Our Team
CytoAgents is comprised of seasoned business leaders and medical professionals, all of whom are experts within their fields
Teresa Whalen, RPh | Chief Executive Officer
With more than 20 years career in the healthcare industry as a biotech innovator, healthcare technology leader, hospital board trustee, life sciences investor, and clinical pharmacist; Teresa has a successful track record of bringing life-changing healthcare products to market.
As the CEO of CytoAgents, Teresa leads a team of world-renowned clinical drug development experts and scientific advisory board members who are at the forefront of groundbreaking treatment of life-threatening symptoms associated with Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), an overreaction of the immune system causing systemic inflammation.
Teresa was selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2021, which identifies ambitious women entrepreneurs who are leading thriving organizations and helps them scale their companies to their full potential as market-leading innovators.
Leadership
Michael Howell, PhD is an immunologist with more than 25 years of experience in the government, academia, and the biopharma/biotech sectors. Dr. Howell was a faculty member at National Jewish Health, and held roles of increasing responsibility at Boehringer Ingelheim, Immune Tolerance Network, MedImmune/AstraZeneca, and the Incyte Corporation. Dr. Howell has previously led research and development teams dedicated to the discovery of novel therapies and the integration of novel biomarker approaches into clinical development. His efforts have led to the approval of multiple therapies including Opzelura (ruxolitinib), Jakafi (ruxolitinib), Adbry/Adtralza (tralokinumab), Tezpire (tezepelumab), Skyrizi (rizankizumab), and others; novel diagnostic approaches to patient treatment, and have been highlighted in more than 60 publications and numerous patents. Dr. Howell received his PhD in Immunology from West Virginia University School of Medicine and completed his post-doctoral training at National Jewish Health.
Dr. Johannes Wolff brings over two decades of dedicated experience in clinical medicine, research, and biotechnology. With a robust background underscored by well over 200 publications, he is a recognized leader in translational medicine and clinical development.
His extensive clinical experience includes positions at top-tier institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Tufts Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic, where he has contributed to pioneering treatments and patient care. Complementing his clinical expertise, Dr. Wolff has held industry roles with leading pharmaceutical companies including AbbVie and Novartis, guiding the development of innovative therapies from concept to commercialization.
Holding both an MD and PhD, Dr. Wolff’s multidisciplinary expertise spans research, clinical practice, and industry. He is passionate about translating scientific discoveries into impactful medicines, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving advancements at the intersection of science and healthcare. As Chief Medical Officer, he leads our clinical strategy with a focus on scientific rigor, regulatory excellence, and patient-centric innovation, ensuring our biotech’s mission to transform medicine becomes a reality.
Denise Gottfried is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, executive manager, and board advisor, active for more than 25 years in the medical industry. She has lead product development teams from concept through to commercialization of well over 100 novel medical products, with more than 30 successful company exits. She also holds the position of CEO of TekTeam, a company that advises and services the medical industry, with an emphasis on best practices for value building, proper capitalization, efficient use of funds, and compliant product development and launch. Her dedicated efforts over the years have helped raise more than $830 million through private capital resources and more than $2 Billion in non-public and public company acquisitions. Her goal is to create and lead companies towards achieve their vision and best value with the highest level of credibility. Prior to joining TekTeam in 2008 and CytoAgents in 2019, Ms. Gottfried held management positions at Baxter (Hyland), Collagen/Allergan, R2Technologies/Hologic and board positions in several small, mid-sized and larger medical companies.
Roy Prieb is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in building innovative technology and life sciences companies. Most recently, he was a co-founder and director of Kleo Pharmaceuticals, a synthetic immunotherapy company spun out from Yale University. He served as the company’s COO/CFO overseeing non-R&D functions including finance, business development, human resources, IP management, and fundraising. Roy worked as a management consultant with Boston Consulting Group. He received his BA from Harvard College and MBA from Wharton Business School.
Board of Directors
Stanley Marks is Chairman of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the largest network of outpatient cancer centers in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. In addition, he is Director for Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Shadyside Hospital; and Clinical Professor of Medicine for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Stanley has also served as president of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, president of the Allegheny County Medical Society, chairman of the board of Via Oncology, chair of Cancer Treatment Services International, and chair of the National Policy Board of US Oncology. Stanley has authored numerous publications and is the recipient of several awards, including the National Research Service Award from the United States Public Health Service. Stanley received his bachelor’s degree in biology and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Anthony McCarley is founder of McCarley International whose mission is based on guiding driven business owners, executives, and organizations to accomplish great things. McCarley International specializes in working with companies experiencing significant change and transition – whether by design or circumstance. Anthony has over 30 years of experience as a senior executive with two Global 100 companies and two start-up companies.
Anthony became a Triple Crown marathon swimmer in 2014 by crossing the English Channel, circumnavigating Manhattan Island, and crossing the Catalina Channel in southern California. He completed the three marathon swims in less than one year. He was named a 2014 Global Marathon Swimming Federation Award finalist in the Most Impressive Overall Year category.
Catherine Mott is the founder of BlueTree Capital Group, BlueTree Allied Angels, and the BlueTree Venture Fund located in Pittsburgh, PA. The BT entities have invested $50+ million in several startup companies. Ms. Mott is the past Chairman of the Angel Capital Association (ACA) and the Angel Resource Institute. Ms. Mott is a member of the ACA Public Policy Committee and she has served 3 terms on the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies. Catherine has been a speaker/panelist at national and regional conferences. She worked for 17 years in corporate banking management where she served in senior management roles for investment sales/wealth management, commercial lending, business development, and retail expansion. Today, Ms. Mott uses these experiences and her education to bring together capital and prime investment opportunities. She was named the 2017 Hans Severeins Angel of the Year by the Angel Capital Association, among many other national awards. Catherine holds an MBA in Finance.
With more than 20 years career in the healthcare industry as a biotech innovator, healthcare technology leader, hospital board trustee, life sciences investor, and clinical pharmacist; Teresa has a successful track record of bringing life-changing healthcare products to market.
As the CEO of CytoAgents, Teresa leads a team of world-renowned clinical drug development experts and scientific advisory board members who are at the forefront of groundbreaking treatment of life-threatening symptoms associated with Cytokine Releasing Syndrome (CRS), an overreaction of the immune system causing systemic inflammation. Teresa was selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2021, which identifies ambitious women entrepreneurs who are leading thriving organizations and helps them scale their companies to their full potential as market-leading innovators.
Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD is Executive Director Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, System Chief of Oncology Services UNC Health System.
As a head and neck surgical oncologist and translational tumor immunologist, his lab and clinical trials investigate mechanisms of anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as tumor cell escape. Dr. Ferris has published >400 peer-reviewed publications that have garnered >52,000 citations. He was lead investigator of several practice-changing, prospective randomized trials, including Checkmate-141 published in NEJM which led to the FDA approval of the first immunotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Dr. Ferris has co-founded two early-phase immuno-oncology companies, in therapeutics discovery and development and in cellular therapeutic strategies for solid and liquid tumors. Dr. Ferris also serves on scientific boards for multiple biotech companies.