Our leadership

Renée Aguiar-Lucander is CEO of Hansa Biopharma since April 2025. Prior to joining Hansa, Renée served for seven years as CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics AB where she successfully led the company through a dual listing on NASDAQ in both Sweden and the U.S. and until it was acquired by Asahi Kasei Corporation of Japan in September 2024. During her tenure, the company successfully launched and commercialized the first ever approved drug for immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy in the U.S. Prior to that, Aguiar-Lucander had a long and successful career in the healthcare investment sector, holding senior roles in funds such as Omega Funds and 3i Group.

Shares: 150,000
ESOP's: 1,855,000
Warrants: 1,652,500
Updated: 2025-08-12

Hitto Kaufmann has served as Chief Scientific & Technology Officer at Hansa Biopharma since December 2023. Hitto has over 20 years’ experience as biopharma leader in the development of approximately 100 biological therapeutic entities, advancement of strategic R&D partnerships, and building of next generation therapeutic platforms. Prior to joining Hansa, Hitto served as Chief Scientific Officer at Pieris Pharmaceuticals, including leading the R&D site of Pieris in Munich. Before his tenure at Pieris, Hitto held several executive positions at Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim
He currently serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnologica (iBET). Hitto began his career as a Research Scientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne. He holds a Ph.D. in Natural Science, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Share rights: 130,000
ESOP's: 160,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Evan Ballantyne is Chief Financial Officer at Hansa Biopharma based in Lund, Sweden. Evan has over 30 years of international financial and operational experience as a senior financial executive in both public and private life science companies.  Prior to joining Hansa in 2024, he served as CFO at Gain Therapeutics, Inc., OncXerna Therapeutics, Inc., Agenus and Clinical Data among others. Evan has held roles of increasing responsibility at biotech, medical technology and information services companies throughout Europe and the US, helping these companies navigate complex financial markets and secure funding and capital to support their growth. Evan has a degree in Honors Business Administration from the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada as well as a BA in American History & Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He is an independent board member of Preveceutical Medical, Inc in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Share rights: 70,000
ESOP's: 220,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Maria Törnsén is Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President U.S. of Hansa Biopharma since May 2025. She has more than 20 years experience across global and US operations, where she held multiple senior commercial leadership roles. Prior to joining Hansa, Maria held the position of President North America at Calliditas Therapeutics, where she was responsible for the US commercial and medical affairs organization until it was acquired by Asahi Kasei Corporation of Japan in September 2024. She also held senior leadership and commercial leadership roles at Sarepta Therapeutics (SVP, US General Manager), Sanofi Genzyme (VP, Global Thereapeutic Area Head) and Shire plc (VP, Head of Sales and Marketing). During her career Ms Törnsén has launched multiple products in the US and led a $1.6Bn global franchise. She is a member of the board of directors of Immunic Therapeutics and has a Master of Science (MSc) in International Business Administration from Lund University, Sweden.

ESOP's: 725,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Richard Philipson is Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Hansa Biopharma since July 2025. Dr Philipson has over 25 years of industry experience and a successful track record in drug development, providing clinical leadership resulting in four product approvals, including in rare disease and gene therapy, and comes with expertise and success in building high-functioning teams, building pipelines and executing clinical development programs across all phases of development. He also brings in-depth knowledge of regulatory strategy in drug development. Prior to joining Hansa, Dr Philipson was CMO of Calliditas Therapeutics and previously spent 16 years at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), including four years as Therapeutic Area Head in the Rare Diseases Unit. He also has experience from Takeda, and a 4-year period as CMO at Trizell.

ESOP's: 350,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Brian Gorman is Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Hansa since August 2025. Brian is an accomplished legal and business executive with more than 20 years of global experience in advising corporate boards and management teams. Prior to joining Hansa, he held the position of Chief Legal Officer at Sinclair Pharma Ltd., a global medical aesthetics company, where he was supporting the company’s global expansion efforts. Prior to Sinclair, Brian was Group General Counsel at Calliditas Therapeutics, where he guided the company through its acquisition by Asahi Kasei Corporation of Japan. Earlier in his career, Brian was Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel at Opiant Pharmaceuticals, as well as senior leadership roles at Endo Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca. Brian began his career at international law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, and he is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Villanova University School of Law.

ESOP's: 175,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Sandra Frithiof is Chief Human Resources Officer at Hansa since August 2025. She has 25 years of experience in human resources in different industries. Most recently, Sandra was HR Director at Ayvens Sweden AB, a global leader in the mobility sector. Prior to Ayvens, Sandra was VP Human Resources at Calliditas Therapeutics, where she built the Global HR organization to support the company’s entry into the US market. Earlier in her career, Sandra was Head of HR and COO at Ramberg Advokater, HR positions at Karolinska University Hospital, UTC, CGI and Manpower Group. Sandra has a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Örebro University, Sweden.

ESOP's: 250,000
Updated: 2025-08-12

Peter Nicklin has more than 30 years of extensive experience and background in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in both developed, as well as emerging markets and significant experience in leading global teams. Chair of the Board at Tunstall Healthcare and Sciensus. Previously, CEO and member of the Board of Amann Girrbach AG, Corporate Vice President and EMEA President of Baxter International (NYSE: BAX), as well as senior executive roles at Bayer Healthcare (XETRA: BAYN), Novartis (SWX: NOVN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY). Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Finance from Lancaster University. He is also a Chartered Accountant having qualified at PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London.

