Zaki Sellam is an experienced C-level biotech executive, with over two decades of experience and leadership in cancer/immunology drug discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, biotech startups, and fostering strategic alliances between prominent pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. Dr. Sellam has raised approximately $100 million in equity financing in this sector. In addition to his role as CEO of Landmark BioVentures AG, he also serves as Executive Chairman to each of LBV Nexus companies.

Previously, Dr. Sellam was Founder and CEO of Avicenna Oncology GmbH, an Antibody Drug Conjugate start up located in Basel (2014-2019). Dr. Sellam also advises start-up companies, (including Iome Bio, Harvard spin off), Tech Transfer Accelerators and pharma companies (including OM Pharma) through his strategic consulting firm ESN Life Sciences GmbH (2011-present).

Dr. Sellam earned his PhD in Strategic Management from the University of Hertfordshire (2025), an MS in Biotechnology Engineering from the National School of Biotechnology in Bordeaux, France (2002) and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration in Poitiers, France (2007).

Marion David is a scientific leader with over 18 years of experience in oncology, immunology, cell therapy, and preclinical drug development. She currently serves as Director of Biology at Kekkan Biologics, where she leads R&D programs with a focus on target validation and both in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies.

Her career spans both biotech and pharmaceutical settings, including 13 years in the pharmaceutical industry where she contributed to the design and execution of innovative drug development strategies.

Prior to joining Kekkan Biologics, Dr. David played a key role at Sangamo Therapeutics in advancing the company’s first CAR-Treg cell therapy (TX200) into clinical trials, as part of the STEADFAST study. She is also a co-inventor on two patents and has authored 19 peer-reviewed publications in her areas of expertise. Dr. David has deep expertise in translational research and early-stage development, with a proven track record in identifying and validating first-in-class therapeutic candidates.

Leveraging wide experience and a strong track record in antibody engineering to develop KBs platform

Dr. Gilles Pagès is a Director of Research (DRCE) at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and leads the “Normal and Pathological Angiogenesis” team at the Cancer and Aging Research Institute of Nice (IRCAN). He also serves as a scientific consultant for the Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM).

Dr. Pagès holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. He began his career as a lecturer in molecular biology in 1990 and earned his accreditation to supervise research (HDR) in 1994. His academic path led him to focus on cellular signaling pathways—particularly the ERK pathway—and their role in tumor development and angiogenesis.

His research primarily investigates the mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis and resistance to anti-angiogenic therapies, especially in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. His team also studies the regulation of VEGF expression and the role of ELR+CXCL cytokines in tumor progression. These studies have contributed to a deeper understanding of tumor immune evasion mechanisms and the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pagès has received several international distinctions, published over 200 scientific articles, and filed 10 patents. He has also been involved in three clinical trials, reflecting his strong commitment to translational research and the development of innovative cancer therapies.

Dr. Gilles Pagès is a distinguished researcher but also an entrepreneur, having co-founded several biotechnology companies focused on developing innovative therapies for cancer and fibrotic diseases. He is a co-founder of Kekkan Biologics, a company specialized in the development of first-in-class biologics targeting severe neovascular and fibrotic disorders. Kekkan Biologics centers its efforts on a novel target, LVRF, which is involved in lymphatic and vascular angiogenesis as well as drug resistance.

In addition, Dr. Pagès co-founded Roca Therapeutics, a biotech startup dedicated to the discovery and development of small molecules addressing serious conditions caused by hypervascularization and M2 macrophage-mediated immunosuppression. Roca Therapeutics has notably developed the clinical candidate RCT001 for the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma.

More recently, Dr. Pagès contributed to the founding of Massalia Therapeutics, a company focused on creating innovative treatments for patients with complex conditions at the intersection of oncology and fibrosis.

These ventures reflect Dr. Pagès’ strong commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible therapeutic solutions, thereby bridging the gap between academic research and industrial innovation.