Mr. Todd Zavodnick is a seasoned biopharmaceutical leader with over 25 years of global commercial, operational, and executive experience spanning ophthalmology,  dermatology, aesthetics, and specialty medicine.  His track record of impact includes a pivotal role as CEO of Dermavant Sciences from 2018 to 2024, where he successfully guided the clinical-stage biotech through multiple late-stage programs, product launches, and commercial scale-up.

His leadership at Revance Therapeutics as President, International & Chief Commercial Officer, and at ZELTIQ as President, International (prior to its $2.4 billion acquisition by Allergan), demonstrates a proven ability to build high-growth organizations and launch market-defining therapies worldwide. He also held senior leadership roles at Galderma (U.S. & Global) and spent over a decade at Alcon.

Since joining Excellergy in 2025, Mr. Zavodnick has spearheaded the company’s pivotal transition from stealth mode to a publicly visible, investor-ready biotech, strategically aligning corporate strategy, capital planning, and global commercialization pathways to maximize the impact of its differentiated science. He is the architect of Excellergy’s commercial destiny, translating scientific innovation into market leadership through unparalleled strategic vision and a proven history of global commercial success.

Mr. Zavodnick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas. Additionally, Todd serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Skin Disease Foundation for the past 11 years ensuring children with severe skin disease are given all opportunities.

Executive Leadership & Industry Impact

• CEO, Dermavant Sciences (2018–2024) – Led clinical-stage dermatology biotech through multiple late-stage programs, launches, and commercial scale-up.
• President, International & Chief Commercial Officer, Revance Therapeutics – Oversaw global operations and launch of advanced aesthetics portfolio.
• President, International, ZELTIQ – Managed CoolSculpting’s growth across APAC, EMEA, and LATAM prior to its $2.4B acquisition by Allergan.
• Senior leadership roles at Galderma (U.S. & Global) – Served as President and General Manager, North America and was responsible for all operations across the Pharmaceutical, Consumer, and Aesthetic and Corrective businesses. He was also Senior Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America
• Thirteen years at Alcon in regional and country president roles across Asia, North America, and emerging markets.

Dr. Geoff Harris is a biotechnology executive with nearly 20 years of R&D leadership in biologics, peptide therapeutics, and translational medicine.

His impactful career includes founding and serving as CEO (later Advisor) of Ocelot Bio from 2020 to 2024, where he advanced a first-in-class vasopressin-pathway therapeutic from concept through Phase 1, securing $36 million in Series A financing. His 14-year tenure at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, culminating as Global Director of External R&D Innovation, saw him lead cross-functional global teams and drive preclinical-to-development transitions for novel biologics.

As CSO and co-founder of Excellergy, Dr. Harris directs the company’s scientific strategy, oversees discovery and development programs, and is a co-inventor of the company’s lead anti-IgE therapeutic candidates. He architects Excellergy’s R&D engine, translating breakthrough IgE biology into clinically actionable therapies, ensuring scientific rigor and efficient execution.

Scientific & Executive Leadership

• Founder & CEO, later Advisor, Ocelot Bio (2020–2024) – Advanced a first-in-class vasopressin-pathway therapeutic from concept through Phase 1, securing $36M Series A financing.
• 14 years at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, progressing from Scientist to Global Director of External R&D Innovation – Led cross-functional global teams, external collaborations, and preclinical-to-development transitions for novel biologics.
• Early career in peptide-based therapeutic discovery and drug development.

Dr. Phil Brown is an accomplished physician-executive with over 30 years of global clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs leadership across dermatology, immunology, hematology, and specialty therapeutics.

As Chief Medical Officer at Dermavant Sciences from 2019 to 2024, he guided clinical and regulatory pathways for multiple dermatology assets from late-stage development through approval. He previously served as Head of Global Prescription Development & SVP Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Galderma from 2011 to 2018, directing worldwide clinical programs and regulatory strategy for prescription dermatology products, and as SVP Clinical Development at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals from 2003 to 2010.

As Chief Medical Officer at Excellergy, Dr. Brown oversees the company’s clinical development strategy, regulatory engagement, and evidence generation, accelerating the advancement of its “first-in-class” allergic effector cell response inhibitor portfolio. His unique combination of medical, legal, and regulatory expertise ensures Excellergy’s clinical programs are designed for speed, compliance, and optimal market access.

