The Termeer Foundation

We are so excited for the next CEO & Founder Link event in partnership with MassBio! We hope you can join us on April 8th!

Join Us for the 2nd Annual Rare Disease Day: Translating Research from Academic Labs into a Therapy Buruma Lecture Hall, LUMC Building 3, Leiden, Netherlands Wednesday, April 2 | 13:00-17:30 CET The path from discovery to treatment is long and complex—but collaboration between academia and industry is driving real progress in rare disease innovation. On April 2 in Leiden, Netherlands, in collaboration with Mahzi Therapeutics, Health~Holland, and Leiden University Medical Center, we are bringing together top scientists, biotech leaders, and venture capitalists to explore the latest breakthroughs, challenges, and opportunities in rare disease research. View full agenda and RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eqCM-HFS This event will feature insights from renowned experts, including: Arno Bisschop, MD/PhD, CEO, Genewity B.V. Catriona Crombie, PhD, Head of Rare Disease, LifeArc Ilan Ganot, MBA, CEO, Alesta Therapeutics Nael Nadif Kasri, Medical Sciences Faculty, Radboudumc Edward Kaye, MD, CEO, Stoke Therapeutics Tjitske Kleefstra MD/PhD, Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC John Maret-Ouda, PhD, Associate, HealthCap Marlies Reinders, Decaan en Lid Raad van Bestuur, Leiden University Medical Center Geoff Rhyne, CEO, IDefine-The Kleefstra Syndrome Foundation Kasper Roet, PhD, CEO, QurAlis Andreas Schuil, MBA, General Manager, BeNeLux & Head of Partner Markets, EMEA, Orchard Therapeutics - U.S. Frank Staal, PhD, Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center Mariette van der Velden-Roesink, MSc, Managing Partner, Curie Capital BV Edward van Wezel, MSc, Managing Partner, BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) Matthias Van Woensel, PhD, Partner, Droia Ventures Don't miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and accelerate the future of rare disease treatments. #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

Fueling Innovation Through Mentorship: The Power of the Termeer Fellowship Bringing transformative treatments to patients isn’t just about scientific breakthroughs—it’s about leadership, strategy, and resilience. That’s why the Termeer Fellowship mentorship program is such a critical part of our mission. By pairing rising life science leaders with seasoned industry experts, we accelerate not just discoveries, but the people behind them. Take 2024 Termeer Fellow Catherine Sabatos-Peyton, CEO of Larkspur Biosciences. As a pioneering force in precision oncology, Catherine is developing small molecule therapies that target cancer fitness genes—offering new hope to patients who are resistant to current treatments. Through the Fellowship, she was mentored by Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and PreciseDx Board Member Molly Harper, an accomplished biotech executive with deep experience in corporate strategy and product commercialization. Their mentorship connection was transformative: "Working with Molly was amazing—she was so generous in reviewing my pitch decks and providing valuable feedback." – Catharine These kinds of conversations—strategic, candid, and deeply actionable—are exactly what the Termeer Fellowship is designed to foster. Mentorship isn’t just guidance; it’s a force multiplier for bold ideas and groundbreaking innovation. #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

Putting Patients First: Insights from Visionary Biotech Leaders What does it take to build a truly patient-centered biotech company? In this compelling conversation, Termeer Foundation mentor Hans Schikan—biotech leader and Co-founder of Pharvaris—hosts a discussion with 2022 Termeer Fellows Claudine van der Sande and Koenraad Wiedhaup, two CEOs who are carrying forward the foundation’s legacy of patient-focused innovation. * Claudine van der Sande, VP, Head of CHI Program at Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Formerly CEO of Xinvento until acquisition by Rhythm), shares how her personal journey as the parent of a child with a rare disease inspired her to build a biotech company dedicated to finding a cure. * Koenraad Wiedhaup, CEO of Leyden Labs, reveals how his team launched their company in the early days of the pandemic with a clear mission: protecting people from viral threats. Their insights embody The Termeer Foundation’s commitment—supporting biotech leaders who are dedicated to solving healthcare’s greatest challenges. From embedding patient perspectives into company culture to designing clinical trials with patient needs in mind, this conversation is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and anyone passionate about driving impact in healthcare. Watch now (https://lnkd.in/e85RY7ng) to learn how these inspiring leaders are transforming patient care through biotech innovation. #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

