About

I am pleased to be part of such a dedicated team, with extensive combined experience of developing biological products through to approval and commercialisation. We are focussed on the continued development of emactuzumab as a potentially best-in-class treatment for patients with TGCT and other macrophage-driven pathologies around the globe. This is a critical and exciting stage of the company's journey and we all look forward to pursuing our mission.

Ray Barlow

Chief Executive Officer

Our mission

At SynOx, we understand the power of being in control of your own journey in the treatment of your disease.

Our mission is to establish emactuzumab as a best-in-class drug of choice to address the unmet needs, and improve the quality of life, of as many patients as possible.

By connecting our industry-leading knowledge and experience with passion and dedication, we aim to provide life-improving options to address the unmet clinical needs of people living with tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage mediated diseases.

SynOx Therapeutics was established in November 2020 following the licensing from Roche of the exclusive worldwide rights to emactuzumab, a potentially best-in-class CSF-1R monoclonal antibody. Emactuzumab has a well-tolerated safety profile and has shown promising efficacy in patients suffering from TGCT, a rare and debilitating disease that causes significant pain and disability.

SynOx is led by an experienced team of industry professionals with a successful track record of developing and bringing products to commercialisation. It is backed by a strong syndicate of premier life sciences investors.

Our team

  • Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer
    X

    Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer

    Ray was appointed as CEO of SynOx Therapeutics in May 2021. Ray has over 20 years’ experience of the biopharmaceutical industry gained through leadership positions in scientific, clinical, commercial, and executive roles. Ray has diverse experience gained in global pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, J&J and Amgen), publicly listed biotechs (Emergent BioSolutions Inc, Crucell N.V., e-Therapeutics PLC and Kiadis N.V.) and private companies such as Asterion Limited.

    Ray has very strong corporate development experience, right across the value chain and has led and closed numerous M&A, licensing, commercial, manufacturing, equity-based and IP-based deals collectively worth multiple billions of dollars. Prior to his industrial career, Ray completed a PhD at Manchester University, UK and did postdoctoral research at McGill University, Canada.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Elyse Seltzer

    Chief Medical Officer
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    Elyse Seltzer

    Chief Medical Officer

    Dr. Elyse Seltzer joined SynOx Therapeutics as Chief Medical Officer in October, 2024 and brings a wealth of experience and leadership in clinical development, regulatory strategy, and therapeutic expertise across a variety of therapeutic areas.   

    Elyse’s  career includes significant contributions in both the biotech industry and public health sectors. Her expertise spans clinical development from early experimental phases through to late-stage trials and commercialization, with a history of successful interactions with regulatory authorities.  She most recently served as a Senior Therapeutic Subject Matter Expert at BARDA, where she supported partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies focused on therapeutic development for emerging infectious diseases and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Her background also includes leadership roles as Chief Development Officer at Urogen Pharma, where she led the development and approval of Jelmyto for urologic oncology, and Chief Medical Officer at Nabriva Therapeutics, where she drove the successful approval of Xenleta for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.  At GlaxoSmithKline, Elyse held multiple vice president roles, shaping clinical strategies and overseeing a global organization responsible for delivering a diverse R&D portfolio.

    Elyse practiced clinical medicine with a specialty in Infectious Diseases prior to transitioning to the biopharmaceutical industry.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Broes Naeye

    Chief Technology Officer
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    Broes Naeye

    Chief Technology Officer

    Broes joined SynOx Therapeutics in June 2021 with more than 10 years of experience in development and commercialisation of biopharmaceuticals. Most recently, he served as Global Product Supply Lead at Sanofi, where he was responsible for the global supply of Dupixent®. Previously, he worked as Head of Commercial Supply and CMC Project Lead at Ablynx. Broes graduated as a pharmacist and holds a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Ghent, Belgium.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Robert Francomano

    Chief Commercial Officer
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    Robert Francomano

    Chief Commercial Officer

    Robert joined SynOx Therapeutics as a tenured Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) in August 2024, bringing over 25 years of expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Most recently, he served as CCO at SELLAS Life Sciences, where he developed a fully integrated commercial operations framework to support the company’s inaugural launch of a cancer vaccine to treat patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

    Previously and notably, Robert held the CCO role at Stemline Therapeutics, where he led a comprehensive organizational transformation, advancing the company from a clinical-stage entity to one with a robust global commercial capability. Under his leadership, Stemline established infrastructure across marketing, diagnostics, sales, reimbursement & access, and medical affairs, achieving a highly ranked commercial launch in the orphan oncology space.

    Earlier in his career, Robert held progressively senior commercial roles in the oncology business units of Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca, gaining extensive experience and building the foundation for his expertise in the biotechnology industry.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Sarah Clare

    SVP, Finance and Operations
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    Sarah Clare

    SVP, Finance and Operations

    Sarah joined SynOx Therapeutics in July 2021. She is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience.

    Previously she was Director of Finance & Compliance at e-therapeutics plc and she has experience across a wide range of management, operations and compliance including global financial reporting and corporate governance frameworks.

