Andres Salmeron, Ph.D.
Acton,MA
Summary
Data driven investigator with 20+ years of experience in the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries working with small molecules and biologics. Strong knowledge in Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology, and Inflammation with several high-impact publications in the field. Proven managerial skills within matrix organizations. Expertise in preclinical drug discovery covering different phases of the process from target identification/validation, lead identification/lead optimization and IND-enabling studies culminating in several successful IND fillings. Strong knowledge in exploratory research, new target proposal and research strategy. Additional strengths include good bilingual communication skills, innovative thinking, and the ability to establish external collaborations and CRO management.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Immunology (Drug Discovery)
WEREWOLF THERAPEUTICS
Watertown, USA
01.2019 - Current
- Responsible for hiring and managing the Immunology Group comprised of PhD and non-PhD level scientists, up to director level.
- Overseeing new target identification and IND-enabling preclinical research, including planning of DRF and GLP-Tox studies.
- Managed partnerships and sponsored research agreements, ensuring robust intellectual property protection.
- Successful filing and approval of 3 INDs in ongoing clinical trials: WTX-124 (IL-2 INDUKINE), WTX-330 (IL-12 INDUKINE) and WTX-613/JZP898 (IFN-a2b INDUKINE)
- Introduced and implemented new technologies crucial for the advancement of mechanism of action studies for all our programs including Full Spectrum Flow Cytometry and Multiplex Immunofluorescence Spatial Biology Platform (COMET/Lunaphore)
- Managed Partnerships and Sponsored Research Agreements as well as Intellectual Property protection.
- Contributed to the Clinical Development Group by reviewing patient data and strategy.
Immunology consultant
WEREWOLF THERAPEUTICS
Watertown, USA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Defined Immunology strategy for company assets, focusing on in vitro and in vivo proof of concept, budgeting, and CRO management.
Senior Director Immunology (Immuno-Oncology)
TRIEZA THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, USA
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Participated in key decision-making as a senior management team member.
- Championed the composition of the specific payload for the elected lead candidate oncolytic virus and participated in the design of all IND-enabling activities, with especial focus in all in vitro and in vivo proof of concept studies.
- Trieza Therapeutics was a spin-off company created by Potenza Therapeutics’ management team that developed oncolytic viruses armed with immune modulating cytokines for the treatment of cancer.
Senior Director Immunology (Immuno-Oncology)
POTENZA THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, USA
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Member of the senior management team at Potenza Therapeutics that led to the successful filing of 3 INDs for programs PTZ-201 (ASP8374), PTZ-329 (ASP1948) and PTZ-522 (ASP1951).
- Active member of the leadership team formed between Astellas Pharma and Potenza Therapeutics.
- Managed CROs interactions and Sponsored Research Agreements with KOLs.
- Led the Immunology Group responsible for the cellular pharmacology efforts at Potenza.
- Selected and hired group members.
- Supervised the development and implementation of several cellular assays required for testing and progression of our candidates.
- Led efforts and planning of IND-enabling studies for our 3 therapeutic antibodies programs.
- Strategic implementation of biomarker efforts using Tumor Dissociated Cells as well as MOA assays.
- Potenza Therapeutics developed a diverse portfolio of immuno-therapeutics to treat patients with cancer. The programs are built upon novel biological insights into the tumor microenvironment and mechanisms by which cancer cells evade detection and destruction by the immune system.
- Astellas Pharma acquired Potenza Therapeutics in December 2018. All 3 therapeutic agents developed by Potenza entered Phase I clinical trials under Astellas Pharma supervision.
Director Immunology (Drug Discovery)
POTENZA THERAPEUTICS
Cambridge, USA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Led the Immunology Group responsible for the cellular pharmacology efforts at Potenza.
- Responsible for selection and hiring of group members.
- Development and implementation of several cellular assays required for testing and progression of our candidates.
- Led the introduction of new technologies for analytical applications.
- Managed CROs interactions.
Senior Scientist II / Associate Director
CONSTELLATION PHARMACEUTICALS
Cambridge, USA
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Reporting to the Executive Director of Preclinical Sciences, supervised the creation of the new Immunology/Cancer Immunotherapy Group at Constellation Pharmaceuticals.
- Activities included the setup of new laboratory space as well as hiring of scientific personnel.
- Supervised a high-performing group of PhD-level scientists in a fast-paced organization, driving innovative research initiatives.
