1984 – 1989

Study of biology at the LMU Munich (genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry).

1990

Diploma thesis at the Gene Center of LMU Munich (Director Prof. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker; Research team Prof. Andreas Plückthun) in the field of protein engineering using recombinant antibody fragments.

Feb. 1991

Graduation as diploma biologist (Grade 1.0 „with distinction“).

1991 – 1994

Doctoral thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main (Director Prof. Hartmut Michel; Research team Prof. Arne Skerra), in the field of molecular recognition.

Invention and initial development of Strep-tag® technology.

Jan. 1995

Completion of doctoral studies in biochemistry at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main as Dr. phil. nat. (Grade „magna cum laude“).

1994 – 2001

Employment at IBA Lifesciences GmbH, Göttingen.

Development and production of products based on Strep-tag® technology for the isolation, detection and analysis of recombinant proteins and from 2000 also of blood cells (Streptamer® technology).

Initially as a one-man business unit, then staff leadership and management tasks with steadily increasing responsibility in the areas of M&S, product development, production, patents, out-licensing.

Lecturer for advanced protein expression and engineering training courses at the „IBA Academy“.

Jul. 1998

Deputy Managing Director for the CEO/Managing Director, Dr. Herbert Stadler, of IBA Lifesciences GmbH.

2001 – 2002

Managing partner/CEO of IBA Lifesciences GmbH.

Writing of a business plan to raise venture capital.

Initial negotiations with various venture capitalists (3i, DVCG, Peppermint, Henkel, DZ Bank, Commerzbank, BioMed-Venture, InnoCap Göttingen, and others) that ultimately lead to a closing with one investor in 2003.

2002 – 2015

Managing partner/COO of IBA Lifesciences GmbH.

Responsible for R&D and production for protein and cell related products (Strep-Tactin®, recombinant Fab fragments, MHCs, coupling to various carriers for affinity chromatography and for analytical assays (MTP, chips) as well as to reporter molecules, “StarGate” cloning and expression system), for in- and out-licensing management with successful deals with various international companies as well as for drafting and enforcing the granting of patent applications of own- and third-party inventions.

Management of the sales team for protein products, sales-oriented public relations, presentation of new developments and business initiation at international congresses (PEGS, PepTalk, Protein Society, etc.).

Preparing and accompanying due diligence reviews or audits.

2015 – 2020

Senior (since 2018) Director Technology Development of Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Munich.

Development of a sterile tubing set system with integrated affinity columns for automated one-step isolation of human T cells based on Streptamer® technology, which will – after transformation to CAR T cells – be used for immunotherapeutic treatment of blood tumors. Parallel development of an efficient T cell isolation process and an accordingly designed device (ATC) for automated process execution.

2020 – 2023

Senior Director External Operations of Juno Therapeutics GmbH.

Management of external CMOs for GMP manufacturing of all individual components as well as the finally assembled sterile tubing set system described above for commercial use in the clinic.

Since Oct. 2023

Consulting young biotechnology companies to improve business development using my professional experience.