Our Team

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.

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.

Matt is an experienced director of analytics and process development in genetic medicine and delivery. Before STRM.BIO, Matt was an early contributor to the platform and Director of Analytical Development at Generation bio.