MBX Biosciences, Inc. Appoints Karen Basbaum As Chief Business Officer To Strengthen Strategic Growth Efforts

MBX Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision peptide therapies for endocrine and metabolic disorders, has announced the appointment of Karen Basbaum, MBA, as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO). She brings more than 20 years of experience in business development, corporate strategy, and major strategic transactions within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Kent Hawryluk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, said that Karen is a highly strategic and accomplished leader with a strong track record of structuring and completing high-value partnerships, financings, and mergers and acquisitions. He noted that her ability to work with major global pharmaceutical organizations will play an important role as MBX Biosciences continues advancing its development pipeline and evaluates strategic opportunities to maximize the impact of its therapies for patients.

Karen Basbaum expressed her enthusiasm about joining the company, saying that she is excited to be part of MBX at a pivotal stage in its growth. She highlighted the company’s strong pipeline of innovative peptide therapies designed to address significant unmet medical needs and shared that she looks forward to working closely with the team to develop strategic partnerships, accelerate progress, and help make these therapies available to patients worldwide.

Karen brings deep experience from several leadership roles across the industry. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Poseida Therapeutics, where she was part of the Executive Committee and led partnerships and corporate transactions valued at more than $10 billion in potential deal value. She also played a major role in the company’s sale to Roche for up to $1.5 billion.

Earlier in her career, she held senior business development positions at DNAtrix, Dauntless Pharmaceuticals, and Elcelyx Therapeutics, where she led strategic initiatives, financings, and partnering activities. She also worked as Director of Business Development at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, contributing to the company’s $7 billion acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb. Karen began her career in research roles at Celgene and Abbott Laboratories.

She holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Biology with honors from the University of North Dakota. The appointment reflects MBX Biosciences’ continued focus on strengthening its leadership team as it advances its precision peptide programs and prepares for the next phase of strategic growth.