OUR STORY
LEON has built up a significant knowledge base since 2011. We work with world-class industrial partners towards a common goal that benefits us all. We actively support both process and product development and commercial manufacturing. Our expertise lies in the next-generation of fully automated nanoparticle-based manufacturing.
We’re proud to have built a world-class team, characterized by a blend of exceptional talent and a passion for shared goals. Working collaboratively with a network of leading pharmaceutical companies and other organizations, we are dedicated to support them in developing new products and enabling their future commercial goals.
LEON is backed by a strong group of investors and as strategic partners, they share our vision of making a difference in the pharmaceutical industry.
Working with LEON gives partners access to a well-founded wealth of knowledge that is highly relevant to their core business. We help our clients bring more products to market, faster and with increased value.
OUR VISION
LEON’s goal is to implement our recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle manufacturing technology to significantly increase access to important vaccines and innovative cancer therapies.
That is why we have developed NANOnow, a powerful platform, that has yielded two strategic product solutions – NANOme and NANOus.
Through easy technology transfer and compatibility with Class C modular pharmaceutical factories, we increase flexibility and speed.
NANOnow. for ME. for US.
OUR TEAM
LEON´s core team consists of experts with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors worldwide. Our directors have proven track records in start-ups, running their own businesses and advising small, medium and large organizations in the life sciences industry. The Board of Directors is complemented by a world-class management team with outstanding knowledge and experience in nanotechnology.
DR. SETU KASERA
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Setu has strong expertise in nanotechnology from her R&D work at the University of Cambridge and independent research projects, together with solid experience in pharma operations and CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls). In various international in-house and consulting roles in the health industry she has gained capabilities in management, strategy and business development. Dr. Setu Kasera received her MPhil and her PhD in chemistry from the University of Cambridge, UK, for her research in nanotechnology.
CHRISTIAN NAFE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Christian brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the management of successful businesses.
Having held board-level positions including CEO and CFO at global companies for more than 25 years, Christian is equipped with a wealth of senior experience in business management and finance. With a focus on life sciences, he has successfully led the delivery of several M&A’s, financing rounds as well as license contracts and supply agreements.
OUR SUPERVISORY BOARD
We can rely on our strong partners of the LEON supervisory board.
DR. HUBERT BIRNER
BOARD MEMBER
Hubert is responsible for overall investment strategy and global fund operations at TVM Capital Life Science, and holds a number of chairmanships in leading life sciences companies.
Prior to his current role, he was Head of Business Development Europe and Director of Marketing for Germany at Zeneca Agrochemicals, having joined from McKinsey & Company’s European healthcare and pharmaceutical practice. As a management consultant, he gained extensive experience in R&D management, marketing and sales, and joint venture structuring and business development. Hubert holds a doctoral degree in biochemistry and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
DR. FRANK MATHIAS
BOARD MEMBER
Frank has held leadership positions across the pharmaceutical and biotech industry for more than 25 years.
He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Rentschler Biopharma SE and also Chairman of vfa bio, which represents the biotech interests within the German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies.
From 2009 until 2016, Frank was Chief Executive Officer of Medigene AG, having joined the company in 2008 as Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to that he worked for Amgen GmbH, Servier Deutschland and Hoechst AG.
He is a graduate of Paris VI University, where he studied immunology.
DR. GERHARD RIES
BOARD MEMBER
Gerhard has more than 20 years’ experience in global life sciences and venture capital, both as an entrepreneur and investor.
DR. ROBERT BECKER
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Robert has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Earlier in his career, he held various leadership positions at Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Company Biogen Idec and Aptalis.
In 2014 he founded Impala Pharma Consulting supporting academic and NGO institutions, Start-up companies, Pharma and Biotech companies from idea generation to launch. He has a strong background in pharmaceutical product development, established a broad vendor network for API, DP and analytical methods development and created strategic partnerships with major collaboration partners for small molecule and protein formulation development. Robert is an expert in process chemistry, design and development of formulations across all pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems. Robert is a Chemist by training with focus on Physical Chemistry and holds his Ph.D. from the Technical University Munich, Germany.
ENNO SPILLNER
BOARD MEMBER
Enno is Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Management Board of Evotec.
He previously held the roles of Chairman, CEO and CFO of 4SC AG, having joined the company in September 2005 in the capacity of CEO. Before working for 4SC, Enno was Head of Finance and Controlling at BioM AG, a German regional biotech venture fund, where his responsibilities included finance and controlling as well as managing investments in the equity portfolio. He held the position of Interim Managing Director at two portfolio companies – ACTIPAC Biosystems GmbH and Munich Innovative Biomaterials GmbH – and in 2001, took on the role of Management Partner of BioM VC Fund. Enno earned his Masters in Business from the University of Bamberg, Germany.
DR. PETER GRAF
BOARD MEMBER
Peter has extensive experience in the IT sector, having founded a Munich- and Berlin-based IT company and delivered successful software projects for clients such as BMW, Diebel’s and Hypovereinsbank. During his time at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Peter worked on the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation, generating and analysing whole genome data of protein-binding sites and gene-expression data using a combination of wet lab and bioinformatic methods. He holds an degree in Agricultural Sciences and Molecular Biology (with high distinction) and obtained his PhD from LMU Munich.
JOIN US
We believe in innovation, collaboration and partnership. The promotion and continuous development of our employees plays a decisive role. In order to meet our high standards, we are constantly looking for highly qualified new colleagues. Contact us if you share our vision.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
We are backed by a strong group of investors, having secured significant additional commitment in our recent Series C funding round.
Our major shareholders include:
TVM Life Science Innovation I.L.P.
TVM Life Science Innovation I.L.P. has been delivering international investment for over 30 years, and provides venture capital to the international pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical technology industries.
Evotec SE
Formalising its Discovery and Development Services in 2002, Evotec SE creates partnerships to further research in multiple health fields, including cancer and infectious diseases. LEON and Evotec’s strategic partnership will maximise the effectiveness of clinical and commercial nano-medicine development.
Eckenstein-Geigy-Stiftung
Eckenstein-Geigy-Stiftung is a Swiss family investment office. Established in 2007 on philanthropic principles, it is focused on building a good future for everybody, including improved medical care for greater quality of life globally.
CD-Venture GmbH
CD-Venture is a German venture capital firm with two decades of experience specialising in investments in the life sciences sector.
Albany Private Equity Holdings Pty Ltd
Part of The Pacific Group of Companies, Albany Private Equity Holdings is an Australian private equity investment firm with a focus on transformational healthcare and investments in medical technology, biotech, and pharmaceuticals.
BayBG
BayBG is a Munich-based equity investor with more than 45 years’ experience, offering venture capital investment for technology-driven companies.