Maria is a hematologist/oncologist with a successful academic career and more than 20 years of experience in large, multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. She is an innovative leader, often called upon by academic, venture capital and industry leaders for her creative and strategic approaches to bring drugs to global markets, in- and out-licensing, and academic or industry partnerships. She is now an Independent Director on the Board of IKENA (public), REMIX and ABDERA (private) and on the Scientific Advisory Board for Orum Therapeutics. She is a Senior External Advisor to Viking Global. She served as an independent Board Director for Celyad and Silverback (both public), and on the Advisory Board to Iambic.
Maria’s extensive background in science, medicine and pharmaceutical development and completion of an accelerated executive program at the Wharton School of Business provides her with extensive knowledge of business, leadership and marketing. Her credibility is enhanced by successful experience bringing drugs to global markets, NDAs, and developing short and long-term strategies in all stages of cancer drug development and medical affairs.
From May 2019 until March 2025, Maria served as the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at a public, clinical stage biotech company, Repare Therapeutics. She worked in Repare through a successful IPO, bringing 4 new agents to clinic in 6 years. Previously, she was the CMO of Bicycle Therapeutics, after serving as VP of Strategy & Innovation for Pfizer Oncology for close to 10 years, spearheading major drug launches, acquisitions and strategic portfolio decisions within the Leadership Team. She was the critical lead behind the development of Ibrance, a >$5B cancer medicine. Her professional background includes clinical work in Poland and Heidelberg, Germany, associate professorship at the University of Pittsburgh, experience as Director of Bone Marrow Transplant in St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia, executive positions at AstraZeneca, GSK and Pfizer and postgraduate lectureship at Fudan University, Shanghai
She received her MD and PhD from the Silesian Medical School in Poland. She has co-authored >150 publications, book chapters and patents. Her advisory roles have included scientific and strategic support for NCI, ASCO, EORTC and Breast Cancer IMPAKT Scientific Boards, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Maria was previously an advisor on Drug Development Task Force for the Korean Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute and several AACR meetings.