CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Rhapsogen said it has appointed Renato Skerlj, Ph.D., as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, as the Catalio Capital Management–backed immunology company advances its efforts to develop next-generation treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Rhapsogen was launched earlier this year through Catalio Capital Management’s venture strategy and was co-founded by Jeffrey Ravetch, M.D., Ph.D., of Rockefeller University and Eric Sundberg, Ph.D., of Emory University. Both co-founders are recognized for their contributions to immunology research, particularly in understanding how immune system interactions with antibodies can protect against infection or drive autoimmune disease. Ravetch also serves as a venture partner at Catalio.
Skerlj brings more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development. Over the course of his career, he has authored more than 70 scientific publications, is listed as an inventor on more than 60 patents, and has held leadership roles guiding multiple therapeutic programs from early discovery through clinical development and regulatory approval.
Most recently, Skerlj served as president and chief executive officer of Expansion Therapeutics, where he led the development of an RNA-targeting platform and oversaw the company’s growth and financing activities. Previously, he was co-founder and chief scientific officer of X4 Pharmaceuticals and a co-inventor of mavorixafor, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2024 for the treatment of WHIM syndrome.
“I am very excited by what we are building at Rhapsogen and look forward to working with our world-class team of immunology experts to deliver the solutions that autoimmune patients need and deserve,” Skerlj said.
Matthew Hobson, Ph.D., principal at Catalio Capital Management, said Skerlj’s leadership and development experience position the company well for its next phase. “Dr. Skerlj’s leadership experience coupled with his deep drug development expertise make him well suited to maximize the potential of Rhapsogen’s first-in-class approach in autoimmune disease,” Hobson said. “We are thrilled to continue supporting the company’s growth under Dr. Skerlj’s leadership.”