Medical & Regulatory Leadership

• CMO, Dermavant Sciences (2019–2024) – Guided clinical and regulatory pathways for tapinarof from phase 3 to approval in two indications.
• Head of Global Prescription Development & SVP Medical & Regulatory Affairs, Galderma (2011–2018) – Directed worldwide clinical programs and regulatory strategy for prescription dermatology products.
• SVP, Clinical Development, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (2003–2010) – Led development programs across multiple therapeutic areas, including rare diseases.

Dr. Travis H. Tani is a veteran CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) and Quality leader with more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience spanning development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance for biologics and small molecules.

His extensive career includes founding Tani Consulting LLC, where he provided strategic and operational CMC and quality solutions. Dr. Tani also held senior roles at Bolt Biotherapeutics, where he built CMC, quality, and manufacturing capabilities, and at OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, overseeing quality for nine oncology programs, and Quality & CMC leadership roles at Astellas Pharma, Maxygen, Nuvelo, and Purdue Pharma. His early career at Genentech involved supporting TNK-tPA (Tenecteplase) development.

As SVP of Technical Operations & Quality at Excellergy, Dr. Tani is responsible for end-to-end product development operations, ensuring robust external manufacturing and testing, stringent quality systems, and global Quality compliance, critical foundations for the consistent and reliable delivery of Excellergy’s “first-in-class” effector cell response inhibitors for the treatment of allergic conditions. Dr. Tani ensures that Excellergy’s innovative science is matched by manufacturing executional excellence and global regulatory compliance.

Dr. Tani holds a doctorate from University of Michigan Medical School in the field of Biological Chemistry.

Technical & Quality Control Leadership

• Founder & Principal Consultant, Tani Consulting LLC (2021–2025) – Provided strategic CMC and quality solutions to biopharma clients from early Research through late stage Development.
• Senior Director, Process Development, Manufacturing & Quality Operations, Bolt Biotherapeutics (2017-2020) – Built developmental, quality, and manufacturing capabilities for novel conjugate immuno-oncology therapeutics.
• Senior Director, Quality Operations, OncoMed Pharmaceuticals (2013-2017) – As head of Site ensured quality compliance for oncology programs spanning preclinical to Phase 2.
• Quality & CMC leadership roles at Astellas Pharma, Maxygen, Nuvelo, and Purdue Pharma.
• Early career in formulation and analytical sciences at Genentech, supporting t-PA life cycle management.

Dr. Luke Pennington is a visionary discovery scientist and biotech innovator with deep expertise in protein engineering, structural immunology, and antibody design. His impactful research includes pivotal work as a Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine on IgE-receptor complexes and structural mechanisms related to anti-IgE therapeutics. He is a co-inventor of Excellergy’s portfolio of allergic Effector Cell Response Inhibitors (ECRI) mechanism, building directly on foundational science from Excellergy’s academic collaborators.

Scientific Leadership & Innovation

• Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University School of Medicine – Conducted research on IgE-receptor complexes and structural mechanisms of immune signaling.
• Co-inventor of Exl-111’s trifunctional Effector Cell Response Inhibitor (ECRI) mechanism for the treatment of allergic conditions, building on foundational science from Excellergy’s academic collaborators.
• Experienced in structure-guided therapeutic design, preclinical validation, and translational immunology.

Mr. Kenny Frazier is a global clinical development executive with more than 30 years of experience leading drug development from first-in-human through Phase IV across multiple therapeutic areas, including immunology, dermatology, rare diseases, oncology, and respiratory. At Excellergy, he serves as Vice President of Clinical Operations, where he oversees global trial execution, operational strategy, and vendor partnerships, ensuring the company’s programs advance with speed, quality, and regulatory rigor.

Before joining Excellergy in 2025, Mr. Frazier served as Head of Clinical Development at Galderma, where he directed global prescription and aesthetics portfolios across Phase I–IV programs. His leadership was instrumental in advancing Nemolizumab (Nemluvio) through pivotal trials to dual BLA approvals, while also driving efficiency through an outsourced CRO/FSP model that improved quality and reduced costs.

Previously, Mr. Frazier was Vice President of Clinical Development at Savara Pharmaceuticals, where he guided late-stage programs for rare pulmonary diseases, and Vice President of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at Opexa Therapeutics, leading T-cell immunotherapy development for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Earlier in his career, he held senior clinical operations roles at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Tanox, and DuPont Pharmaceuticals, where he managed global Phase I–IV programs and built clinical development infrastructures from the ground up.

