MICHAEL J. COMB
FOUNDER AND CEO
Dr. Comb is a successful scientist and entrepreneur who founded Cell Signaling Technology, a company dedicated to the creation of research and diagnostic antibodies essential for cancer research. Michael envisioned a new antibody company, Bluefin Biomedicine, that leverages cutting edge technologies and expertise in antigen discovery, antibody technology and cancer biology to bring much needed antibody-based therapies to the cancer patient community. He started his career as Director of the Molecular Neurobiology Lab at Mass General Hospital and Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Comb’s lab was interested in understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. To address these biological questions, Dr. Comb recognized the need to assay intracellular signaling pathways and created the first phospho-specific antibodies (pAKT, pMAPK). Developing innovative technology to provide insight into disease mechanisms is Michael’s passion. At CST, Michael’s research efforts have focused on building antibody technologies and technologies to profile signaling pathways driving cancer. Dr. Comb has published over 60 peer-reviewed publications and is the inventor on numerous patents and patent applications. Dr. Comb holds a BS in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Oregon.
SCOTT LONNING
HEAD OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Lonning has over 16 years drug discovery and development experience. During his tenure at Genzyme, and later Sanofi; he led diverse programs in immunotherapy, pathologic fibrosis, and oncology and served as the Oncology Research Area Head where he was responsible for the research and early development of a portfolio of small molecule and biologic therapeutic candidates. He successfully advanced Genzyme’s first antibody program, an anti-TGFb antagonist, into multiple early clinical studies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, focal segmental sclerosis, renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
More recently, Dr. Lonning served as Vice President, Target Discovery and Validation at Cell Signaling Technology where he managed a multi-disciplinary team devoted to the development of a portfolio of oncology targets and therapeutic antibody candidates for internal development, out-licensing, and co-development activities. He has co-authored over 40 scientific publications, has been named co-inventor on multiple patents, and has been invited to speak at scientific meetings around the world. He received his DVM from the University of California, Davis and comparative anatomic pathology training and PhD from Washington State University.
Alain H. Curaudeau
Head of Business Development
Alain Curaudeau has 30-years of international experience in the United States, Canada and Europe, including more than 15 years in leadership positions in large pharmaceutical organizations (Sanofi) and biotechnology companies (QLT Inc.). He held senior roles in a diverse array of activities including corporate and portfolio management, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, in/out-licensing, drug development and alliance management. Recently, as the Head of Oncology Strategy and Portfolio management, at Sanofi, he oversaw activities related to business development (search and evaluation) and alliance management. Alain has held key roles in the development of several drugs including Taxotere, Visudyne and Lovenox, heading the Lovenox Development Unit.
Alain is a graduate of the University of Paris XI (Docteur en Pharmacie) and is certified in toxicology and pharmacokinetics from the same university, as well as in toxicological pathology from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse. Alain has also trained at the Wharton School of Business (executive development program; finance).