iOnctura Strengthens Leadership with CFO and COO Appointments

Investor - People | Jun 03, 2025 | VI Partners AG

iOnctura, a Swiss-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, has announced significant additions to its executive team. Steven Sciuto joins as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Michelle Tsai as Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointments come amid ongoing Phase II studies for iOnctura's lead asset, roginolisib, which targets rare and hard-to-treat cancers. Steven Sciuto, bringing over 15 years of experience in finance and capital markets from the life sciences sector, recently held a senior finance position at Neurogene Inc. Michelle Tsai, with a strong background in oncology pharmaceuticals, previously led global commercial launches for Novartis. The company, supported by investors like Syncona and VI Partners, aims to advance its oncology pipeline, capitalizing on Tsai’s insights into portfolio strategy and Sciuto’s expertise in financial operations.

Sectors

  • Biotechnology
  • Venture Capital
  • Pharmaceuticals

Geography

  • Switzerland – iOnctura's subsidiary is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and VI Partners AG, a supporting venture capital firm, is Swiss-based.
  • Netherlands – iOnctura's headquarters is established in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Industry

  • Biotechnology – iOnctura operates in the biotechnology sector, focusing on developing novel therapeutic drugs for neglected and hard-to-treat cancers.
  • Venture Capital – VI Partners AG is a venture capital firm supporting healthcare and technology startups, having invested significantly in iOnctura.
  • Pharmaceuticals – iOnctura's work on treatments for cancers is fundamentally rooted in the pharmaceutical industry, advancing in oncology drug development.

Financials

  • $400 million – Amount raised by Steven Sciuto through private and public financings in past roles.
  • CHF 350 million – Total investment amount from VI Partners AG in 72 startups.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
iOncturaTarget CompanyCompanyA clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision oncology treatments.
VI Partners AGPrivate Equity FirmCompanyThe longest-established venture capital firm in Switzerland, investing in technology and healthcare startups.
Steven SciutoCFOPersonNewly appointed Chief Financial Officer of iOnctura, with extensive experience in finance within the life sciences industry.
Michelle TsaiCOOPersonNewly appointed Chief Operating Officer of iOnctura, experienced in oncology and specialty pharmaceuticals.
Catherine PickeringCEOPersonCo-founder and CEO of iOnctura, leading the company through new phases of growth and development.
Neurogene Inc.Former Employer of Steven SciutoCompanyA company in which Steven Sciuto held significant finance roles before joining iOnctura.
Syncona, M Ventures, Inkef Capital, EIC Fund, Schroders Capital, XGEN VentureInvestorsCompanyInstitutional investors backing iOnctura.