Our Team

At T-Cypher Bio, we share a commitment to making a difference for patients by making innovative drugs with curative potential. Working with passion towards our goals unites us.

Our team spans geographies and comprises young scientists with incredible talent to senior drug developers with a track record of developing successful biotech companies.

Sarah Leonard
Sarah Leonard
Interim CEO

Sarah Leonard, Interim CEO

Sarah is an experienced immunotherapy scientist with a strong track record of advancing novel T cell therapies and platforms from concept to the clinic. Prior to helping establish T-Cypher Bio, she was a Scientist in Residence at Oxford Science Enterprises, creating new life science ventures. Previously, she led teams at Immunocore developing donor-unrestricted T cell engager therapeutics and contributed to the advancement of TCR-based bispecific therapies into clinical trials. Earlier in her career, she held a Translational Research fellowship with Ovacome and worked with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, delivering a drug combination into clinical trials for paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia.

Rebecca Ashfield
Rebecca Ashfield
Chief Development Officer

Rebecca Ashfield, Chief Development Officer

Rebecca joined T-Cypher in 2024, bringing extensive experience in translational immunotherapy. She co-founded and served as CSO of Ducentis Biotherapeutics, developing a CD200 receptor agonist for autoimmunity before its acquisition by Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Prior to this, Rebecca managed vaccine development projects at the University of Oxford, focusing on novel vaccine approaches for malaria. She spent 12 years at Immunocore, leading target discovery activities, and has consulted for several Biotech companies and investment funds in the immunotherapy arena.

Mark Lees
Mark Lees
Vice President Corporate Development

Mark Lees, Vice President Corporate Development

Mark helped to establish T-Cypher and brings a proven record of driving strategic growth and innovation in biotechnology. At Mestag Therapeutics, he served as VP Strategy and Operations, where he was instrumental in securing major financing rounds and forging high-value collaborative partnerships. Previously, as VP of Strategy and Operations at F-star Therapeutics, Mark played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s cutting-edge bispecific antibody platform. Earlier in his career, he led executive operations at Immunocore, directly supporting the CEO and broader leadership team in spearheading strategic projects to advance the company’s pioneering soluble TCR technology. Mark holds a Masters in Biochemistry and an MBA from the University of Oxford, as well as a PhD in Genetics & Immunology from Imperial College London.

Nathaniel Davies
Nathaniel Davies
Vice President Computational Biology

Nathaniel Davies, Vice President Computational Biology

Nathaniel helped to establish T-Cypher and leads the Computational Biology group, bringing deep expertise in TCR therapeutics and data-driven drug discovery. He previously directed computational R&D initiatives at Immunocore and built the early-stage computational biology function at Nucleome Therapeutics. He holds a PhD in Genetics and an MSci in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Birmingham, studying the immune evasion mechanisms in pancreatic cancer. With a strong foundation across both computational and biological sciences, Nathaniel is driven by a cross-disciplinary approach to enable breakthrough innovations in immunotherapy.

Joannes Oates
Joanne Oates
Senior Director IP

Joanne Oates, Senior Director IP

Jo joined T‑Cypher in 2025 and brings extensive expertise in intellectual property management for TCR-based therapies and T cell engagers. She previously spent 13 years at Immunocore, where she was instrumental in shaping IP strategy and oversaw a broad patent portfolio supporting multiple financing rounds including an IPO, as well as the launch of KIMMTRAK® (tebentafusp), the first bispecific T cell engager approved by the FDA to treat a solid tumour. In addition to her IP leadership, Jo contributed to a number of scientific publications and business development initiatives. Earlier in her career, she held postdoctoral positions at the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick. Jo holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Warwick.

Thomas Lars Andresen
Thomas Lars Andresen
Founding CEO / Advisor

Thomas Lars Andresen, Founding CEO / Advisor

Thomas is a seasoned executive and serial founder in multiple therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology and cellular therapies. Thomas was the founding CEO of T-Cypher and is currently the CEO of Commit Biologics ApS. He also served as Chief Scientific Officer of Torque Therapeutics (now Repertoire Immune Medicines) in Boston. He has guided multiple immunotherapy programs from discovery through clinical development. Thomas has founded several clinical and market stage life science companies, including Repertoire Immune Medicines, Nanovi (acquired by CQ Medical), Precision Antibiotics, and Monta Biosciences, and served on boards such as Tidal Therapeutics (acquired by Sanofi). Thomas was the founding Director of the Institute of Health Technology at the Technical University of Denmark, leading a 500-researcher mission to deliver patient-focused innovations. He has co-authored over 220 research articles, is named on more than 50 patent applications, and is a recipient of the Elite Research Prize from the Danish Ministry of Science. He holds a background in biomedical and biological engineering.

