Talaris Therapeutics Leadership

Suzanne Ildstad, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer and serves on the Board of Directors. Her seminal discovery of tolerogenic graft facilitating cells became Talaris Therapeutics, and she served as founding CEO until November 2018. She has spent her career developing allogeneic cellular therapies for transplantation immunology and transitioning novel discoveries from the bench to the clinic. She has served as the sponsor on over 10 IDE and INDs. Dr. Ildstad is also the founding director of the Institute for Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Ildstad obtained her M.D. from Mayo Clinic Medical School, completed her surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, an immunology fellowship at NIH, and a pediatric surgery/transplant fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She has received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors as well as the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumnus Award. She has authored over 230 manuscripts and is a named inventor or co-inventor on over 100 patents.

Ms. Fenton, a certified public accountant, has led Achillion's financial function since October 2000. From 1991 to 2000, Ms. Fenton held various positions within the Technology Industry Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, most recently as Senior Manager responsible for the life sciences practice in Connecticut. Prior to 1991, Ms. Fenton was an economic development associate in the nonprofit sector. Ms. Fenton holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Connecticut and an A.B. in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross.

Mr. Zdanowski, Chief Technology Officer, is an accomplished leader in cell therapy manufacturing with over 25 years of relevant experience. He has led manufacturing, logistics, QA/QC and process and analytical development groups for stem cell organizations, and led design, construction and validation of facilities for commercial manufacturing for such firms as Pfizer, Bayer and Regeneron. He was most recently Senior VP of BioPharmaceutical Operations for Medeor Therapeutics. Previously, Mr. Zdanowski was VP of GMP Operations for the New York Stem Cell Foundation and VP of Manufacturing for Mesoblast. Mr. Zdanowski has prepared FDA & EU CMC submissions for several late-stage stem cell products, including the BLA supporting the first FDA approval for an allogeneic stem cell therapy product, HemaCord®. He received his MBA from Columbia University and degrees in mechanical engineering and philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Nancy Krieger MD, is the Chief Medical Officer of Talaris Therapeutics. Dr. Krieger has 15 years of diverse global experience in the pharmaceutical industry, in cellular therapy, solid organ and stem cell transplantation, immunology/inflammation, bone metabolism, rare diseases, as well as liver and chronic kidney disease. Prior to joining Talaris, she advanced through roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis from 2007 to 2018, most recently as a senior global program clinical head in hepatology. Dr. Krieger served as a medical director at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 2004 to 2007, playing a significant role in the clinical development of the Belatacept Transplant Program. Before joining industry, Dr. Krieger was a staff transplant surgeon at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where she had an active practice in liver transplantation as well as a basic science laboratory investigating lymphocyte trafficking in transplant tolerance. She completed her transplant fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, and general surgical residency at Stanford University, including a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship in Stanford’s immunology department. Nancy earned her M.D. at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Global HR Leader with track record in fast-paced, high growth environments ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

International background. First-hand experience growing organizations across multiple geographies with thorough understanding of cultural dynamics.

Have crafted innovative HR strategies, programs and processes focusing on talent management and retention, management and leadership development, compensation and metrics.

Trusted HR advisor and partner. Enjoy supporting teams in implementing significant transformation projects ranging from M&A to rapid international expansions.

Strong analytic and business skills gained in finance, sales operations and strategic planning roles prior to joining the HR function.

Suzanne Ildstad, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer and serves on the Board of Directors. Her seminal discovery of tolerogenic graft facilitating cells became Talaris Therapeutics, and she served as founding CEO until November 2018. She has spent her career developing allogeneic cellular therapies for transplantation immunology and transitioning novel discoveries from the bench to the clinic. She has served as the sponsor on over 10 IDE and INDs. Dr. Ildstad is also the founding director of the Institute for Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Ildstad obtained her M.D. from Mayo Clinic Medical School, completed her surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, an immunology fellowship at NIH, and a pediatric surgery/transplant fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She has received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors as well as the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumnus Award. She has authored over 230 manuscripts and is a named inventor or co-inventor on over 100 patents.

Suzanne Ildstad, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer and serves on the Board of Directors. Her seminal discovery of tolerogenic graft facilitating cells became Talaris Therapeutics, and she served as founding CEO until November 2018. She has spent her career developing allogeneic cellular therapies for transplantation immunology and transitioning novel discoveries from the bench to the clinic. She has served as the sponsor on over 10 IDE and INDs. Dr. Ildstad is also the founding director of the Institute for Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Ildstad obtained her M.D. from Mayo Clinic Medical School, completed her surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, an immunology fellowship at NIH, and a pediatric surgery/transplant fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She has received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors as well as the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumnus Award. She has authored over 230 manuscripts and is a named inventor or co-inventor on over 100 patents.