Karl-Heinz Altmann, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Karl-Heinz Altmann Ph.D. is professor of pharmaceutical sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland. He has been a senior scientific expert in chemistry, global head of Discovery Chemistry, member of the Pharma Research Management Board and head of the Scientific Chemistry Council, Novartis Ltd., and serves as a consultant to several pharmaceutical companies.

Thilo Schroeder, Ph.D.
Managing Partner

Thilo Schroeder, Ph.D. has a passion for precision medicines in cancer with a focus on identifying first and best-in-class targeted therapies regardless of drug modality. Since 2012, Thilo has helped grow and shape Nextech as a leading oncology focused venture firm.

Thilo is a board member of Revolution Medicines (NASDAQ: RVMD), Circle Pharma, Cargo Therapeutics, Atavistik Bio, MOMA Therapeutics, Exo Therapeutics and Alterome Therapeutics. Past board seats include Blueprint Medicines (NASDAQ: BPMC), Silverback Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SBTX),  Peloton Therapeutics (acquired by Merck (NYSE: MRK), PMV Pharma (NASDAQ: PMVP), Black Diamond Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BDTX),  and IDEAYA Bioscience (NASDAQ: IDYA).

Thilo began his biotech career at the pioneering cancer immunology company Micromet (acquired by Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) while studying at Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, conducted research at the University of Sydney and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Zurich, focused on protein engineering in the development of Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins), a technology developed by Molecular Partners (SWX: MOLN).

A family person and loving father of two, Thilo has not given up on the illusion of staying fit, and can often be found at the nearest CrossFit gym when he travels.

Benjamin Cravatt, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Benjamin Cravatt Ph.D. is a Professor and Co-Chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Further Dr. Cravatt is a co-founder and scientific advisor of Activx Biosciences, Abide Therapeutics, and Vividion Therapeutics. Previous awards include the Searle Scholar Award, the Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry, a Cope Scholar Award, the Protein Society Irving Sigal Young Investigator Award, the Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, the ASBMB Merck Award.

Keith Flaherty, M.D.
Science Partner

Dr. Flaherty is director of the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the Mass General Cancer Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Flaherty’s research and clinical focus is therapies for melanoma, with a particular expertise in targeted therapies.

Philip D. Greenberg, M.D.
Science Partner

Philip D. Greenberg M.D. is Head of the Program in Immunology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA, and has a joint appointment at the University of Washington as Professor in the Oncology Division of the Department of Medicine and as Professor in the Department of Immunology. He has received international recognition as a leader in the field of cancer immunology, highlighted by the 2011 Cancer Research Institute’s William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology for studies in the development and translation of adoptive T cell therapy of cancer.  Prof. Greenberg is the scientific co-founder of Juno Therapeutics and is a member of a number of honorary societies, including the American Society of Clinical Investigation, the American Association of Physicians, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American College of Physicians.

Rich Heyman, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Richard A. Heyman, Ph.D., is a scientist and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in co-founding and building biotech and life science companies. Rich most recently served as Chairman of both Vividion Therapeutics, which was purchased in August 2021 by Bayer Pharma and Amunix Pharma, purchased by Sanofi in December 2021. He is the co-founder and Chairman of ORIC Pharmaceuticals, which is developing drugs to overcome resistance in cancer. Previously, Rich was the co-founder and CEO of Aragon and Seragon Pharmaceuticals, which focused on therapeutics targeting hormone dependent cancers; J&J purchased Aragon in 2013 and Genentech purchased Seragon one year later. He has been involved in the discovery and development of multiple therapeutic agents approved by the FDA, including the prostate cancer drug, Erleada.  Rich is a Venture Partner for Arch Ventures and serves as Chairman of PMV Pharma, as well as serving on the BOD of Enliven Therapeutics and the ongoing Vividion/Bayer venture. In addition to his corporate experience, Rich is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Salk Institute, on the Board Foundation for the AACR, the BOD at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center and a founding member of both Life Science Cares, San Diego and Curebound. He has won numerous awards including Ernst and Young San Diego Regional Entrepreneur of the Year, Connect Hall of Fame Award and the Endocrine Society Outstanding Innovation Award. Earlier in his career he trained as an NIH postdoctoral fellow and staff scientist at the Salk Institute. Rich is the author or inventor on more than 125 publications and patents.

