Memo Therapeutics AG Appoints Frits van Alphen as Chief Development Officer
Portfolio - People | Nov 04, 2024 | Ysios Capital
Memo Therapeutics AG, a late-stage biotech firm focusing on developing antibodies for treating viral infections and cancer, has appointed Frits van Alphen, MD as its new Chief Development Officer. He brings 30 years of experience in clinical development, particularly in nephrology and rare diseases. Alphen, previously at Vifor Pharma, where he led the successful development of several drugs, including Velphoro and Ferinject, succeeds Dr. Gerald P. Parzmair. As MTx advances its leading program, potravitug, currently in Phase II development targeting BK viremia in kidney transplant recipients, Alphen's expertise is expected to be crucial. MTx aims to address the unmet medical needs in transplant medicine, supported by its proprietary DROPZYLLA technology platform, and is backed by investors such as Ysios Capital, Kurma Partners, and others.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Private Equity
Geography
- Switzerland – Memo Therapeutics AG is based in Schlieren / Zurich, Switzerland, emphasizing the country's role as a hub for biotech innovations.
Industry
- Biotechnology – Memo Therapeutics AG operates in the biotechnology sector, focusing on the development of antibodies for the treatment of viral infections and cancer.
- Pharmaceuticals – The pharmaceuticals industry is relevant due to MTx's focus on developing therapies and its collaboration with pharmaceutical companies like Ono Pharmaceutical.
- Private Equity – Ysios Capital and other investors back Memo Therapeutics AG, highlighting the role of private equity in funding biotech innovations.
Financials
- $1bn market potential – The potential market size for potravitug as the first-in-class BKV disease-modifying therapy for kidney transplant patients.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memo Therapeutics AG | Target Company | Company | A late-stage biotech company focused on developing antibodies to treat viral infections and cancer. |
| Frits van Alphen, MD | Chief Development Officer | Person | An industry veteran with 30 years of experience, known for his work in nephrology drug development at Vifor Pharma. |
| Dr. Gerald P. Parzmair | Former Chief Development Officer | Person | Former CDO of MTx who contributed to advancing potravitug from preclinical to Phase 2 development. |
| Erik van den Berg | CEO of Memo Therapeutics AG | Person | CEO of MTx, guiding the company through clinical developments. |
| Ysios Capital | Investor | Company | A private equity firm investing in Memo Therapeutics AG. |
| Vifor Pharma | Former Employer | Company | Frits van Alphen's previous company where he successfully developed drugs like Velphoro and Ferinject. |