I am currently a Director at Merck Serono and Head of the Department Center of Innovation. I hold a diploma in biochemistry and physiologic chemistry from the University of Tübingen and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Cologne. I am author of more than 70 publications and patents (incl. papers in Cell and Nature Medicine). I am married and have three children.

Key Business Accomplishments

Knowledge Management Bio IT World Best Practice Award

Publication in Cell (2012)

Enabled 11 innovation projects for new products with business potential of several hundred million euros in an innovation incubator

Invented and rolled-out the Merck Serono Innovation Cup bringing young talent and experienced retirees together to generate breakthrough innovation in diverse teams

Designed and rolled-out company wide new innovation initiative for global idea sourcing and enablement in an entrepreneurial setting, with direct sponsorship from the Merck board and CEO

Design and management of cross-divisional innovation seed fund to support cross-divisional collaboration between Merck Serono and Merck Millipore after acquisition of Millipore by Merck

Built-up the Center of Innovation at Merck Serono, appointed as Director and Head of Department

Built-up the Strategic Innovation & Research Portfolio Management Department at Merck Serono, appointed as Director and Head of Department

Post merger integration after acquisition of Serono by Merck, design of the new drug discovery process and governance structure

Contributed to innovation integration subcommittee during acquisition of Millipore by Merck

Defined the preclinical R&D Asia strategy and execution via a number of key business deals

Key contributions to change management in Pharma Research at Bayer during a process of intense global restructuring

Publication in Nature Medicine (2002)

Initiated, established and chaired the Pharma Research Europe Award at Bayer

Essential contribution to identification of compound class that led to HCMV inhibitor currently in phase II clinical trials.

Essential contribution to identification of HSV inhibitor currently in phase II clinical trials.

Publication in Cell (1999)

Dr. rer. nat. ("mit Auszeichnung")

Generated and characterized a conditional gp130 knock-out mouse line and a cre-transgenic mouse line

Dipl. Biochem. ("sehr gut")

Identified and characterized the MHC Class I of the Coelacanth living fossil Latimeria Chalumnae

I was awarded a scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation,
“Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes”

Abitur "1.1"