Maria Grunwald Email & Phone Number

Inipharm is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing therapies for severe liver diseases. Inipharm's lead program is focused on the highly validated, genetically-defined target, HSD17B13. There is extensive, consistent evidence that genetic variants in expression of HSD17B13 are associated with significantly lower rates and severity of multiple liver diseases. Building on these novel insights into the biologic activity of HSD17B13, Inipharm is advancing a pipeline of small-molecule therapies that target the activity of this protein.

Castroville, California, Us

BRC’s mission is to address unmet medical needs using innovative cannabinoid therapeutics — safely and effectively. We have full DEA compliance for botanically derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids).

Hamilton, Bm

Altamira Therapeutics is dedicated to developing RNA-based therapeutics for extrahepatic targets.

Switzerland, Ch

We are a fast-growing, Swiss-based pharmaceutical group focused on providing market access and specialty distribution services through a unique infrastructure and geographical footprint. We aim to give patients easier access to both licensed and unlicensed medicines.

Brain disorders remain the biggest challenge at human frontiers. We are building and employing a Deep Machine Learning Platform "Darwin" to discover therapeutic nodes in existing genetic and biochemical data sets. We are rethinking medicine using deep machine learning strategies.

Boston, Massachusetts, Us

Zepteon, Inc. is a privately held corporation that has developed first-in-class chromatography resins capable of separating antibodies and Fc-fusions with specific glycoforms that can more potently combat infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmunity and rare diseases.

Functioned as Head of BD, fractional CXO, strategic or business advisor for life sciences companies. Drove strategic partnering and negotiated transactions. Developed and executed financing and growth strategy.• BYOMass (metabolic, cancer Tx; Head of BD; 2023-2024); Paramount BioPharma (cancer Tx; CEO; 2023); Riparian Pharmaceuticals (cardiovascular Tx; 2022-2023); KernalBio (mRNA Tx; CBO; 2021-2022), AstraDx (machine vision Dx; 2021-2022), Avilar Therapeutics (targeted protein degradation; 2020-2022), Travera (cancer Dx; 2020), QurAlis (ALS therapeutics; 2017-2021), Genevant (RNA drug delivery; Head of BD; 2019-2020), EnClear Therapies (CNS drug delivery; 2018-2020), Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (RNAi therapeutics; 2015, 2016-2019), Albireo Pharmaceuticals (orphan disease therapeutics; 2018-2019), Q-State BioSciences (CNS drug discovery; 2015-2017), Phosphorex (drug delivery; 2015-2017; 2022): Initiated, negotiated and closed licensing and other strategic partnerships. Supported financing. Defined corporate strategy.• IsoPlexis (multiplex Dx; Head of BD; 2015-2016), Windgap Medical (epinephrine autoinjector; 2014-2016) and SQZ Biotech (drug delivery; 2014-2015): Negotiated collaborative and license agreements. Advised on additional transactions.• Juniper Pharmaceuticals (formerly, Columbia Laboratories, specialty pharma; 2014-2015): Spearheaded new product development function. Developed 505b2 asset strategy. Helped negotiate transaction.• AesRx (orphan disease therapeutics; Business Advisor, 2012-2014): Supported CEO in progressing acquisition by Baxter. Achieved competitive financing. • Harvard University Office of Technology Development (Director, Business Development, 2012): Prioritized portfolio of licensing opportunities and commenced agreement negotiations.

Boston, Ma, Us

Functioned in broad role across multiple disciplines, including partnering and operations.• Identified 3M’s transdermal delivery technology for Radius’ osteoporosis compound and negotiated feasibility, development and clinical supplies agreements with 3M Drug Delivery. Asset advanced to Phase 2 clinical studies.• Accelerated clinical development of Phase 2 and 3 compounds by closing transactions with vendors and suppliers. Served as business point person on alliances.• Recommended partners and estimated deal sizes for clinical-stage compounds. Helped complete >$500 million option licensing agreement in osteoporosis with Novartis. Structured and negotiated material transfer and collaboration agreements to explore new therapeutic indications and delivery options.

Supported companies in licensing, commercial strategy, fundraising and competitive positioning in the US and abroad.• Large Japanese pharmaceutical company: Identified licensees for platform technology.• Assay CRO and drug developer: Identified deal comparables and assigned optimal timing to license clinical-stage compound. Recommended deal structures for board approval.• Predictive Biosciences: Provided strategic analyses regarding the company's diagnostic tests.

Burlington, Ma, Us

Identified licensing opportunities and negotiated agreements with Biotechs and universities. Managed alliances.• Negotiated in-licensing and co-development agreements in the areas of oncology, pulmonary and inflammatory diseases, thereby broadening pipeline and disease focus. Functioned as joint steering committee member on alliances.• Created new process to identify, evaluate and integrate therapeutic approaches to expand pipeline.• Recommended assets for clinical development based on commercial feasibility assessments.

Lower Hutt, Nz

Created out-licensing strategy and market forecast for antibody-drug-conjugates in cancer, including funding needs. Recommended business model for a new division.

Supported commercialization of a medical device for pain treatment. Wrote business plan, created investor presentations and drafted operating plan. Materials used to build business and attract funding.

Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Neuron and Neuropharnacology. Attended meetings of the Society for Neuroscience and Gordon Research Conferences.

Mba, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Strategy

Ph.D., Neuroscience

B.S./M.S., Biochemistry