Rentschler Biopharma, a biopharmaceuticals CDMO, has announced the appointment of Dr Christian Schetter, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer, where he will be responsible for process technology, effective 15 September 2021. He will work with a team of scientists to promote the company's technological and scientific leadership in process development.
With more than 30 years of experience in biotechnological science and in the life sciences industry as well as in various executive and supervisory board functions, Schetter has a track record across the biopharmaceutical value chain.
Prof Nikolaus F Rentschler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rentschler Biopharma, said: “I am delighted that Dr. Schetter has joined Rentschler Biopharma as our new Chief Scientific Officer. Our goal at Rentschler is to create lasting benefits. By continuously advancing our knowledge in the development and production of essential biopharmaceuticals, we are contributing to improving the health and quality of life of seriously ill people. A pioneering spirit, innovation and the power of science have always played a pivotal role for us. Dr Schetter has an impressive track record in both, the scientific and strategic development of companies, and therefore ideally complements our management team.”
“With Dr Christian Schetter, we are not only gaining an excellent scientist, but also a very experienced leader and strategic innovator. It is with great pleasure that I welcome him as our new CSO,” commented Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma. “Dr Schetter, our CFO Alexander Dettmer and I have already successfully implemented joint projects across companies in the past. We have great trust and appreciation for one another and are looking forward to continuing this long-standing relationship. Together with a strong leadership team, we will implement our ‘Strategy 2025’ – and beyond – and continue to position our company at the forefront of innovation and technology.”
Schetter added: “Rentschler Biopharma is known to deliver very high quality based on solid science. I am extremely pleased to broaden this scientific focus and innovation in a targeted way to remain the ‘partner-of-choice’ for established as well as novel biopharmaceutical development and production. Over the last 30 years, I have seen many exciting approaches in biotechnology and have been actively involved in drug development, from very early discovery to commercialisation and in-house production. Far too often, it turns out that the development of new drugs is only successful if CMC* is adequately addressed from the very beginning. We will take even greater account of this aspect. I very much look forward to working with our experienced team and strategically expand the offering for our Rentschler Biopharma clients.”
Prior to joining Rentschler Biopharma, Schetter was MD at Arix Bioscience, UK, responsible for investment decisions as well as scientific evaluations and also served in support functions for portfolio companies. As CEO of Rigontec (now MSD/Merck USA), he was responsible for the acquisition by MSD and continued to serve as CEO of Rigontec, an MSD Company, after transaction's closing. Previously, he was President & CEO for Fresenius Biotech (now Neovii Biotech) and Senior VP as well as MD of Coley Pharmaceutical Group (now Pfizer). Dr. Schetter is also non-executive Chair of STipe Therapeutics, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eternygen and Independent Board Member of OMEICOS Therapeutics. Schetter has held several scientific positions, including at Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, and as Senior Research Associate at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.