    She attended Imperial College London where she attained a first class BSc (Hons) in Biology and Business Management before training as a Chartered Accountant at Blick Rothenberg in London.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Sander Veltkamp

    VP, External Affairs and Business Development
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    Sander Veltkamp

    VP, External Affairs and Business Development

    Sander joined SynOx Therapeutics in January 2022, bringing over 15 years of early and late phase clinical development, medical and regulatory experience at (bio)pharmaceutical companies. Sander has played a key role in the successful launch of innovative targeted medicine in oncology, haematology and other therapeutic areas for patients with severe and rare diseases.

    Sander gained experience in international (bio)pharmaceutical companies (Astellas, Takeda, Abbvie and Gilead) where he fulfilled strategic, operational and leadership positions and was responsible for driving the global development and commercialisation of novel personalised medicine in Europe, US and Japan.

    Sander graduated as a pharmacist and holds a registration as Clinical Pharmacologist from the University of Utrecht and completed his PhD in Medical Oncology and Clinical Pharmacology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute – Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

Board of Directors

  • Philip Astley-Sparke

    Non-Executive Chair
    X

    Philip Astley-Sparke

    Non-Executive Chair

    Philip is Executive Chairman of Replimune, which he co-founded in 2015 to develop next generation oncolytic therapies. Replimune’s  lead program has been filed for approval with the FDA. Previously, he was the President and CEO of BioVex Inc, which developed the first oncolytic therapy to be approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2015. Philip relocated BioVex from the UK to the US in 2005 before it was acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn in 2011. Subsequent to BioVex/Amgen, Philip was President at uniQure where he established their US infrastructure including, at the time, the world’s largest gene therapy manufacturing facility. He served as uniQure’s Chairman from 2016 until 2021. Philip also previously served as Chairman of the board of directors of Oxyrane Limited, from 2012 to 2020. Philip received a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from Bristol University, UK, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen and was a healthcare investment banker with Robert Fleming/Chase H&Q. He is based in Boston, MA. 

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer
    X

    Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer

    Ray was appointed as CEO of SynOx Therapeutics in May 2021. Ray has over 20 years’ experience of the biopharmaceutical industry gained through leadership positions in scientific, clinical, commercial, and executive roles. Ray has diverse experience gained in global pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, J&J and Amgen), publicly listed biotechs (Emergent BioSolutions Inc, Crucell N.V., e-Therapeutics PLC and Kiadis N.V.) and private companies such as Asterion Limited.

    Ray has very strong corporate development experience, right across the value chain and has led and closed numerous M&A, licensing, commercial, manufacturing, equity-based and IP-based deals collectively worth multiple billions of dollars. Prior to his industrial career, Ray completed a PhD at Manchester University, UK and did postdoctoral research at McGill University, Canada.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Philip Astley-Sparke

    Non-Executive Chair
    X

    Philip Astley-Sparke

    Non-Executive Chair

    Philip is Executive Chairman of Replimune, which he co-founded in 2015 to develop next generation oncolytic therapies. Replimune’s  lead program has been filed for approval with the FDA. Previously, he was the President and CEO of BioVex Inc, which developed the first oncolytic therapy to be approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2015. Philip relocated BioVex from the UK to the US in 2005 before it was acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn in 2011. Subsequent to BioVex/Amgen, Philip was President at uniQure where he established their US infrastructure including, at the time, the world’s largest gene therapy manufacturing facility. He served as uniQure’s Chairman from 2016 until 2021. Philip also previously served as Chairman of the board of directors of Oxyrane Limited, from 2012 to 2020. Philip received a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from Bristol University, UK, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen and was a healthcare investment banker with Robert Fleming/Chase H&Q. He is based in Boston, MA. 

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer
    X

    Ray Barlow

    Chief Executive Officer

    Ray was appointed as CEO of SynOx Therapeutics in May 2021. Ray has over 20 years’ experience of the biopharmaceutical industry gained through leadership positions in scientific, clinical, commercial, and executive roles. Ray has diverse experience gained in global pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, J&J and Amgen), publicly listed biotechs (Emergent BioSolutions Inc, Crucell N.V., e-Therapeutics PLC and Kiadis N.V.) and private companies such as Asterion Limited.

    Ray has very strong corporate development experience, right across the value chain and has led and closed numerous M&A, licensing, commercial, manufacturing, equity-based and IP-based deals collectively worth multiple billions of dollars. Prior to his industrial career, Ray completed a PhD at Manchester University, UK and did postdoctoral research at McGill University, Canada.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Carlo Incerti, M.D.

    Non-Executive Director
    X

    Carlo Incerti, M.D.

