#United States #Boston #Hillstar Bio #Maude Tessier #Shiva Krupa

Hillstar Bio Welcomes New Leaders to Enhance Immunotherapy Development

On May 28, 2025, Hillstar Bio, a prominent player in the biotechnology sector dedicated to innovating precision immunology therapies for autoimmune disorders, announced key appointments to its executive team. Dr. Maude Tessier was named Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Dr. Shiva Krupa took on the role of Vice President of Program Management. These appointments are pivotal as Hillstar Bio works to advance its therapy pipeline, particularly the lead TRBV9 program, targeting axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) with a clinical trial set to commence in 2026.

CEO Dr. Robert Mabry shared the company's excitement about bringing Maude and Shiva on board. He highlighted Maude's extensive background in biopharmaceuticals and her notable achievements in leading partnerships and securing funding for biotech initiatives. For instance, during her tenure as Chief Business Officer at Seismic Therapeutic, she orchestrated a substantial $146 million Series B financing. Additionally, her contributions were essential in managing a $1 billion strategic partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb at Ikena Oncology, showcasing her capability in navigating complex commercial landscapes.

Dr. Tessier has over 18 years of experience and has held various leadership roles, indicating a strong foundation for her new position at Hillstar Bio. Her educational credentials include a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, further reinforcing her expertise in the field.

"Joining Hillstar Bio at such a transformative time is exhilarating," stated Maude. "The innovative approaches we're taking have the potential to fundamentally change how autoimmune diseases are treated, and I am eager to leverage my business acumen alongside this exceptional team to make a meaningful impact for patients."

Shiva Krupa, who has also amassed over 18 years in the biotech industry, comes to Hillstar Bio with a track record of successfully leading research and development strategies. Her experience spans pivotal trials and portfolio management at notable companies like Biogen and Novartis, indicating her depth of knowledge in moving developmental programs forward. Holding both a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she is well-versed in both the scientific and strategic business aspects of biotech.

"Hillstar Bio's mission of not just managing symptoms but fundamentally addressing the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases is incredibly motivating," Shiva remarked. "I look forward to utilizing my project management skills to efficiently steer our TRBV9 program and help change patients' lives."

Hillstar Bio, which firmly believes in a targeted approach to immunotherapy, has raised $67 million in its latest Series A financing. This funding is critical for advancing their pioneering treatments that focus on specifically eliminating pathogenic immune cells while preserving healthy ones, thus aiming for sustainable relief for autoimmune conditions without the downsides of broad immunosuppression associated with traditional therapies.

The combined expertise of Maude Tessier and Shiva Krupa is positioned to significantly bolster Hillstar Bio's mission. By strategically enhancing its leadership, the company is poised to effectively translate innovative research into life-changing therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Through selective targeting of immune responses, Hillstar Bio's work represents a new paradigm in treating conditions that have long challenged conventional medicine.

For more detailed information about Hillstar Bio’s initiatives and innovations, visit Hillstar Bio’s official website or follow the company on LinkedIn.