VERAXA Biotech AG has appointed Rick Austin, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer effective May 1st, 2025. This strategic appointment comes as the company, an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, prepares to advance its innovative BiTAC™ platform and clinical-stage pipeline.
Dr. Austin brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across oncology discovery and early development to VERAXA, which is currently a proposed de-SPAC acquisition target of Voyager Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: VACH).
Strategic Leadership Addition During Transformative Period
"Dr. Austin's appointment comes at a transformative period for VERAXA and I'm looking forward to working with him as we enter the next phase in VERAXA's journey," commented Christoph Antz, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of VERAXA. "Rick's extensive expertise in oncology drug development, combined with his deep ties to the U.S. biopharma ecosystem, will be instrumental progressing our lead programs into the clinic, in tapping into the rich U.S.-based talent pool, and expanding our scientific footprint."
The appointment represents a significant addition to VERAXA's leadership team as the company works to advance its proprietary BiTAC platform, which aims to improve the therapeutic window of both antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers.
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Austin previously served as Vice President of Research at Harpoon Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on T-cell engagers that was acquired by Merck in 2024. His career includes multiple positions at Amgen and Tularik (acquired by Amgen in 2004), where he led tumor immunology projects using BiTE® technology to target multiple myeloma and ovarian cancers.
Throughout his career, Dr. Austin has enabled numerous Investigational New Drug (IND) filings and first-in-human studies. He is an inventor on 12 issued patents and has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed research publications. Dr. Austin earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University and completed postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Focus on Enhanced Cancer Treatments
"I look forward to joining VERAXA to help deliver a pipeline of efficacious cancer treatments with enhanced safety profiles," said Rick Austin. "VERAXA's innovative BiTAC platform represents a powerful approach to expanding the therapeutic window of both antibody drug conjugates and T-cell engagers to minimize off-tumor toxicity while enhancing anti-tumor activity."
About VERAXA's Technology Platform
VERAXA is building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific ADCs, bispecific T-cell engagers, and other innovative formats. The company's approach is powered by transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles.
The company was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technologies.
Corporate Transition Underway
On April 22, 2025, VERAXA entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Voyager Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company and special purpose acquisition company targeting the healthcare sector. Upon closing of this agreement, VERAXA is expected to become a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ.
This corporate transition, coupled with the strategic appointment of Dr. Austin, positions VERAXA to accelerate the development of its novel cancer therapies and expand its scientific capabilities, particularly in the U.S. market.
