McCarthy, PhD

Vice President, Samsara BioCapital

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Donnie McCarthy, PhD

Vice President, Samsara BioCapital

Donald McCarthy is Vice President at Samsara Biocapital. Prior to joining Samsara, he was a Partner at Global Founders Capital where he founded and invested in multiple therapeutics companies. Previously, Donald served as a Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Life Science Angels where he helped source and evaluate new deals and was a Managing Director at Panorama Research, where he oversaw the strategy and development of several wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, he was an Advisor to KCK Group, where he provided diligence for potential investments in therapeutics companies. He holds a PhD in Immunology and Biochemistry from the State University of New York in Albany. He did his postdoctoral fellowship at the Cardiovascular Research Institute at UCSF. Following his fellowship, Donnie co-founded Empire Biotechnologies, a GI therapeutics company, and AMP Biotech Research, a research group providing diligence to public investors.

Deptula-Hicks, Darlene

March 7, 2022

Ms. Deptula-Hicks currently serves as F-star’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Darlene has operated Crimson Advisors, a strategic and financial consulting services company, and has served as acting Chief Financial Officer for Northern Biologics as well Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of T2 Biosystems. Previously she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

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Darlene Deptula-Hicks

Chief Financial Officer,
F-star Therapeutics

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Darlene Deptula-Hicks

Chief Financial Officer,
F-star Therapeutics

Ms. Deptula-Hicks currently serves as F-star’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Darlene has operated Crimson Advisors, a strategic and financial consulting services company, and has served as acting Chief Financial Officer for Northern Biologics as well Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of T2 Biosystems. Previously she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pieris Pharmaceuticals and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Microline Surgical.  Darlene currently also serves on the board of directors and as audit committee chair of Aerami Therapeutics and previously served on the board of directors and as audit committee chair of Giner Life Sciences, Xentic Biosciences, and IMCOR Pharmaceuticals. Darlene received an M.B.A. from Rivier University and a B.S in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Berger, Dietmar

May 20, 2022

Dietmar Berger is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi, where he oversees the clinical portfolio of Sanofi across all therapeutic areas. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions across both large pharmaceutical companies as well as innovative biotech companies, Dr. Berger brings extensive expertise in clinical development

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Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD

Observer, Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Global Development at Sanofi

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Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD

Observer, Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Global Development at Sanofi

Dietmar Berger is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi, where he oversees the clinical portfolio of Sanofi across all therapeutic areas. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions across both large pharmaceutical companies as well as innovative biotech companies, Dr. Berger brings extensive expertise in clinical development and advancing programs all the way to market approval to Abcuro. As a trained hematologist and oncologist, Dr. Berger  has extensive experience in therapeutic areas of high relevance to Abcuro’s programs. Prior to Sanofi, he was Global Head of R&D at Atara Biotherapeutics, an off-the-shelf cell therapy company. Previously he held senior positions in clinical development at Amgen, Bayer and Genentech where he served as the Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development, Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Berger holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Albert-Ludwigs University School of Medicine in Freiburg, Germany, where he still maintains an adjunct faculty position.

Xu, Yajun

June 20, 2022

Yajun Xu is currently president of Hongsen Investment Group. She also serves as Senior Advisor for Shangbay Capital, co-founder of Epimab, and board member and advisor on numerous biotech companies in U.S. and China. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Shangpharma, Executive Vice President of Biology and Pre-Clinical Service at Chempartner

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Yajun Xu, PhD

Observer, President, Hongsen

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Yajun Xu, PhD

Observer, President, Hongsen

Yajun Xu is currently president of Hongsen Investment Group. She also serves as Senior Advisor for Shangbay Capital, co-founder of Epimab, and board member and advisor on numerous biotech companies in U.S. and China. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Shangpharma, Executive Vice President of Biology and Pre-Clinical Service at Chempartner in Shanghai, China. Prior to Joining Shangpharma, Yajun was Director of Inflammation at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Senior Scientist at BASF Bioresearch (now AbbVie Bioresearch). She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Brandeis University and postdoctoral training at Harvard School of Public Health.

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