Mr. Frazier began his career as a CRA at Pharmaco/PPD and Parexel, progressing into leadership roles that established him as a proven builder of high-performing global teams. He is recognized for his expertise in outsourced development models, regulatory interactions with FDA, EMA, and other authorities, and his ability to accelerate innovative therapies from concept to approval.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University and completed executive education programs in strategic and critical thinking at Wharton.

Clinical Operations Leadership

• Head, Global Prescription Development / Head, Global Clinical Development, Galderma (2017-2025)
• VP, Clinical Development, Savara (2015–2025)
• Prior leadership as VP, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at Opexa Therapeutics (2013-2015), Sr. Director, Clinical Operations at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Tanox, and DuPont Pharma.

Karina Mena brings 19 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry through various roles from working at established pharma companies to early-stage biotech organizations.  As Senior Operations Manager at Excellergy, Karina is responsible for coordinating cross-department functionality in all facets of Excellergy’s operations by optimizing company processes and driving operational efficiency.

Operational Leadership

• Sr. Operations Manager, Ocelot Bio (2021-2024) – Instrumental in assisting with developing a rapidly growing framework needed to advance a Phase 1 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.
• 14 years at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, progressing from Research Clerk to Senior Business and Research Associate – provided integral support in multiple areas of business development, including implementation of international grant programs and contract management.

Ms. Morris has been in drug development for 25 years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, with her experience reaching across discovery into clinical development in many different modalities and therapeutic areas, spanning biologics and gene therapy to small molecules.  As Senior Director of Program Management at Excellergy, she leads the company’s execution on strategic goals to support the company’s evolution into a clinical stage organization.

Prior to Excellergy, she served as Director of Program Management at Karuna Therapeutics, overseeing the development of early-stage assets and implementing infrastructure and new operational models to improve and streamline processes to increase the probability of success.  Previous to Karuna, she served as Director of Program Management at a number of small biopharmaceutical organizations where her deep scientific background provided a strong basis for guiding teams to key strategic decisions to reach critical early and late phase development milestones. She started her career as a discovery scientist, holding positions of increasing responsibility, transitioning into program management to further shepherd drugs through their development life cycle. She is currently serving as the Senior Director Program Management, at Excellergy Inc, responsible for operational execution of pre-clinical and clinical programs.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ursinus College and a Certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University.

Mr. Serrano is a seasoned finance and operations executive with more than 25 years of experience guiding biotech and life science organizations through early and long-term growth, capital raises, and operational scaling. As Vice President of Finance at Excellergy, he leads the company’s financial strategy, capital planning, and operational infrastructure to support the company’s rapid advancement from preclinical to clinical stages.

Prior to Excellergy, he served as Consulting CFO with Potrero Hill Advisors, where he oversaw financial operations and strategic planning for emerging life science companies. He was previously Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations at Inception Therapeutics, managing corporate finance, operational infrastructure, and business planning.

Mr. Serrano spent over two decades at Novartis supporting various groups such as The Gene Therapies unit and GNF (Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation), where he held roles of increasing responsibility. As Senior Director of R&D Finance, he partnered with scientific leadership to manage the gene therapy R&D pipeline for rare neurological diseases. Earlier, as Director of Finance, he served as a key business partner to senior management, driving policy implementation, budgetary oversight, and performance reporting across large-scale research operations.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from San Diego State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Consulting CFO, Potrero Financial (2023–2024) – Led all financial operations and strategic planning for clients.
• Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations, Inception Therapeutics (2021-2023) – Managed finance and operations for the company.
• Novartis Gene Therapies (2000-2021)
  • Sr. Director, R&D Finance (2019-2021) – Led finance for the Research and Development pipeline, focusing on gene therapies for rare neurological diseases.
  • Director of Finance (2000-2019) – Acted as a business partner to senior management, managed financial activities, and implemented company-wide policies.

Mr. Brandon Hokenstad is a seasoned biotech commercial strategist and entrepreneurial leader with over two decades of experience launching and building brands, shaping corporate narratives, and driving market differentiation across dermatology, immunology, and specialty pharmaceuticals.

