Jai Rautela is the co-founder and CEO at Audax, where he leads with scientific curiosity and infectious enthusiasm. With a background in fundamental immunology and a lifelong curiosity for how things work—and how to fix them—Jai is well-suited to leading a fast-moving, complex biotech organisation. He finds genuine joy in working alongside a whip-smart, highly engaged team, where each day brings both scientific challenges and shared laughter. For Jai, the real reward lies in knowing that their discoveries have the potential to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives. Outside the office, he’s a devoted outdoor adventurer with a particular love for the mountains—and a not-so-secret obsession with collecting gear for every possible expedition.

Nicholas Huntington is the co-founder and CSO at Audax, where he where he leads scientific strategy and discovery with a focus on transforming cutting-edge immunology into real-world therapies.Nick is a global expert in Natural Killer (NK) cell and cytokine biology, particularly IL-15. His career has been defined by a drive to fill critical knowledge gaps—figuring out how cytokines can be harnessed as therapies and developing tools to study NK cells in health and disease. He is driven by the thrill of discovery, the challenge in drug development, and the responsibility in delivering safer, more effective treatments to patients. Outside the lab, he’s a passionate cyclist with a taste for extreme endurance—once riding up and down a hill 132 times in a single rainy Saturday to surpass the elevation of Mt Everest—that’s 9,000 vertical metres over 250 km, taking 11 hours!

Iva Nikolic is a functional genomics expert with extensive experience in different technologies enabling high-throughput interrogation of gene function. After obtaining her PhD from Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, Iva moved to the Garvan Institute in Sydney where she developed a keen interest in genomics and large-scale functional screening. During this time, she performed one of the most comprehensive screens mapping the role of microRNA in cancer chemoresistance. Following her postdoctoral training, Iva joined Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics (VCFG) as a 2IC where she led drug screening campaigns spanning diverse technologies for novel target discovery. There she developed a fully automated, high-throughput CRISPR screening platform coupled with high-content microscopy and advanced image analysis. In her role as CTO at Audax, Iva heads a screening team developing functional assays to study primary human NK cells and their function in tumour immunosurveillance.

Andrew Powell is the Chief Operating Officer at Audax, where he leads strategic and operational functions across the company. With a PhD in Physiology and a career rooted in preclinical drug discovery, Andrew brings a unique blend of scientific insight and operational expertise to the biotech space. He enjoys the dynamic environment of a small, mission-driven company, where smart, engaged teams work together toward transformative health outcomes. Andrew is also a firm believer in the power of good coffee and a quick game of table tennis to spark productivity. Outside the office, he enjoys playing baseball, reading and engaging in competitive board games with his family.

Joe Cursons is Vice President of Computational Biology, where he leads efforts to decode complex biological systems and translate them into actionable insights for drug discovery. With a background in systems biology, Joe is fascinated by how molecular networks shape cell behaviour and human health. He finds deep satisfaction in piecing together biological puzzles—synthesising data into new knowledge that could one day improve patient outcomes. Outside of work, Joe is a dedicated metalhead who can often be found near (though not always in) the mosh pit at live gigs. He’s also a self-confessed news and politics nerd, with a podcast queue that’s as long as a progressive metal solo.

Richard Berry is Vice President of Biotherapeutics at Audax, where he leads the company’s biologics research programs with a focus on designing and optimising candidate drugs with real clinical potential. Trained as a protein chemist and structural biologist, Richard earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester (UK) in 2009. His academic career was marked by high-impact research into immune receptor biology—particularly how Natural Killer (NK) cells recognise ligands of self, viral, and tumour origin—resulting in publications in Nature, Cell, Science, and Nature Immunology. After leading a research group at Monash University and receiving multiple fellowships and grants, Richard made the leap to biotech in 2020, drawn by the fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and the opportunity to work from bench to bedside. Outside of the lab, he’s a self-confessed golf tragic!

Bruce Fischer, MD, directs Audax’s clinical strategy as we progress the development of our lead molecule, DAX-044. He brings a wealth of development experience to the role, including having guided numerous immuno-oncology agents through the clinic. Dr. Fischer has held leadership positions within Bristol Myers Squibb for the past 16 years, including most recently as Vice President of Early Clinical Development (Oncology).

After graduating from Melbourne University, John completed his chartered accounting qualification at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) working in audit services and taxation. He then worked at Bongiorno & Co before starting his own accounting practice in 1977. He is currently in the practice of Hotchkin Hughes Pty Ltd with a major interest in Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF), having gained a sought after accreditation, the Specialist SMSF Adviser from CAANZ. He is also a registered auditor.

Kevin Molloy is the Chief Financial Officer at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, overseeing financial, risk, actuarial, and internal audit functions. He joined Guardian in 2019, initially as SVP and CFO for Individual Markets. Prior to this, Kevin spent 20 years at AXA in various leadership roles, including Managing Director and Head of Investor Relations at AXA Equitable Holdings, and CFO of AXA Global Life in Paris. He also served as an economist with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis. Kevin holds BSc and MSc degrees in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Connecticut and resides in New York City with his family. He’s also an avid cyclist.

Imran House is a Principal Scientist on the Immunobiology team at Audax. With a PhD from the University of Melbourne and postdoctoral experience in both Germany and Australia, Imran is focused on understanding the immune system’s role in cancer and how it can be harnessed therapeutically. He is driven by a deep belief in the power of immunology to unlock new possibilities in treatment of disease. Outside the lab, Imran is a lover of sports, music and amateur carpentry.

