Stefan K. Pflanz

Background

About Stefan K. Pflanz

Profile Innovation-oriented immunologist with twenty years of combined experience as scientist, manager, and manager’s manager in the international pharmaceutical industry, USA and Europe*. Since 2020 Investment Manager and Board Member representing Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund USA and focusing on early-stage investment opportunities in Pharma/Biotech, including company formation. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area.*Expertise with design and implementation of cross-site and cross-functional research strategy, successful discovery research portfolio build-up and portfolio management. Versatility with IND-enabling pre-clinical proof-of-concept studies for disease settings of chronic infections, inflammatory conditions, fibrosis, as well as immuno-oncology space. Comfort with large “systems biology” data sets and with heading multi-site cross-functional teams. Successful support of clinical trials including definition of relevant biomarkers, patient (sub)populations, and exploratory endpoints; understanding of regulatory requirements. Well acquainted with evaluation of in-licensing opportunities. Distinguishing competencies include: Deep understanding of immune-regulatory molecular and cellular networks, and their impact on compromised tissue homeostasis in various disease settings. Combining scientific curiosity and rigor with critical path knowledge of pre-clinical and clinical drug development keys for both biologics and small molecules. Strategic planning of future research focus, as well as implementation and execution of strategy within highly matrixed multi-site research organization. Actively fostering a challenging and rewarding work environment, encouraging individual initiative and disciplined risk approaches, providing coaching and support, acknowledging success of teams and individuals. Identifying, establishing and executing collaboration opportunities with key external partners, both academia and CRO. Specialties: Cytokine Biology, Immune-regulation, Molecular and Cellular Immunology.