As Vice President of Strategic Market Development at Excellergy, Mr. Hokenstad serves as the architect of the company’s external identity and growth strategy. He oversees business development, corporate communications, public relations, and corporate reputation while driving branding, strategic planning, and global engagement with healthcare professionals, investors, patient communities, advocacy groups, and potential partners. By uniting scientific storytelling with stakeholder alignment, Mr. Hokenstad ensures Excellergy’s first-in-class portfolio of Trifunctional Effector Cell Response Inhibitors (ECRI) are positioned for maximum clinical and commercial impact.

Prior to Excellergy, Mr. Hokenstad spent over six years at Dermavant Sciences (an Organon company), where he played pivotal roles in both marketing and commercial leadership. In earlier roles, he led corporate development, marketing and built Dermavant’s Strategic Relations function, leading a team of 12 directors to expand field-based KOL and society engagement, and he developed the company’s corporate identity and visibility as a disruptive biotech from stealth through launch.

His prior leadership experience includes key commercial and customer engagement roles at Pfizer (Head of Professional Relations, Dermatology, Allergy & Pediatrics), Anacor Pharmaceuticals (Senior Director, Professional Relations & Market Access), and Aqua Pharmaceuticals (Executive Director, Head of Marketing, Sales & Learning Development). Mr. Hokenstad began his career at Medicis Pharmaceuticals, where he spent over a decade in progressive leadership roles spanning global marketing, immunology, sales, and learning development.

He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College.

Commercial & Strategic Leadership

• Dermavant Sciences (2018–2025) – Led strategic market development through the launch of VTAMA®. Built and scaled the corporate brand and reputation, established the strategic relations function, and drove KOL development while building the commercial infrastructure and leading high-performing sales teams.
•  Pfizer and Anacor – Held senior commercial leadership and professional strategy roles across dermatology, allergy and immunology in both high-growth biotech and large pharma environments. Known for building and scaling customer engagement infrastructures, developing influential KOL ecosystems, and leading market-shaping strategies that accelerate corporate awareness and therapeutic adoption.
• Deep expertise in corporate launch strategy, scientific narrative development, and high-impact stakeholder engagement across HCPs, advocacy, and payers. Proven track record of orchestrating pre- and post-launch execution, integrating commercial and medical strategy, and transforming scientific platforms into differentiated competitive positioning. Consistently drives growth and builds category leadership in competitive specialty markets.

Dr. Alexander Eggel is a distinguished scientific leader with a profound impact on immunology and allergy research, serving as a co-founder of Excellergy. His academic foundation is rooted in a PhD in Immunology/Biomedical Research from the University of Bern, providing him with deep scientific credentials.

Academically, Dr. Eggel holds significant roles at the University of Bern, where he has been a Research Group Leader in the Department of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergology since 2013, and a Principal Investigator and Associated Professor in Translational Immunology since 2022. These positions underscore his active involvement in academic research and leadership within a prominent European university and hospital system.

Academic Leadership & Research Expertise

• Associate Professor & Principal Investigator in Translational Immunology in the Department of Rheumatology & Immunology (since 2022)
• Theodor-Kocher Prize recipient, University of Bern (2021)
• Group Leader in the Department of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergology, University of Bern (since 2013)
• 67 publications, h-index: 23

Dr. Eggel’s research focuses on unraveling mechanisms underlying type 2 immune responses and developing biologic interventions that reset immune reactivity. His laboratory is renowned for its translational approach, bridging molecular immunology and therapeutic development, particularly in IgE-mediated disease and allergic inflammation.

Key research interests include:

• Functional desensitization of effector cells (mast cells and basophils)
• IgE-FcεRI interactions and disruption mechanisms
• Molecular immunomodulators (e.g., DARPins, engineered antibodies)
• Establishment of novel functional tests for allergy diagnosis (e.g. Hoxb8 MAT)
• Aging and its impact on allergic immune function

Role at Excellergy

As co-developer of Exl-111’s initial mechanistic framework, Dr. Eggel helped identify the potential of accelerated receptor-bound IgE removal and FcεRI downregulation as the foundation of a next-generation anti-IgE therapeutic. He is a vital consultant to the company, lending his expertise in preclinical validation, translational strategy, and external credibility with the scientific community.

Alexander Eggel, PhD

Alexander Eggel is a distinguished scientific leader with a profound impact on immunology and allergy research, serving as a co-founder of Excellergy. His academic foundation is rooted in a PhD in Immunology/Biomedical Research from the University of Bern, providing him with deep scientific credentials.