Member and chair of the Board since 2022, member of the Remuneration Committee, the Scientific Committee and the US Committee. Independent of Hansa Biopharma and its executive management. Independent of major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma.
Shareholding: 41,500

Eva Nilsagård is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nilsagård Consulting AB. Previous interim Chief Financial Officer of various companies, including OptiGroup AB, Plastal, and Vitrolife AB. She has also served in various senior positions at the Volvo Group, or Volvo, including Senior Vice President Strategy & Business Development. Earlier in her career, Eva also held senior positions in finance and business development at AstraZeneca plc and AB SKF. Board member and chair of the audit committee of SEK (Swedish Export Credit Company), AddLife, Bufab Group, Irras AB, Nimbus Group AB, Nanexa, Ernströmgruppen and Xbrane Biopharma, the chair of Spermosens AB, and board member of eEducation Albert AB. Eva has more than ten years of
experience as a mentor for young female managers with high potential. She holds an Executive M.B.A. in Economics and a B.Sc. in accounting and finance from School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg.

Member of the Board since 2019 and chair of the Audit Committee.
Independent of Hansa Biopharma and its executive management. Independent of major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma.

Shareholding: 3,000

Shareholding: 1,000

Hilary Malone has over 25 years of experience in global drug development, regulatory and government affairs, manufacturing and commercialization within the pharmaceutical industry. She has served as Chief Executive Officer of a private life sciences company in start-up phase since November 2021. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Valo Health Inc., and as the Chief Regulatory Officer and Senior Vice President & Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Sanofi Inc. (subsidiary of Sanofi SA). Previous experience also includes senior regulatory and drug development roles at Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Wyeth, LLC (acquired by Pfizer Inc.), AstraZeneca plc and GlaxoSmithKline plc. Hilary has also served on the board of Inhibikase Therapeutics. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Neuropharmacology and a B.Sc. in Physiology from the University of Dundee, Scotland. She is a U.S., U.K., and Irish citizen.

Member of the Board since 2021, chair of the US Committee, and member of the
Scientific Committee.
Independent of Hansa Biopharma and its executive management. Independent of major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma.

Shareholding: -

Jonas Wikström has extensive experience in the finance industry where he was a fund manager at Catella Fondförvaltning, as founder and CEO for WR Capital, and from leading positions at ABG Sundal Collier and Alfred Berg. Jonas is currently chairman of the board at Oxe Marine (publ) and chairman of Ramblin Brands Ltd. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Uppsala and Certified Financial Analyst from the Stockholm School of Economics.

Member of the Board since 2024.
Independent of Hansa Biopharma and its executive management. Independent of major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma

Shareholding: 361,301

Elisabeth Björk is an endocrinologist by training and an associate professor of medicine at Uppsala University, Sweden. Elisabeth has been the Senior Vice President, Late-stage Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca leading the global development of medicines within this area since 2012. Throughout her career at AstraZeneca, she has gained broad drug development experience covering clinical development phase I-IV, large outcomes programs, major global filings and health authority interactions (FDA, EMA, Japan) and commercial strategy/implementation. Elisabeth is also a Board member of Pharvaris N.V., Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vicore Pharma Holding AB, Camurus AB, Agiana Pharma AS, and Betula Consulting AB. Elisabeth holds an MD from Karolinska Institute and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from Uppsala University.

Member of the Board since 2025. Independent in relation to Hansa Biopharma and its management. Independent in relation to major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma.

Shareholding: 25,000 

Natalie Berner brings extensive experience in the healthcare sector to the Board. She is a Partner and Managing Director focusing on Therapeutics at Redmile, which she joined in 2016. Prior to Redmile, Natalie was a Research Associate at the New York University School of Medicine. She is also a Board member of BioInvent International AB, Redx Pharma Ltd and Sensorion SA. Natalie received a BA in Community Health from Brown University and a Certificate in Premedical Sciences from Columbia University.

Member of the Board since 2025. Independent in relation to Hansa Biopharma and its management. Not independent in relation to major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma.

Shareholding: 0 

Michael Bologna, Chief Investment Officer at NovaQuest Capital Management. He is a member of the investment committees of the NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Funds and NovaQuest Animal Health Fund I. As CIO of NovaQuest, he is responsible for the day-to-day investment activities of the firm including oversight of the investment team, Due Diligence and Alliance Management. He joined the NovaQuest business unit at IQVIA (formerly Quintiles) in 2007. Prior to joining NovaQuest, Mr. Bologna served in a variety of roles with EMD Pharmaceuticals (U.S. subsidiary of Merck KGaA) and Eli Lilly and Company. He worked in corporate development, market research, and commercial new product planning. He is also a Board member of Mycovia Pharmaceuticals and holds Significant Governance positions at Sebela, Nevakar, Cerevel/Abbvie, Lupin and Dermavant. Michael holds a BSN from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Duke University. 

Member of the Board since 2025. Independent in relation to Hansa Biopharma and its management. Independent in relation to major shareholders of Hansa Biopharma. 

Shareholding: 0