The BioHub - by Avetix

Episode 195 - Luke Henry - CBO/COO at Quell Therapeutics

39 min · 3. Juli 2026
Episode Episode 195 - Luke Henry - CBO/COO at Quell Therapeutics Cover

Beschreibung

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Luke Henry, Chief Business Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Quell Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of engineering the next generation of regulatory T cell, or Treg, therapies for immune-mediated diseases. Quell is pioneering a new approach to treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as improving outcomes in organ transplantation. Rather than suppressing the entire immune system, the company's engineered Treg therapies are designed to restore immune tolerance by precisely targeting the underlying immune dysfunction. Its platform combines advanced cell engineering, proprietary technologies to enhance Treg stability and function, and integrated manufacturing capabilities to develop potentially transformative, one-time treatments for diseases that today require lifelong immunosuppression. Luke has played a central role in Quell's journey since joining shortly after the company was founded in 2019. As Chief Business Officer and Chief Operating Officer, he oversees corporate strategy, business development, operations, and portfolio management, helping guide the company through rapid growth, major financings, strategic partnerships, and the advancement of its clinical pipeline. Before Quell, Luke was Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at Neon Therapeutics, where he helped shape the company's neoantigen T cell therapy strategy, led business development initiatives, and supported multiple financings, including the company's IPO. Earlier in his career, he was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group, advising leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on R&D strategy and immuno-oncology portfolios. He also brings a strong scientific foundation, holding an MSci in Natural Sciences with a focus on Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research, University of London. Today, we'll explore the promise of engineered Treg therapies, the challenges of building a pioneering cell therapy company, the evolving investment and partnership landscape in biotech, and what it takes to translate breakthrough science into medicines that could fundamentally change how immune-mediated diseases are treated.

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