William G. Kaelin, M.D.
Science Partner

William G. Kaelin M.D. is a professor in the Department of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and associate director, Basic Science, for the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. He is a member of the board of scientific advisors of the National Cancer Institute, USA, of the National Cancer Policy Board, Institute of Medicine, USA. Dr Kaelin serves as member of the board of directors of Eli Lilly and Company and the American Association for Cancer Research. He is involved with advisory provision to several oncology companies.

Antoni Ribas, M.D. Ph.D.
Science Partner

Antoni Ribas M.D. Ph.D. is a professor of Medicine, professor of Surgery and professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Additionally, he serves a director of the Tumor Immunology Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and as a Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA. He is the President of AACR and an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, the recipient of an AACR Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Award and a NCI Outstanding Investigator Award.

Charles L. Sawyers, M.D.
Science Partner

Charles L. Sawyers M.D. is the chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program affiliated with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA. He is also the past president of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, has served on the National Cancer Institute’s Board of Scientific Counselors, and is a member of the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences. He serves as member of the board of directors of Novartis. He is a co-founder of Agensys, Inc. and is involved with advisory provision to several oncology companies.

Brenda Schulman, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Brenda A. Schulman PhD is the Director of the Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling at Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany and Honorary Professor of Chemistry at Technical University of Munich. She is also adjunct faculty at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA. Dr. Schulman is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences (USA), Leopoldina (the German National Academy of Sciences), and the European Molecular Biology Organization. She also serves as an advisor to several oncology companies. Previous awards include the Pew Scholar Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the Protein Society Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, and the Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine.

Kevan Shokat, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Kevan Shokat Ph.D. is a Professor and Chair, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, UCSF; Professor, Department of Chemistry, UC Berkeley; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Previous awards include being named a Fellow of several prestigious research foundations including the Pew Foundation, Searle Foundation, Sloan Foundation, Glaxo-Wellcome Foundation, and the Cotrell Foundation. He has also received the Eli Lilly Award, given to the most promising biological chemist in the country under the age of 37. He was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences (2010), the Institute of Medicine (2011), and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2011). He was a scientific cofounder of Cellular Genomics, Intellikine, Araxes, Kura, eFFECTOR, Kumquat Biosciences, Revolution Medicines and Mitokinin.

Jakob Loven, Ph.D.
Managing Partner

Jakob Loven, Ph.D., is a partner at Nextech Invest Ltd. An accomplished oncology-focused entrepreneur and life science venture capitalist, Jakob brings to Nextech his extensive experience in creating, launching and building early stage therapeutic-based platform biotechnology companies, including Relay Therapeutics and Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS).

Today, Jakob serves as a board member of A2 Biotherapeutics, Arrakis, IconOVir, Hexagon, Boundless, Laronde, Scorpion and Flare. He is a former board member of Vividion (acquired by Bayer (ETR: BAYN)), Kronos (NASDAQ: KRON), Arvinas (NASDAQ: ARVN),  and board observer of Kinnate (NASDAQ: KNTE), Turning Point Therapeutics (NASDAQ: TPTX) and Autolus (NASDAQ: AUTL).

Jakob earned his Ph.D. in medical sciences focused on oncology from Karolinska Institute and earned his B.A. in biomedical sciences in the UK.

Born in South America, raised in Asia, and educated in Europe and the U.S., Jakob is citizen of everywhere and as such feels at home wherever he travels, bringing with him a natural disposition towards new experiences, people, and cultures.

Thilo Schroeder, Ph.D.
Managing Partner

Thilo Schroeder, Ph.D. has a passion for precision medicines in cancer with a focus on identifying first and best-in-class targeted therapies regardless of drug modality. Since 2012, Thilo has helped grow and shape Nextech as a leading oncology focused venture firm.

Thilo is a board member of Revolution Medicines (NASDAQ: RVMD), PMV Pharma (NASDAQ: PMVP), Circle Pharma, Atavistik Bio, MOMA Therapeutics, Silverback Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SBTX), Exo Therapeutics and Alterome Therapeutics. Past board seats include Blueprint Medicines (NASDAQ: BPMC), Peloton Therapeutics (acquired by Merck (NYSE: MRK)), Black Diamond Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BDTX), IDEAYA Bioscience (NASDAQ: IDYA) and ImaginAb.

