Sven Michael Rohmann, MD PhD
Personal data
Address: Mulflerstrasse 10, 8164 Bachs, Switzerland
Phone: Private +41 43 4330370, mobile +41 79 577 88 95
Born: April 19, 1962 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, German citizen, Swiss residence works permit „C“
Status: Married
Languages: German, English fluent also in writing (business & contracts)
Interests: Golf, Tennis, skiing, miniature trains
35 years of work experience
– as Senior Manager in two large, international Pharmaceutical companies
– as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of companies in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Canada and USA
– as Chief Business & Development Officer (CDBO) of a privately hold KG in Germany
– as a VP Business Development of a Norwegian SME listed at the Oslo Stock Exchange
– as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of two German and two Swedish Biotech companies
– as Chief Business Officer (CBO) of a privately hold device company in Liechtenstein
– as Chairman of the Board of three companies in Germany, USA and Canada
– as Member of the Board of five start-up companies in Germany and USA
– as Medical/Business Advisor to a large German Financial Institution and Universities
– as Medical Doctor in clinical cardiology (MD, PhD).
– as Max-Planck Society Post-Doctoral Stipendiate in basic research in cardiology.
Skills and Know-how
Thorough know-how and track record in General Management and Leadership. Successful in Raising Funds for SMEs and public companies.
International experience in M&A, Business and Corporate Development. Extensive, international experience in Clinical Development incl. Regulatory. Substantial hands-on experience in Pre-Clinical and Translational Medicine. Exceptional skills in Strategic Marketing and Portfolio Management.
High level skills in (Multi-) Project Management.
Sound experience in Budget Planning and P&L Responsibility.
Substantial, international experience in small and large scale Venture Capital Financing.
Work experience details
2023 – now Member of the Board Carrygenes Management & Oncology AB, Stockholm, Sweden
2022 – now Chairman of the Board InProTher ApS, Copenhagen N, Denmark
2021 – now Chief Commercial Officer Immune System Regulation Holding AB, Solna, Sweden
www.israb.se, (public company)
Responsible for all financial, business/corporate development, and commercial transactions.
11/ 2021 – Closed a SEK 62.4 Mio financing round
2020 – 2021 Chief Executive Officer
Immunicum AB, Stockholm, Sweden
www.immunicum.se, (public company)
3/ 2021 – Succeeded with the post-merger-integration of 42 employees within 5 months.
3/ 2021 – Prepared company for a SEK 200 Mio financing round
11/2020 – Merged Immunicum with the dutch company DCprime in a transaction worth more SEK 650 Mio.
7/2020 – Performed a strategic review of Immunicum`s clinical phase 2 asset “Ilixadencel” (dentritic cell therapy in cancer)
2019 – 2020 Chief Executive Officer a.i., Chief Medical Officer a.i. and Member of the Board
Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB, Uppsala, Sweden
www.oasmia.com, (public company)
Responsible for the turn-around of the company in all commercial and medical aspects. Lead and built an international management team of 6, providing leadership for 62 employees
3/2020 – Closed a strategic partnership with Elevar Inc. with $20Mio upfront, $678 Mio milestone payments and double digit royalties
1/2020 – Launched company’s lead oncology product, Apealea, into the European market, starting with the Scandinavian countries
11/2019 – Raised SEK 400 Mio from the public market (Stockholm NASDAQ).
3/2019 – Performed a strategic review of Oasmia`s clinical phase 3 asset “Apealea” , it`s proprietary technology platform and 6 early stage, translational development projects
2018 – 2021 Chief Business Officer
Likeminds Inc., Boston, USA
Responsible for the business and corporate development of Likeminds, especially the partnering with GE Healthcare
Responsible for all commercial aspects.
2017 – 2021 Chief Business Development Officer (part time) and Advisor to the Board
TCER AB (new name: NEOGAP Therapeutics AB), Stockholm, Sweden
Responsible for the business and corporate development of TCER supporting the move of
TTL assets into clinical stage. Responsible for all commercial aspects.
2015 – now Business and Medical Advisor to the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Advisor to Prof. Hans Grönlund, Therapeutic Immune Design Unit, Department of Clinical
Neuroscience.
Advised the Rheumatoid Arthritis Group (Prof. Lars Klareskog) on the clinical, regulatory and business roll-out of their drugs and diagnostics portfolio.
Worked together with Martin Steinberg (OMSHAB).
Presented two lectures at the CMM Innovation Seminar series.
2013 – 2020 Exit Advisor and Chief Business Development Officer (part-time) Oryx Translational Medicine, Baldham/Munich, Germany
Clinically developed 3 immuno-oncology assets ready for start of clinical phase 2b/3. Lead product was an iv-applicable oncolytic parvo virus.
Lead the partnering negotiations with Big Pharma.
Built a working relationship with the top 30 global oncology companies.
