Meet the PreComb Team
Founded in 2018, PreComb was created by three accomplished serial entrepreneurs possessing diverse and complementary expertise in areas such as cell culture technology, tissue engineering, product development, data management, biopharmaceutical development, drug manufacturing, and laboratory automation. With experience gained from their executive leadership roles at renowned organizations like Novartis, Alcon, InSphero, ESBATech, and Insilico Biotechnology, the founders bring a wealth of knowledge in promoting innovation, developing talent, advancing technology, establishing companies, and executing operations.
Founders at a glance
- Over 50 years of combined experience in startups, biotech, and global pharma
- Serial entrepreneurs with 3 biotech companies founded
- 2 major biotech exits led and supported
- 20 years of expertise in 3D tissue models
- More than 50 publications and 12 patents published
- Technical development of a commercial drug
- Profound expertise in lab automation, data science, and AI
Jens M. Kelm, PhD
Co-founder & CEO
Jens is a pioneer in the field of 3D microtissue culture technology and was one of its early developers. As the founder, president, and CSO of InSphero AG, he helped commercialize some of the earliest physiological 3D models, assays, and screening concepts. Jens also co-founded the Swiss competence center for 3D cell culture technologies (TEDD) and is a member of the steering committee for the 3DCC conference series, organized by DECHEMA. With over 50 publications and 11 patents in the field, Jens holds a PhD in Biotechnology from ETH Zürich.
Peter Steiner, PhD
Co-founder, COO and president of the board
Peter previously served as the Executive Director and Head of Production & Processes at ESBATech, a subsidiary of Novartis. In this role, he led the technical development team in charge of process development and clinical supply for numerous international clinical trials. As a co-founder and board member, Peter played the leading role in the successful acquisition of Insilico Biotechnology AG by Yokogawa Electric Corporation. He earned his PhD in Biotechnology from ETH Zürich.
Olivier Mauti, PhD
Co-founder & CTO
Previously, Olivier served as the Head of Lab Automation at ESBATech and Novartis/NIBR, where he successfully established cutting-edge screening facilities and data management systems for high-throughput antibody screening. With extensive expertise in data science, AI, and laboratory automation, Olivier holds a PhD in Developmental Neurobiology from the University Zurich and completed his postdoctoral work at Princeton University.
A team of highly skilled and motivated experts
Thomas Wegmann, MSc
Data Engineer
Thomas, a skilled software engineer, possesses a Master’s degree in Applied Computational Life Sciences. With a keen interest in distributed systems, machine learning, and computer vision, he is dedicated to creating purposeful and easily maintainable software.
Kseniia Nikitina, PhD
Data Scientist
Kseniia is a highly skilled Computer and Data Scientist who thrives on uncovering patterns and structures hidden within complex real-world data sets. Her passion for data analysis and problem-solving is backed by her strong academic foundation, having earned a PhD in Computer Science from the Technical University of Dresden.
Micaela F. Freitas Misakyan, PhD
Research Scientist
Micaela is a research scientist who specializes in cancer cell biology and 3D cell culture technologies. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she contributes significantly to the field of cancer research. Micaela earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Geneva, further strengthening her credentials and expertise.
Severin Manser, MSc
Laboratory Scientist
Severin is an accomplished scientist with a focus on cancer biology, excelling in the areas of molecular life sciences and cell biology. He obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Zurich, which has provided him with a strong foundation to contribute to the scientific community in his field of expertise.