Deborah Rathjen, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Professional Overview
Deborah Rathjen is an accomplished life sciences executive with extensive experience driving innovation and commercial success in the biotech industry. As the Chief Executive Officer of Carina Biotech and Executive Chair of Bioasis Technologies, Inc., she leverages her deep technical expertise and strategic leadership to advance groundbreaking therapeutics and accelerate biomedical research.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Chief Executive Officer, Carina Biotech (2020 - Present)
- Provides visionary leadership to guide Carina Biotech's development of novel cell and gene therapies for cancer and rare diseases
- Oversees all aspects of the company's operations, including research, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and commercial strategy
- Secures strategic partnerships and funding to support the advancement of Carina Biotech's innovative pipeline
Executive Chair, Bioasis Technologies, Inc. (2018 - Present)
- Leverages extensive industry expertise to drive the commercialization of Bioasis' proprietary xB3 platform for targeted delivery of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier
- Collaborates with the executive team to shape the company's long-term vision and oversee the execution of key initiatives
- Represents Bioasis in high-level industry engagements and promotes the company's capabilities to potential partners and investors
Career Progression
Prior to her current roles, Dr. Rathjen served as the President and CEO of Prestwick Chemical PC SAS, where she led the company's expansion into new markets and drove the development of innovative drug delivery solutions. She has also held leadership positions on the Australian Medical Research Future Fund Advisory Board and the Biomedical Translation Fund, contributing her expertise to shape the country's biomedical research and commercialization landscape.
Academic Background
Dr. Rathjen holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Adelaide, with a focus on the development of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic applications. Her academic achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Areas of Expertise
- Biopharmaceutical development and commercialization
- Targeted drug delivery and therapeutic platforms
- Oncology and rare disease research and treatment
- Strategic partnerships and business development
- Regulatory affairs and clinical trial management
- Biotech industry leadership and governance
Professional Impact
Under Dr. Rathjen's guidance, Carina Biotech has made significant strides in advancing its pipeline of novel cell and gene therapies, securing strategic collaborations and funding to accelerate the translation of its technologies. At Bioasis, she has been instrumental in driving the commercialization of the company's proprietary xB3 platform, positioning it as a leading solution for targeted drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.
Conclusion
With her proven track record of success, deep technical expertise, and strategic leadership, Deborah Rathjen is a highly respected figure in the biotech industry. In her current roles, she continues to drive innovation, foster strategic partnerships, and champion the development of transformative therapies that have the potential to improve the lives of patients worldwide.