Sanford Zweifach has served as a member and Chair of the Carisma board of directors since November 2021. Mr. Zweifach has served as the Founder and President of Pelican Consulting Group, a biotechnology consulting firm, since December 2019. Mr. Zweifach founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Nuvelution Pharma, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from June 2015 to November 2019. Mr. Zweifach currently serves on the boards of directors of Essa Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: EPIX) and Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN). Mr. Zweifach received a B.A. in Biology from University of California San Diego and a M.S. in Human Physiology from University of California Davis.
Steven Kelly has served as Carisma’s President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Carisma board of directors since February 2018. Prior to joining Carisma, Mr. Kelly served as Chief Executive Officer of Pinteon Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, from April 2014 to July 2015 and as the Chief Executive Officer of Theracrine, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from June 2011 to August 2012. Mr. Kelly currently serves on the board of directors of Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL). Mr. Kelly received a B.S. from the University of Oregon and an M.B.A. from Cornell University.
John Hohneker, M.D., has served as a member of the Carisma board of directors since April 2024. Dr. Hohneker brings over 30 years of extensive experience in drug development and leadership across the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. He most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Anokion SA. Prior to this, he held the role of President of Research and Development at FORMA Therapeutics Inc. Before joining FORMA Therapeutics, Dr. Hohneker held roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis AG, including most recently as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Development, Immunology, and Dermatology.
Dr. Hohneker currently serves on the Board of Directors of Curis, Inc., Sonata Therapeutics, Inc., and Trishula Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Hohneker received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Gettysburg College and his M.D. from the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School).
Briggs Morrison, M.D., has served as a member of the Carisma board of directors since July 2020. Dr. Morrison has served as President, Head of Research and Development of Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, since February 2022; he was previously Chief Executive Officer of Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. from June 2015. Dr. Morrison currently serves on the boards of directors of Repare Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RPTX), Werewolf Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: HOWL), Arvinas, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARVN) and Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SNDX). Dr. Morrison received an M.D. from the University of Connecticut and a B.S. in Biology from Georgetown University.
Dr. Scadden is the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Professor of Medicine and Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. He founded and directs the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-founded and co-directs the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Scadden is Chairman Emeritus and Professor of the Harvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. He has received numerous honors and awards and has served on the board of scientific counselors for the National Cancer Institute, the board of external experts for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the board of directors of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and is an affiliate member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.
Dr. Scadden is a scientific founder of Fate Therapeutics, Inc., and Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc., and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Editas Medicine, Inc. Dr. Scadden received his bachelor’s degree in English from Bucknell University and his M.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.
Marella Thorell brings more than 25 years of extensive experience in finance and operations across both public and private biotech companies. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Seres Therapeutics. Prior to this, she held the role of Chief Financial Officer of Evelo Biosciences. Her prior roles include Chief Accounting Officer at Centessa Pharmaceuticals, Chief Financial Officer of Palladio Biosciences prior to its acquisition by Centessa, and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Realm Therapeutics. Before her time at Realm Therapeutics, Ms. Thorell held positions of increasing responsibility at Campbell Soup Company and Ernst & Young, LLP.
Ms. Thorell is a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of ESSA Pharmaceuticals and was previously Chair of the Board of Vallon Pharmaceuticals before its merger in 2023. Ms. Thorell received a bachelor’s degree in business from Lehigh University.
Michael Torok is the co-founder and managing director of JEC Capital Partners, LLC, an investment company with offices in the United States and Germany founded in 2008. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Integrated Dynamics Engineering Inc, a semiconductor equipment technology company that was acquired by Aalberts Industries. Earlier in his career, Mr. Torok served in various positions for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a multinational professional services network of firms. Mr. Torok currently serves on the board of directors of Liberated Syndication, Inc., a podcasting platform for creators and advertisers. He previously served on the board of directors of Photon Control Inc., which, prior to being acquired by MKS Instruments, Inc., designed and manufactured optical sensors and systems to measure temperature and position. In addition, he previously served on the board of Symbility Solutions Inc., which prior to being acquired by Corelogic, Inc, was a software company focused on the insurance industry. Mr. Torok received a B.S. in Finance and a Master in Finance from Boston College.