Manifold Bio Expands Leadership Team to Drive its AI + In Vivo Targeted Biologics Platform

Manifold Bio, a pioneering platform therapeutics company specializing in AI-driven drug discovery and extensive in vivo measurement, has recently announced the enhancement of its executive leadership by appointing Paula Cobb as Chief Operating Officer. “I’m thrilled to join Manifold Bio at a moment when the industry is just beginning to realize what it means to truly unlock the full potential of AI with translationally relevant data generation,” said Ms. Cobb.

Ms. Cobb joins a robust leadership team that includes Co-founders Gleb Kuznetsov (CEO), Pierce Ogden (CTO), and Shane Lofgren (Head of Strategy). Earlier this year, Kimberly Scearce-Levie was appointed as CSO, joining industry veterans Steve Holtzman as Executive Chair and Doug Williams as Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board.

This expansion of the executive team is timely as Manifold Bio aims to scale its proprietary drug discovery engine, which integrates massive-scale in vivo data generation with advanced AI-guided protein design to develop tissue-targeted biologics. This innovative platform is designed to overcome the challenges posed by traditional discovery methods, enabling precise protein engineering across various therapeutic domains with transformative potential.

“We have built a first-of-its-kind engine that combines the power of AI-guided antibody design with the physiological relevance of in vivo data, and we’re expanding the team to drive our internal programs and advance a platform poised to address multiple therapeutic areas,” stated Gleb Kuznetsov, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Manifold Bio. “Paula’s operational expertise further catalyzes our evolution into an industry-leading platform therapeutics company.”

“I’m thrilled to join Manifold Bio at a moment when the industry is just beginning to realize what it means to truly unlock the full potential of AI with translationally relevant data generation,” Ms. Cobb reiterated. “The team has already built a powerful engine for discovering tissue-targeted protein therapeutics and secured a fantastic first deal with Roche; my focus will be on further scaling that engine into a durable, high-impact business – developing our internal pipeline, advancing partnerships, and building the operational foundation to translate this powerful platform into medicines for patients across multiple disease areas.”

The newly expanded leadership team brings a wealth of expertise aimed at maximizing Manifold’s growth strategy and ensuring the platform's utility extends beyond any single therapeutic area.

Paula Cobb, Chief Operating Officer: Prior to Manifold, Ms. Cobb served on the Board of Directors at Prothena Corporation, where she contributed significantly to global development and business strategy. She has held senior roles at Affinia Therapeutics, Decibel Therapeutics, and Biogen. At Manifold, she will spearhead operational scaling and business strategy to translate the platform’s technical achievements into corporate success.

Steve Holtzman, Executive Chair: Mr. Holtzman is instrumental to Manifold’s platform-first strategy, using his extensive experience in building industry-leading companies to guide corporate strategy and maximize the potential of the “AI x Bio” platform.

Kimberly Scearce-Levie, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer: Dr. Scearce-Levie is focused on the translational application of the platform, leveraging her extensive background in drug discovery and development for neuroscience to tackle complex delivery and targeting challenges.

Doug Williams, Ph.D., Chair of Strategic Advisory: Dr. Williams brings decades of research and development leadership, aiding the company’s long-term scientific and partnership strategies.