About Michael

Dr. Michael Luther has over 37 years’ experience as an entrepreneurial scientist and executive in the biopharmaceutical industry including various senior leadership roles ranging from biotech start-ups to global pharmaceutical companies and CROs. In addition to serving as STRM.BIO’s CEO, he is currently the managing partner for BioInnovations, LLC where he acts as a board member and consultant for various start up biotech companies. Previously, Mike led North American Business Development efforts for Astellas as Global Head of Search & Evaluation in Business Development and Astellas Ventures to support Astellas’ drug discovery and development efforts. This included over 9 deals signed and 2 NewCo spinouts in less than two years.

Before joining Astellas, Mike was the CEO and founder of Bantam Pharmaceutical, a biotech company focused on the clinical development of cancer therapeutics targeting the mitochondrial stress response pathway and targets. He remains an active advisor and member of the board of directors and their SAB. In other past roles, Mike was the Senior Vice President for Drug Discovery & Development at Curio and founding CEO for the David H. Murdock Research Institute at the North Carolina Research Campus, a public-private partnership created to accelerate bench to market activities in life sciences. Mike also has 20 years in various senior executive roles in the global pharmaceutical industry including Vice President and head of global drug discovery divisions for both Merck and GSK.

Mike holds Bachelor of Science degrees from North Carolina State University, a doctorate from St. Louis University School of Medicine, and an MBA from Duke University. He is the author of over 80 publications and patents.