Thilo began his biotech career at the pioneering cancer immunology company Micromet (acquired by Amgen ((NASDAQ: AMGN)) while studying at Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, conducted research at the University of Sydney and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Zurich, focused on protein engineering in the development of Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins), a technology developed by Molecular Partners (SWX: MOLN).

A family person and loving father of two, Thilo has not given up on the illusion of staying fit, and can often be found at the nearest CrossFit gym when he travels.

Paul Workman, Ph.D.
Science Partner

Paul Workman is the Harrap Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Leader of the Signal Transduction and Molecular Pharmacology Team at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London. Until August 2021, he served for seven years as Chief Executive and President of ICR, and for almost twenty years he was Director of ICR’s Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cancer Therapeutics Unit – one of the words leading academic drug discovery organizations. In addition, Paul served as Founding Director of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre at ICR and Imperial College, and he is Co-Director of the CRUK Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence at ICR and Cambridge University. Paul is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society (the UK’s national academy of science), Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Medicine, European Academy of Cancer Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he was awarded a CRUK Life Fellowship.

Paul Workman is renowned for his research on the molecular pharmacology of targeted cancer drugs and he has been instrumental in the discovery of multiple clinical candidates and chemical probes, including those acting on protein kinases, PI3 kinases, the molecular chaperone HSP90 and the Heat Shock Factor 1 pathway. He is also the originator of the widely used Pharmacological Audit Trail for biomarker-led drug discovery and development. In addition, Paul has played a leading role in the provision of public resources for biomedical research and drug discovery, specifically the non-profit Chemical Probes Portal (of which he Executive Director), Probe Miner and canSAR.

Before joining ICR, Paul Workman spent four years in the cancer drug discovery leadership team at AstraZeneca, and prior to that worked at Glasgow and Cambridge Universities, with a sabbatical visit as a UICC Fellow to Stanford University and SRI International. Paul obtained his BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Leicester, UK, and his PhD in Cancer Pharmacology from the University of Leeds, UK.

Paul Workman is also a serial scientific entrepreneur. He was a scientific founder of Piramed Pharma (acquired by Roche) and Chroma Therapeutics, has collaborated extensively with biotech and pharma companies, and serves as an adviser to several biotechs. As well as acting as a Science Partner at Nextech Invest, Paul is a Non-Executive Director at STORM Therapeutics and chairs STORM’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Paul Workman has received numerous honours and awards, including the Royal Society of Chemistry George and Christine Sosnovsky Award for Cancer Therapy, Royal Society of Chemistry World Entrepreneur Award, CRUK Translational Cancer Research Prize, and the International Raymond Bourgine Award for Excellence in Cancer Research. In addition, Paul led the team that won the 2012 American Association of Cancer Research Team Science Award, and under his leadership the ICR was awarded a 2017 Queens’ Anniversary Prize for its world-leading research in cancer drug discovery resulting in global patient impact. Paul lectures, writes and blogs about cancer research and drug discovery.

Kai Wucherpfennig, M.D. Ph.D.
Science Partner

Kai Wucherpfennig M.D. Ph.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the discovery of genes that control the activity of cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment drawing insights for the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapies. He has received a number of honors and awards, including his election as a Fellow in the American Society for the Advancement of Science, his election as a member of the Henry Kunkel Society at Rockefeller University, and his election as a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Wucherpfennig serves as an advisor to a number of immuno-oncology companies and since 2015 is a Science Partner for Nextech V Oncology.

David M. Livingston, M.D.
Science Partner

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. David Livingston passed away on Sunday, 17 October 2021.

David was an incredible friend, colleague, and mentor to Nextech. From the day he joined our Scientific Advisory Board as the founding chairman in 2006, David was the greatest champion of Nextech. In his 15 years with our team, he remained passionate and steadfast in supporting our vision. David’s integrity and curiosity aligned with our mission of investing in the highest quality science. His incredible scientific acumen was a highlight in our diligence process. We were continually told by leadership teams that his scientific intensity was balanced with his warmth and humility.

David was a giant of our time in the field of cancer research. A professor for almost 50 years, his impact was far reaching. We will miss David dearly.

