Thomas Walther, PhD

CEO of Constant Therapeutics LLC

Dr. Walther is an esteemed leader in pharmacology and drug development. He is the CEO of Constant Therapeutics LLC and General Manager of Xitra Therapeutics GmbH. 

Dr. Walther’s research led to the discovery of the Mas and MrgD receptors related to angiotensin (1-7) signaling, which are pivotal in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

He has held leadership roles at renowned institutions, including the University College Cork, where he served as Chair in Pharmacology and Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for more than a decade.

Education

• Master in Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle Wittenberg

• PhD in Chemistry, Max Delbrück Center Berlin-Buch/Free University Berlin (FU)

• Habilitation in Molecular Cardiology, Free University Berlin (FU)

Professor Walther continues to lead groundbreaking research in pharmacology, with a focus on improving treatment strategies for chronic diseases.

Joerg Gruber

Chairman

Mr. Gruber is a co-founder and the chairman of Constant Therapeutics in Boston and has served as the chairman of its predecessor companies since 2007. He also serves on the Board of MetrioPharm AG and previously served on the Board of Forbius, Inc. until it was acquired by BMS. He co-founded Clubb Capital, a corporate finance and venture capital boutique, in 1995 in London and has been its executive chairman since 1999. Joerg has a background in commercial and investment banking, working with UBS, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brother in Zurich and London, prior to leaving the banking industry in 1990 to pursue his interests in venture capital and small growth companies.

Alex Shlyankevich, PhD

BioIncubator Leader | Life Sciences Venture Partner | Board Member

With 25 years of experience, Mr.  Shlyankevich has held leadership roles in both startups and established companies like Moderna, Cardinal Health, Biovail, and CombinatoRx. He currently serves as the President of MH Biomedical Investments, managing a diverse healthcare portfolio of therapeutics, devices, and digital health startups.

Key Expertise:

• Venture Capital & Portfolio Management

• Drug Discovery & Commercialization

• Startup Scouting & Due Diligence

• Cross-functional Leadership & Mentorship

Mr.  Shlyankevich is a board member at Felicitex Therapeutics, Constant Therapeutics, and NuPulseCV. He has sourced 600+ investment candidates, leading to 14 investments and multiple exits, including a $2B IPO for TransMedics. He works with top investors and incubators, driving strategic planning, business development, and technology advancement across portfolio companies.

Notable Past Roles:

• Director at Moderna Therapeutics

• Senior Director at Nitto Denko Avecia

• Director at Cardinal Health

Mr.  Shlyankevich holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Analysis from the First Moscow State Medical University and has extensive experience in R&D, regulatory affairs, and clinical trials.

Gregg Lapointe, MBA, CPA

Mr. Lapointe has been the chief executive officer and co-founder of Cerium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines for patients with rare diseases. Mr. Lapointe offers nearly three decades of commercial and financial experience bringing products to market in the areas of medical devices and rare diseases. He previously served in varying roles for Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now Leadiant Biosciences, Inc.), a private biopharmaceutical company, starting in 2001, including Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2002, Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2007, and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Lapointe led the effort to transform Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals from a small specialty dialysis company into a global leader in the development and commercialization of medicines for Rare Diseases. Mr. Lapointe also serves on the board of directors of Soligenix, Inc. and Astria Therapeutics, Inc. He previously sat on the board of SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Inc., Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cambrooke Therapeutics, Inc., among others. From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Lapointe was a member of the board of directors, and chair of the Rare Disease Committee, of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) in Washington, DC.

Education:

• MBA, Duke University

• Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting, McGill University

• B.A. in Commerce, Concordia University

Expertise:

• Leadership, Finance, & Business Development

• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Industry

• Strategic Planning & Mergers & Acquisitions

John Andrew Kolada

Senior Advisor / Board Member / Lawyer

Senior Advisor to the Vedanta Group, one of the world’s largest natural resources companies. He advises on strategic initiatives across the Group, including matters with global impact. He previously practiced as an M&A, corporate, and securities lawyer for 25 years with a global law firm, gaining extensive experience across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. His expertise includes transaction negotiation, risk mitigation, corporate governance, business development, and team leadership.

Education:

• J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School (1990)

• B.A., Queen’s University (1987)

Professional Designation:

• Admitted to the Bar of Ontario (1992)

Tony Caggiano, MD, PhD, Chairman

Current Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at Neurotrauma Sciences and former Vice President of R&D at Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Caggiano’s responsibilities include leading the research, development, manufacturing, preclinical testing and early phase clinical planning.

Carrolee Barlow, MD, PhD

Current Chief Medical Officer of E-Scape Bio and former CEO of The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center. Dr. Barlow was a former Merck executive who now serves on SABs and as a consultant for biotech companies.

Bob Brown, JD, DPhil, MD

Professor and Chair of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Medical School. Dr. Brown led the team that identified the first gene linked to ALS, SOD1.

Tom Carmichael, MD, PhD

Chair and Professor of Neurology at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Carmichael has an active laboratory and clinical interests in stroke and neurorehabilitation and how the brain recovers from injury.

Steven C. Cramer, MD, MMSc

Professor of Neurology at the University of California–Irvine School of Medicine, Professor in the Department Anatomy & Neurobiology at UCI and Professor in the Department Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Cramer’s research involves CNS Repair in Humans; Stroke; Spinal Cord Injury; Motor System; Plasticity after CNS Injury; Brain Imaging.

Seth Finkelstein, MD, PhD

Current Neurologist at MGH and former Head of CMS Growth Factor Research Lab at MGH and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Finkelstein is the former VP and Head of Neuroscience Division at Viacell, Inc., and current CEO at Stemetix, Inc.

Greg Licholai, MD, MBA

Chief Medical and Information Officer at PRA Health Sciences and former President and Chief Medical Officer of Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals. Founder and President of Elipdera Therapeutics at Moderna.

Darryl Patrick, PhD, DVM

Over 25 years R&D experience as former Merck and Vertex VP responsible for preclinical safety programs, Toxicology, Drug Metabolism, and Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Patrick retired in 2011 and currently consulting.

Thomas Voit, MD

Current Director Designate of the Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Child Health, University College London.