Our team
SynOx brings together an experienced, multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning science, medicine, drug development, commercialisation, finance and operations. We combine deep industry experience with the agility and focus of a growing biotechnology company.
Across our leadership team, Board and wider organisation, we share a common purpose: to improve the lives of people living with TGCT. As we advance emactuzumab and prepare for the next stage of SynOx’s growth, we are building the capabilities, culture and partnerships needed to turn strong science into meaningful outcomes for patients.
Leadership team
Ray Barlow
Chief Executive Officer
Biotech CEO (SynOx Therapeutics, since 2021) with 20+ years at AstraZeneca, J&J and Amgen, plus public and private biotechs. Led and closed M&A, licensing, manufacturing, equity and IP deals worth multiple billions of dollars. PhD, MBA, BSc (Hons).
Elyse Seltzer
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Elyse Seltzer joined SynOx Therapeutics as Chief Medical Officer in 2024. An Infectious Diseases physician and clinical development leader, she drove approvals at Urogen and Nabriva and held senior roles at BARDA and GSK.
Broes Naeye
Chief Technology Officer
Broes joined SynOx Therapeutics in 2021 with 10+ years in biopharma development and commercialization. He was global product supply lead for Dupixent® at Sanofi, previously worked at Ablynx, and holds a PhD in biochemistry from Ghent University.
Robert Francomano
Chief Commercial Officer
Robert joined SynOx Therapeutics as Chief Commercial Officer in 2024, with 25+ years in biopharma. He was CCO at SELLAS and Stemline, where he led a highly ranked orphan oncology launch, and held senior roles at Pfizer, GSK and AstraZeneca.
Sarah Clare
SVP, Finance and Operations
Sarah joined SynOx Therapeutics in 2021. A Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience, she previously served as Director of Finance & Compliance at e-therapeutics plc and holds a first-class BSc from Imperial College London.
Chris Holterhoff
SVP, Corporate Development
Chris Holterhoff joined SynOx Therapeutics as SVP, Corporate Development in 2025. He led business development at Bluejay Therapeutics and LEXEO, advised biotechs at MTS Health Partners, and holds an MBA from Columbia University.
Taylor Salinardi
Vice President of Global Medical Affairs
Taylor Salinardi joined SynOx Therapeutics in 2026 as VP of Global Medical Affairs, with 15+ years in global pharma. She was VP of Medical Affairs Operations & Excellence at Azurity Pharmaceuticals and holds a PhD from Tufts University.
Joe Heikkinen
SVP, Head of Sales
Joe Heikkinen, SVP, Head of Sales at SynOx Therapeutics, has 25+ years in biotech, pharma, and med devices. As SVP Sales at Stemline, he led the successful launch of an ultra-rare oncology therapy. Prior roles include Arjo/Getinge and AstraZeneca.
Sigrid Schreiner
SVP, Market Access & Reimbursement
Sigrid Schreiner, SVP of Market Access and Reimbursement at SynOx Therapeutics, brings 25 years of global oncology and rare disease access and launch expertise. She held SVP roles at ImmunityBio and Stemline, leading Elzonris’ U.S./EU launch.
Board of directors
Philip Astley-Sparke
Non-Executive Chair
Philip is Executive Chairman of Replimune, which he co-founded in 2015. He was CEO of BioVex, acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn, and President at uniQure. A Chartered Accountant, he holds a BSc from Bristol University.
Ray Barlow
Chief Executive Officer
Ray has been CEO of SynOx Therapeutics since May 2021, with 20+ years in biopharma at AstraZeneca, J&J and Amgen. He has closed deals worth billions and holds a PhD from Manchester University, with postdoctoral research at McGill University.
Carlo Incerti, M.D.
Non-Executive Director
Carlo brings 30+ years in biopharma and rare disease drug development. An Operating Partner at Forbion, he spent 25+ years at Sanofi Genzyme as SVP, CMO and Head of Global Medical Affairs, and was an endocrinologist and Associate Professor in Italy.
Chip (Charles R.) Romp
Non-Executive Director (Secura Bio)
Chip Romp is CEO and a board member of Secura Bio, with 25+ years in pharma. He was EVP of U.S. Commercial at Seagen before its acquisition by Pfizer, spent 12 years at Genentech, and holds an MBA from Saint Leo University.
Carl Kilander
Non-Executive Director (HealthCap)
Carl Kilander is a Partner at HealthCap and a director on the SynOx Therapeutics board. A Medical Doctor trained at the Karolinska Institute and Harvard Medical School, he also holds a PhD in clinical epidemiology.
Dirk Kersten
Non-Executive Director (Forbion)
Dirk is a General Partner at Forbion, managing the Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund. A physicist, he was a Partner at Gilde Healthcare and Managing Director at INKEF Capital. He led investments in Dyne Therapeutics and Ascendis Pharma.
Arthur Franken
Non-Executive Director (Gilde)
Arthur Franken co-founded Gilde Healthcare in 2001. As General Partner, he leads the firm’s biopharma investment strategy. He also serves on the board of SynOx Therapeutics and holds an MSc in Biopharmaceutical Sciences from Leiden University.
Tom Heyman
Non-Executive Director (BioQube)
Tom Heyman is Executive Partner at BioQube Ventures. In 37 years at J&J, he led pharma business development and was President of JJDC, managing $1B+. He sits on the boards of Legend Biotech and Exelixis, and holds a law degree from Leuven.
Investors
SynOx is backed by a world-class group of life science investors who share our commitment to improving outcomes for people living with rare diseases.