Graham Ogg
Graham Ogg
Chair of SAB

Graham Ogg, Chair of SAB

Graham co-founded T-Cypher Bio and is a leading authority in T cell immunology with a career spanning academic research and clinical practice. He trained under Professor Sir Andrew McMichael in Oxford, completed his DPhil, and became an MRC Senior Clinical Fellow and consultant physician. Graham runs a laboratory at the MRC Translational Immune Discovery Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford investigating the role of T cells in disease. His lab is focused on translating discoveries for applied patient benefit. A number of Graham’s inventions have been licensed by T-Cypher Bio. Graham is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, NIHR Senior Investigator, and serves as the Chair of T-Cypher’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Owen Hughes
Owen Hughes
Independent Chair

Owen Hughes, Independent Chair

Owen is an experienced drug development executive. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of XOMA Royalty. In the past he has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sail Bio, Inc., private biotechnology company focused on addressing toxic proteinopathies, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Cullinan Oncology, Inc., a publicly traded oncology company, and the Chief Business Officer and Head of Corporate Development at Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., biotechnology company focused on type II diabetes. Owen spent 16 years on Wall Street in various capacities, including roles at Brookside Capital, an operating division of Bain Capital and Pyramis Global Advisors, a Fidelity Investments Company. He has served on several boards including Ikena Oncology, Inc., a publicly traded oncology company, at C4 Therapeutics, and Radius Health, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, until its sale to Gurnet Point Capital and Patient Square Capital; He also served on the board of Translate Bio, Inc., a messenger RNA therapeutics company, until its acquisition by Sanofi in 2021, and FS Development Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Foresite Capital. He holds a B.A. in History from Dartmouth College.

Thomas Lars Andresen
Thomas Lars Andresen
Founding CEO / Non-Executive Director

Thomas Lars Andresen, Founding CEO / Non-Executive Director

Thomas is a seasoned executive and serial founder in multiple therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology and cellular therapies. Thomas was the founding CEO of T-Cypher and is currently the CEO of Commit Biologics ApS. He also served as Chief Scientific Officer of Torque Therapeutics (now Repertoire Immune Medicines) in Boston. He has guided multiple immunotherapy programs from discovery through clinical development. Thomas has founded several clinical and market stage life science companies, including Repertoire Immune Medicines, Nanovi (acquired by CQ Medical), Precision Antibiotics, and Monta Biosciences, and served on boards such as Tidal Therapeutics (acquired by Sanofi). Thomas was the founding Director of the Institute of Health Technology at the Technical University of Denmark, leading a 500-researcher mission to deliver patient-focused innovations. He has co-authored over 220 research articles, is named on more than 50 patent applications, and is a recipient of the Elite Research Prize from the Danish Ministry of Science. He holds a background in biomedical and biological engineering.

Sohaib Mir
Sohaib Mir
Life Arc

Sohaib Mir, Life Arc

Sohaib Mir is a Partner at LifeArc Ventures. Previously he was an Investment Director with ALSA Ventures, focused on therapeutics investing. Prior to that he was a Principal at Cambridge Innovation Capital and he has also worked at Perella Weinberg Partners. Sohaib qualified in Medicine at the University of Birmingham where he also completed a PhD in CNS regeneration. He practised medicine at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and gained an MPhil in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge.

Claire Brown
Claire Brown
Oxford Science Enterprises

Claire Brown, Oxford Science Enterprises

Claire is a partner at Oxford Science Enterprises. Prior to this she had a career across the BioPharmaceutical industry from R&D strategy, licensing, business development and corporate investment, in the UK and US. Notable experience includes roles at UCB Group, Sanofi-Genzyme and AstraZeneca across a diverse range of therapy areas. Until joining Oxford Science Enterprises, Claire held the position of Investment Director at BioCity and has served on the board of a number of Life Science companies including Rinri Therapeutics, Kinomica, and Dark Blue Therapeutics. Claire received her BSc in Physiology and PhD in Pharmacology in Glasgow. She also holds an MBA focused on entrepreneurship as well as certificates in Investment Management (IMC) and Company Board Direction.

Phil Ferneau
Phil Ferneau
Borealis

Phil Ferneau, Borealis

Phil co-founded Borealis Ventures in 2002 and has led the firm’s healthcare investing from its inception, with an emphasis on life science platform companies. He currently leads Borealis’ investments in Adimab, Compass Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CMPX), Evox Therapeutics, Orbit Discovery, Ovation.io, Teckro, and Triveni Therapeutics. Phil's prior investments include Avedro (IPO, then acquired by Glaukos), Avitide (acquired by Repligen), GlycoFi (acquired by Merck & Co.), M2S (acquired by AIG Altaris Health Partners), and Vets First Choice (prev. Nasdaq: CVET). Phil has also spent over 25 years advancing innovation ecosystems at Dartmouth College and other universities, including as an adjunct professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, teaching venture capital and entrepreneurship courses. Phil received an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College, a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and a M.B.A. (with High Distinction) from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Careers

Join T-Cypher Bio if you have a strong desire to make a difference, if you like standing out as an individual but also as part of a team, and if you have the drive to make the most of every day.

Please click below to apply to one of our open positions or, if you have in-depth experience in Antibody development, T cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, or AI and/or TCR discovery and development, send your CV and cover letter to careers@tcypherbio.com

See current openings

Our investors

T-Cypher has the backing of leading specialist long-term investors who share our passion and commitment, enabling us to continue our journey to deliver lifesaving therapeutics.

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