Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutics are becoming more and more popular as evidenced by the recent increase in market approvals and high value partnering transactions. ASOs fill the innovative gap left by more traditional approaches. Recognizing this is what motivated us to develop our 3rd generation antisense platform LNAplus™. Focusing on proof-of-concept, we concentrate on targets that are considered as undruggable by conventional approaches or where we believe that Secarna’s LNAplus™-based ASOs have the potential to demonstrate superior safety and efficacy over other modalities.
For further proof-of-concept, we have established a successful partnership model complementing our molecule design and selection process. In the past, we have engaged in collaborations with internationally renowned centers of excellence across both academia and industry.
Our leadership team consists of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry experts who are recognized for their contributions in the development of novel antisense therapies and bringing new, safe and efficacious treatments to patients.
Before joining Secarna as CEO in December 2020, Alexander was CEO and Chairman at Omeicos Ophthalmics Inc, Cambridge, MD, US and served as CDO and Managing Director in the Berlin, Germany based sister company Omeicos Therapeutics GmbH.
During the last 15 years of his more than 25 years in the industry, Alexander held C-level positions at leading global companies as Sun Pharmaceuticals and Merz Pharmaceuticals. Alexander is also co-founder and Executive Chairman of US-based Galimedix Therapeutics. Alexander studied medicine at Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany where he gained his doctor´s degree in experimental pharmacology. He also holds a degree in computer science and lectures pharmacoeconomics.
Jonas co-founded Secarna in 2015 and is the company’s Managing Director.
After graduating from Oxford University, Jonas joined Goldman Sachs’ Principal Investment Area, where he worked on a number of private equity transactions for the Goldman Sachs Capital Partners family of funds. Before working at Secarna, he founded an investment management company in Berlin and served as Managing Director for sterna biologicals.
Additionally, he worked for Och-Ziff Capital Management, where his responsibilities included special situations and equity long/short investments. Jonas holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University.
Before joining Secarna as Managing Director in January 2018, Christian held senior management positions at SkyePharma, Vectura and Nektar Therapeutics.
He also served as Chief Business Officer for Activaero, a German-American respiratory company, where he helped grow their commercial functions and played an instrumental role in the company’s trade sale in 2014.
Christian worked as an adjunct professor at Webster University in Vienna, Austria, where he gave lectures on Marketing Strategy & Execution. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in International Business from Webster University.
Frank joined Secarna in 2015 as its Chief Scientific Officer. He is an expert in discovery and development of antisense oligonucleotides.
Frank’s therapeutic expertise is rooted in the fields of oncology and metabolic diseases. He has profound knowledge in conceptualizing, developing and evaluating ASO-based, targeted therapies, playing a central role in establishing new, high value ASO pipelines in the course of his career. Before joining Secarna, Frank worked in scientific leadership positions at Antisense Pharma/Isarna Therapeutics and The Genetics Company.
Frank is an active contributor to the international scientific and biopharmaceutical discovery and development community and his and his team’s work is recognized at international conferences and in major peer-reviewed publications.
At Secarna, we enjoy a modern corporate culture and foster an open-minded, diverse and creative work environment in which we like to see our team to contribute and thrive. Together, we work towards our mission to discover and develop the next generation antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics.
We always welcome new ideas, fresh perspectives and look forward to connecting with exceptional scientific talents with a strong entrepreneurial spirit inspired by our company’s mission to discover and develop the next generation antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics.
Please send us an application along with your CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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