Built a network of private and institutional investors willing to invest in early clinical stage oncology assets. EUR 100M raised until today (private & public money).
Portfolio Management of all Oryx pre-clinical and clinical stage immuno-oncology assets in collaboration with the German Cancer Center (DKFZ) and NCT as well as other German universities.
2013 – 2017 Chairman of the board of directors, (CEO ad interim in 2016/2017) Helix Biopharma Corp., Aurora, ON L4G 6X7, Canada
www.helixbiopharma.com, (public company, NASDAQ IPO withdrawn in 2017)
Lead the company`s activities in developing and commercializing products in immuno- oncology. Built a clinical stage oncology portfolio (tumor defence breaker Ph 2 & CAR-T for solid cancers Ph 1 in 2018).
Raised $22M, divested non-core assets, prepared company for an uplisting in the USA and founded a Polish subsidiary in order to optimize clinical development and to reduce financial exposure (grant & foundation money).
Managed 55 employees in Canada and Poland
2013 – 2015 Chief Executive Officer and Medical Advisor to Portfolio Companies
Adiuvo Investment SA, Warsaw, Poland
Assisted three companies to move their assets into clinical stage and exited one Med- Tech investment after successfully proofing clinical PoC.
Raised EUR 9.8 M from private investors.
IPO on New Connect (Warsaw stock exchange), later moved to the main floor.
Installed a public-private-partnership fund (JPIF) with >100M Zloty under management for investment in translational and clinical stage assets.
2012 – 2014 Chief Medical Officer (part-time)
Davos Diagnostics AG, Davos, Switzerland
Put in place all medical and clinical activities the company needed to develop rapid in-vitro diagnostic test systems for septic shock and allergy diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Developed a complete portfolio from pre-clinical to market approval. First products are
out-licensed and launched into the market by 2018. Assisted to raise CHF 12M from investors and grants.
2012 – 2013 Member of the Board and Medical Advisor
Eqalix Inc., Reston, VA, USA
Supervised the company`s activities in clinically developing and commercializing products in regenerative medicine for dermatology, cardiovascular applications and neurology.
2011 – 2015 Chief Medical Officer, Founder and Member of the Board
Cosomed AG, Bregenz, Austria
Supervised all medical aspects of the company`s product portfolio of immunological active neutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Triggered studies which showed the safety and efficacy of the products with regard to their interaction with the innate immunology system.
2011 – 2012 Chief Business Officer
Pantec Biosolutions AG, Ruggell, Liechtenstein
Lead the company through a turn-around towards a financing event.
Prepared company for the commercialization of their laser device in the aesthetic dermatology field
Installed a medical base for dermal delivery of drugs and cosmeceuticals using/modifying company`s laser device
Developed a scientific platform for the interaction of skin immunology with laser device induced dermal microporation
2010 – 2014 Venture Partner, Managing Director and General Manager Europe
Burrill & Company, San Francisco, USA
Managed all Burrill & Company activities (VC, PE, Merchant Banking and Media) in
Europe
Represented Burrill & Company on conferences and invited speeches, as well as to government bodies and fund-of-funds in Europe
Recruited the team for European Burrill funds and lead it
Instrumental in the global fund raising activities for BCF-IV, which saw a first closing in
December 2012 with $325M and the sale of Pharmasset Inc. to Gilead Sciences for
$11bn.
Lead Burrill & Company`s global fund raising activities regarding the public and private
Digital Health funds as Managing Director Digital Health
Member of the Investment Committee and Regulatory as well as Clinical Development
Expert for all global Burrill & Company funds
2010 – 2011 Advisor to the CEO, the Board, and the Global Head Manufacturer Solutions
Celesio AG, Stuttgart, Germany
www.celesio.com, (public company)
Managed all activities regarding the implementation of the Celesio Innovation Fund (CIF I)
and advised on all Digital Health issues
2010 – 2018 Global Chief Medical Officer and Advisor to the President, Member of the Board, Immudyne Inc., New York, USA
www.immudyne.com, (public company)
In charge for all medical, pharmaceutical and regulatory topics of beta-glucans in health care (oral and topical application)
Installed clinical programs of the application of yeast beta-glucan in the treatment of cancer and triggered several clinical trials and publications
Established himself as one of the leading experts in innate immunology
2008 – 2010 Vice President Business Development
Biotec Pharmacon ASA, Oslo & Tromso, Norway,
www.biotec.no, (public company)
Managed all business activities (Oncology & Wound Care)
– Partnering of yeast beta-glucan products worldwide (out-licensing of SBG: 200 contacts, 60 CDA’s, 2 in-licensing projects within 14 months)
– Corporate Communication (16 company presentations in 12 months, tripled the company’s market cap from 256 M NOK to 900 M NOK)
– Corporate Development & Fundraising (two investor term sheets worth 300 M NOK )
