Business Development Executive - Life Sciences/Biotech

Mitchell Kopacz

********.******@*****.*** 716-***-**** Boston, MA linkedin.com/in/mrkopacz/

Professional Summary

Scientist-turned-BD professional with 9+ years of drug development experience across gene editing, cell therapy, and nucleic acid therapeutics — progressing from bench scientist to program lead to interim director before transitioning into BD and strategic roles. Directly supported two asset acquisitions, multiple partnership negotiations, and investor data packages. Experienced in end-to-end deal execution, CRO/CDMO management, and translating complex biology into commercial narratives. Seeking Business. development Manager roles where scientific credibility drives deal value.

Work Experience

CuriRx, Wilmington, MA Dec 2025 – Mar 2026

Business Development Manager

• Built qualified BD pipeline from near-zero through targeted outreach, competitive market segmentation, and repositioned company value proposition for the formulation and bioprocessing market.

• Led end-to-end deal execution across multiple client partnerships, drafted and negotiated MSAs, CDAs, and service agreements concurrently, compressing deal cycles through proactive cross-functional coordination.

• Conducted market landscape analysis across formulation, bioprocessing, and analytical service verticals; identified high-growth white-space segments that directly reshaped BD priority-setting and resource allocation.

• Developed client-facing capability materials and pitch assets, improving lead conversion and increasing inbound interest from emerging biotech clients.

• Participated in investor and strategic partnership discussions, evaluating opportunities through combined commercial and scientific diligence lenses.

• Streamlined internal workflows between BD, scientific ops, and leadership to reduced response lag on inbound inquiries and accelerated deal timelines by improving cross-functional handoffs. Neoclease, Boston, MA Jul 2025 – Dec 2025

Principle Scientist consultant (Volunteer, Pre-Seed)

• Embedded with stealth-mode gene editing startup as scientific contributor while company worked to raise pre-seed capital. Designed in vitro screening strategy for novel spatial genomic microenvironment-based gene editors.

• Contributed to scientific narrative and platform differentiation strategy used in early investor conversations; assessed competitive positioning relative to CRISPR and transposon-based incumbents.

• Generated proof-of-concept data supporting platform credibility ahead of fundraise. Independent BD & Scientific Strategy Consultant, Boston/remote, MA Oct 2024 – Aug 2025

• Advised early-stage companies on scientific strategy, CRO/CDMO vendor selection, and development planning in support of pre-seed/seed fundraising efforts.

• Performed gap analyses on preclinical data packages, identified key scientific and operational risks, defined derisking experiments, and reframed development milestones to align investor narrative with program reality.

• Brokered introductions and facilitated engagement with CRO/CDMO partners to de-risk development timelines and reduce burn ahead of financing rounds.

• Translated complex datasets into actionable strategic insights; advised on go/no-go decisions and near-term resource prioritization for founding teams.

Nucleate Activator, Boston, MA Jan 2025 – May 2025

• Selected for competitive biotech venture-building program; completed structured curriculum covering IP strategy, indication selection, and therapeutics development.

• Engaged directly with industry leaders, investors, and founders to learn best practices for accelerating biotech innovation. Built network spanning VCs, BD executives, and company builders. SalioGen Therapeutics Inc, Lexington, MA Apr 2022- Oct 2024 Associate Scientist (Apr 2022) Scientist & Program Lead (Aug 2023) Interim Director (Mar 2024)

• Served as program lead across two therapeutic indications (Stargardt disease and liver) simultaneously — managed internal teams, CRO partners, and external collaborators from IND-enabling study design through Pre-IND regulatory submissions.

• Developed investor-facing data packages for both programs; presented preclinical results to leadership, KOLs, and external stakeholders in contexts directly tied to partnership discussions and financing decisions.

• Managed two external academic/industry collaborations focused on co-delivery LNP platforms (DNA + mRNA) for multi-modal gene therapy: evaluated technical feasibility, negotiated deliverable scope, and integrated external data into overall program strategy.

• Contributed to Pre-IND (Type D) FDA meeting preparation and filing data packages: bridged scientific and regulatory strategy in a context with direct asset-value implications.

• Led cross-functional advisory role for novel DNA/mRNA LNP drug product, contributing scientific guidance on release criteria and manufacturing readiness conversations with external partners.

