Steve Leemans Pharm.D, MBA

Biotech CBO, VC and Business development

Belgium

About

A highly experienced pharmaceutical leader with over 20 years in the industry that is passionate about getting pharmaceutical innovation to patients. Over my career I’ve been active across the full drug development and commercialization process. As a CBO I’ve been part of biotech teams to ensure each development step maximizes commercial value. During VC due diligence and funding rounds I scrutinized how scientific ideas lead to commercial value. In BD I’ve assessed clinical-stage assets, their development plans and translated them into valuations. As a commercial pharmaceutical executive I maximized commercial value in local markets and by global strategy. This gives me an understanding of what and who is required to achieve each step of the life-cycle of a biotech asset. I navigate at the midst of the triangle between biotech developers, investors and buyers by operating fractionally at all of them. I ensure that during clinical-stage of development no commercial value is lost, funding is obtained , pharmaceutical partnerships happen and each asset finds the right company at the right price. I maximize the investment of VCs and the value of their portfolio companies. I make sure BD teams have commercial assessments that cover patient, clinician, regulator and payer perspectives to build valuations. I operate through Phraeme and I collaborate and exchange with network partners that have earned their expertise through practical experience and are active in biotech, at VC’s, BD teams and Market Access. I share what I observe through my activities with an aim to maximize the interactions between biotech teams, VC investors and BD professionals. Because better interactions will bring more pharmaceutical innovations to patients. Views expressed are my own. Want to explore if you and your organization could benefit from someone who knows what biotech developers, investors and BD teams focus on? Send me a DM.

Experience

  • Fractional advisor at Biotech ventures and VCs life sciences
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Advisor at Droia Ventures
    Sep 2024 - Jan 2025 · 5 mos

    Investment advisory Due diligence

  • Takeda (8 yrs 8 mos)
    • New Product Lead Rare Genetics and Hematology
      Jan 2022 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      -CBO & NPP for internal programs across pre-clinical and PhI/II -BD&L in rare diseases

    • Global New Products Lead
      Dec 2020 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

      -CBO & NPP for internal pipeline assets in rare diseases across pre-clinical and phI/II -BD Search&Evaluation of external opportunities in rare diseases

    • Global Brand Lead
      Jun 2019 - Nov 2020 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Gastroenterology; UC CD Product: Entyvio

  • AbbVie (7 yrs 8 mos)
    • National Sales Manager
      Dec 2012 - Jul 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      Rheumatology; RA, PsA, AS, nr axSpA Product: Humira Managed a team of 9 Product Specialists

    • Regional Sales Manager
      Feb 2009 - Nov 2012 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      Rheumatology - Dermatology; RA, PsA, AS, nr axSpA - Psoriasis Product: Humira Managed a team of 4 Product Specialists

    • Product Specialist
      Dec 2007 - Jan 2009 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Rheumatology - Dermatology; RA, PsA, AS - Psoriasis. Product: Humira

  • Abbott (Brussels Metropolitan Area)
    • Product Manager
      Oct 2005 - Nov 2007 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Endocrinology; Metabolic syndrome - Thyroid disorders. Products: Meridia - Levothyroxine ERT

    • Project Manager
      Feb 2005 - Sep 2005 · 8 mos

      Endocrinology; Metabolic syndrome - Thyroid disorders. Products: Meridia - Levothyroxine ERT