- Oversaw data generation for successful selection of ESR (Early Stage Research) target in collaboration with Genentech, advancing cancer immunotherapy efforts.
- Generated data that contributed to scientific publication as well as patent filing for new epigenetic targets in the Autoimmunity field.
- Led target validation of a Bromodomain containing protein that plays a previously unknown role in Th2 cell function (patent filed).
- Contributed to data generation for new publication that describes role of BET proteins in Th17 mediated pathology.
- Developed new animal model and designed studies, managing in vivo data generation from local and international CROs for inflammation and cancer immunotherapy projects.
- Acted as point person and managed several Sponsored Research Agreements with groups at Baylor College of Medicine (Dr. Stephen Pflugfelder), Yale and Brown University School of Medicine (Dr. Jack Elias), and Children’s Hospital at Pittsburgh (Dr. Jay Kolls).
Senior Scientist III
ABBOTT BIORESEARCH CENTER
Worcester, USA
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Identified and presented new drug targets, facilitating strategic discussions for team review.
- Designed key experiments to inform Go/NoGo decisions on target progression and licensing opportunities.
- Led in vitro proof of mechanism studies for diverse targets, coordinating efforts across a matrix organization.
- Designed screening paths for preclinical drug discovery targets.
Senior Scientist II
ABBOTT BIORESEARCH CENTER
Worcester, USA
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Supervised in vitro proof of mechanism studies for multiple targets, ensuring alignment with matrix organization goals.
- Designed screening paths for preclinical drug discovery targets, facilitating efficient evaluation of therapeutic candidates.
- Led research projects on innovative biopharmaceutical solutions at Abbott Bioresearch Center.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and execute experimental protocols.
- Analyzed complex data sets using advanced statistical software for research insights.
Scientist/Postdoctoral Fellow
National Institute for Medical Research
London, UK
01.1994 - 01.2000
- Characterized proto-oncogene COT/TPL-2, contributing to understanding its role in oncogenic pathways.
- Our group was the first to demonstrate that COT/TPL-2 was a new member of the family of MEKKs.
- Demonstrated complex co-regulation of COT/TPL-2 with NFkB-1 (p105), advancing knowledge of signaling interactions (see publications).
Education
Ph.D. - Immunology
Centro de Biologia Molecular, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
SpainMaster -
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
SpainBachelor of Science - Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
SpainSkills
- Cancer immunotherapy
- New Technologies Implementation
- Immunology and Inflammation
- Preclinical Drug Discovery
- Project management
- IND-Enabling Studies
- Cellular Pharmacology
- New Targets Identification / Validation
- Biomarkers Discovery
- Group Leadership / Direct Reports Management
Patents Authorship
- US-2022098312-A1, Anti-neuropilin antigen-binding proteins and methods of use thereof, Potenza Therapeutics, Inc., 12/23/16, 10/25/21, 03/31/22
- US-2023272028-A1, Separation moieties and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/19, 05/11/23, 08/31/23
- US-2024358796-A1, Activatable cytokine polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 11/14/19, 07/05/24, 10/31/24
- US-2024262880-A1, Activatable cytokine polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 03/11/24, 08/08/24
- US-2025179138-A1, Activatable interleukin 12 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 02/19/25, 06/05/25
- US-2020040052-A1, Activatable interleukin-2 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 06/11/19, 02/06/20
- US-11453720-B2, Anti-TIGIT antigen-binding proteins and methods of use thereof, Potenza Therapeutics, Inc., 03/30/17, 03/30/18, 09/27/22
- US-2024043488-A1, Activatable il-12 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/19/20, 11/11/22, 02/08/24
