Cedric Vonarburg

Innovation Leader in Biotech | Expert in Public–Private Partnerships | Driving Strategic R&D Programs in Life Sciences

Bern, Berne, Switzerland

About

Curious, and active observer, I seek out challenges beyond the familiar, because that’s where innovation is, and where I have made the greatest difference for patients and the communities we serve. My early training at the renowned Hôpital Necker in Paris to my academic research at Uniklinik Freiburg, and over the past 12 years in biotech leadership at CSL, I have bridged the academic and industrial worlds to bring science to life. Fluent in French, German, and English, I have built and led highly efficient and agile international teams, developed new capabilities, including a nebulization platform and a gene therapy research unit, and driven programs from discovery to development, with the objective to fully support our customers (therapeutic area leads, functions and our patients). My work has led to over 26 high-impact publications (Nat. Biotech., Immunity, Science, New England Journal of Medicine, etc.), 2 IND-ready assets, one Phase II clinical program, and the start of several early research programs, reflecting both scientific excellence and translational success. I have also led or supported over ten strategic collaborations with leading academic and biotech partners across Europe and the US, demonstrating my ability to foster scientific partnerships while maintaining operational excellence. I am passionate about enabling innovation, with purpose, urgency, pragmatism, integrity, and collaboration.

Experience

  • Director, Research Product Lead, Cardiovascular and Renal at CSL Behring AG
    Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

    I am accountable for driving strategic oversight and execution across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring evidence-based decisions and seamless project transitions from research to development. My role is instrumental in shaping project strategy, fostering global collaborations, and delivering innovative solutions in cardiovascular and renal therapeutics, directly impacting the advancement of scientific and clinical milestones. This role is similar to the one which I used to do along my managerial role, and which was called Project Scientific Coordinator. This new role is exciting as it offers the oversight of not only one project but a project portfolio.

  • CSL Behring (13 yrs 3 mos)
    • Director, Gene Therapy Research Europe
      Jun 2022 - Nov 2025 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • Associate Director, Gene Therapy Research
      Nov 2019 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    • Senior Manager
      Mar 2018 - Oct 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Research Scientist at Laboratory of Innate Immune Recognition
    Jan 2005 - Aug 2012 · 7 yrs 8 mos

  • PhD Student (Doctorate) at INSERM U429
    Dec 2000 - Oct 2004 · 3 yrs 11 mos

    PhD candidate, Project : Molecular and Functional Characterization of Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) type II. French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Unit 429, Necker Hospital, Paris, France. Advisors : Dr. Frédéric Rieux-Laucat (Ph.D)(mentor) & Prof. Alain Fischer (M.D., Ph.D)

  • PhD fellow at INSERM U429 (normal and pathological development of the immune system)
    2000 - 2004 · 4 yrs