ABOUT US
About MUVON
Therapeutics
MUVON Therapeutics is a clinical stage Life Science Spin-off from the University of Zurich developing a novel therapy platform for the regeneration of skeletal muscle tissue based on autologous cells. We aim to provide safe, effective and affordable treatments to millions of patients suffering from seriously debilitating diseases by not only repairing damaged tissue but also increase the regenerative potential of weakened muscles. Our initial area of focus is the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women, supporting them respectfully throughout their journey to a healthy life.
THE HISTORY
The research behind our technology began over 12 years ago in the laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of the University of Zurich. Following the completion of preclinical Proof of Concept studies demonstrating the efficacy and safety of our therapy for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in 2015, an international consortium led by the University of Zurich was established with the goal of transferring these results from the lab to the clinic. This project was given the acronym MUS.I.C. www.music2020.ch and is completely funded through a H2020 grant from the European Union. Having completed all necessary documentation and the GMP validation of the production process, the first in-human trial using our novel therapeutic approach began in January 2020 at the University Hospital of Zurich and was completed successfully in September 2021.
To ensure that this promising therapy and technology is developed further clinically as well as commercially and made available to the millions of patients in need, we decided to intensify our efforts and found a startup. Thus, MUVON Therapeutics was born.
MUVON is currently being accelerated by the Wyss Zurich Translational Center, which enabled the setup and initation of a phase II clinical trial.
MANAGEMENT
Deana Mohr, PhD
CEO & Co-Founder
Deana has been central to the development of MUVON from the very beginning. The results of her PhD thesis were the final step before the authorization of the muscle tissue-engineering... more
Jenny Prange, PhD
CTO & Co-Founder
Jenny joined the MUS.I.C. project in February 2017 and was responsible for the setup of the GMP-compliant production of muscle precursor cells as well as management of the production team... more
Steve Kappenthuler, PhD
CBO & Co-Founder
Steve joined the team in 2019 during the last year of his PhD and since March 2020 is fully committed to the growth of MUVON.With his interdisciplinary background in science and economics... more
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION
Yvonne Neldner, Dipl. Ing.
GMP & R&D Technician
Yvonne joined MUVON in October 2021 to support the production and R&D team. After finishing her studies in Biotechnology at the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences she gained experience in basic research.... more
Natalie Hensky, MSc
GMP & R&D Technician
Natalie joined the MUS.I.C. project as a GMP production operator in October 2020 and is now a core member of the MUVON production team. Additionally, ... more
Nicolas Steinke, MSc
GMP & R&D Technician
Nicolas joined the team as a GMP Production operator in September 2019. He has since helped finalize the GMP-compliant process and is a core member of the production team. Furthermore, ... more
Laura Ferreiro, MSc
GMP & R&D Technician
Laura joined in December 2021 as a member of MUVON’s production team, and also participates in the R&D projects needed for MUVON’s growth. Laura obtained her Master’s degree in Biochemistry... more
Beatrix Rauch, MAS MTEC
Innovation Manager
Beatrix joined the team in the beginning of 2021. With her broad work experience in many R&D labs internationally and her interdisciplinary background... more
REGULATORY & QUALITY AFFAIRS
Milena Brankov, MSc, MBA
Regulatory Affairs
Milena joined the team as an external consultant in July 2021 to lead the regulatory work related to Muvon’s innovative products and technologies. Milena has a strong scientific and business background... more
Ivan Maggio, Dipl. Ing.
Quality Director
Ivan joined MUVON in October 2022 to support the team in quality affairs. After moving to Switzerland in 2001, he started working in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry,... more
Rita Pettinello, PhD
Quality Manager
Rita joined MUVON in March 2022. After completing her BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Lausanne, she continued her studies at the university of Aberdeen, where she completed her PhD... more
Heike Herbert
Executive Assistant & Regulatory/Quality Affairs Associate
Heike joined MUVON in February 2023. She is supporting the team in her double role as Executive Assistant and RA & QA Associate. She has worked 12 years in several Medical Device companies and...more
CLINICAL TRIAL MANAGEMENT & MEDICAL AFFAIRS
Markus Veit
Study Coordinator
Markus joined the Team in April 2021 towards the end of the MUS.I.C. project and is responsible for the coordination between the GMP team and the hospital team. For this he could rely both on his experience form being a trained nurse... more
John Coelho
Medical Affairs
John joined MUVON in June 2022 to support the team in medical affairs. John’s career has focused on enterprise medical strategy for global diversified pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies ... more
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Jäggi
Chairman
Chris holds a Bachelor's degree of Science and a Master's degree in Business Administration. He supports the team with his extensive experience in the areas of strategy, market analytics, ... more
Jonathan Grahm
Jonathan studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and holds a Master’s degree in Marketing, Services & Communications Management. He is currently CMO ... more
Deana Mohr, PhD
Deana has been central to the development of MUVON from the very beginning. The results of her PhD thesis were the final step before the authorization of the muscle tissue-engineering... more
Branimir Brankov
Branimir Brankov is a Pharma industry leader, a Medical Doctor with 30+ years of Pharmaceutical industry experience. His experience includes... establishing and turning around business in multiple therapies ... more
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Prof. Stergios Doumouchtsis,
MD PhD
Prof. Stergios Doumouchtsis is currently a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and subspecialist Urogynaecologist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust... more
Christine Günther, MD PhD
Christine Günther has more than 30 years of experience developing cell therapies from bench to bedside including more than 12 yrs experience as CEO and Medical Director of Munich-based Biotech apceth (now Minaris)... more
Prof. Grannum R. Sant,
MA, MB BCh BAO (Hons), MD, FRCS, FACS
Grannum is Professor and former Chair of Urology and Urology Residency Program Director at Tufts University School of Medicine. He graduated MB, BCh, BAO (Hons.) and M.D. (by thesis) from... more
Prof. Christopher R. Chapple,
BSc MBBS MD FRCS (Urol) FEBU DHC
Christopher Chapple is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Honorary Professor at University of Sheffield and Visiting Professor at Sheffield Hallam University. He is particularly interested in... more
Prof. Daniel Eberli, MD PhD
Prof. Daniel Eberli, MD, PhD, is Senior Attending Physician at the Department of Urology (University Hospital Zurich) since 2011. He founded the Laboratory for Stem Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering (2008) ... more
Cornelia Betschart, PD Dr. med
PD Dr. med. Cornelia Betschart Meier, MD completed her specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2006. For her subspecialty training in Urogynecology she did a Research Fellowship from 2011-2013 ... more
