Kostas Alevizopoulos
Chief Executive Officer at APIM Therapeutics
Yverdon, Vaud
Overview
Work Experience
Chief Executive Officer
2010 - Current
APIM Therapeutics AS is a venture-capital financed biotechnology company founded on the basis of groundbreaking research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. The company is developing a first-in-class drug candidate, ATX-101, for several oncology indications. ATX-101 targets a novel, stress-related therapeutic intervention point focusing on PCNA, a major scaffold protein with disease-relevant involvement in cancer and inflammatory diseases. ATX-101 is currently in phase 2 clinical testing. Lead indications of interest include sarcoma, ovarian cancer and glioblastoma. Since February 2018, APIM Therapeutics operates an Australian subsidiary, Therapim Pty Ltd, mandated to perform clinical testing in the APAC region. My role as the CEO of APIM Therapeutics encompasses the role of Director & Secretary at Therapim.
Partner
2007
With offices across Europe, US and Asia and with a multi-disciplinary Partner team comprising ~20 partners, Ventac Partners is a global company builder and strategic consulting firm offering hands-on experience and skills required to drive innovative technology-based projects from the laboratory to the market in the field of Life Sciences. Over the last 20 years, Ventac Partners has experienced a steadily growing business with industry and academic institutions, and has founded, incorporated and exited several companies together with its partners and investors and consulted on hundreds of different early stage or advanced projects. A few portfolio company examples in which I was personally involved as a CxO/ Head/Advisor/Co-founder are provided below: - APIM Therapeutics, a Norwegian biotech company developing first-in class peptide drugs targeting PCNA for oncology and inflammatory conditions. - Coegin Pharma (formerly Avexxin), a Swedish company focused on the development of novel treatments against chronic inflammatory disorders and cancer as based on therapeutic targeting of the cPLA2 Group IVa enzyme. - Zestagen, a Swiss biotech company developing new therapeutic modalities against membrane hsp90 for oncology applications. - Pharmacellion, a UK biotech company developing novel small molecules targeting the Na+/K+ ATPase for various oncology indications. - Orbit Genomics, a US genomics company, focused on the detection, treatment and prevention of several diseases based on the analysis of short DNA repeat sequences found in germ line DNA called microsatellites. I am/was also actively engaged in multiple technology search & evaluation and M&A activities in various technological and product fields. These include projects derived from academic institutions, tech transfer offices, biotech & pharma companies or VC funds. Finally, I also participate in various Ventac Partners educational projects including IP & licensing courses and training.
Ventac Partners work to advance healthcare and biotechnology innovations and create the maximum value for inventors and investors.
Chief Scientific Advisor
2010
Gerolymatos International (GI) specializes in the development and commercialization of OTC, medical device and pharmaceutical products in more than 50 countries globally. These include a series of nasal medical devices based on GI's global brand, Sinomarin® and the cosmetic beauty care line, Foltene®. Within GI and throughout the years, I have served/am serving as the Scientific Lead driving development and commercialization of several Sinomarin® medical device families. I have also overseen development of a herbal pharmaceutical for launch in key EU countries. Finally, I have provided scientific advice on the development of cosmetic/hair loss products of the Foltene® line. Overall, I have been involved and/or advised the company on planning and execution of multiple clinical and preclinical studies (in the field of respiratory diseases e.g. URTIs, allergy and others), global registration, medical and scientific affairs. In addition to my roles above, I also serve as a technical/scientific expert evaluating novel product opportunities within the Gerolymatos group.
Strategic Advisor
2021
Exogenus is a biotech company developing exosome-based biologic products for diseases with a high unmet medical need, such as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. My current advisory role focuses on providing strategic input to the company and its management, being a member of their Advisory Board.
Head of Preclinical R&D
2012 - 2021
A Ventac Partners founded/portfolio company, Coegin Pharma (formerly Avexxin) is a biotech company developing small molecule inhibitors of the cPLA2 Group IVa enzyme, a key intracellular target involved in the propagation of inflammatory responses. Coegin Pharma focuses on dermatology indications (topical treatments, phase 2a completed), chronic kidney disease, and cancer (systemic treatments, preclinical). Within Coegin, my responsibilities related to managing out-sourced preclinical studies in the fields of dermal inflammatory diseases, fibrosis and cancer. I was also a key strategic advisor participating in multiple meetings and licensing discussions with pharma companies.
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board
2012 - 2016
A Ventac Partners founded/portfolio company, Zestagen was a Swiss oncology biotech company developing novel therapeutic antibodies against membrane hsp90. My role within the company focused on providing scientific advice and strategic input on its R&D programs. I was also a company co-founder and shareholder.
Director
2012 - 2016
A Ventac Partners founded/portfolio company, Pharmacellion focused on developing novel small molecules targeting the Na+/K+ ATPase for various oncology indications. My role within the company was to spearhead fund raising activities, manage operations and R&D activities of the company. I was also a company co-founder, shareholder and technology inventor.
Scientific Advisor
2015 - 2015
Foltene Laboratories Srl specializes in the development and commercialization of cosmetic products in the hair care, eyebrow, eyelash and nail categories. Foltene® products are currently being sold in more than 20 countries worldwide. Advising the company on various technological aspects, my main role focused on the development of improved Foltene® products for various uses.
Industry Consultant
2011 - 2015
DETEP-PRAXI was a 4-year collaborative project between the private and public sector in Greece aiming to boost future technology innovation. In this project, I was the leading industry expert responsible to map and analyze key sectors & companies of excellence within the Greek biomedical industry (among other sectors).
Vice President & Board Member
2007 - 2014
The Hellenic Bio Cluster (HBio) is a coalition of Greek Life Sciences companies, encompassing corporate players in the sectors of Biotechnology, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Services. HBio aims to promote the Greek Life Science business sector and facilitate business & research collaborations between Greek and foreign companies and research groups. My role within HBIO was to promote activities of affiliate companies, lobbying, generation of position documents and others.