Jakob Loven, Ph.D.
Managing Partner

Jakob Loven, Ph.D., is a partner at Nextech Invest Ltd. An accomplished oncology-focused entrepreneur and life science venture capitalist, Jakob brings to Nextech his extensive experience in creating, launching and building early stage therapeutic-based platform biotechnology companies, including Relay Therapeutics and Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS).

Today, Jakob serves as a board member of A2 Biotherapeutics, Arrakis, IconOVir, Hexagon, Boundless and Flare. He is a former board member of Vividion (acquired by Bayer (ETR: BAYN)), Kronos (NASDAQ: KRON), Arvinas (NASDAQ: ARVN),  and board observer of Kinnate (NASDAQ: KNTE), Turning Point Therapeutics (NASDAQ: TPTX) and Autolus (NASDAQ: AUTL).

Jakob earned his Ph.D. in medical sciences focused on oncology from Karolinska Institute and earned his B.A. in biomedical sciences in the UK.

Born in South America, raised in Asia, and educated in Europe and the U.S., Jakob is citizen of everywhere and as such feels at home wherever he travels, bringing with him a natural disposition towards new experiences, people, and cultures.

Alfred Scheidegger, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Founder

Alfred is the visionary behind Nextech Invest Ltd’s mission, having identified the benefit of specialization and the investment opportunity in oncology. In 2006, Alfred recruited a group of world-leading oncology academics, led by David Livingston of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, forming the core of today’s team of Scientific Partners, and began investing in oncology therapeutics, diagnostics and devices.

Currently, Alfred serves as vice-chairman on the board of Dottikon ES Holding. Past board representations include Agensys (acquired by Astellas (TSE: 4503)), Biovision, Cleave Biosciences, Ganymed Pharmaceuticals (acquired by ATS then by Takeda), Imvision Therapeutics, Macrogenics (NASDAQ:MGNX), Molecular MD (acquired by ICON), Palyon Medical, TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals (NADSAQ:TLOG), The Genetics Company, Tracon Therapeutics (NASDAQ:TCON).

Prior to Nextech, Alfred was managing director and member of the board of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland. He served as the first managing director of the Swiss Supercomputing Center (CSCS), after he directed an international drug-discovery project at Ciba-Geigy (today Novartis), Japan. Alfred holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland, and completed postdoctoral research training in enzymology at the University of Kyoto, Japan and an executive training program (TGM) at Harvard Business School, USA. He is the Co-Founder of the Swiss national “Venture” business plan contest and is the author of more than 70 publications.

He gains most inspiration in the circle of his jovial and ever challenging extended family.

Alfred Scheidegger, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Founder

Alfred is the visionary behind Nextech Invest Ltd’s mission, having identified the benefit of specialization and the investment opportunity in oncology. In 2006, Alfred recruited a group of world-leading oncology academics, led by David Livingston of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, forming the core of today’s team of scientific partners, and began investing in oncology therapeutics, diagnostics and devices.

Currently, Alfred serves on the board of Dottikon ES Holding and Rising Tide Foundation. Past board representations include Ganymed Pharmaceuticals (acquired by ATS then by Takeda), Macrogenics (NASDAQ:MGNX), Molecular MD (acquired by ICON), Tracon Therapeutics (NASDAQ:TCON), TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals (NADSAQ:TLOG), Agensys (acquired by Astellas (TSE: 4503)).

Prior to Nextech, Alfred was managing director and member of the board of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland. He served as the first managing director of the Swiss Supercomputing Center (CSCS), after he directed an international drug-discovery project at Ciba-Geigy (today Novartis), Japan. Alfred holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland, and completed postdoctoral research training in enzymology at the University of Kyoto, Japan and an executive training program (TGM) at Harvard Business School, USA.

He gains most inspiration in the circle of his jovial and ever challenging extended family.

Rocco Sgobbo
Managing Partner, COO

Rocco Sgobbo is a partner at Nextech Invest Ltd. In a career that spans over 30 years and included postings in New York, western Europe, Russia and Asia, Rocco built and led a number of investment businesses. Before joining Nextech in 2016, Rocco spent more than two decades with AIG and by the early 2000s was Asia chief executive of the group’s wealth management business. He also worked as a managing director and East Asia regional head of investment solutions for the Swiss-based private markets specialists, Partners Group. Building private markets businesses has always been Rocco’s passion and he views the people and mission of Nextech as the most compelling he has been associated with. Rocco’s background complements the team and has naturally led him to gravitate toward Nextech’s business and operations functions.