– IP – Management (in- and out-licensing)
– Scientific Partnering (KOL, Collaborations with Institutes and Uni’s)
– Strategic Marketing (Positioning, TPPs, EVAs) Member of the executive management team
Member of the board of the Consumer Health Subsidiary (http://www.nbg247.no/)
2008 – 2008 Head Partnering, General Medicine and Mature Products
Novartis Pharma AG, Global Business Development & Licensing, Basel, Switzerland
www.novartis.com, (public company)
Managed all global out-partnering activities in a team of 3 managers
– Spin-outs, Spin-offs
– Divestments
– Out-licensing
Member of the Global BD&L team:
– Advised on equity involving deal structures
– Managed VC relationships
– Alliance Management
2007 – 2008 Venture Capital Fund Manager
Novartis Pharma AG, Global Business Development & Licensing, Basel, Switzerland
www.novartis.com, www.mpmcapital.com
Novartis’ Investment Manager for the MPM BIO IV NVS Strategic fund:
– Fund size: $100M side fund alongside MPM BioVentures IV’s $550M fund
– General Partner: MPM Capital, but any investment from the NVS side fund requires
NVS approval
– Fund target: Investments in companies with at least one asset of potential strategic interest to Novartis Pharma. Asset should be in or close to the clinic
– Option: Alongside MPM BioVentures IV equity negotiations, Novartis Pharma also directly negotiates an option to in-license a potential product
– Status: all 3 investments still active, 4 options in place (e.g. >$500M deal with Radius
Health Inc., www.radiuspharm.com) Member of the Global BD&L team:
– Advised on equity involving deal structures
– Advised on VC relationships
– Alliance Management
2002 – 2007 General Partner of two Venture Capital Investment Funds
1) Nextech Venture, L.P., Delaware, USA: (70 Mio CHF), an early stage life science fund installed 1999: 9 portfolio companies, 1 successful exit (trade sale), 3 active companies in
2007.
2) ONC Partners, L.P., a Jersey Expert fund (target size 80 Mio EUR, first closing with 25
Mio EUR in 10/2006), the first early stage focused fund dedicated to the drug development
in oncology: 2 successful exits (trade sales, 3-6x multiple), 2 active companies in 2009.
2002 – 2007 Managing Partner of Nextech Venture AG Zurich, Switzerland, www.nextechventure.com
Investment Manager and Advisor of the two above mentioned funds:
– Advised the General Partner on all investment activities
– Managed the portfolio of funded companies
– Prepared and executed exits of the portfolio companies
– Raised funds (> 60 M CHF) and managed investor interactions
– Supported financing activities of portfolio companies (> 100 M EUR)
2005 – 2007 Chairman of the Board of Directors
ImVisioN GmbH and ImVisioN Therapeutics Inc., Hanover, Germany and Nevada, USA,
– Structured and set up ImVisioN GmbH, financed it as the only Gesellschafter via Nextech Venture, L.P. (3.5 Mio USD) until 6/2006, identified and hired top management, collaborators, and consultants
– Prepared ImVisioN for a listing at the NASD OTC Bulletin Board, USA, in a reverse takeover (RTO) transaction
– Lead the company through its first private placement (2.0 Mio USD / 8.0 Mio shares – oversubscribed) in 8/2006
2003 – 2005 Chief Executive Officer (and CMO ad interim) BioVisioN AG, Hanover, Germany (public company)
– Mandated to analyze, restructure and position the company and to prepare for an exit
(trade sale)
– Needed to reduce company employees from 88 to 47, without negatively impacting culture, positive spirit and employee committment
– Planned, executed and financed the spin-off of BioVisioN`s peptidic anti-allergy drug portfolio (established as ImVisioN GmbH)
– Generated accumulated sales of > EUR 7 Mio with a newly established fee-for-service business in 18 months
– Lead the company through insolvency, managed and executed the trade sale to
Digilab Inc., USA
2001-2003 Chief Executive Officer
Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG, Mainz, Germany, www.ganymed-pharmaceuticals.com
– Assisted the company foundation, lead the build-up and positioned the company with focus on oncology, fulfilled all set milestones
– Secured EUR 8.85 million in a series-A financing and EUR 6.45 million in government support
– Created and lead a team of 35 highly talented founders and employees
– Built up the business development
– Initiated a strategic collaboration with Genmab
– Initiated the acquisition of a company
– Executed the Spin-out of RNA Vaccine assets into Biontech AG
(Ganymed was sold in 2016 to Astellas for up to $1.4bn, Biontech went public (IPO) on the
US NASDAQ in 2019, in year 2022 trading at a market capitalization > $25bn)
2002-2005 Member of the Board of Directors
Xerion Pharmaceuticals AG, Munich, Germany
2002-2003 Observer of the Board of Directors
Europroteome AG, Henningsdorf, Germany
2001-2001 Senior Consultant to the Board (CEO) Department of In-House Consulting
– In-house consulting of top management and the executive board
– Outlined, verified and implemented the restructuring of the German Generics
Division within six months
–
2000-2001 Business Area Head Merck Oncology
Global Head Strategic Marketing Oncology
– Implemented the worldwide strategy with a department of six people