- IL-266720-A, Anti-gitr antigen-binding proteins and methods of use thereof, Potenza Therapeutics Inc, Salmeron Garcia Jose Andres, et al., 11/19/16, 05/19/19, 07/31/19
- US-2024216505-A1, Inducible cytokine prodrug and pd-1/pd-l1 combination therapy, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 08/17/21, 02/13/24, 07/04/24
- CA-3042727-A1, Anti-gitr antigen-binding proteins and methods of use thereof, Potenza Therapeutics, Inc., Jose-Andres Salmeron-Garcia, et al., 11/19/16, 11/19/17, 05/24/18
- CA-3246517-A1, Il-12 prodrugs, Werewolf Therapeutics Inc., 04/07/22, 04/06/23, 10/12/23
- AU-2022331262-A1, Inducible il-2 and pd-1/pd-l1 combination therapy, Msd International Business Gmbh, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 08/17/21, 08/16/22, 04/04/24
- US-2024374687-A1, Il-2 prodrug, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 10/08/21, 04/04/24, 11/14/24
- EP-4387987-A2, Activatable inteferon polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 08/18/21, 08/17/22, 06/26/24
- US-2006074102-A1, Kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents, Kevin Cusack, Jose-Andres Salmeron-Garcia, et al., 05/14/04, 05/13/05, 04/06/06
- HK-1107085-A, Kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents, Abbott Laboratories, 05/14/04, 05/13/05, 03/28/08
- WO-2025072443-A2, Activatable il-21 polypeptides and methods of use thereof and single domain human serum albumin antibodies, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 09/26/23, 09/26/24, 04/03/25
- WO-2025151273-A9, Il-18 polypeptides and uses thereof, Adimab, Llc, 01/08/24, 12/20/24, 08/14/25
- WO-2025151274-A1, Inducible il-18 prodrugs, Adimab, Llc, 01/08/24, 12/20/24, 07/17/25
- WO-2025072450-A1, Enhanced adoptive cell therapy, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 09/26/23, 09/26/24, 04/03/25
- WO-2025035151-A1, Activatable il-10 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 08/10/23, 08/12/24, 02/13/25
- HK-40091988-A, Activatable il-12 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/19/20, 05/18/21, 12/15/23
- WO-2024192195-A3, Interferon prodrugs, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited, 03/14/23, 03/14/24, 10/24/24
- AU-2024321345-A1, Activatable il-10 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 08/10/23, 08/12/24, 02/13/25
- WO-2025240781-A2, Modified antibodies and immunoglobulin formats, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/15/24, 05/15/25, 11/20/25
- HK-40081107-A, Activatable cytokine polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 11/14/19, 11/14/20, 05/12/23
- HK-40048553-B, Activatable interleukin-2 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 05/14/19, 07/28/23
- HK-40048552-A, Activatable interleukin 12 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 05/14/19, 12/03/21
- HK-40098030-A, Activatable interleukin-2 polypeptides and methods of use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/18, 02/02/24, 03/28/24
- HK-40064657-A, Separation moieties and methods and use thereof, Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., 05/14/19, 05/14/20
Scientific Publications
- Nirschl CJ, Brodkin HR, Domonkos C, Dwyer CJ, Hicklin DJ, Ismail N, Seidel-Dugan C, Steiner P, Steuert Z, Sullivan JM, Winston WM, Salmeron A., mWTX-330, an IL-12 INDUKINE Molecule, Activates and Reshapes Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T and NK Cells to Generate Antitumor Immunity, Cancer Immunol Res., 07/05/23, 11, 7, 962-977, 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-22-0705
- Nirschl CJ, Brodkin HR, Hicklin DJ, Ismail N, Morris K, Seidel-Dugan C, Steiner P, Steuert Z, Sullivan JM, Tyagi E, Winston WM, Salmeron A., Discovery of a Conditionally Activated IL-2 that Promotes Antitumor Immunity and Induces Tumor Regression, Cancer Immunol Res., 05/03/22, 10, 5, 581-596, 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-21-0831
- Manni ML, Mandalapu S, Salmeron A, Lora JM, Kolls JK, Alcorn JF., Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Protein Inhibition Attenuates Neutrophil-dominant Allergic Airway Disease, Sci Rep., 02/24/17, 7, 43139