• Managed CRO relationships for in vivo work and study endpoint analysis; ensured streamlined communication, rapid data turnaround, and smooth study execution across multiple concurrent programs.

• Advised on competitive landscape and future development challenges for CFTR program. Provided strategic input on indication approach and differentiation to leadership.

• As Interim Director, led in vivo team through a critical IND-enabling stage: oversaw study design, execution, and data analysis while managing both RA-level and PhD-level scientists. Apriori Bio, Inc. Formerly FL 77 Cambridge, MA Nov 2021- Apr 2022

• Contributed to deep mutational scanning (DMS) platform for next-generation vaccine development targeting evolving viral threats. Built MACs-based and FACS-based assay systems for high-throughput library screening in a Yeast Display System.

• Established high-throughput molecular design procedures supporting platform scalability; early-stage platform work with direct relevance to future licensing and partnership potential. Factor Bioscience Inc. Cambridge, MA Nov 2018- Nov 2021 Research Associate (Nov 2018) Associate Scientist & Program Manager (Nov 2019)

• Co-led two iPSC-to-immune-cell therapy programs (iPSC NK and iPSC T cell) from early R&D through proof-of-concept; programs directly enabled the spinout of Exacis Biotherapeutics, which raised seed funding and was subsequently acquired by Eterna Therapeutics for IND-enabling work.

• Led an MSC therapy program for COVID-ARDS that was acquired by Brooklyn Therapeutics (via Novellus Therapeutics, Inc.) in 2021: supported scientific and technical diligence for the transaction.

• Developed an iPSC-to-macrophage program with scalable GMP-compatible manufacturing process. Generated proof-of-concept data used to support additional company fundraising.

• Served as technical lead for technology transfers to CDMOs and licensee partners: managed scope, timelines, documentation, and IP protection to ensure smooth transfer of proprietary manufacturing processes.

• Negotiated service and supply contracts, achieving cost savings that were reallocated to platform R&D. Direct experience in vendor management and commercial negotiation.

• Presented program data to investors and strategic partners; contributed to partnership materials and due diligence packages across multiple concurrent BD initiatives.

• Assisted CEO in planning and procuring GMP clean room infrastructure. Acted as the scientist-to-operations bridge on a major capital and facility initiative.

• Established operating guidelines for Novellus (IP holding entity) and the Factor Bioscience Co-Op program. Early exposure to corporate structuring, IP management, and spinout governance.

• Managed cross-functional R&D team of 6 across junior and PhD-level scientists. Developed mentorship structures, SOPs, and research plans for 4 concurrent programs. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY July 2016- Nov 2018

• Member of genomics team validating new sequencing assays; led technical team for Roswell Park's Microbiome pilot project. First exposure to cross-functional team coordination and translational research infrastructure at a major NCI-designated cancer center.

• Performed nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, and sequencer operation; established SOPs and optimized workflows for incoming pilot projects.

Core Competencies

BD & Partnerships: Deal execution (MSA, CDA, service agreements), partnership sourcing, diligence, CRO/CDMO management, go-to-market strategy, market analysis Scientific Evaluation: Gene editing (CRISPR, transposons, retroelements), iPSC cell therapy, LNP/mRNA/DNA delivery, IND-enabling study design, NHP pharmacology Strategic Communication: Investor presentations, BD/capability decks, KOL engagement, Pre-IND/Type D regulatory submissions, cross-functional leadership Therapeutic Areas: Ophthalmology (Stargardt/ABCA4), hepatology, pulmonary (CFTR), oncology/immunology Education

M.A., Biology Molecular & Cellular Biology 2018

University at Buffalo · Buffalo, NY

B.S., Biology Molecular Biology & Genetics 2015

Canisius University · Buffalo, NY

Patents & Publications

• 3 patents pending: gene editing proteins (US20230193231A1), engineered immune cell therapies

(CA3209946A1), ocular gene coding compositions (App. #63/688,045)

• 7 peer-reviewed publications in Molecular Therapy (2020–2021) as first or co-author on gene editing and iPSC cell therapy platforms

• Conference presentations: ASGCT 2024 (oral), ARVO 2024 (presenting author), CRS 2024 — Stargardt LNP/transposon gene replacement data

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