Reflecting on the Inaugural Termeer Summit: CEOs for Cures—A Transformative Gathering of Biotech Leaders Last week, the Termeer Foundation proudly hosted the first-ever Termeer Summit: CEOs for Cures, an extraordinary convening of biotech founders, industry leaders, and visionary mentors dedicated to accelerating the development of life-changing treatments. Over two powerful days, our network engaged in visionary keynotes, dynamic panels, and hands-on leadership workshops designed to equip innovators with the knowledge, connections, and mentorship essential for success in the life sciences. From navigating IPOs to fostering resilient leadership, our sessions were filled with invaluable insights from some of the most accomplished minds in biotech. A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed speakers—including Katrine Bosley, Charlie Cooney, Mark Levin, John Maraganore, Amir Nashat, Paula Soteropoulos, Christopher Viehbacher, and Susan Windham-Bannister—who shared their wisdom and experiences so generously. Catharine Smith, Executive Director of the Termeer Foundation, summed it up best: "The Termeer Summit demonstrated the power of connection, mentorship, and collaboration in driving innovation forward. We are incredibly grateful to our network, our team, and our partners for making this vision a reality. We hope this inaugural event is the start of many more to come! A huge thank you to our enterprise-level partners - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC, Goodwin, Johnson & Johnson, Leerink Partners, UBS, and our content partners—Envisage Consulting, The NemetzGroup LLC, and The Leadership Edge—for making this summit possible. #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader #CEOs

Introducing The Inaugural Termeer Summit: CEOs for Cures ? On March 6-7, 2025, the Termeer Foundation is bringing together our dynamic network of biotech leaders, founders, industry leaders, and mentors for an exclusive two-day summit designed to inspire, connect, and elevate the next generation of life sciences leadership. Bringing breakthrough treatments to patients is grueling work with complex challenges on the road to success. But by investing in the human variables—mentorship, leadership, and collaboration—we strive to increase the odds of success and accelerate the development of cures. This summit will feature visionary keynotes, high-impact panels, and leadership workshops tailored to the challenges biotech leaders face today. From navigating IPOs and commercialization strategies to mastering board leadership and personal career visioning, our carefully curated sessions will empower the next generation of innovators. The event will feature an impressive lineup of visionaries in the biotech industry: We're honored to welcome Katrine Bosley, Charlie Cooney, Mark Levin, John Maraganore,? Amir Nashat,?Paula Soteropoulos, Christopher Viehbacher and Susan Windham-Bannister—alongside many other distinguished leaders—who will share their insights on building and sustaining transformative biotech ventures. ? A huge thank you to our enterprise-level partners - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC, Goodwin, Johnson & Johnson, Leerink Partners, UBS, and our content partners—Envisage Consulting, The NemetzGroup LLC, and The Leadership Edge—for making this summit possible. ? The Termeer Foundation remains committed to empowering healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure. This summit is a milestone on our journey to connect and elevate leaders who will advance the future of biotech. ? To our Termeer Network fellows, scholars, and mentors—we can’t wait to see you today! #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader #LeadershipDevelopment

This National Kidney Month, we celebrate a major milestone in antiviral drug development: AiCuris has initiated a Phase I clinical trial for AIC468, a first-in-human therapy originating from Hybridize Therapeutics' BKV program. ? Under the leadership of Eline van Beest, CEO of Hybridize Therapeutics and a 2021 Termeer Fellow, Hybridize has been pioneering RNA-based therapies to address significant unmet medical needs. The company previously outlicensed its BKV program to AiCuris, a global leader in antiviral research, to accelerate its clinical development. ? Now, AiCuris has advanced AIC468 into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I trial. Conducted in Germany, the study will assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of AIC468 in 72 healthy volunteers, exploring both single and multiple ascending doses. Topline results from the single ascending dose part of the study are expected in 2025. At the Termeer Foundation, we believe that by investing in visionary leaders like Eline, we can increase the probability of transformative breakthroughs and bring life-changing treatments to patients. Join us in celebrating the innovators driving the future of kidney health! #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