It doesn’t hurt that with so many of Nextech’s investment and business activities in the greater Boston area, Rocco has had an opportunity to pursue one of his other passions — rooting for the Red Sox. Rocco holds an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

Alexis Borisy
Board Member

Alexis Borisy is a leading biotechnology entrepreneur and investor with more than 25 years of experience building, operating and investing in innovative science-based companies to make a positive difference in the world, including founding, being the CEO, and/or Chairman of 9 NASDAQ listed companies.  Alexis is currently founder and executive chairman of EQRx, a new pharma company committed to making innovative medicines at dramatically lower prices for the benefit of people and society.

Alexis co-founded Foundation Medicine (FMI), served as its first CEO, and then chairman, remaining on the board until the $5B acquisition by Roche.  He also co-founded Blueprint Medicines (BPMC), served as interim CEO, and continues to serve on the board.  Alexis also co-founded, served as CEO, and currently is chairman of Relay Therapeutics (RLAY); and was a founding investor and is chairman of Tango Therapeutics (TNGX).  As a partner at Third Rock Ventures for a decade, Alexis also was a founding investor for Editas (EDIT), REVOLUTION Medicines (RVMD), Magenta Therapeutics (MGTA), Celsius Therapeutics, and an investor in insitro and Thrive Early Detection (acquired by Exact Sciences for $2B), among others.

He founded his first company, CombinatoRx, when he was in his 20s, served as its CEO and brought the company public on the NASDAQ. He has been personally involved in tens of billions of dollars in financing and business development deals and has authored numerous scientific papers and patents.

Graduate trained in chemistry and chemical biology at Harvard where he was a Howard Hughes predoctoral fellow, Alexis was honored as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Technology Review Innovator of the Year.  He was also chosen as the New England Entrepreneur of the Year in Life Sciences, was honored as a Presidential Scholar, and holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Chicago.  He is currently chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Museum of Science, has served on the board of BIO, and as the chairman of the National Venture Capital Association.

Melissa McCracken, Ph.D.
Partner

Melissa McCracken, Ph.D., joined Nextech Invest Ltd. in 2019. Melissa is a scientist by training with a passion for emerging technologies in cancer therapies. Melissa is a board member of TYRA Biosciences (NASDAQ: TYRA), Alpha-9 and Ambagon Therapeutics, board observer of IconOVir Bio, and a previous board member of ImaginAb and board observer of Silverback Therapeutics. Melissa completed the Kauffman Fellowship in the class of 2022.

Prior to Nextech, Melissa was a senior associate at Third Rock Ventures focusing on scientific due diligence, partnership development and new company formation in oncology and immunology. Melissa helped build and launch Celsius Therapeutics, a company focused on discovering precision therapeutics for oncology and autoimmune. Melissa has also worked within larger biotech organizations completing multiple internships in research and development at Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN).

Melissa holds a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of California, Davis, a Ph.D. in molecular and medical pharmacology from University of California, Los Angeles with her research focused on engineered immunity for cancer. Melissa also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University where her research focused on immuno-oncology.

Outside of Nextech, Melissa enjoys volunteering with youth organizations including Big Brother, Big Sister.

Kanishka Pothula
Partner

Kanishka Pothula joined Nextech Ventures (US) as a Partner on March 1, 2023. Prior to joining Nextech, Kanishka spent almost 11 years with BVF Partners – a premier biotechnology-focused hedge fund. During his tenure at BVF, Kanishka helped manage the growth of the fund from several hundred million to several billion under management, starting as an Analyst and being promoted to Managing Director. Prior to BVF, Kanishka was an Associate at BroadOak Capital Partners and worked as a Research Associate at the Moore’s Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego’s Medical School.

Kanishka holds a M.S. in Biotechnology from Georgetown University and a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego. He serves as a board observer to Flare Therapeutics.

Kanishka will head Nextech’s Public Markets effort, but with diverse investing experience in both public and private investments, Kanishka brings a blend of capabilities and skill sets to the Nextech team, contributing to Nextech’s entire investment program across all funds.

Outside of Nextech, Kanishka enjoys raising his two daughters and his Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog, volunteering with education-focused nonprofits focused on underprivileged youth in San Francisco, and racing and restoring vintage automobiles.

