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Centessa ‘Creates Pharma Pipeline Overnight’ Using Novel R&D Approach

Centessa CEO Saurabh Saha Outlines Strategy For New Company Built From A Merger Of 10 Biotechs

 
• By William Masters

With $250m in series A funding, Cambridge, MA-based Centessa is looking to upend traditional biopharma R&D models. The new company was created through the merger of 10 private biotechs, which will sit under the Centessa umbrella as subsidiaries.

Centessa takes new approach to rapid pipeline growth

Founded by UK life sciences venture capital firm Medicxi, Centessa Pharmaceuticals  is headed up by industry heavyweights. Saurabh Saha, who was formerly Bristol Myers Squibb Company’s head of R&D, has taken the helm as CEO, while GlaxoSmithKline plc veteran and the outgoing scientific head Operation Warp Speed, Moncef Slaoui, has been appointed chief scientific officer.

“There are significant improvements in R&D productivity that still need to happen, and that’s on improving success rates, timelines and...

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