About

Helmuth van Es is a seasoned biotech entrepreneur and strategic advisor with more than 30 years of experience spanning drug discovery, company building, and corporate strategy. He has co-founded multiple international biotechnology companies, including Galapagos, Citryll, Antabio, Audion Therapeutics, and Effecta Pharma, advancing programs from discovery through clinical development, including earlycontributions to an approved therapy.

Dr. van Es brings deep expertise in R&D strategy, business development, fundraising, and executive leadership, with a track record of serving as CEO, CSO, CBO, board member, and advisor across the biotech ecosystem. His experience spans immunology, infectious diseases, oncology, sensory disorders and rare diseases, and includes leading and supporting strategic partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies and investors.

He previously co-founded and served as CEO of Citryll, where he advanced a first-in-class antibody program targeting NETosis into the clinic, now in phase 2 studies for 2 indications, and secured significant international financing. He continues to serve in advisory and board roles across emerging biotechnology companies and venture initiatives including Cantoni Therapeutics and Bimini Biotech.

Dr. van Es holds an MSc in Biology/Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Medicine from the University of Amsterdam and completed postdoctoral research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York and McGill University in Montréal.