Orca Bio Unveils New Leadership Team Changes
Orca Bio, a late-stage biotechnology company dedicated to transforming the treatment landscape for patients through its cutting-edge high-precision cell therapies, has announced an important leadership transition. The company’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Nate Fernhoff, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Fernhoff succeeds Ivan Dimov, Ph.D., in this pivotal role, bringing extensive expertise in the scientific and clinical development of the company’s groundbreaking therapies.
In conjunction with this appointment, Orca Bio also announced the elevation of co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jeroen Bekaert, Ph.D., to the role of President. Dr. Bekaert’s new position will see him overseeing operations across all areas of the organization, ensuring that the company’s growth and innovation continue to align with its mission of advancing high-precision cell therapies for patients in need.
Dr. Fernhoff’s Vision for Orca Bio’s Future
In his new role as CEO, Dr. Fernhoff expressed his gratitude and commitment to Orca Bio’s mission. “I am honored and humbled to serve as CEO as we progress toward our vision of transforming the treatment landscape for patients living with blood cancer,” he said. “Following the positive Phase 3 results for Orca-T, we remain focused on a 2025 BLA submission and ensuring commercial readiness. In parallel, we are advancing our pipeline of groundbreaking cell therapies that leverage the same high-precision platform to potentially offer new and innovative treatments to more patients who could benefit.”
Dr. Fernhoff’s leadership will play a critical role in the company’s ongoing efforts to bring Orca-T, its investigational allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy, to market. The Phase 3 clinical trial data demonstrated positive results for Orca-T, further reinforcing the company’s confidence in its therapeutic potential. The company is actively preparing for a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission in 2025, which is a significant milestone in Orca Bio’s journey to commercialization.
Furthermore, Orca Bio is working to scale its U.S. manufacturing infrastructure to meet the anticipated demand for Orca-T and future therapies. This includes activating new production lines in its state-of-the-art commercial manufacturing facility, which will significantly increase production capacity. With these efforts, Orca Bio aims to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery of its products, setting the stage for a successful commercial launch.
Strengthening the Commercial Infrastructure
As part of its strategic expansion, Orca Bio is also enhancing its commercial organization by recruiting leaders with a proven track record in the successful launch of cell therapies. These new leaders will bring expertise in areas such as commercial operations, market access, and stakeholder engagement, positioning the company for a successful entry into the market. Orca Bio’s commitment to ensuring commercial readiness reflects its unwavering focus on both scientific advancement and operational excellence.
A Partnership Built on Experience and Shared Vision
Dr. Fernhoff was quick to acknowledge the vital role that Dr. Bekaert has played in the company’s success and how their continued collaboration will drive Orca Bio forward. “I’m fortunate to continue to partner with Jeroen in his new role as President where he will oversee operations across all areas of the organization,” Dr. Fernhoff said. “Since co-founding Orca Bio, Jeroen has played an integral part in guiding the company from its inception through multiple phases of clinical development and organizational growth.”
Dr. Bekaert’s leadership has been a cornerstone of Orca Bio’s success, particularly in operational strategy and execution. As the new President, Dr. Bekaert will leverage his extensive experience in both the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors to oversee the company’s functions and ensure that all teams are aligned with the company’s vision and goals.
About Nate Fernhoff, Ph.D.
Dr. Fernhoff, who will now serve as the CEO of Orca Bio, has a distinguished background in molecular and cell biology. Before transitioning into the role of CEO, Dr. Fernhoff served as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), where he was instrumental in leading the development of Orca Bio’s high-precision cell therapy platform. He is one of the inventors of Orca-Q, the company’s next-generation investigational allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy, which is designed to treat hematologic malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Dr. Fernhoff’s scientific career has been marked by a strong commitment to advancing innovative therapies for blood cancers. Prior to co-founding Orca Bio, he held a prestigious Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University in the Irving Weissman laboratory, where his research contributed to the development of novel immunotherapies.
He holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and mathematics from Stanford University. Dr. Fernhoff’s academic background, combined with his hands-on experience in the biotechnology sector, provides him with a unique perspective to lead Orca Bio as it moves closer to commercializing its first cell therapy product.
In addition to his work at Orca Bio, Dr. Fernhoff serves on the board of the ML4 Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting medical research for Mucolipidosis Type IV (ML4), a rare genetic disease. His dedication to advancing science and supporting innovative research is a reflection of his broader commitment to improving patient outcomes.
About Jeroen Bekaert, Ph.D.
Dr. Bekaert, Orca Bio’s new President, brings a wealth of experience in the fields of innovation, operations, and biotechnology. Prior to co-founding Orca Bio, Dr. Bekaert was the head of Merck KGaA’s innovation center in Silicon Valley, where he played a crucial role in identifying and developing scientific and technological opportunities from universities and emerging biotech companies. This experience positioned him to play an instrumental role in shaping Orca Bio’s operational strategy and ensuring that the company’s product pipeline remained aligned with cutting-edge developments in the biotechnology space.
Dr. Bekaert’s career also includes significant leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson, where he held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility in the company’s supply chain group. His most recent position at Johnson & Johnson was as Director of worldwide engineering and technical operations, overseeing the company’s portfolio in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region. This extensive background in operations, combined with his deep understanding of the biotechnology sector, makes Dr. Bekaert uniquely qualified to lead the operational activities at Orca Bio.
Dr. Bekaert holds a master’s and Ph.D. in computer science engineering from Ghent University. He also earned a master’s degree in management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His academic background, combined with his experience in both the research and operational sides of the biotechnology industry, equips him to oversee the continued growth and operational success of Orca Bio.
A Strong Foundation for the Future
With the leadership team now in place, Orca Bio is poised for a period of significant growth and development. The transition to new leadership, along with the company’s ongoing efforts to scale its manufacturing infrastructure, strengthen its commercial capabilities, and advance its pipeline, sets the stage for Orca Bio to fulfill its mission of improving patient outcomes through precision cell therapies.
The appointment of Dr. Fernhoff as CEO and Dr. Bekaert as President marks a critical step in Orca Bio’s evolution as it looks ahead to a future where it can offer transformative therapies to patients living with blood cancers and beyond. With a strong pipeline, committed leadership, and a clear vision, Orca Bio is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the field of cell therapy and the lives of patients worldwide.
