Who We Are
About Us
Isarna Therapeutics was built on profound knowledge in antisense oligonucleotide design and therapeutic development of this innovative compound class. Today, Isarna is developing a portfolio of antisense therapies targeting an emerging therapeutic field in human biology - TGF-B signaling. Precise modulation of TGF-B pathways using antisense therapy may result in safer and more effective treatment options for a broad range of indications.
Our lead compound, ISTH0036, entered Phase 2a clinical development in Ophthalmology. In addition, Isarna has established a portfolio of antisense compounds addressing three important isoforms of TGF-β to treat fibrotic liver disease, such as NASH, and various forms of cancer.
Our Team
Claus Schalper, MBA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERClaus is a serial entrepreneur in the Life Sciences with 20 years expertise in the Industry. He co-founded Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PIRS) in 2001 and was CFO up to the listing of the Company in the US playing a key role in transforming Pieris to its current stage. He also served as CEO of Pieris executing its first international pharma partnerships.
Furthermore, Claus is co-founder and CEO of XL-protein GmbH since 2009 leading the Company to profitability by executing a series of collaborations with Pharma and Biotech.
Claus began his career with Arthur Andersen and subsequently served as CEO for companies within the IT industry. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bamberg, Germany.
Marion R. Munk, MD, PhD, FEBO
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERDr. Marion R. Munk joined as Chief Medical Officer on July 1, 2019. She is an active retina specialist at the University Bern in Switzerland and has over 10 years of clinical expertise in retina, uveitis and clinical imaging and as consultant for many key players in the ophthalmology drug and device development space.
Dr. Munk is a leading global expert with more than 200 publications and presentations. She has been trained in Vienna and Chicago and currently also serves as attending retina specialist at the University Hospital in Bern, Switzerland. She has a bachelor degree in theoretical physics and holds a medical doctor degree and a Ph.D in Clinical Neuroscience including habilitation and is a board certified Ophthalmologist.
René Rückert, MD, MBA
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERDr. Rückert joined in 2019 as Chief Operating Officer at Isarna Therapeutics. He is a medical doctor, board-certified in Biochemistry and a trained Immunologist and holds an MBA. He has a background as immunologist and brings to Isarna an extensive experience in ophthalmology drug development including many years as leader and global manager of ophthalmic drug development at big pharma, developing Eylea and Lucentis at Bayer and Novartis and also at small Biotech’s including roles as Clinical VP, CMO and COO.
Chris Huiskamp
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERWith 20 years of international Finance Management experience Chris spent the last 13 years in the clinical research industry working with several pharmaceutical and biotech companies on their studies in his positions at two different CRO’s. Chris has served in the position of Finance Director Europe at Medpace, heading their European finance organization, which covered 26 entities in 18 countries all across Europe.
At the end of 2010, Chris changed CRO’s and joined the Assign Group as their CFO, in charge of Finance, Human Resources and IT. At Assign he was also responsible for vendor management, legal matters, contracting with customers and vendors, and proposal management. Chris is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Sourcia CRO. Chris is also CFO at Modra Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company.