CureVac Strengthens Financial Leadership With The Appointment Of Axel Sven Malkomes As CFO

CureVac N.V., a leading biopharmaceutical firm focused on pioneering transformative therapies using messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), has announced the appointment of Axel Sven Malkomes as its new Chief Financial Officer, starting November 11, 2024. Mr. Malkomes comes to CureVac during a critical phase of expansion and innovation, bringing with him more than 30 years of extensive experience in senior corporate and investment banking roles across the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

Mr. Malkomes most recently held the position of CFO at Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a private biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing innovative non-coding RNA therapies aimed at tackling the underlying causes of heart disease. Throughout his time there, he was pivotal in preparing the company for capital markets, co-leading major funding rounds, and facilitating potential mergers and partnerships, which ultimately led to Cardior's acquisition by Novo Nordisk in 2024. 

Prior to his role at Cardior, Mr. Malkomes served as both CFO and Chief Business Officer at Medigene AG, a publicly traded cell therapy company, where he played a key role in transforming the organisation’s strategic and financial landscape, effectively extending its cash runway and enhancing its network of strategic partnerships.

Dr. Alexander Zehnder, Chief Executive Officer of CureVac, commented, “Axel’s appointment corresponds with a significant milestone in CureVac’s evolution. As we embark on an exciting new phase of corporate development, his extensive expertise and proven leadership in the life sciences sector will be instrumental. Axel will play a key role in advancing our strategic initiatives, strengthening our financial foundation, and enhancing shareholder value. We are thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team.”

Axel Malkomes, expressed his excitement by saying, “I am honoured to join CureVac at such a transformative time in the company’s journey. With its pioneering mRNA technology and the momentum from the recent deal with GSK, CureVac is well-positioned to make significant advancements in developing innovative medicines. I look forward to leveraging my experience in financial management and corporate growth to support CureVac’s mission and contribute to its future success.”

Mr. Malkomes brings a wealth of experience, having previously held senior roles in healthcare investment banking at Barclays and Société Générale. He also co-led European healthcare investments at 3i Group plc, a prominent UK private equity firm managing over $20 billion in assets. Earlier in his career, he occupied senior operational and leadership positions at Merck KGaA. 

His journey in investment banking began at prestigious institutions such as Dresdner Bank, Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette (later acquired by Credit Suisse), and Lehman Brothers, where he specialised in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and private equity deals within the healthcare and life sciences industries.

Since 2022, Mr. Malkomes has served on the Board of Directors of Cellectis SA, a cell and gene editing company traded on NASDAQ and Euronext, where he also chairs the audit committee. He holds a business administration degree from Otto-Friedrich University in Bamberg, Germany, and has participated in executive management programs at INSEAD, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.