    Non-Executive Director

    Carlo has more than three decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including in rare disease drug development. Carlo is currently an operating partner at Forbion, a life sciences venture capital firm. Previously, he held several positions of increasing responsibility during his more than 25 years at Sanofi Genzyme, including senior vice president, chief medical officer and head of global medical affairs. Before his industry career Carlo was a practicing endocrinologist and an Associate Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, where he had received his medical degree. Currently he is chairman of the Board at Numab Therapeutics AG, Azafaros B.V., VectorY Therapeutics, and a member of the Board of Dyne Therapeutics.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Chip (Charles R.) Romp

    Non-Executive Director (Secura Bio)
    X

    Chip (Charles R.) Romp

    Non-Executive Director (Secura Bio)

    Chip (Charles R.) Romp is currently the Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Secura Bio. He brings more than 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in leading and building commercial organizations and launching new therapies. Prior to joining Secura Bio, he served as Executive Vice President of U.S. Commercial at Seagen, where he oversaw the company’s entire commercial operations, served on its executive committee, and led the launches of multiple key oncology therapies before Seagen’s acquisition by Pfizer. Earlier in his career, he spent 12 years at Genentech including senior commercial roles across oncology and immunology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and an MBA from Saint Leo University in Florida.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Carl Kilander

    Non-Executive Director (HealthCap)
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    Carl Kilander

    Non-Executive Director (HealthCap)

    Carl Kilander is a partner of HealthCap. Prior to joining HealthCap in 2019, Carl co-founded and was CEO of a health- tech start-up exited in 2019. Carl is a Medical Doctor trained at the Karolinska Institute and at Harvard Medical School. Carl worked clinically in general surgery and pursued research in the field of hepato-biliary malignancies at the Karolinska Institute rendering him a PhD in clinical epidemiology in 2017. He is the author of 5 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Carl represents HealthCap as a director on the board of SynOx Therapeutics and is an observer on the board of Aro Biotechnologies, Pretzel Therapeutics and Doctrin.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Dirk Kersten

    Non-Executive Director (Forbion)
    X

    Dirk Kersten

    Non-Executive Director (Forbion)

    Dirk is a General Partner at Forbion and manages the Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund. Dirk is a physicist by training and previously worked as a Partner at Gilde Healthcare Partners, where he led their Boston/US operations. Furthermore, Dirk was a Managing Director at INKEF Capital responsible for all life sciences investment activities. Dirk led a series of investments in Europe and the US, including: Dyne Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DYN) Ascendis Pharma (NASDAQ: ASND), Profibrix (acquired by MEDCO), Lanthio Pharma (acquired by Morphosys), Nightbalance (acquired by Philips), Audion Therapeutics (private).

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Arthur Franken

    Non-Executive Director (Gilde)
    X

    Arthur Franken

    Non-Executive Director (Gilde)

    Arthur Franken joined Gilde in 2001 and is part of the founding team of Gilde Healthcare. He is focusing on venture and growth capital investments in the biopharm, medtech, diagnostics and digital health sectors. He was responsible for the investments in Breath Therapeutics (acquired by Zambon), Calypso Biotech (acquired by Novartis), Conatus Pharmaceuticals (IPO on NASDAQ), FlowCardia (acquired by C. R. Bard), Levicept, Moximed, MTM Laboratories (acquired by Roche), Noema Pharma, ProQR Therapeutics (IPO on NASDAQ), SpliceBio, Synox and STAT-Dx (acquired by QIAGEN).

    He has been involved in numerous investments and divestments including Ablynx (IPO on Euronext, acquired by Sanofi-Aventis), Axonics (IPO on NASDAQ, acquired by Boston Scientific), CVRx (IPO on NASDAQ), Eargo (IPO on NASDAQ), FIRE1, Proverum and uniQure (IPO on NASDAQ).

    He represents Gilde on the boards of Levicept, Moximed, Noema Pharma, Purespring Therapeutics, SpliceBio and Synox Therapeutics and served as a board member for Breath Therapeutics, Calypso Biotech, FlowCardia, MTM Laboratories, ProQR Therapeutics and STAT-Dx until their trade sales or IPO.

    He holds a master’s degree in Biopharmaceutical Sciences from Leiden University, the Netherlands. Prior to joining Gilde he was active in cardiovascular research at the Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and TNO. He is a Dutch national.

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • Tom Heyman

    Non-Executive Director (BioQube)
    X

    Tom Heyman

    Non-Executive Director (BioQube)

    Tom Heyman is Executive Partner at BioQube Ventures . He spent 37 years at Johnson & Johnson where , for more than 20 years he led Business Development of J & J ’s Pharmaceutical Group. He led the acquisition of several companies like Centocor , Tibotec , Cougar Pharmaceuticals and Aragon Pharmaceuticals to name a few . Under his leadership multiple major licensing transactions were executed . From 2015 till his retirement from J & J at the end of 2019 , he was the President of JJDC , J & J ’s Corporate Venture Capital group where he managed over $ 1 Billion in capital . 

    Tom is a member of the Board of Legend Biotech ( NASDAQ : LEGN ) , Exelixis ( NASDAQ : EXEL ) and Akero Therapeutics ( NASDAQ : AKRO ) and IMEC VZW . He also represents BioQube on the Boards of Temmune Therapeutics and Primmune Therapeutics .

    Tom holds a law degree from the University of Leuven ( Belgium ) .

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

  • X

    synox

    SynOx Therapeutics Ltd was founded in November 2020 and is solely focused on developing emactuzumab, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody against CSF-1R, for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumours (TGCT) and other macrophage-driven pathologies.

    © SynOx Therapeutics.
    Last Revised: July 2022.

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