PIR International supports appointment of Non-Executive Chair at Sibylla Biotech
Seed-invested in 2019, and headquartered in Milan, Sibylla Biotech is a dynamic early-stage biotechnology company pioneering a disruptive approach to drug discovery. Its innovative platform technology leverages protein folding interference as a new therapeutic modality against undruggable or difficult-to-drug targets. Sibylla’s small molecule drugs target folding intermediate states, interfering with protein folding and thereby suppressing the expression of a disease-relevant protein through physiological degradation.
As the company prepares to advance its lead asset through preclinical development into the clinic, Sibylla’s Board of Directors (BoD) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) recognised the need for a Non-Executive Chair with global experience and a strong industry network to help guide its next phase of growth.
To lead this critical appointment, Sibylla’s CEO, Lidia Pieri, together with the company’s investors, engaged PIR International, a leading executive search firm specialising in life sciences. Leveraging their deep sector expertise and broad network across the US, UK, and Europe, PIR International’s team, led by Sally Hope, Tom Bradley, and Paul Hoey, undertook a rigorous transatlantic search. This process yielded a highly curated shortlist of international top-tier board-level candidates.
Following a thorough evaluation and selection process, Sibylla’s BoD appointed Dieter Weinand as Non-Executive Chair. Dieter brings over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior leadership roles in global commercialisation and business operations. His distinguished career includes serving as President, CEO, and Chair of the Board at Bayer Pharmaceuticals AG.
He currently holds several board positions, including Chair of the Board at Confo Therapeutics, DISCO Pharmaceuticals, FORE Biotherapeutics and Anaveon. He also serves as Lead Independent Director at Replimune (Nasdaq: REPL) and as a Board Member at Coya Therapeutics (Nasdaq: COYA).
Dieter’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Sibylla Biotech as it continues to scale and pursue its mission to transform drug discovery through its proprietary protein-folding disruption platform.
Comment from Lidia Pieri, Co-Founder and CEO, Sibylla Biotech:
I greatly appreciated the way Sally and Tom approached this process — taking the time to fully understand the diverse perspectives, aligning everyone towards a common vision, and meticulously defining the ideal profile. Their ability to deliver a highly curated shortlist of impactful candidates was truly impressive. Throughout the process, we felt we were in excellent hands. Having Dieter Weinand chair our Board of Directors at this pivotal moment in Sibylla Biotech’s journey is an invaluable opportunity. His exceptional leadership, extensive industry experience, and strategic insights will undoubtedly help us navigate the road ahead with clarity and purpose. Personally, it is an honour to collaborate with someone of his calibre as we strive to advance our mission and achieve impactful milestones.
Comment from Dieter Weinand, Non-Executive Chair, Sibylla Biotech:
It was a great pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Sally and Tom on the chairmanship opportunity for Sibylla. They made the process seamless and efficient, ensuring that I received all necessary information, setting up the required meetings, and ultimately bringing this effort to a successful conclusion. Their professionalism and follow-up made this a wonderful experience.
