Management
Epigenomics is managed by a team characterized by a unique mix of seasoned diagnostics industry experience, science and management expertise, and the entrepreneurial commitment to build a world-leading cancer molecular diagnostics company.
Geert Walther Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer Epigenomics AG
Geert has a distinguished career in the global diagnostics industry. He joined Epigenomics in February 2007 from a position as Managing Director and member of the Management Board of pharmaceutical and diagnostics company Abbott GmbH & Co. KG in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he held the commercial responsibility for the Diagnostic Division. Geert has an academic background in chemical engineering and received marketing and management training at INSEAD in France. He started his career in Denmark, working for Diagnostics companies Beckman Instruments and Dako A/S in national and international positions. He joined Abbott in 1999 as the company’s Country Manager in Denmark from a position as Managing Director of Dako AG in Switzerland. He then moved on into positions with increasing responsibilities, including business development and marketing for Abbott Diagnostics in Europe.
Dr. Thomas Taapken, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Thomas Taapken joined Epigenomics on April 1, 2011 as Chief Financial Officer. Thomas Taapken joined Epigenomics from Biotie Therapies Corp. (Finland), where he held the position of CFO and was a member of the Executive Management Team. He was appointed to this position in 2008, following a business combination between Biotie Therapies and elbion NV, where Thomas had been CFO since 2005. His extensive international experience in the life sciences industry includes previous positions as Investment Partner at DVC Deutsche Venture Capital from 2003 to 2005 and San Francisco-based US venture capital firm Burrill & Company from 1998–2002. He also worked several years at Sanofi-Aventis in the U.S.A. and Germany, managing corporate venture capital activities, as well as in the areas of corporate & business development and research. Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous transactions spanning acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, as well as private and public offerings.
Dr. med. Juergen Beck, Senior Vice President Medical Affairs
Juergen studied medicine at the Universities of Wuerzburg, Heidelberg and Berlin. He finished his exams and his medical license as a Doctoral Student at the German Cancer Research Center and MD magna cum laude by the Medical Faculty of University of Heidelberg. He did his Diploma and academic degree in economics at the Distance Learning University of Hagen. Between 1982 and 1998 Juergen worked in different positions in clinical research departments in the pharmaceutical industry (e. g. Boehringer Ingelheim) in Germany and France. From 1999 to 2010 he was Managing Director of Monitoring Force, a Clinical Contract Research Organisation based in Germany, US, France, Spain, Italy, and Romania. He joined Epigenomics in 2010 as Senior Vice President Medical Affairs.
Noel Doheny, CEO Epigenomics Inc.
Noel joined Epigenomics in May 2011 to head our U.S. commercial operations as CEO of our U.S. Subsidiary Epigenomics Inc. Noel brings in 30+ years of experience in the field of diagnostics, with over 20 years in senior management. Prior to joining Epigenomics, he held positions as CEO of OpGen, Senior Vice President for the Molecular Diagnostics Division of Affymetrix Inc., Vice President of Pre-Analytical Solutions and a member of the Executive Committee at QIAGEN as well as President and CEO of BioStar Inc. He has built several operating teams from the ground up, including the commercial teams to launch novel products at companies such as Ciba Corning, Biostar, and OpGen. Noel obtained degrees in Biology and Chemistry from West Virginia University and attended Georgetown University for post-graduate studies in Biochemistry prior to moving into industry.
Dr. Uwe Staub, Senior Vice President R&D/Manufacturing
Uwe studied Biology at the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, and earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Human Genetics. Before joining Epigenomics, Uwe worked 14 years in the IVD industry for Abbott Diagnostics, Digene and Qiagen and gained experience in Operations, Quality and Regulatory Affairs as well as Product Development. Uwe heads Epigenomics' R&D and Manufacturing Department.
Albert Weber, Senior Vice President Finance, Accounting & Controlling
Albert earned his degree in business administration at the University of Cologne. After several years in various accounting and treasury functions with international corporate players (Sony, EMI), he joined a German IT start-up and accompanied this company through a successful IPO. In 2000, he joined Epigenomics. He heads the entire accounting, controlling and treasury as well as the IT systems administration, the purchasing and the general administration. As project manager in charge he guided Epigenomics through several successful financing transactions. Albert is a proxy holder for the company.