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About

What We Do

We envision a world where drug discovery is not left to chance but guided by artificial intelligence (AI) to make therapeutic development smarter, more precise, and ultimately faster.  We’re using iBio’s Discovery Platform to tackle complex and challenging drug targets, with the goal of developing safer and more effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. 

We’re pursuing hard-to-drug targets with greater potential and less competition.  We have nine immuno-oncology candidates in our pipeline, including those for the potential treatment of solid tumors, glioblastoma, and head and neck cancers.

An essential challenge to developing antibody drugs is that traditional discovery technologies employ a high degree of randomness. Creating an antibody with a set of desired qualities requires repeated attempts until the optimal result is achieved, often by chance. While this approach has yielded valuable therapeutics in the past, that outcome is rare, with fewer than 1 in 1,000 targets ever reaching the clinic. Traditional antibody development methods are time consuming, costly, and we believe ultimately produce fewer potentially life-saving drugs than possible.  We believe that iBio’s Discovery Platform offers the precision required to solve this problem, while also identifying the most challenging targets.

iBio’s patented antibody discovery technology employs an artificial intelligence engine designed to actively guide the discovery process directly to a desired result. Our Discovery Platform is comprised of three main components:

  • Our patented AI-driven Epitope Engineering Engine, which enables the active steering of antibody discovery to desirable binding sites on the target protein
  • Our proprietary Antibody Library of fully human sequences and a clinically validated framework
  • Our StableHu™ Antibody Optimizer for generating functionally enriched libraries from a template antibody
  • EngageTx™, a CD3 T-cell engager antibody panel for optimizing next-gen bispecifics

By moving beyond traditional “trial-and-error” methods, we believe our platform will enable us to bring cancer therapeutics based on previously undruggable proteins into the clinic faster and more cost-effectively – both for our own development and in partnership with others.

Capitalizing on our robust AI tech platform, we’ve implemented a layered business model with three fundamental components: strategic partnerships, proprietary pipeline development, and third-party collaborations. Using this model, we intend to secure partnerships for existing molecules or discovery projects against new targets, advance select “fast followers” from our preclinical pipeline, and engage third-party collaborators in areas outside of our core therapeutic focus. We believe this approach enables iBio to grow a more focused, capital-efficient business.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Martin Brenner headshot
Martin Brenner headshot

Martin Brenner, DVM, Ph.D.

Dr. Brenner has a strong history of success heading drug discovery and development teams at several of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer Inc., and Merck Research Laboratories. Most recently, Dr. Brenner served as the CSO at Pfenex Inc., which, using its patented Pfēnex Expression Technology® platform, created an advanced pipeline of therapeutic equivalents, vaccines, biologics and biosimilars. Pfenex was acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated for approximately $516 million in October 2020. Previously, Dr. Brenner served as the CSO at Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company focused on accelerating drug discovery for rare diseases and diseases with high unmet medical need. Prior to his time at Recursion, he was Vice President and Head of Research & Early Development at Stoke Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company using antisense oligonucleotides to increase gene expression for the treatment of rare diseases. Prior to Stoke, he was Executive Director at Merck, where he built a biotech unit from scratch, focusing his team’s research on diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Earlier in his career, Dr. Brenner was the Senior Director and Head of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism (CVRM) biosciences at AstraZeneca. In addition, Dr. Brenner was an Associate Research Fellow at Pfizer where he led the islet biology and in vivo pharmacology in the CVMED Target Exploration Unit before assuming the role of Head of the Insulin Resistance Group.
Felipe Duran headshot
Felipe Duran headshot

Felipe Duran

Mr. Duran served as iBio’s Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) from April 2021-February 2023. In that capacity, he played a strategic role in the Company’s forecasting, business planning, management reporting, and business analytics activities. From 2016 to 2021, Mr. Duran served as the Executive Director (CFO), of Lupin Latin America, a subsidiary of Lupin Pharmaceuticals, which is the third largest generic pharmaceutical company in the United States. During his tenure at Lupin, Mr. Duran increased regional net sales by double digits by implementing robust commercial pricing strategies. He also spearheaded the subsidiary at a time when it became a positive EBITDA business in the region. In addition to his Latin America duties, he ran the U.S. R&D finance group, managing and providing guidance on strategy and pipeline. Prior to joining Lupin Pharmaceuticals, he held numerous strategy positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals in both its growth markets and Latin America offices. Mr. Duran also worked as a Manager, FP&A for both Bupa and Noven Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Duran holds a B.A. in Finance and an M.B.A from the University of Miami.

Marc Banjak

Mr. Banjak joins iBio with over 15 years’ experience in the biotechnology and contract research industries. He previously served as the first general counsel of both Istari Oncology and Dova Pharmaceuticals, leading the legal and compliance functions within both organizations. While at Dova, Mr. Banjak advised the company through a number of clinical and corporate milestones, including FDA and EMA approvals, a secondary public offering and the acquisition of Dova by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB. Prior to that, Mr. Banjak negotiated strategic contracts, advised on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Anti-Bribery matters, and labor issues at PRA Health Sciences. His industry experience spans rare disease biotechnology companies, global contract research organizations, and medical device companies.  Prior to entering the biotechnology and contract research industries, Mr. Banjak served as an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force in a variety of legal roles. Mr. Banjak was admitted to the Colorado state bar. He earned his JD from the University of Denver School of Law and a BA in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College.

