CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MPM Capital is pleased to announce the recent appointments of Detlev Biniszkiewicz, Ph.D. and Scott Chappel, Ph.D. as members of its accomplished team of Executive Partners and entrepreneurs. Highly skilled senior biopharma leaders, Dr. Biniszkiewicz and Dr. Chappel bring decades of biotech experience and oncology and immuno-oncology research expertise to their respective roles. As Executive Partners they are responsible for identifying and evaluating new oncology investment opportunities and providing operational and strategic oversight of MPM’s portfolio as well as taking on leadership roles within these companies.
“We’re thrilled that Detlev and Scott have joined MPM. The breadth of their biopharma leadership and operations experience combined with the depth of their scientific background supports MPM’s goal to discover the latest breakthrough science, build successful companies and deliver therapies to cure cancers and diseases with high unmet need,” said Ansbert Gadicke, M.D., co-founder and Managing Director of MPM Capital.
Prior to joining MPM, Drs. Biniszkiewicz and Chappel held senior executive roles at Surface Oncology (NASDAQ: SURF), an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation antibody therapies that target the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Biniszkiewicz was President and CEO and led the company’s growth and transformation through to clinical-stage and guided preparations for its initial public offering, which took place earlier this year. Dr. Chappel was a founder and Chief Technology Officer and oversaw all antibody generation, engineering, production, characterization and manufacturing as well as all preclinical IND-enabling studies.
“The innovation in oncology and immuno-oncology is transforming the cancer treatment landscape at a rapid pace and the potential curative impact of these new treatments is increasing just as quickly,” commented Luke Evnin, Ph.D., co-founder and Managing Director at MPM. “The accelerated rate of drug discovery demands staying ahead of the curve, and Detlev and Scott have the research, drug development, and business acumen to help MPM continue to do this.”
Prior to Surface Oncology, Dr. Biniszkiewicz was Vice President of Strategy in AstraZeneca’s Oncology Unit and was part of the oncology leadership team that developed Lynparza® and Tagrisso® – two innovative medicines that help thousands of patients suffering from cancer. His group transformed the firm’s oncology pipeline through numerous licensing deals, clinical alliances and academic collaborations. He has also held multiple roles at Novartis including Global Head of Portfolio Management and Analysis, where his group provided oversight of Novartis’ research and early development portfolio.
“MPM is one of only a few life-science venture firms primarily focused on investing in early-stage oncology, and we share the same passion to transform the outcomes and well-being of patients suffering from cancer,” noted Dr. Biniszkiewicz. “I am excited to be a part of MPM and look forward to building and leading innovative companies seeking to develop novel cancer therapies and possible cures.”
With a track record of directing research that has led to several FDA-approved biological products and founding and leading companies that develop novel therapies in oncology and other areas, Dr. Chappel, in addition to his responsibilities at MPM, has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at MPM portfolio company iTeos Therapeutics. There he is responsible for expanding the company’s pipeline and leading the preclinical development of its best-in-class immuno-oncology programs. Prior to Surface Oncology, he was a founder and CSO at Arteaus Therapeutics (acquired by Eli Lilly in 2014) and Tokai Pharmaceuticals, where he developed an oral therapeutic for the treatment of prostate cancer. Prior to Tokai, he held roles as a Senior Vice President of Research at Dyax and as a Chief Scientist at Serono.
“I am thrilled to be part of MPM and contribute to its efforts to discover and develop breakthrough oncology therapies,” commented Dr. Chappel. “I am impressed by MPM’s Executive Partner model which helps guide its portfolio to successful exit with a team of proven industry experts, scientists and entrepreneurs. And as the newly appointed CSO of MPM portfolio company, iTeos Therapeutics, I look forward to advancing its promising immuno-oncology pipeline and transitioning its programs into the clinic.”
Dr. Biniszkiewicz began his career as a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group and performed his academic research with Rudolf Jaenisch, M.D. at the Whitehead Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA. Dr. Chappel received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has authored or co-authored more than 65 peer-reviewed scientific publications and been named inventor on 19 issued U.S. patents.
About MPM Capital
MPM Capital is a healthcare investment
firm founding and investing in life sciences companies that seek to cure
major diseases by translating scientific innovations into positive
clinical outcomes. MPM invests in breakthrough therapeutics, with a
focus on oncology. With its experienced and dedicated team of investment
professionals, executive partners, entrepreneurs and scientific advisory
board members, MPM is powering novel medical breakthroughs that
transform patients’ lives. The firm’s innovative approach to investing
includes a crossover strategy (both public and private equities), where
a portion of profits and royalties are donated to cancer care and
research. The firm has partnerships with the American Association for
Cancer Research and the UBS Optimus Foundation. It also has a
philanthropy-investment opportunity involving Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute. For further information, please visit www.mpmcapital.com.