Problem-Solving, Leadership, and Innovation in Action!? Last week, the 2024 Termeer Fellows came together for an immersive, hands-on session focused on team leadership and problem-solving—an essential skill set for biotech leaders navigating complex challenges. We were joined by Michèle Barnett Berg, PCC, managing director at Envisage Consulting, who led Fellows through exercises in parallel thinking and catalytic questioning, both of which ask participants to use new ways to problem solve and address challenges. Craig Shimasaki, PhD, MBA, CEO of Moleculera Biosciences and Termeer Mentor, guided Fellows through a structured live problem-solving exercise—a process that challenges leaders to reframe their obstacles, uncover hidden insights, and synthesize breakthrough solutions. No quick fixes. No premature advice. Just powerful questions, fresh perspectives, and strategic action planning. With mentorship from industry leaders & Termeer Mentors: Rod Cotton, board member and advisor to the CEO at Molecura Biosciencs, Deborah Dunsire, board member at McKesson, Bart Scheerder, founding team at A3 Lab and Alan Walts, venture partner at Advent Life Sciences. Fellows left the session with not just solutions—but a repeatable framework they can take back to their teams, helping them dissect and strategize around challenges with clarity and confidence. As biotech founders and CEOs, solving complex problems isn’t just part of the job—it’s the job. Investing in leadership development like this ensures that the next generation of healthcare innovators is equipped to increase the probability of bringing life-changing treatments to patients. A huge thank you to our Fellows, Mentors, and the Termeer community for making this an unforgettable session. Onward to more breakthroughs! #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

This week, the Termeer Foundation was honored to co-host the 10th Annual Rare Disease Day Event: An Era of Innovation for Rare Diseases alongside the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard’s Ladders to Cures Scientific Accelerator. Held at the Broad Institute and streamed online, this powerful gathering brought together visionary scientists, biotech leaders, and patient advocates who are shaping the future of rare disease treatments. With opening remarks from Anna Greka, MD, PhD and Belinda Termeer, the event spotlighted urgent challenges and groundbreaking advancements in rare disease research. We were especially proud to see so many members of the Termeer community (Anne Carpenter, Richard Novak, Arya Rao, Effie Parks, Dr. Tinashe Chandauka, Bart Scheerder, Nathan Guo, Ada Lio, and Avanthi Raghavan) take the stage as featured speakers, sharing their expertise and unwavering commitment to delivering precision cures at scale. Rare diseases affect 1 in 10 people in North America, yet only a fraction of the 8,000+ known disease-causing genes have treatments available. This event reinforced our shared mission: to accelerate innovation, empower healthcare leaders, and improve the odds of bringing new treatments to patients who need them most. A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, attendees, and partners who made this event a success! #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader

2nd Annual Rare Disease Day: Translating Research from Academic Labs into a Therapy Join us to learn more about the rare disease landscape in the Netherlands and translating research through collaboration between academia and industry! Wednesday, April 2nd 13:00-17:30 CET Buruma Lecture Hall, LUMC Building 3 Leiden, Netherlands RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eqCM-HFS We are honored to be joined by the following guest speakers: Arno Bisschop, MD/PhD, CEO, Genewity B.V. Ilan Ganot, MBA, CEO Alesta Therapeutics Edward Kaye, MD, CEO, Stoke Therapeutics Carl Kilander, MD/PhD, Partner, HealthCap Tjitske Kleefstra MD/PhD, Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Nael Nadif Kasri, Medical Sciences Faculty, Radboudumc Geoff Rhyne, CEO, IDefine-The Kleefstra Syndrome Foundation Kasper Roet, PhD, CEO QurAlis Andreas Schuil, MBA, General Manager, BeNeLux & Head of Partner Markets, EMEA, Orchard Therapeutics - U.S. Frank Staal, PhD, Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center Mariette van der Velden-Roesink, MSc, Managing Partner, Curie Capital BV Edward van Wezel, MSc, Managing Partner, BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) Organized by: Imran Ganda, Erica Mawby-Roche, Gijs Santen, Hans Schikan, & Yael Weiss Event is presented by: Health~Holland, Leiden University Medical Center, Mahzi Therapeutics, & The Termeer Foundation #leadership #STEM #TermeerFoundation #HealthcareInnovation #RareDisease #Biotech #Bio #Biotechnology #PatientCare #LifeScience #PeopleEmpoweringCures #ConnectionsEmpoweringCures #LeadershipMatters #Healthcare #Mentorship #Mentor #Science #CEO #Founder #TermeerFellows #Leader