Samu Melkko | Senior Principal Scientist
Novartis

Drug discovery professional with hands-on experience across the full discovery value chain in different therapeutic areas — from project initiation to early clinical studies. CURRET POSITION

Senior Principal Scientist at Novatis Biomedlcail Research in the Immunology Disease Area, leading drug discovery projects, labhead & research representative within the Cosentyx Global Program Team.

PREVIOUS POSITIONS

Molecular Partners, Novartis (Protease Platform), Philochem, ETH Zürich

ACHIEVEMENTS

Transitioned multiple drug discovery programs from project initiation to Preclinical and Clinical Development
Project initiation and discovery of anti-Factor XI antibody Abelacimab / MAA868, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. Project team leader from project initiation until FIH preparation
Delivered integrated project plans aligning biology, translational science, and clinical strategy

Appearances:

Festival of Biologics Day 2 @ 17:50

Drug Discovery from Bench to Bedside: The Story of Anti-Factor XI Antibody Abelacimab (MAA868)

Abelacimab (MAA868) is a monoclonal antibody targeting Factor XI, which promises a paradigm shift towards safe, long-acting thrombosis prevention, without the bleeding risk inherent to current anticoagulant drugs
The presentation traces the discovery journey of abelacimab - from the initial target hypothesis through the identification of its unique mechanism of action, pivotal preclinical findings, and first-in-human clinical proof-of-mechanism.
Abelacimab is currently undergoing active clinical evaluation in Phase 3 trials.

Samu Melkko, Senior Principal Scientist, Novartis

last published: 18/Jul/25 14:25 GMT

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