Antwerp Metropolitan Area
As Director of Business Development at etherna, I specialize in in- and out-licensing, strategic partnerships, and market analysis for the development of groundbreaking therapeutics. I have successfully negotiated high-value deals with top-tier biotech and pharma companies, aligning scientific innovation with business growth. With over 20 years of experience spanning biotech, academia, and clinical research, I have a strong scientific foundation in immuno-oncology, cardiovascular sciences, and infectious diseases, combined with expertise in early-stage clinical development. My career has evolved from postdoctoral research and medical writing to clinical program management and ultimately driving strategic business initiatives in the biotech sector. Key Expertise: - Business Development & Licensing (Negotiations, Market Analysis, Financial Modeling) - Alliance & Partnership Management (Pharma, Biotech, Academia) - Preclinical & Clinical Project Leadership (small molecules, biologics, ATMPs) - IP Strategy, Scientific Communication & Medical Writing - Broad scientific background I am passionate about bridging science and business, expanding biotech innovation, and fostering collaborations that drive cutting-edge therapies forward. Let’s connect and explore opportunities to shape the future of biotech!
Lead end-to-end strategic transactions (licensing, co-development, JVs) from opportunity assessment through diligence, valuation, negotiation, and governance. Drive investment prioritization and corporate strategy in close partnership with executive leadership. Represent the company in global negotiations and investor interactions, while mentoring teams and supporting portfolio value creation across advanced therapeutic platforms.
Project lead of two cross functional drug development projects. Managing research collaborations with academic groups and industry partners. Contract and termsheet negotiations. Representing eTheRNA in its various scientific activities, including speaking at workshops, conferences and other events, as needed.
Management of preclinical studies and multi-center clinical studies. Scientific input in clinical trial protocols, research programmes and translational research projects. Establishing a network of relevant KOLs. Contributing to grant applications, reports, and scientific communications.
Project management of Phase I studies: • Main contact for Sponsor ensuring regular update on study progress • Protocol and CRF review and Informed Consent writing/review • Coordination of EC and HA submission • Communication (internal – external) regarding scope, timelines and budget of the project • Establishing and managing the study planning • Budget control and follow-up of change-in-scope including vendor management • Management of study team • Organization and leading project meetings • Risk management • Developing study documents • Ensuring proper filing in Trial Master File • Follow up on CRA activities including review of monitoring visit reports Project leader process improvements: leading process improvement projects using lean six sigma tools.
Writing documents related to clincial trials and scientific papers.
Postdoctoral researcher in the Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene at the University of Antwerp Project: bacterial and parasitic infections and oxidative stress
Studied the protective role of the beta-3 adrenoreceptor in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, focussing on effects on oxidative stress.
Studied the role of tetrahydrobiopterin in vascular biology (nitric oxide production and redox state)