VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA), a developer of next-generation antibody-based cancer therapies, has announced the appointment of Raju Willener as chief financial officer, effective immediately. Willener brings more than three decades of international financial leadership experience spanning global capital markets, investment banking, corporate finance, asset management, and strategic leadership. He will report to CEO and Co-Founder Christoph Antz, Ph.D., and is expected to support the company’s capital strategy, strategic opportunities, and continued development of its proprietary BiTAC(R) technology platform and oncology pipeline.
Prior to joining VERAXA, Willener served as director of corporate development at Exentis Group AG before being appointed CFO in 2025, where he led M&A initiatives, financial strategy, and key corporate functions. Earlier in his career, he held senior executive and investment positions overseeing areas including corporate finance, capital markets, investor relations, and investment portfolios exceeding CHF 30 billion in assets under management.
This appointment comes at a critical time for VERAXA as it advances its pipeline of bispecific T cell engagers, bispecific ADCs, and other innovative antibody formats. The company’s proprietary BiTAC(R) technology platform is designed to harness the power of the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells, and the addition of a seasoned financial executive like Willener signals a strategic push to secure the necessary capital and partnerships to move these therapies through clinical development.
Willener’s extensive background in capital markets and corporate finance will be instrumental in navigating the complex financial landscape of the biotech industry. His experience in managing large investment portfolios and leading M&A initiatives positions him well to identify and execute strategic opportunities that could accelerate VERAXA’s growth. The company’s focus on quality-by-design principles and its foundation on scientific breakthroughs at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) underscore its commitment to developing transformative cancer treatments.
The implications of this hiring are significant for VERAXA’s stakeholders. With a CFO of Willener’s caliber, the company is better equipped to attract investors, forge strategic alliances, and manage its financial resources effectively. This move also reflects a broader trend in the biotech sector where companies are bringing in seasoned financial experts to navigate the complexities of drug development and commercialization.
For more information on VERAXA Biotech and its pipeline, visit the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA. The full press release is available at https://nnw.fm/jcHOU. Investors are reminded to review the company’s filings with the SEC for a detailed discussion of risks associated with forward-looking statements. See the full terms of use and disclaimers at https://IBN.ai/Disclaimer.
