Frezent formed a multidisciplinary team combining founders with strong scientific expertise and an advisory team of industry veterans from biotech, business, and oncology therapeutics spaces.
Dr. Natasha Shtraizent is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Frezent Biological Solutions, with over 12 years of experience in cancer research across both academia and industry. She holds a PhD in Developmental & Cell Biology and Biochemistry from Tel Aviv University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral fellowships in cancer research at the Research Foundation, CUNY, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Shtraizent’s expertise includes metabolic transformation in cancer, with a focus on mutant p53 proteins and sphingolipid metabolism. Her research has contributed to the development of therapies targeting drug-resistant cancers, particularly through her work on Acid Ceramidase (AC), a key enzyme in cancer metabolism. In addition to her scientific work, Dr. Shtraizent has held leadership roles in translational oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb and has managed numerous NIH-funded projects. She is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the New York Academy of Sciences, and other professional organizations.
Dr. Lina Freage-Kahn is the Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer at Frezent Biological Solutions Inc. She holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with a postdoctoral fellowship in Cell Biology & Immunotherapy from the Research Foundation, CUNY. Her research expertise lies in immuno-oncology and the biochemistry of the cancer microenvironment, focusing on developing innovative immunotherapies and targeted cancer treatments. During her postdoctoral research, Dr. Freage-Kahn specialized in synthesizing chemically modified DNA aptamers aimed at enhancing immune system targeting within the tumor microenvironment. Her collaborative efforts across multidisciplinary teams contributed to more effective therapeutic strategies, specifically in modulating the immune response in cancer.
Mrs. Saliha Nafil is a Lead Scientist at Frezent Biological Solutions, bringing expertise in cancer biology and preclinical research. She holds a master’s in biotechnology from the City University of New York (CSI) and an MS in Environmental Engineering and Health from UCD-Morocco. During her time at CUNY, Saliha's thesis research focused on investigating the anticancer properties of bioactive compounds derived from microalgae. Before joining Frezent in 2022, Saliha worked as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Fisheries Research in Morocco. She is highly skilled in cell culture, cell-based assays, immunoassays, and animal models, particularly working with mice. Her capabilities include handling and administering treatments to mice, monitoring their health, and conducting imaging studies.
Advisory Board
Dr. Marshall Posner, MD: A Professor of Medicine and Director of Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He joined Frezent’s advisory board in 2022, bringing over 40 years of expertise in head and neck cancers, tumor immunity, and viral oncogenesis. Dr. Posner played a pivotal role in developing the TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) regimen for HNSCC, a now-standard treatment globally. His recent research focuses on precision medicine using Drosophila avatars to model individual tumors, enabling tailored therapeutic strategies. His extensive background in immunotherapy and precision oncology will guide Frezent’s efforts in developing therapies targeting Acid Ceramidase for advanced-stage HNSCC.
Dr. Jerome B. Zeldis, MD, PhD. : A senior biopharmaceutical executive, joined Frezent’s advisory board in 2023. With over 40 years of experience in drug development and corporate leadership, he has held key positions, including Chief Medical Officer at Celgene, where he led the development of transformative oncology and immunology therapies. He has also served as EVP and Head of R&D at NexImmune and held professorial roles at leading institutions. Dr. Zeldis holds an MD and PhD from Yale University and brings a wealth of expertise in biopharmaceutical innovation and strategic leadership to Frezent.
Dr. Edward Greenfield, PhD. : a prominent antibody discovery expert with over three decades of experience in biotech and academia. A member of Frezent’s advisory board since 2023, he has directed antibody technology at Repligen and led significant antibody development efforts at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Currently at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Greenfield also edited Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, a foundational text in immunology. His experience in antibody-based therapies provides essential insight for Frezent’s pipeline development.
Dr. Richard MacDonald, PhD. : A biochemist specializing in cellular signaling, has been advancing cancer research for over 20 years. His studies on the IGF-II receptor and receptor dimerization have informed new approaches to targeting IGF-II-dependent cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. Currently a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. MacDonald is excited to support Frezent’s innovative work in head and neck cancer. His expertise in cancer cell signaling and IGF-targeted therapies will be invaluable to Frezent’s development efforts.
Dr. Efrat Eliyahu, PhD: Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mount Sinai, Dr. Eliyahu’s research centers on sphingolipid metabolism and its role in cellular survival and stress response. Her pioneering work in gene therapy to supplement acid ceramidase (AC) activity has implications for diseases involving programmed cell death and cellular senescence. With patented methods for AC enzyme delivery, she is advancing towards clinical trials. Dr. Eliyahu’s expertise aligns closely with Frezent’s focus on targeting ceramide-mediated pathways in oncology.