Capstan Therapeutics - Biotech Executive Search

About Capstan Therapeutics

Capstan Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a mission to multiply the therapeutic possibilities for patients by developing targeted in vivo RNA technologies. Its proprietary CellSeeker™ tLNP platform is composed of novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) conjugated with a recombinant protein binder, such as a monoclonal antibody, to deliver an RNA payload capable of engineering cells in vivo.

Capstan’s initial focus is developing in vivo CAR-T therapies designed to combine the potency of CAR-T therapy with the convenience of an off-the-shelf product for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Reason and Purpose

Director of Compass Carter Osborne’s Life Sciences practice, Chris Coe, began his relationship with Capstan Therapeutics following a discussion with CEO Christian Homsy at the outset of the organisation, which was built on a partnership with the world-renowned University of Pennsylvania. The company had a unique platform focused on targeting fibrosis using lipid nanoparticle-enabled mRNA.

He embarked on a partnership to support Capstan with funding introductions and then to build its C-suite and operational groups. Combining executive search with executive interim and contractor support worked seamlessly for an early-stage biotech organisation.

Search Process and Methodology

Board placements: Karen Smith joined the Board, bringing significant clinical and development experience (BMS, AstraZeneca and Allergan) together with extensive board experience in the biotech arena as both CEO and board director.

Executive placements: Adrian Bott was placed as Chief Scientific Officer and EVP R&D, following an extensive career as CSO at Kite and supporting the integration that followed its acquisition by Gilead.

Priya Karmali was placed as Chief Technology Officer, bringing extensive experience of the LNP and mRNA market from her time at Arcturus, Regulus and Nitto Denko. Her operational and strategic insight has been invaluable to the company’s development.

Business outcomes: Capstan secured an initial investment of $63 million from Novartis, Vida, Orbimed and RA Capital, followed by a corporate round from key strategic investors and a final Series B of $175 million.

Capstan Therapeutics was acquired by AbbVie in August 2025 for $2.1 billion.

Meet the Life Sciences executive search contact

Chris Coe, Director, Life Sciences Practice

Chris is a Director in the Life Sciences Practice at Compass Carter Osborne (CCO), with more than two-and-a-half decades of experience delivering executive appointments into the global life sciences industry.

His background ranges from early-stage venture capital-backed life science start-ups through to global private equity-backed pharmaceutical and medtech companies. This extensive network of industry leaders has been strengthened by his depth of partnership within the corporate pharmaceutical, medtech and life science tools arena.

Email: [email protected]  |  Telephone: +44 (0) 208 036 6530