Just - Evotec Biologics Team

Trusted industry leaders with deep expertise and a shared mission to expand global access to biotherapeutics.

Executive Leadership

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Linda Zuckerman, PhD

EVP Global Head of Biotherapeutics & Site Head Seattle

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography 


Linda brings over 20 years of biologics drug development experience to Just - Evotec Biologics that includes executive-level accountability for preclinical, clinical, and regulatory functions as well as business development and portfolio management activities. Prior to joining Just, Linda served as CEO of two small start-ups and was the President of ProFibrix, Inc., overseeing US-based biologics drug development activities as well as its operations.


Linda has also worked at Genentech and ZymoGenetics/BMS overseeing biologics development activities and contributed significantly to the approvals and commercialization of Raplixa (US & EU), Recothrom, and Raptiva and the filing many INDs in the areas of autoimmunity, hemostasis, and oncology.  Linda received her Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Chicago and has an expertise in the regulatory aspects of the immunogenicity of biotherapeutics.


Contact


linda.zuckerman@evotec.com

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Randal Bass, PhD

EVP Global Process & Product Design

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography


Dr. Randal Bass is responsible for upstream, downstream, analytical development activities, and J.POD manufacturing operations at Just - Evotec Biologics. Randal began his 20+ year career in industry at Amgen, joining the Analytical Sciences department, where he led analytical and cross-functional process teams. Most recently, Randal served as a director of Process Development overseeing the Washington site Analytical Sciences function.


Randal has broad experience developing large molecule therapeutics, both novel and biosimilars, from early stage First in Human, to commercialization through post-launch support and second generation commercial processes. He has been an author of numerous regulatory filings to the FDA, EMA, PMDA and many other agencies. With pivotal, commercial, and post-launch filings, these included a heavy emphasis on establishing comparability or biosimilarity for numerous molecules. Randal’s interaction with regulators includes both written and face-to-face meetings with multiple agencies. Randal received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Biochemistry with a focus on membrane protein biochemistry and biophysics, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology in X-ray crystallography of ion channels.

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Philip Boehme

EVP Partnering & Transformation

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography


Philip Boehm leads the partnering function at Just-Evotec Biologics. Before this role, he served as a strategy consultant at McKinsey and Company. His experience extends to various facets of the healthcare industry, including clinical and pre-clinical development at Bayer. Before transitioning to the corporate sector, Dr. Boehme worked in patient care while researching virology and cardiology. Furthermore, Dr. Boehme holds an M.Sc in Chemical engineering.

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Ben Castro

SVP Manufacturing Operations & Site Head Redmond

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography 

Ben brings over 25 years of biotechnology industry experience to the Just - Evotec Biologics team. As SVP of Manufacturing Operations and Site Head at Just, Ben oversees Clinical and Commercial Manufacturing Operations, Facilities and Engineering, and Supply Chain teams for J.POD Redmond, Washington (US), J.POD Toulouse, France (EU), and J.PLANT Operations in Seattle, Washington. Prior to joining the team, Ben led operations and technical teams at several leading biopharma companies including BioMarin, Amgen, Shire, Genzyme, Kite, and Resilience. Ben received his BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Cal Poly Pomona.

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Jo Beth DeFreitas

SVP Global Biotherapeutics Quality

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography 

Jo Beth brings over 30 years of biopharmaceutical Quality experience encompassing all aspects of QA operations from cell banking through finished goods for both clinical and commercial products. In addition, she has extensive experience in implementation and validation of electronic systems including eDMS and eQMS systems, MES, and SAP. Prior to joining Just-Evotec Biologics, she held the position of Vice President of Quality Operations at Samsung Biologics in South Korea overseeing all GMP operations in multiple plants. Jo Beth worked at Genentech/Roche for over 27 years in both local and global roles. 


Jo Beth earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Neuroscience from University of California, San Francisco.

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Jeremy Gross

SVP Global IT & Digitalization

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography

Jeremy brings over 30 years of experience in technology and digital leadership in various industries, including Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Distribution, Biotherapeutics Manufacturing, and Pharmacy. As the Senior Vice President of Global IT and Digitalization, Jeremy oversees Global Technology Infrastructure, Digitalization, Site and User Support Services, GMP/PD Operations Support, Computer Systems Validation and Compliance.


Previously, Jeremy held positions as the Head of Technology and Digital Innovation at Amgen Corporation, Chief Technology Officer at McKesson Inc., and Chief Information Officer at Washington Mutual. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Currently, he serves on the Board of Advisors for The Sickle Cell Disease Foundation, an organization that offers educational and support programs and services to individuals and families. Furthermore, Jeremy holds two medical device patents in Europe that are related to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder that can lead to coronary artery disease.

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Dan Rasmussen

SVP Head of Finance US

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography

Dan is a seasoned finance executive with 20 years of expertise in guiding strategy and expanding businesses within the Biologics, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Device industries. Currently, he oversees both the financial operations at Just-Evotec Biologics and the US financial operations of its parent company, Evotec.


Previously, based in Paris, France, Dan worked for Guerbet, leading the global commercial finance organization across eighteen countries on six continents. His diverse finance background includes supporting biologics manufacturing at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, financial reporting and analysis at Johnson & Johnson's headquarters, as well as establishing the US commercial pharmaceutical affiliate of Guerbet.


Throughout his career, Dan has contributed to commercial drug launches, facilitated acquisitions and integrations of mid-size companies, and participated in a successful PCAOB uplift for a US Nasdaq IPO. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University and an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Saint Joseph's University.

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Rebecca Hernandez

Director Project Management

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Latest update: April 2024

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