Robbie Huffines
Board Member

Mr. Huffines joined J.P. Morgan in 1991 and is currently a Global Chairman of Investment Banking.  Mr. Huffines joined J.P. Morgan in the Mergers and Acquisitions group where he was healthcare focused.  From 2002 – 2010, Mr. Huffines was Co-Head of the Global Healthcare Investment Banking Group.  In 2011, he was promoted to Vice Chairman to deepen the firm’s relationships with significant clients. In 2017, he was added to the Global Banking management team and named Co-Chair of the Global Strategic Advisory Council. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Mr. Huffines worked at Alex Brown & Sons, specializing in equity financings and advisory assignments for emerging growth companies.

Mr. Huffines has an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, where he received the Faculty Award for academic excellence.  He has a B.A. from the University of North Carolina, where he majored in English and Economics. Mr. Huffines is married and has four children. His volunteer work includes being a member of the Entrepreneurship Minor Committee, Center for the Business of Healthcare and Board of Visitors at UNC, and also serving as a Board Member of the Spence School, the Darden School at the University of Virginia, and the Hastings Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Marco Weibel
Chief Financial Officer

Marco Weibel is the chief financial officer at Nextech Invest Ltd. Prior to joining Nextech in 2015, Marco was the chief financial officer of the vision4health group. He also previously held financial leadership roles at Wyeth, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Alcon (NYSE: ALC). He holds a postgraduate degree in leadership and management from the Institute of Advanced Studies Lucerne, Switzerland and a B.A. from the University of Applied Sciences in Economics and Business Administration in Lucerne, Switzerland. He is a Swiss certified expert in accounting and controlling.

Niresh Berinpanathan
Associate

Niresh Berinpanathan joined Nextech Invest Ltd. as an intern in 2019  and later transitioned to an Associate in 2021. He is excited to work in the interface of innovative science and business. Niresh holds a B.S. in biotechnology and an M.Sc. in biotechnology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH), where he did his Master thesis in the field of synthetic biology in the research group of Professor Martin Fussenegger.

Besides working for Nextech, he enjoys doing different kinds of sports.

Reto Schwager
Board Member

Reto Schwager has over 20 years experience in the various fields of private markets, ranging from private equity, debt, infrastructure to private real estate. Currently, he is a member of the executive committee at Patrimonium based in Switzerland. Prior to that he was CEO of Schroder Adveq, Global Head of Private Equity at Robeco Group, Partner and Member of the Executive Board at Partners Group as well as Chairman of AIG Investment (Europe) Ltd., London. He holds a Global Executive MBA from the University of Maryland.

Megan Graziano
Director of Operations

Megan Graziano joined Nextech in 2021 as Director of Operations. A wearer of many hats, Megan is focused on growing Nextech’s footprint in Boston where she leads HR, administration, events, and general business planning for the US team.

Prior to Nextech, Megan has led operational and strategic business initiatives for growing companies across industries. As the former Director of Operations and Administration at Third Rock Ventures, she managed operations for new portfolio company launches as well as internal business activities between bicoastal teams. Megan holds an MTS in Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics from Boston University and a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Megan most enjoys spending time at home on Cape Ann with her husband, dog, and twin daughters. When not chasing or being chased by one of the aforementioned family members, Megan is an avid cook and loves supporting organizations dedicated to local food and farming.

Anna Guinot Aguado, Ph.D.
Associate

Anna is a Fellow at Nextech Invest, Ltd, where she assists with deal sourcing, evaluation and scientific due diligence of innovative oncology therapeutics start-ups. Anna is a scientist by training, with more than eleven years of experience in oncology.

Prior to Nextech, Anna completed seven years of postdoctoral research at the Oncology department of the Children’s Hospital Zurich and the University of Zurich. Her work aimed to identify specific and drug targetable vulnerabilities in refractory and relapsed leukemia patients.

Anna holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Valencia (SP), a M.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (FR) and a Ph.D. in Stem Cell Biology from the University of Cambridge (UK), where her research focused on lung stem cells and cancer. For her Ph.D., she obtained a prestigious Herchel Smith fellowship and a Sidney Sussex postgraduate research studentship.

Anna lives in a multi-lingual and multi-cultural home with her two young daughters and husband. They love travelling and introducing the girls to new cultures and experiences.

