Dr. Michael Luther has over 37 years’ experience as an entrepreneurial scientist and executive in the biopharmaceutical industry including various senior leadership roles ranging from biotech start-ups to global pharmaceutical companies and CROs. In addition to serving as STRM.BIO’s CEO, he is currently the managing partner for BioInnovations, LLC where he acts as a board member and consultant for various start up biotech companies. Previously, Mike led North American Business Development efforts for Astellas as Global Head of Search & Evaluation in Business Development and Astellas Ventures to support Astellas’ drug discovery and development efforts. This included over 9 deals signed and 2 NewCo spinouts in less than two years.
Before joining Astellas, Mike was the CEO and founder of Bantam Pharmaceutical, a biotech company focused on the clinical development of cancer therapeutics targeting the mitochondrial stress response pathway and targets. He remains an active advisor and member of the board of directors and their SAB. In other past roles, Mike was the Senior Vice President for Drug Discovery & Development at Curio and founding CEO for the David H. Murdock Research Institute at the North Carolina Research Campus, a public-private partnership created to accelerate bench to market activities in life sciences. Mike also has 20 years in various senior executive roles in the global pharmaceutical industry including Vice President and head of global drug discovery divisions for both Merck and GSK.
Mike holds Bachelor of Science degrees from North Carolina State University, a doctorate from St. Louis University School of Medicine, and an MBA from Duke University. He is the author of over 80 publications and patents.
David is a seasoned biotech executive with experience in all aspects of startup formation, operations, and early-stage company growth. He brings together biotech leadership expertise and a passion for turning transformative science into impactful solutions. An active member of Boston’s startup community, David is a sought-after speaker and panelist on entrepreneurship and innovation.
Prior to joining STRM.BIO, David was co-founder and CEO of Aldatu Biosciences, a biotech venture focused on commercializing a novel molecular detection technology for infectious disease diagnostics. Under David’s leadership, Aldatu responded to the pandemic by pivoting their operations to deliver products for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 detection. David earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology from Harvard.
Rob is an accomplished financial executive with over 25 years of experience, with considerable experience in building and guiding early-stage, growing life science companies. He brings an in-depth understanding of corporate finance and has expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, financial analysis and reporting, mergers and acquisitions, budgeting, and risk management. Prior to STRM.BIO, he held leadership roles at Stridebio, Selentity Therapeutics, and Viamet Pharmaceuticals.
Rob is a CPA and holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland, where he double majored in Finance and Accounting. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina.
Laura is an experienced director and technical expert in hematopoietic stem cell biology and the role of extracellular vesicles in modulating cell function. She is committed to improving human health through applied research and the equitable distribution of therapeutics and clinical care.
Laura’s accomplishments as a researcher and her background in molecular genetics, specifically gene therapy, are essential to STRM.BIO’s mission. Laura earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in molecular genetics and biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to complete her MD training with an Internal Medicine Residency at University of Pittsburgh then Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at Brown University.
Before STRM.BIO, Laura was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard University and hematologist in the Division of Hematology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Luther has over 37 years’ experience as an entrepreneurial scientist and executive in the biopharmaceutical industry including various senior leadership roles ranging from biotech start-ups (Bantam) to global pharmaceutical companies (Astellas, Merck, GSK) and CROs.
Fei is Managing Director at the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund. She was previously head of B-I’s In Vivo Pharmacology, Immunology & Respiratory Research group. Fei holds a Ph.D. in neuropharmacology from the Loyola University School of Medicine.
Tim Xiao, CFA, FRM, is a Partner and founding team member at Delos Capital since its inception in 2014. He has closed deals with an aggregate value of $4 billion, and serves as a director of Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals, OncoMyx Therapeutics, Luqa Pharmaceuticals, Curatia Medical and Thermalin.
Kellie is a principal investigator in the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is an expert in megakaryocyte- and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles and their role in megakaryocyte differentiation and inflammation.
George is a Senior Fellow and Honorary Consultant Hematologist at Cambridge University Hospitals and heads the Haematological Cancer Genetics Group at the Sanger Institute. His research focuses on clonal hematopoiesis and the pathogenesis of blood cancers.
Lindsey is an attending Physician in the Division of Hematology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has led early phase clinical trials in AAV-mediated gene transfer for hemophilia with a focus on hemostasis and thrombosis disorders.
Eric is the FDA Alternate Industry Representative on the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee since Jan 2020. Prior to Ultragenyx, he served as CMO at Dimension Therapeutics.
Jon manages process and product development programs at Rooster Bio (previously their CEO and Technology Officer). Before Rooster, he served as innovation director, cell processing technologies at Lonza. Jon specializes in technology road-mapping, cell therapy biomanufacturing, biomaterials, and tissue engineering.
STRM.BIO has brought together a group of forward-thinking investors who, like us, see the potential for EV technology to fulfill the promise of gene therapy. With their contributions, we’re building the right team to make our vision a life-saving reality. We’re grateful for their commitment and expertise.
