Matt Holdren, Ph.D. - Vice President, Toxicology
Professional Overview
Matt Holdren is an accomplished toxicology and preclinical development executive with over a decade of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. As the Vice President of Toxicology at Septerna, he oversees the company's nonclinical safety assessment programs, ensuring the development of safe and effective therapies.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Vice President of Toxicology at Septerna, Dr. Holdren is responsible for leading the company's toxicology and safety assessment efforts. He manages a team of toxicologists and oversees the design, execution, and interpretation of nonclinical studies to support the advancement of Septerna's drug candidates. Under his leadership, the toxicology team has successfully navigated multiple IND filings and contributed to the advancement of Septerna's pipeline.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Septerna, Dr. Holdren held senior roles at other leading biotechnology companies. As the Vice President of Nonclinical Development at Lycia Therapeutics, he guided the company's preclinical development strategy and played a key role in securing IND approval for the company's lead candidate. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Preclinical Development at Tenaya Therapeutics, where he led the design and implementation of nonclinical studies that supported the company's cardiovascular programs.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Holdren was a Toxicologist, Project Team Lead, and Senior Director of Safety Assessment at Genentech, where he contributed to the development of multiple approved therapies. He also worked as a Senior Research Investigator in Drug Safety Evaluation at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he gained valuable experience in the design and execution of nonclinical studies.
Academic Background
Dr. Holdren holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of California, San Francisco, where he specialized in the evaluation of drug-induced organ toxicity. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Areas of Expertise
- Toxicology and nonclinical safety assessment
- Preclinical development strategy and execution
- IND-enabling study design and interpretation
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
- Regulatory strategy and interactions with health authorities
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Dr. Holdren has made significant contributions to the development of novel therapeutics. His expertise in toxicology and nonclinical development has been instrumental in the successful advancement of multiple drug candidates, including those that have received regulatory approval. He is widely recognized as a thought leader in the field of toxicology and is actively involved in industry associations and conferences.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience, proven track record, and deep expertise in toxicology and preclinical development, Dr. Matt Holdren is a valuable asset to Septerna and the broader biopharmaceutical industry. His leadership and strategic vision continue to drive the advancement of safe and effective therapies for patients in need.