Academically, Dr. Eggel holds significant roles at the University of Bern, where he has been a Research Group Leader in the Department of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergology since 2013, and a Principal Investigator and Associated Professor in Translational Immunology in the Department of Rheumatology & Immunology since 2022. These positions underscore his active involvement in academic research and leadership within a prominent European university and hospital system.

His laboratory, the Eggel Lab, is at the forefront of immunology research, affiliated with both the Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) at the University of Bern and the University Hospital Bern in Switzerland. The primary focus of his research involves unraveling the intricate biological mechanisms underlying type 2 immune responses, encompassing both their beneficial and pathogenic aspects. This is a critical area for understanding and treating allergy and autoimmune diseases. Within this broad focus, key areas of investigation include gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution of allergies and developing innovative treatments to directly intervene in the allergic cascade. This research directly aligns with Excellergy’s stated mission in allergy biologics. Additionally, his laboratory explores age-related disorders and their intricate connections with alterations in type 2 immune responses, indicating a broader research scope with potential for future therapeutic applications. The methodologies employed are multidisciplinary, encompassing molecular, cellular, and systemic approaches aimed at identifying crucial biological mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of both allergies and age-related diseases. His grant information details specific research keywords such as Allergy, Basophils, mast cells, IgE, DARPins, Facilitated dissociation, IgE inhibitors, Omalizumab, Aging, Anti-IgE, Asthma, atopic dermatitis, and B-cells. These keywords are highly relevant to Excellergy’s focus on IgE/allergy research and the development of allergy biologics.

Dr. Eggel’s research achievements are substantial, marked by over 67 publications and an h-index of 23, signifying an impactful body of scientific work. He was awarded the prestigious Theodor-Kocher Prize in 2021 by the University of Bern. Furthermore, he secured an Ambizione funding scheme grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), which resulted in 7 scientific publications and 28 other data outputs, demonstrating his ability to secure competitive research funding and produce tangible scientific results. Building on this success, he is currently supported by an SNSF project grant on multifunctional IgE inhibitors, which is a continuation of his previous work and is expected to lead to equally exciting outcomes and high-impact publications.

At Excellergy, Dr. Eggel’s role as a co-founder and scientific consultant signifies his foundational involvement in the company’s success. He previously served as a senior investigator in IgE/allergy research, directly leveraging his deep academic expertise in IgE and allergy mechanisms.

The consistent emphasis on “translational immunology” in Dr. Eggel’s profile is a significant indicator of Excellergy’s scientific approach. This focus implies a direct bridge between fundamental scientific discovery and clinical application, suggesting that Excellergy’s scientific strategy is inherently geared towards developing therapies that can move efficiently from the laboratory to patient care, rather than remaining purely theoretical research. This pragmatic, results-oriented scientific leadership is a valuable asset for a biotech company, potentially streamlining the path from research and development to commercialization.

His laboratory’s primary focus on unraveling mechanisms of type 2 immune responses and developing innovative treatments for the allergic cascade. This strong founder-product fit enhances the company’s scientific credibility, suggesting that Excellergy’s scientific foundation is built on cutting-edge, highly relevant investigations.

Dr. Eggel’s research also delves into age-related disorders and their connections with type 2 immune responses.

• Background and Entrepreneurial Journey

Excellergy’s inception is closely tied to the distinguished career and vision of Dr. Alexander Eggel. As a principal investigator and Associate Professor at the University of Bern, he has dedicated his research to translational immunology, bridging fundamental immune discoveries with patient-focused applications. Beyond academia, Dr. Eggel has repeatedly demonstrated entrepreneurial drive by founding and advancing ventures that transform complex science into practical solutions.

In 2021, he co-founded Atanis Biotech AG, a University of Bern spin-off dedicated to revolutionizing allergy diagnostics. Together with his fellow co-founders, Dr. Eggel built a company rooted in >70 years of combined expertise and >250 peer-reviewed publications. Atanis’ novel platform recreates allergic reactions safely in a test tube using only patient serum or plasma, eliminating the need to expose patients to allergens during diagnosis. This innovative approach has the potential to make allergy testing both safer and more accessible worldwide

This entrepreneurial track record underscores Dr. Eggel’s commitment to advancing immunology beyond publications, delivering real-world innovation through both therapeutic development at Excellergy and diagnostic breakthroughs at Atanis. His ability to span cutting-edge research, company creation, and patient-centered impact exemplifies the blend of science and entrepreneurship at the heart of Excellergy’s mission

This entrepreneurial spirit highlights a proactive drive to translate complex scientific insights into tangible, patient-centric solutions, underscoring his commitment to moving beyond theoretical publications to real-world commercialization.