- Ghosh S, Taylor A, Chin M, Huang HR, Conery AR, Mertz JA, Salmeron A, Dakle PJ, Mele D, Cote A, Jayaram H, Setser JW, Poy F, Hatzivassiliou G, DeAlmeida-Nagata D, Sandy P, Hatton C, Romero FA, Chiang E, Reimer T, Crawford T, Pardo E, Watson VG, Tsui V, Cochran AG, Zawadzke L, Harmange JC, Audia JE, Bryant BM, Cummings RT, Magnuson SR, Grogan JL, Bellon SF, Albrecht BK, Sims RJ 3rd, Lora JM., Regulatory T Cell Modulation by CBP/EP300 Bromodomain Inhibition, J Biol Chem., 06/17/16, 291, 25, 13014-27
- Mele D., Salmeron A., Ghosh S., Huang H-R., Bryant B. and Lora J., BET bromodomain inhibition suppresses Th17-mediated pathology, J. Exp. Med., 2013, 210, 2181-2190
- George D, Salmeron A., Cot/Tpl-2 protein kinase as a target for the treatment of inflammatory disease, Curr Top Med Chem., 2009, 9, 7, 611-22
- Cusack K, Allen H, Bischoff A, Clabbers A, Dixon R, Fix-Stenzel S, Friedman M, Gaumont Y, George D, Gordon T, Grongsaard P, Janssen B, Jia Y, Moskey M, Quinn C, Salmeron A, Thomas C, Wallace G, Wishart N, Yu Z., Identification of a selective thieno[2,3-c]pyridine inhibitor of COT kinase and TNF-alpha production, Bioorg Med Chem Lett., 2009, 15, 6, 1722-5
- Betschmann P., Bettencourt B., Donnelly-Roberts D., Friedman M., George J., Hirst G., Josephsohn N., Konopacki D., Li B., Maull J., Morytko M. J., StJohn Moore N., Namovic M, Rafferty P., Salmeron A., Tarcsa E., Wang L. and Woller K., Synthesis and activity of N-cyanoguanidine-piperazine P2X7 antagonists, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters., 2008, 18, 3848-3851
- Lang V., Janzen J., Fischer GZ., Soneji Y., Beinke S., Salmeron A., Allen H., Hay RT., Ben-Neriah Y., Ley SC., Beta TrCP-mediated proteolysis of NF-kappaB1 p105 requires phosphorylation of p105 serines 927 and 932, Mol Cell Biol., 2003, 23, 1, 402-13
- Salmeron, A., Janzen, J., Soneji, Y., Bump,N., Kamens, J., Allen, H. and Ley, S.C., Direct phosphorylation of NFκ-B1 p105 by the IκB kinase complex on serine 927 is essential for signal-induced p105 proteolysis, J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 22215-22222
- Belich, M.P., Salmeron, A
- ., Johnston, L.H. and Ley, S.C., Tpl-2 kinase regulates the proteolysis of the NF-kB-inhibitory protein NF-κB1 p105, Nature., 1999, 397, 363-368
- Salmeron, A., Ahmad, T.B., Carlile, G.W., Pappin, D., Narsimhan, R.P. and Ley, S.C., Activation of MEK-1 and SEK-1 by Tpl-2 proto-oncoprotein, a novel MAP kinase kinase kinase, EMBO J., 1996, 15, 817-826
- Salmeron, A., Borroto, A., Fresno, M., Crumpton, M.J., Ley, S.C. and Alarcon, B., Transferrin receptor induces tyrosine phosphorylation in T cells and is physically associated with the TCR z-chain, J. Immunol., 1995, 154, 1675-1683
- Melero, I., Salmeron, A., Balboa, M.A., Aramburu, J. and Lopez-Botet, M., Tyrosine kinase-dependent activation of human NK cell functions upon stimulation through a 58-KDa surface antigen selectively expressed on subsets of NK cells and T lymphocytes, J. Immunol., 1994, 152, 1662-1673
- Salmeron, A., Sanchez-Madrid, F., Ursa, M.A., Fresno, M. and Alarcon, B., A conformational epitope expressed upon association of CD3 e with either CD3 d or CD3 g is the main target for recognition by anti-CD 3 monoclonal antibodies, J. Immunol., 1991, 147, 3047-3052
Timeline
Vice President Immunology (Drug Discovery)
WEREWOLF THERAPEUTICS
01.2019 - Current
Immunology consultant
WEREWOLF THERAPEUTICS
01.2018 - 01.2019
Senior Director Immunology (Immuno-Oncology)
TRIEZA THERAPEUTICS
01.2017 - 01.2019
Senior Director Immunology (Immuno-Oncology)
POTENZA THERAPEUTICS
01.2017 - 01.2019
Director Immunology (Drug Discovery)
POTENZA THERAPEUTICS
01.2015 - 01.2017
Senior Scientist II / Associate Director
CONSTELLATION PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2011 - 01.2015
Senior Scientist III
ABBOTT BIORESEARCH CENTER
01.2004 - 01.2011
Senior Scientist II
ABBOTT BIORESEARCH CENTER
01.2001 - 01.2004
Scientist/Postdoctoral Fellow
National Institute for Medical Research
01.1994 - 01.2000
Ph.D. - Immunology
Centro de Biologia Molecular, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Master -
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid