Media – MaxiVAX is now Release Therapeutics

Salina Arope, PhD

Office Manager, EU Project Coordinator

Salina Arope joined MaxiVAX in 2017 as an Office Manager. Since January 2020, she is also the Project Coordinator for MaxiVAX’s H2020 EU project.

Salina has previously worked at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne and EPFL, among other places. With a background in Molecular Biology, she provides general and scientific administrative support to members of the MaxiVAX team.

Salina received a Bachelor’s degree from University of California (Davis), a Master of Biology from California State University of Long Beach, California and a doctorate degree in Biology from University of Lausanne.

Macarena Diaz

CMC and Quality Manager

Macarena Díaz joined MaxiVAX in June 2022 as CMC & Quality Manager.

Macarena has accumulated over 8 years of experience, primarily in the field of Quality Assurance and also in Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance.

Macarena worked for different multinational companies. She started her career with Saval laboratories in the regulatory affairs department before moving to Sanofi to work in Quality Assurance. More recently, she worked for Ferring as Quality Assurance country responsible and carried out other consultancy activities for pharmaceutical distributors. She was in charge of implementing and maintaining quality systems, performing quality audits and managing relationship and documentation with third parties.

Macarena received a pharmacist degree from University of Chile.

Olivier von Rohr

Deputy Head of GMP Manufacturing

Olivier von Rohr joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2017 and is in charge of the GMP manufacturing of MVX-ONCO-1. During his studies as Biology Laboratory Technician (2012-2015), he gained experience in genetic research, microbiology and toxicology.

RÉMI VERNET, M.ENG

Translational Lead Scientist

Rémi Vernet joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2012 and works on the development of MaxiVAX’s cell-based therapies in preclinical models, as well as in clinical setting. He is in charge of implementing the immune monitoring startegy of the company in collaboration with subject matter experts. Rémi is also in charge of supervising trainees in Nicolas Mach’s research group.
Following his Engineering studies in biotechnologies and therapeutic strategies, he worked 4 years in Paris on cell therapy and protocol development. He worked in different public hospitals as well as a private laboratory in ISTEM (Thelethon’s laboratory). He then decided to focus on a pharmaceutical drug screening project.

Emily Charrier, Ph.D.

Translational Lead Scientist

Emily Charrier, joined MaxiVAX in February 2018, as Research Associate. At MaxiVAX, she is in charge of research projects in cancer immunotherapy and immune reactions induced by immunotherapy. Prior to MaxiVAX, Emily worked 10 years in the development of immune-monitoring for anti-cancer immunotherapies. She was awarded a Master’s degree from Grenoble University in France and a PhD in immunology from the University of Montreal in Canada.

Dr Thomas Mehrling

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, joined MaxiVAX’s executive team as a Chief Medical Officer in October 2022.

Dr Mehrling has over 25 years of experience in the Pharma industry, having held various leadership positions in business development, medical affairs, clinical operation, and development of novel therapeutics in oncology and haematology.

Prior to MaxiVAX, Dr Mehrling served as the Senior Global Medical Director at F. Hoffmann-La Roche Basel, where he worked with international cross functional teams on the strategic development of key assets in haematology.

Before F. Hoffmann-La Roche, he served as the CEO at Mundipharma EDO GmbH, and as the International Director in Oncology Strategy at Mundipharma International Ltd. As the CEO, he oversaw overall operations and delivered strategic plans for a start-up company. Under his leadership, the company rapidly progressed with four early-stage oncology assets, two small molecules and two antibody conjugates; driving them from preclinical development to clinical trial. As the International Director in Oncology Strategy, he has experience working with worldwide associated companies to maximize revenues of the established oncology products, establish relationship with market stake holders and regulators to facilitate commercialisation, laying the foundation for Mundipharma EDO GmbH.

Dr Mehrling received his M.D. from the University Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany and his PhD from University of Frankfurt.

Dr Mehrling is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Association for Cancer Research, American Society Hematology (ASH), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), European Hematology Association (EHA).

Jessica Renaux, M.Sc.

Director of Clinical Operations

Jessica Renaux joined MaxiVAX in August 2020 as a Senior Clinical Trial Manager.

Prior to this, Jessica gathered 14 years of experience in drug discovery and development, both in the big pharma and not-for-profit organisation environments. After an early career as a medicinal chemist at GSK UK, she held different positions within the GSK early clinical development organisation, as a Clinical Data Manager, Clinical Study Manager and as a Clinical Lead for multiple small molecule and biopharmaceutical assets in the immuno-inflammation area. More recently, she led the set-up and conduct of a large pivotal multi-country phase III trial for a novel antibiotic within the GARDP Foundation based in Geneva Switzerland.

Jessica received a Chemistry “Diplôme d’Ingénieur” from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (France) and a Master of Biomolecular Engineering from Montpellier University.

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Julien Grogg, M.Sc., PMP

Chief Operating Officer

Julien Grogg joined MaxiVAX in January 2014 to launch and lead the First In Human clinical trial of MVX-ONCO-1. He is now serving as Vice President of Technology and leads the development of MaxiVAX’s novel product platform from early proof of mechanism to clinical translation. Julien has over 15 years of global pharma/biotech experience in both preclinical and clinical development of drugs, medical devices, cell therapy products and ATMPs under the auspices of the FDA, the EMA and Swissmedic. Amongst others, Julien filed and maintained market access and CE mark registration dossier of an implantable cell encapsulation product in Europe and in Mexico. He is the co-inventor of 2 patented medical products harnessing cell encapsulation technology.

Born in Switzerland, Julien is a Biomedical engineer by training and holds a M.Sc. in Clinical Research from the University of Edinburgh. He is also a certified PMP(r) from the Project Management Institute.

Marie-Claude Belkouch

Quality Assurance Manager – Manufacturing

Marie-Claude Belkouch joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2009. She graduated from the Laboratory Technician School in tropical parasitology and in health and community care. After more than 25 years in molecular biology and immunology laboratories at the faculty of medicine in Geneva, Marie-Claude started working in oncology. She gained 10 years of experience in the manufacturing of cell-based immunotherapies and has developed an expertise in quality assurance.

Valentin Saingier

GMP Manufacturing Technician

Valentin Saingier joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2020 and is in charge of the GMP manufacturing of MVX-ONCO-1. He holds a Bachelor degree in biotechnologies. He worked in different resaearch areas such as Alzheimer, stem cells cryopreservation, genetic analyses and vegetal pathology, both in wet lab and GMP manufacturing facilities.

Muriel Urwyler

Scientific Associate

Muriel Urwyler joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2016 to work on the development of MaxiVAX’s next generation cell line. More recently, she also joined the manufacturing team. She holds a Bachelor and a Master of Science in biochemistry from the University of Geneva. Prior to joining Nicolas Mach’s research group, Muriel worked as a Research Laboratory Technician in oncology, in the development of a vaccine against cerebral tumors. She also worked in the development of novel cell therapies to treat diabetes.

Nicolas Mach, MD

Chief Scientific Officer

Nicolas Mach is one of the co- fonder of MaxiVAX. His scientific expertise on cell-based cancer immunotherapy is the basis for the patented technology developed by MaxiVAX. Prof Mach is deputy Head of the Oncology Division at the Geneva University Hospital (HUG) and Head of the Clinical Research Unit and member of the Clinical Trial Unit bureau at HUG. The Clinical Research Unit headed by Nicolas Mach runs over 50 clinicals trials in oncology from Phase I to Phase III, mostly in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Nicolas Mach is the principal Investigator of more than 20 clinical trials. His research team is responsible for both the manufacturing of the clinical garde products from the SwissMedic certified Cell Therapy Facility of HUG and the development of novel cell lines and encapsulation devices for the stable and prolonged production of immunostimulatory proteins including monoclonal antibodies.

Sirja Nelson

Administrative Assistant

Sirja joined MaxiVAX in 2020. Prior to that she worked 20 years in the financial sector. In the last 15 years, she managed the administrative and financial tasks of an international family office. She now provides administrative and organizational support for the MaxiVAX office.

Adrien Engel

R&D Associate, Technology Development

Adrien Engel joined MaxiVAX in November 2020. He supports the executive team to develop MaxiVAX’ next encapsulated cell technologies from the proof of mechanism to clinical phase.
Adrien worked on treatments based on dendritic cell vaccination and subcutaneous cellular implants against autoimmune diseases. He holds a Master’s degree in synthetic biology from Paris Descartes University. He recently was awarded a PhD in immunology from the University of Lausanne.

Fabien Courtout

GMP Manufacturing Technician

Fabien Courtout joined Nicolas Mach’s research group in 2022 and is in charge of GMP manufacturing of MVX-ONCO-1. He holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnologies. He has worked as laboratory technician in Yeast biology and genetic research. He also performed genetic test and FACS data analysis for pharmaceutical groups.

Bruno Osterwalder, M.D., FFPM

Chief Medical Advisor

Dr Bruno Osterwalder joined MaxiVAXs executive team as a consultant in 2020. He is a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with 15 years of academic clinical practice in internal medicine, hematology and oncology (Swiss board certifications). This was followed by 19 years of experience in functions with increasing scientific and managerial responsibilities in global drug development and strategic portfolio management at F. Hoffmann-Roche Basel in the areas of hematology, (immuno-) oncology and renal and cancer anemia (global approvals for Xeloda in breast and colon cancer, Rituximab in DLBCL and Mircera in renal anemia), and over 6 years at Merck Serono Darmstadt (Tepotinib, approval in Japan in NSCLC), including experience in Japan and China and a focus on early POC stages, translational medicine and biomarker questions, and with broad experience in interactions with regulatory authorities worldwide. Since 5 years, his experience in in-licensing evaluations resulted in a worldwide consulting function primarily for biotech’s. Dr. Osterwalder is a member of ASCO, AACR, ASH, ESMO and SITC.

Clarence Peter

Board member

Mr. Clarence Peter is one of the three founders of MaxiVAX and an active Board member since its incorporation in December 2005. He is a senior partner of the law firm Kellerhals Carrard Geneva; advisor of multiple national and international firms with a focus on new technologies and med-tech. He has a large experience in assisting commercial clients in all stages of their development including litigation, cross-border transactions and M&A. Mr Clarence Peter is proud to be an entrepreneur, dedicated to the value creation.