• Personal Motivation and the Drive for Innovation in Allergy Treatment

A deeply personal connection fueled Dr. Eggel’s long-standing interest and dedication to allergy research: the profound impact of his wife’s allergies. This personal narrative adds a compelling human dimension to Excellergy’s mission, emphasizing empathy and a patient-first approach that guides the company’s innovative efforts. His research was not merely academic curiosity; it was driven by a keen awareness of the inherent limitations and unmet needs within existing allergy therapies, particularly the critical demand for faster and more complete desensitization. This identification of significant gaps in current treatment paradigms propelled his quest for truly innovative solutions.

• Foundational Scientific Discoveries: Unveiling Novel Mechanisms of IgE Control

Dr. Eggel’s team embarked on a meticulous study of the mechanisms of action of existing anti-IgE antibody therapies, such as omalizumab (marketed as Xolair). This rigorous investigation led to a truly breakthrough discovery: an additional, previously unknown mode of action for these antibodies. Their research revealed that at high concentrations, the therapeutic could actively remove surface-bound IgE from allergic effector cells. This finding was initially surprising, as it fundamentally challenged the prevailing understanding of IgE neutralization. This profound insight revealed that existing drugs possessed an inherent, yet unexploited, capacity to directly disarm cells, thereby paving the way for an entirely new therapeutic strategy.

• From Academic Insight to Commercialization: The Birth of Excellergy and its Core Mission

The realization of this novel IgE detachment mechanism catalyzed the decision to found Excellergy, specifically to commercialize this groundbreaking technology. This exemplifies the company’s unwavering commitment to translating academic rigor into significant clinical impact. The development of Excellergy’s drug candidates involved a crucial collaboration with Prof. Theodore Jardetzky at Stanford University, focusing on understanding the structural mechanisms of their novel IgE inhibitor approach. This collaboration proved instrumental, leading to the development of new binding proteins capable of efficiently removing IgE antibodies from cells. The culmination of this work was the achievement of high-resolution structural insights and subsequent publications in prestigious journals such as Nature. This robust scientific validation provides an unshakeable foundation for the company’s therapeutic claims.

Excellergy’s core mission crystallizes around the ambitious goal to “rapidly desensitize allergic patients by improving treatment speed and reducing frequent doctor visits”. This mission directly addresses key patient pain points: the often slow onset of current therapies and the significant burden of chronic disease management.

The strategic advantage inherent in this foundational scientific discovery cannot be overstated. By building upon an inherent, previously unrecognized capability of an existing, approved drug class (omalizumab), Excellergy’s core mechanism of IgE detachment is conceptually de-risked. This is not a completely novel, untested biological principle, but rather an optimization and enhancement of an existing, proven biological interaction. This approach is highly attractive to investors and regulatory bodies, as it leverages established safety profiles and biological pathways.

Furthermore, the discovery of this “additional mode of action” provides robust grounds for novel intellectual property, allowing Excellergy to differentiate its “Trifunctional Mechanism” as superior – not merely incrementally better, but fundamentally more comprehensive – than legacy therapies that only directly neutralize free IgE. This enables Excellergy to legitimately claim Exl-111 to be a “first-in-class” Trifunctional Effector Cell Response Inhibitor (ECRI) for the treatment of allergic conditions.  Dr. Eggel’s personal journey and the rigorous academic validation, including Nature publications and the Stanford University collaboration, lend immense credibility to Excellergy. This narrative resonates powerfully with scientific KOLs and HCPs, who highly value deep scientific understanding and evidence-based innovation. It frames Excellergy as a company built on fundamental science, rather than solely on commercial ambition. This foundational discovery positions Excellergy to disrupt the allergy treatment market by offering a solution that is both scientifically novel and strategically de-risked. It allows the company to articulate a unique value proposition rooted in a deeper understanding of allergic pathophysiology, potentially leading to faster market adoption and a strong competitive moat. The unforeseen nature of the discovery also creates a compelling story of scientific serendipity leading to profound therapeutic impact.

