Gary Brandam is a biotech entrepreneur and experienced C-level biotech executive with over 15 years of experience in drug development, product launch, corporate strategy, and startup company build-up in the areas of oncology, rare diseases, and gene therapies. In addition to his role as COO of Landmark BioVentures AG, he also serves as advisor to each of LBV Nexus companies and CEO of both Elikya Therapeutics and Massalia Therapeutics.

Previously, he was a manager at Blue Matter Consulting (2015-2023) where he advised several global pharmaceutical companies launching their oncology and/or rare disease products in the US, Europe, and other markets worldwide. Mr. Brandam served as project lead within Avicenna Oncology GmbH, an Antibody Drug Conjugate start-up located in Basel (2015-2017).

Mr. Brandam earned an MS in Biotechnology Engineering from the National School of Biotechnology in Bordeaux, France (2011).

Ahmad holds a Master’s degree in Immunology and a PhD in Immuno-Oncology from Aix-Marseille University. He is the author of 14 publications and inventor on 1 patent.

During his academic research, Ahmad was actively involved in the development of the antibodies that led to the founding of Massalia Therapeutics. Driven by a desire to translate his research into clinical applications, he chose to embark on the entrepreneurial journey by becoming the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Massalia.

Thanks to the support of Massalia’s co-founders, Ahmad is progressively acquiring the skills and experience necessary to fully assume his role.

Research Director at INSERM, Marcel leads one of the eight teams at C2VN titled “New Endothelial Molecular Targets” at Aix-Marseille University, Cardiovascular and Nutrition Research Center, INSERM 1263, INRAE 1260, France. He is a member of the center’s management committee and serves as deputy director for industrial relations and innovation valorization. Marcel is a specialist in angiogenesis, fibrosis, and oncology. He is the originator of the discovery of receptors, cellular targets, and the pleiotropic effects of the SANF molecule, as well as the development of humanized antibodies to target it. He is the author of over 112 publications and holds 8 patents. He has secured numerous R&D contracts with industry, including 2 that have been licensed. He serves on the editorial board of various international scientific journals and is the founder of the start-up Massalia Therapeutics.

Nathalie is a University Professor and Hospital Practitioner (PU-PH) in Immunology at Aix-Marseille University, based at La Timone Hospital, AP-HM. She is a member of Dr. Marcel Blo-Chabaud’s team at the C2VN. At the hospital, Nathalie has served as head of the Immunology Laboratory since 2022. Her area of expertise is particularly focused on autoimmunity, where she has pioneered the development of new biomarkers that have been implemented in routine clinical practice.

She is a member of the Clinical Research and Innovation Department (DRS) at AP-HM and also serves on the Interregional Scientific Council (GIRCI PACA). At the university level, in addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is part of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Aix-Marseille University.

In her academic research, she has worked for 30 years on the CD146 molecule, demonstrating its presence on the endothelial side, whereas it had previously only been described on metastatic melanoma. Her research focuses on identifying the role of CD146 in systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, particularly its involvement in the fibrosis process. She has developed murine models of cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis in the lab for this purpose.

Zaki Sellam is an experienced C-level biotech executive, with over two decades of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology drug discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, biotech startups, and fostering strategic alliances between prominent pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. Mr. Sellam has raised approximately $100 million in equity financing in this sector. In addition to his role as CEO of Landmark BioVentures AG, he also serves as Executive Chairman to each of LBV Nexus companies.

Previously, Mr. Sellam was Founder and CEO of Avicenna Oncology GmbH, an Antibody Drug Conjugate start up located in Basel (2014-2019). Mr. Sellam also advises start-up companies, (including Iome Bio, Harvard spin off), Tech Transfer Accelerators and pharma companies (including OM Pharma) through his strategic consulting firm ESN Life Sciences GmbH (2011-present).

Mr. Sellam earned an MS in Biotechnology Engineering from the National School of Biotechnology in Bordeaux, France (2002) and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration in Poitiers, France (2007).

Maeva Dufies is C-level biotech executive, with over fifteen years of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology/ophtalmology research, drug discovery and translational medicine. Dr. Dufies is the Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Operating Officer & Co-founder of Roca Therapeutics.

During her research at the CNRS, she published 55 articles, 16 as 1st author, 6 as last author (h-index = 27, 1 934 citations), filing of 10 patents, Participated in ancillary studies of 6 clinical trials and won numerous awards including the Chercheur/Espoir category price of the SATT Sud-Est, ARTuR Prize, Michel Hery Prize, Pasteur Mutualité Group Price.

Dr. Dufies obtained her biology doctorate (2012) and her habilitation to direct research (HDR 2019) at the University of Nice. Her aim is to bring his research to life and to patients, in the hope of providing them with new therapeutic options, she has taken a number of training courses on entrepreneurship and business.

Gilles has received several awards, including the Pink Ribbon Award, the Prince Albert I Prize (from the National Academy of Medicine of Monaco), and the Amgen Innovation Prize. From 2016 to 2021, he was an elected member of INSERM’s national scientific committee dedicated to cancer and genetic diseases (CSS2), and he was recently elected to INSERM’s Scientific Council.

He is Honorary President of the French Society for Angiogenesis, which he chaired for four years, and has served on the board of the European Vascular Biology Organization.

Gilles has published 170 scientific articles, holds an h-index of 60, and has filed 10 patents. He has also participated in three clinical trials. Between 2016 and 2021, his team published 61 articles, which have been cited over 600 times.

His team’s work has led to the creation of two start-ups Roca Therapeutics and Kekkan Biologics.

Dr. Japar Shamshiev is a biotechnology R&D executive with over 16 years of experience in the development of antibody therapeutics, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapies for immuno-oncology, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. He has held leadership roles at IOME Bio, Cell Medica, and Delenex Therapeutics, contributing to the discovery and advancement of novel biologics from early research through IND-enabling studies.

As Chief Scientific Officer at IOME Bio (2021–2024), he led the company’s scientific strategy, advancing bispecific antibody programs and securing patents for new therapeutic approaches. Previously, as Vice President of Research at Cell Medica, he oversaw the development of CAR-T therapies, advancing several candidates through preclinical development. At Delenex Therapeutics, he led monoclonal antibody discovery efforts, contributing to multiple patents and regulatory submissions.

Dr. Shamshiev is the author of more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals and is the inventor on several patents related to therapeutic antibodies and CAR-T cell engineering. He holds a PhD in Biological Sciences and a medical doctorate equivalent in Medical Biophysics.

He currently provides strategic consulting services to biotechnology companies, leveraging his expertise in R&D leadership and drug development strategy.