Francisco LeonFounder

United States - Washington DC-Baltimore Area

An immunologist by training, my career is highlighted by several successful entrepreneurial pursuits, including Provention Bio, which I co-founded and served as Chief Scientific Officer (acquired by Sanofi in 2023) and Celimmune, which I co-founded and served as CEO and Chief Medical Officer (acquired by Amgen in 2017).

My scientific and corporate mission is the development of interventions to restore immune balance, intercepting or preventing immune-mediated diseases.

Experienced in the main areas of immunology: Immunodeficiencies, allergy, infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, transplantation and, in particular, autoimmunity and vaccines. I have led R&D projects and teams in diverse settings from start-ups to Big Pharma and am fluent in all phases of drug development and commercialization. I have expertise in the design and execution of strategies and trials for rapid and cost-effective de-risking of experimental medicines and solutions ("rapid go/no-go").

I have authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and patents. And I have led or participated in the development of several approved products: Provention's teplizumab/TZIELD®, AZ’s benralizumab/FASENRA®; BMS's abatacept/ORENCIA®, belatacept/NULOJIX®; and Janssen’s ustekinumab/STELARA® and guselkumab/TREMFYA®.

Overall, I am passionate about translational research, innovation and disruptive ideas which may help people in need.