Dr. Luke Pennington is a visionary discovery scientist and biotech innovator with deep expertise in protein engineering, structural immunology, and antibody design. His impactful research includes pivotal work as a Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine on IgE-receptor complexes and structural mechanisms related to anti-IgE therapeutics. He is a co-inventor of Excellergy’s portfolio of allergic Effector Cell Response Inhibitors (ECRI) mechanism, building directly on foundational science from Excellergy’s academic collaborators.

Scientific Leadership & Innovation

• Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University School of Medicine – Conducted research on IgE-receptor complexes and structural mechanisms of immune signaling.
• Co-inventor of Exl-111’s trifunctional Effector Cell Response Inhibitor (ECRI) mechanism for the treatment of allergic conditions, building on foundational science from Excellergy’s academic collaborators.
• Experienced in structure-guided therapeutic design, preclinical validation, and translational immunology.

Dr. Geoff Harris is a biotechnology executive with nearly 20 years of R&D leadership in biologics, peptide therapeutics, and translational medicine.

His impactful career includes founding and serving as CEO (later Advisor) of Ocelot Bio from 2020 to 2024, where he advanced a first-in-class vasopressin-pathway therapeutic from concept through Phase 1, securing $36 million in Series A financing. His 14-year tenure at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, culminating as Global Director of External R&D Innovation, saw him lead cross-functional global teams and drive preclinical-to-development transitions for novel biologics.

As CSO and co-founder of Excellergy, Dr. Harris directs the company’s scientific strategy, oversees discovery and development programs, and is a co-inventor of the company’s lead anti-IgE therapeutic candidates. He architects Excellergy’s R&D engine, translating breakthrough IgE biology into clinically actionable therapies, ensuring scientific rigor and efficient execution.

Scientific & Executive Leadership

• Founder & CEO, later Advisor, Ocelot Bio (2020–2024) – Advanced a first-in-class vasopressin-pathway therapeutic from concept through Phase 1, securing $36M Series A financing.
• 14 years at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, progressing from Scientist to Global Director of External R&D Innovation – Led cross-functional global teams, external collaborations, and preclinical-to-development transitions for novel biologics.
• Early career in peptide-based therapeutic discovery and drug development.

Dr. Ted Jardetzky is a world-renowned structural biologist and one of Excellergy’s scientific co-founders. As a co-developer of Excellergy’s portfolio of allergic Effector Cell Response Inhibitors initial mechanistic framework, Dr. Jardetzky was instrumental in applying structure-guided antibody engineering to design a therapy capable of dissociating receptor-bound IgE without triggering degranulation. His insights established the architectural blueprint for Excellergy’s allergic effector cell response inhibitor platform and continue to inform the company’s scientific direction. He continues to serve the company in a consulting capacity, providing expert guidance on antibody design, receptor–ligand interactions, and the structural validation of therapeutic mechanisms.

At Stanford, Dr. Jardetzky is Professor and Chair of the Department of Structural Biology and holds appointments in Immunology and Biophysics. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology, and a former Pew Scholar, NIH MERIT Award recipient, and Cancer Research Institute Investigator. His research has produced more than 160 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Jardetzky’s laboratory investigates the structural mechanisms underlying allergic hypersensitivity, viral entry and pathogenesis, and immune signaling pathways. His work has defined how IgE engages its high-affinity receptor (FcεRI) and how engineered antibodies can disrupt this interaction, laying the foundation for novel therapeutic approaches. He has also solved the structures of key viral fusion and entry proteins, advancing vaccine and antiviral strategies for pathogens including paramyxoviruses and herpesviruses.

He holds a BS in Chemistry from Stanford University (1982) and a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of Basel (1986), providing him with a robust foundation for his work in structural biology.

Academic Leadership & Research Expertise

• Professor and Chair, Department of Structural Biology, Stanford School of Medicine
• Member: Stanford Bio-X, MCHRI, and Stanford Cancer Institute
• Fellow: American Academy of Microbiology, AAAS
• Former Pew Scholar, NIH Merit Award recipient, and Cancer Research Institute Investigator

Dr. Jardetzky’s lab is focused on structural mechanisms underlying:

• IgE-FcεRI interactions and allosteric modulation
• Viral pathogenesis and immune defense mechanisms (herpesviruses, paramyxoviruses)
• Therapeutic antibody design using structure-guided engineering