Rentschler Biopharma, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, has appointed Dr. Christian Schetter, Ph.D. as chief scientific officer (CSO) of Rentschler Biopharma SE, where he will be responsible for process technology and innovation, effective 15 September 2021. In this position, he will be working with a team of experienced scientists to ensure Rentschler Biopharma’s continued technological and scientific leadership in process development and further develop strategic innovation and partnerships.
 
With more than 30 years of experience in biotechnological science and in the life sciences industry as well as in various executive and supervisory board functions, Schetter has a proven track record across the entire biopharmaceutical value chain.
 
“I am delighted that Dr. Schetter has joined Rentschler Biopharma as our new chief scientific officer,” said Prof. Dr. Nikolaus F. Rentschler, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rentschler Biopharma. “Dr. Schetter has an impressive track record in both, the scientific and strategic development of companies, and therefore ideally complements our management team.”
 
“With Dr. Christian Schetter, we are not only gaining an excellent scientist, but also a very experienced leader and strategic innovator. It is with great pleasure that I welcome him as our new CSO,” commented Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma. “Dr. Schetter, our CFO Alexander Dettmer and I have already successfully implemented joint projects across companies in the past. We have great trust and appreciation for one another and are looking forward to continuing this long-standing relationship. Together with a strong leadership team, we will implement our ‘Strategy 2025’ – and beyond – and continue to position our company at the forefront of innovation and technology.”
 
“Rentschler Biopharma is known to deliver very high quality based on solid science. I am extremely pleased to broaden this scientific focus and innovation in a targeted way to remain the ‘partner-of-choice’ for established as well as novel biopharmaceutical development and production,” Schetter commented. “I very much look forward to working with our experienced team and strategically expanding the offering for our Rentschler Biopharma clients.”
 

About Dr. Schetter
 

Prior to joining Rentschler Biopharma, Schetter was managing director at Arix Bioscience plc, UK, responsible for investment decisions as well as scientific evaluations and also served in support functions for portfolio companies. As CEO of Rigontec GmbH (now MSD / Merck & Co., USA), he was responsible for the successful acquisition by MSD and continued to serve as CEO of Rigontec GmbH, an MSD Company, after closing of the transaction.
 
Previously, he was president & CEO for Fresenius Biotech GmbH (now Neovii Biotech) and senior VP as well as managing director of Coley Pharmaceutical Group (now Pfizer). Schetter is also non-executive chairman of STipe Therapeutics, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eternygen GmbH and independent board member of Omeicos Therapeutics GmbH. Schetter has held several scientific positions, including at Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, and as senior research associate at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.
 
He studied biology and earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology at the Institute of Genetics, University of Cologne, Germany.