Stella Paffenholz, Ph.D.
Fellow

Stella joined Nextech as a Fellow in 2022 with the goal to turn scientific discoveries into tangible assets that benefit cancer patients. Prior to Nextech, Stella gained experience in venture creation at Apollo Health Ventures, management consulting at McKinsey, and in-house consulting at Merck KGaA.

Stella holds a B.S. in Molecular Biomedicine from the University of Bonn, a M.S. in Molecular Biosciences from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg as a Helmholtz Fellow, and a Ph.D. from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York with her research focused on cancer genetics. Throughout her studies, Stella was supported by a fellowship from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.

Outside of Nextech, Stella can be found running, cycling, or swimming to train for her next marathon or triathlon. She enjoys exploring new cultures on backpacking trips.

Meriel Peccolo
Analyst Finance & Operations

Meriel joined Nextech in 2022 as an Analyst, Finance and Operations. In her role, Meriel is assuming responsibilities in the finance team with accounting, reporting and controlling and also assists with product structuring, fundraising and operational support at fund-level. Prior to joining Nextech, Meriel has worked several years as a Consultant at a Big4 consulting firm and previously gained experience in the controlling department of a multinational company. Meriel has a professional education background in Business Administration and is currently finishing her education as a Certified Fiduciary.

Besides working for Nextech, Meriel enjoys spending time outside in nature – be it for hiking, mountain biking, running or simply enjoying long walks.

Madeline Ruf
Executive Assistant

Maddie recently joined Nextech in 2022 as the Executive Assistant in the Boston office. In her role as Executive Assistant, Maddie is excited to provide administrative support to Boston-based Partners as well as work cross functionally with the Zurich team to support business activities between both offices. Prior to Nextech, Maddie spent a handful of years in the academic world acting as administrative support to the CEO, Executive Director and Chief of Staff in the role of Deputy Chief of Staff at a charter school in Roxbury, Massachusetts. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Maddie was the liaison for the school’s Foundation Board and Board of Trustees as well as worked alongside the operations team to support initiatives such as student enrollment, school events, and student enrichment opportunities. Before her admin role, Maddie taught in Tulsa, Oklahoma for two years through the AmeriCorps program Teach for America.

Outside of Nextech, Maddie enjoys cooking through cookbooks, walks through the Boston Garden that seemingly always ends up on Newbury Street, and meeting with her book club to chat about the latest bestseller.

Livia Sgobbo
Executive Assistant

Livia Sgobbo is an Executive Assistant at Nextech Invest Ltd. As Executive Assistant, Livia provides administrative support to Zurich-based Partners as well as work closely with the Boston team to support business activities between both offices. Prior to her position as Executive Assistant, Livia was working part time at Nextech as a Finance Assistant and concurrently, she was a student at the University of Zurich, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and educational science. Livia grew up in Asia, where she learned to thrive in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment and acquired a passion for working with children and for environmental causes.

Since returning to her native Switzerland, Livia spends time supporting a local youth group and has also worked as a nurse’s aide at a local health clinic. During her free time Livia enjoys going on camping trips across Europe, reading the newest bestsellers and making extravagant brunch with her friends.

Ralph Stähli
Senior Financial Controller

Ralph Stähli joined Nextech Invest Ltd. in 2015, bringing a broad knowledge and skill set in financial accounting, controlling and project management. Ralph’s most recent roles include working as an interim controller at vision4health group, as an innovator in software solutions for laboratory and diagnostics and as a financial accountant for several small and medium-sized enterprises in Switzerland. Ralph is a Swiss certified expert in controlling and accounting and holds an M.Sc. from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH).

Gretchen van Steenwyk, Ph.D.
Associate

Gretchen joined Nextech in 2021 as a Senior Analyst, evaluating early-stage startups and conducting scientific due diligence on cutting-edge oncology therapeutics. Prior to Nextech, Gretchen was a Scientific Advisor for the Archer Foundation, where she developed a passion for supporting innovative research in translational diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

Gretchen holds a B.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of Queensland, a M.S. in Medical Research at Griffith University and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from ETH Zürich, focusing on epigenetic mechanisms and their response to our environment.

Since moving to Switzerland and discovering the breathtaking beauty of the Alps, Gretchen enjoys snowboarding and alpine adventures with her young family.