The NanoCAR Team

Scientific, Technical, and Commercial Expertise Supporting Clinical Translation

The NanoCAR project is led by a team that combines scientific, technical, clinical, financial, legal, and commercial experience to advance the NanoCAR technology from proof of principle toward clinical readiness.

Project Leadership

Dr. Maurits Geerlings Chief Executive Officer →

Dr. Jacek Lubelsk Chief Technology Officer and Project Coordinator →

Prof. Raymond Schiffelers VP and Head of Preclinical Research and Development →

Kristin Midha Head of Finance →

Steve Jannetta Commercial Counsel →

NanoCell Research and Development Team

NanoCell’s research and development team includes professionals with expertise across the disciplines
required to develop a complex advanced therapy medicinal product, or ATMP.

Martijn Evers

Dr. Martijn Evers is a Senior Scientist in CMC Development. He holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and has extensive experience in the development of novel delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics, including siRNA, mRNA, and DNA.

Dan Murphy

Dr. Dan Murphy is a Senior Scientist in CMC Development. He holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and has a strong track record in the research and development of novel delivery platforms for nucleic acid therapeutics including extracellular vesicles and lipid nanoparticles.

Erfan Tabandeh

Erfan Tabandeh is a Junior Scientist in CMC Development. He holds a master’s degree in nanomedicine and antibody therapeutics. His experience includes analytical method development, lipid nanoparticle production and process optimization, and in vitro testing to support product characterization and development.

Eline van Diest

Dr. Eline van Diest is senior scientist preclinical development. She holds a PhD in immunology and has experience in developing novel immunotherapy strategies, including bispecific T cell engagers and CAR-T and TCR -T cell therapies.

Jaime Bimbo

Jaime Bimbo is a Junior Scientist and PhD candidate at Utrecht University who contributes to the preclinical and analytical development of the platform, specializing in in vivo study design and execution, and in lipid nanoparticle analytics.

Suneel Narayanavari

Dr. Suneel Narayanavari is a Senior Scientist working across preclinical development and CMC. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and has extensive experience in the development of non-viral CAR-T cell therapies using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system. His expertise includes development of potency and cell-based functional assays to support product characterization and preclinical evaluation of tLNP engineered CAR-T cells.

Ator Ashoti

Dr. Ator Ashoti is a Senior Scientist specializing in preclinical development. She holds a PhD in Regenerative Medicine and has extensive experience and expertise in the development of innovative nucleic acid constructs and platforms, and molecular biology techniques.

Christina Zotou

Christina Zotou is a Junior Scientist in preclinical development. She holds a master’s degree in molecular and cellular biotechnology. Her experience includes development of potency and cell-based functional assays, lipid nanoparticle production, and in vitro testing to support product characterization and development.

Zhiyong Lei

Dr. Zhiyong Lei is a Senior Scientist at NanoCell and an Assistant Professor at UMC Utrecht. He holds a PhD in Regenerative medicine and has extensive experience in non-viral delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics — lipid nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles — with a focus on mRNA therapeutics and in vivo CAR-T cell engineering.

The NanoCAR Project Network

Integrated Expertise Supporting the Project

NanoCell is supported by scientific advisors, academic collaborators, manufacturing partners, and specialized consultants.

Scientific Advisors

Research and Academic Partners

Manufacturing and Development Partners

Specialized Expertise

Internationally recognized experts in CAR T therapy, nanotechnology, and regulatory science support:

Scientific validation
CAR T therapy development
Nanoparticle and delivery technology
Clinical development strategy
Regulatory planning

Imperial College London, Karolinska Institutet, and SINTEF support:

Nanoparticle characterization
Assay development
Scientific validation

GaletaBIO and COBIK support:

Scale-up manufacturing
Process development
GMP readiness

Specialized subcontractors and consultants contribute to:

Regulatory and clinical development
CMC development
Intellectual property planning
Market readiness

An Integrated Team Advancing NanoCAR

The NanoCAR project is supported by a highly experienced and integrated team, complemented by leading external partners and advisors.
This structure positions the project to deliver scientific excellence, clinical translation, and commercial impact while advancing a next-generation CAR T therapy toward real-world application.