– Headed all international and national oncology marketing and sales activities
– Had the economic, financial and clinical development responsibility for a drug portfolio of 10 clinical development programs in phase I-III with a potential pipeline value of EUR 800 million
– Participated in the strategic structuring and local implementation of offices in seven countries including USA (now: EMD Pharmaceuticals, Durham, North Carolina) and Japan (Tokyo)
– In 2001 the Business Area Merck Oncology contained 1`300 employees in 72 countries
– Participated in the acquisitions of Lexigen and Biovation and in the post-merger integration
1997-2000 International Strategic Marketing Manager Oncology
Division of International Strategic Marketing
– Implemented the concept of the virtual company “Merck Oncology” with a drug portfolio targeting peak annual sales potential of EUR 800 million within five years
– Controlled budget, managed projects and strategic marketing and structured the virtual company
– Lead and coordinated the evaluation of 36 opportunities and the in-licensing of six development candidates, e.g. Imclone’s C225 antibody (Erbitux, today a
>2bn US$ product), bispecific antibodies from Medarex, Ras peptide vaccines from Norsk Hydro
– Installed liaisons with major subsidiaries, licensees, and opinion leaders in oncology
– Represented the Merck Oncology franchise as “Business Area Manager” at board presentations, invited lectures, political discussions, negotiations with regulatory bodies (EMEA, FDA) and in court (patent infringement in the USA)
1996-1998 International Product and Evaluation Manager
Department of Corporate Strategic Marketing
– Responsible for clinical phase IV studies, strategic marketing, launch, sales and operations support to the group’s subsidiaries for the cardiovascular product “Nicorandil” which resulted in sales of DM 40 million in France, UK, Austria, and Switzerland within the first three years
– Represented Merck as a member of the worldwide steering committee at the licensor Chugai, Japan
– Scouted and evaluated over 70 new cardiovascular products from Europe, USA
and Japan
1992-95 Laboratory Head in Pre-Clinical Cardiovascular Research
Department of Pre-clinical Research
– Responsible for pre-clinical testing of cardiovascular lead compounds in five laboratories with 12 people
– Identified and validated five cardiovascular development candidates of which three moved into clinical development
– Served as cardiovascular pre-clinical development expert in eight drug development teams and chaired two international development teams
– Headed the research group on pharmacological infarct size reduction
1990-1991 Medical Doctor
- Medical Clinic, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
– Two years of training in internal medicine and clinical cardiology
– Station head
– Intensive care unit experience
– Catheter/echocardiography laboratory experience
– Participated in two large phase IV clinical Myocardial Infarction trials (TIMI)
– Headed a clinical research group in the diagnosis and therapy of infective endocarditis
– Lead clinical studies in infective endocarditis
– Instrumental in the development of new imaging devices for transesophageal echocardiography
1988-1989 Post-Doctoral Researcher
Max-Planck Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Bad Nauheim, Germany
– Applied experimental pharmacology and molecular biology methods in several animal models
– Worked on the phenomenon of “ischemic preconditioning”
– Published and presented the research results
Education
2007 Executive Education at Novartis Pharma AG
International Management Program “Managing Managers”
1997 Executive Education at Merck KGaA:
International Management Program (Executive MBA) at the European Business School, UK, and the Kellogg School of Management, USA, which included two operational international management tasks performed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Jakarta, Indonesia
1997 2nd Doctorate in Medicine (International Ph.D.)
Department of Experimental Cardiology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
1987 1st Doctorate in Medicine (magna cum laude) Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
1987 Approbation in Medicine (M.D.)
Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
1980 Abitur
Oberstufen-Gymnasium am Moltkering, Wiesbaden, Germany
Publications
Publications list available upon request
16 peer-reviewed full papers (Basic Research & Clinical Research in Cardiology)
11 general publications
24 first author abstracts
2 scientific reviews, 1 book as editor
3 book chapters about Innovation Management
14 invited lectures about Innovation Management
Scholarship
1988-89 Research Scholarship of the Max-Planck Gesellschaft, Germany
Memberships
Since 2009 Member of the Swiss Pharma Licensing Group (Swiss-PLG)
Since 2008 Member of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) Since 2003 Member of CIMT (http://www.cimt.eu/home)
Since 2003 Member of the “Who is Who of Professionals”
Since 2002 Member of the Association of Cancer Immunotherapy
1990-99 Member of the German Society of Pharmacology
1987-97 Member of the German and European Society of Cardiology
References
References are available upon request