Lisa Middlebrook

Ms. Middlebrook is a human resources executive with a strong record of accomplishment for achieving results within the CDMO and Generics arenas. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources-The Americas at Lupin Incorporated, a global pharmaceutical company offering branded and generic formulations, biosimilars and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Previously, Ms. Middlebrook’s more than 13 years of progressive experience at Lonza Group included executive roles as Global Head of Human Resources (Lonza Bioscience), Global Head of Leadership Development and Talent Management (Lonza AG), Head Integration (Lonza Inc.), Head of Human Resources & Environmental Health and Safety (Lonza Bioscience), in addition to earlier positions in staffing, human resources and employee relations. She holds an MS in Organizational Development from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in Industrial Relations from LeMoyne College.

Board of Directors

Chip Clark

Mr. Clark has more than 30 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical experience, with a focus on business development, commercialization, strategic planning, and general management. Since 2011, he has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, Genocea Biosciences, Inc. In that role, among other accomplishments, he executed Genocea’s successful strategic pivot from infectious disease to immuno-oncology. Prior to joining Genocea, Mr. Clark was Chief Business Officer at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company he co-founded in 2004. There, he played central roles in completing the company’s 2006 Nasdaq initial public offering and its 2009 out-licensing deal with Novartis Pharma AG, from which Vanda received an upfront payment of $200 million, plus contingent additional future milestone payments totaling up to $265 million. Previously, he was a Principal at Care Capital, LLC, a venture capital firm investing in biopharmaceutical companies. Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years at SmithKline Beecham Corporation (now part of GlaxoSmithKline plc) in a variety of business development roles. Mr. Clark holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Harvard University.

Linda Armstrong, M.D.

Dr. Linda Armstrong has more than 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical research. She currently leads the Global Respiratory Development Unit at Novartis. She has served in a range of executive roles across R&D disciplines including Clinical Development, Patient Safety and Medical Affairs, supporting the development of small molecules, biologics and cell and gene therapies. Prior to her current role, she held management positions at the Schering-Plough Research Institute and Pfizer, Inc. Dr. Armstrong received her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and her Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University. She is a trained Pulmonologist and was on the faculty at New York University School of Medicine prior to joining industry.

General James T. Hill, USA (Ret.)

General (Ret.) James T. Hill was the Commander of the 4-Star United States Southern Command, reporting directly to the President and Secretary of Defense at the time of his retirement from active duty. As such, he led all U.S. military forces and operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, worked directly with U.S. Ambassadors, foreign heads of state, key Washington decision-makers, foreign senior military and civilian leaders, developing and executing United States policy. His responsibilities included management, development and execution of plans and policy within the organization including programming, communications, manpower, operations, logistics and intelligence. General Hill’s deep experience managing and leading large diverse organizations through periods of great change is a key resource.

Gary Sender

Gary Sender is currently President of Sender Consulting LLC and previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Nabriva Therapeutics plc from 2016 until his retirement in 2021. Nabriva is a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company engaged in the commercialization and development of innovative anti-infective agents to treat serious infections. Prior to joining Nabriva, he served as CFO and Executive Vice President at Synergy Pharmaceuticals from 2015 to 2016. From 2009 until 2015, Mr. Sender served as Senior Vice President, Finance at Shire Plc., supporting its Specialty Pharmaceuticals business and subsequently its Global Commercial businesses. Mr. Sender also serves on the board of directors of Schrodinger Inc., Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. and Elucida Oncology. He is the Chairman of the three Board’s Audit Committees. Mr. Sender received his B.S. from Boston University and an M.B.A from Carnegie‑Mellon University.

Alexandra Kropotova, M.D.

Dr. Kropotova is a biopharmaceutical executive with 20+ years of global R&D experience in all phases of global clinical development, translational medicine, and medical affairs. Currently, she is Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at SAb Biotherapeutics, leading the strategy, direction, and execution of the company’s portfolio of innovative polyclonal antibody assets. Prior to joining SAb Biotherapeutics, Dr. Kropotova was Therapeutic Area Head of Global Specialty R&D at Teva Pharmaceuticals, leading innovative drug development across a broad portfolio of immunology and immuno-oncology assets spanning from pre-IND to BLA/NDA filing of biologics and complex drug-device combination products. Dr. Kropotova also served in various roles at Sanofi, including Vice President, Strategy & Strategic Planning Head, North American Medical Affairs; Associate Vice President and subsequently Vice President, Immuno-Inflammation, Global R&D Clinical Development; and Senior Medical Director, Respiratory, Allergy & Anti-Infectives. She also served in various roles at Wyeth and Pfizer. Dr. Kropotova received her MBA from Ohio University Graduate School of Business, Athens, Ohio; and her M.D. in Internal Medicine from the Vladivostok State Medical University, Vladivostok, Russia.

Eef Schimmelpennink

In an executive leadership career spanning more than 20 years, Mr. Schimmelpennink has applied his strategic and functional expertise across corporate development, commercial operations, manufacturing, and R&D to help build and scale a number of global public and private biopharmaceutical businesses. He currently serves as President and CEO of LENZ Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company with a lead late clinical-stage program that represents a potential best-in-class therapy for presbyopia. Previously, he served as CEO of Pfenex Inc., a NYSEA-listed company which, using its patented Pfēnex Expression Technology® platform, created an advanced pipeline of therapeutic equivalents, vaccines, biologics and biosimilars. Pfenex was acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated for approximately $516 million (including contingent value rights) in October 2020. Previously, Mr. Schimmelpennink served as CEO of Alvotech Ehf, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on becoming a leader in the biosimilar monoclonal antibody market. Prior to joining Alvotech, he held variety of progressive roles with Pfizer Inc., Hospira, Inc., Synthon BV and Numico NV. Mr. Schimmelpennik also serves on the board of directors of Pipeline Therapeutics, Inc. Mr. Schimmelpennink holds a Masters in Bioprocess Engineering from the Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
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