Junyun Lai is a Senior Scientist III who brings a wealth of academic and industry experience in immunology and immunotherapy research, having previously published her work in Nature, Nature Immunology, Blood, and received numerous awards, most notably the International CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship. What Junyun enjoys most about drug discovery is the learning process that comes with tackling new problems and pushing boundaries. Outside the lab, life is a balancing act between her scientific career and the realities of modern parenting. She’s a proud advocate for all the tireless parents doing their best every day, and grateful for the supportive colleagues who help make it possible.

David Ladd is a Senior Software Architect on the Computational Biology team, where he designs and builds high-performance software tools that support drug discovery. With a background in bioengineering and systems biology, David’s technical expertise spans programming, systems engineering, and infrastructure deployment, making him a go-to problem solver for complex biological challenges. Weekends find him gardening, DIY woodworking, or enjoying board games and bushwalks with friends.

Christine White is the Laboratory Operations Manager at Audax, where she ensures the lab runs like a well-oiled machine—safe, efficient, and fully equipped to support cutting-edge cancer research. With a PhD and nearly two decades of experience as a research scientist, Christine brings deep practical expertise into supporting the team’s mission to develop new therapies. Outside of work, Christine juggles life with three daughters and a cat, and carves out time for reading, writing, word puzzles, and movies. This year, she’s taking on a new challenge: running 5km—despite being a self-declared lifelong non-runner.

Felix Deuss is a Senior Scientist II with a background in protein biology and a passion for solving complex problems at the cutting edge of research. He loves the intellectual challenge of drug discovery, where every day offers something new to learn and the chance to contribute to life-saving science. Felix was drawn to the field by a childhood love of LEGO–noting the parallels of assembling amino acids and functional domains into molecular structures that are greater than the sum of their parts. Outside the lab, Felix has diverse interests, whether it’s swimming, climbing, camping, sketching, writing, playing guitar, or diving into a good history book, he’s always up for learning something new - and will give almost any sport a go, at least once.

Tahlia Procter is a Scientist III with over a decade of experience in cancer biology research. With a Bachelor of Science (Honours), she brings both technical expertise and a passion for continuous learning to many different projects at Audax. Tahlia enjoys working alongside a phenomenal team and contributing to projects with real clinical potential. Outside of work, Tahlia loves spending time with her family and friends.

Marcin Węgrecki is a Senior Scientist III with expertise in protein engineering and the design of biotherapeutics. Originally trained in protein crystallography, Marcin’s fascination with immunology led him to apply his skills in protein biochemistry to molecular immunology, now driven by the opportunity to translate scientific discoveries into therapies that can make a meaningful impact on human health. Outside the lab, Marcin enjoys exploring new flavours of sour beer, watching tennis, and engaging in the unofficial Melbourne pastime of complaining about the weather. He’s also a soup-making enthusiast—able to turn almost anything into a spicy, chilli-packed creation.

Reshma Vijayakumaran is a Senior Scientist II on the Biology team, where she plays a key role in the journey from gene discovery to therapeutic validation. With a background in cancer biology, her academic research focused on tumour progression, signalling pathways, and the tumour microenvironment. Reshma was drawn to cancer immunology for its direct translational potential - and now finds motivation in seeing her work move closer to clinical application. Outside of work, Reshma enjoys hiking through nature and getting lost in a good book.

Ben Shields is a Senior Scientist III on the Immunobiology team, focussed on uncovering new therapeutic targets in immuno-oncology. With over two decades of post-doctoral experience working on diverse models of cancer and immune cell signalling, Ben thrives on solving complex biological using his expertise in protein biochemistry and cell biology. Outside the lab, Ben is a devoted Hawthorn Hawks supporter and father of two boys—though only one shares his footy allegiance (a fact he’s still coming to terms with).

Jovana Gotovac is a Senior Scientist I in the Immunobiology team at Audax. With a PhD in Cancer Cell Biology and a postdoctoral focus on high-content imaging and 3D screening biology, Jovana has explored everything from tumour mechanics to immune response modelling. Her work bridges fundamental science and translational research - using high-throughput 2D and 3D screening in primary immune cells and patient tumour cultures to uncover cancer vulnerabilities and test novel therapies. Outside the lab, she finds balance through yoga, long hikes, baking or planting – and on a free day, loves relaxing cycling or trips to the beach.

Matthew Veldman is a Scientist II with a cross-disciplinary skill set shaped by years of hands-on experience at Audax. Since joining in 2019, Matthew has worked closely with experts in screening, immunology, protein chemistry, and medicinal chemistry, developing a unique perspective on the collaborative nature of drug discovery. Known for his curiosity and adaptability, he thrives on the synergy between teams and the challenge of solving complex problems through shared expertise. On the weekends he enjoys baking or making furniture.

Krystal Hughes is a Scientist II, where she plays a vital role in the assessment of novel therapies using in vivo models. With a career dedicated to preclinical research, she’s driven by the knowledge that her day-to-day work directly supports the advancement of treatments with genuine clinical potential—an experience she finds equal parts motivating, empowering, and exciting. Outside of work, she’s a busy mum who embraces both the chaos and the quiet moments. You’ll most likely find her outdoors - whether it’s hiking or enjoying a couple of wines in the sun.

Pramod Aryal is a Senior Scientist in the Protein Chemistry team at Audax. As registered pharmacist with extensive experience in protein chemistry and molecular biology, Pramod brings a unique blend of clinical insight and research expertise to his role. He loves working in the fast-paced research environment equipped with cutting-edge technologies, and finds inspiration in collaborating with a passionate, intelligent team focused on developing novel biologics. Outside the lab, he’s happiest outdoors—whether hiking, cycling or tending to his garden.

Allison Wan is a Scientist II in the Immunobiology team at Audax. With a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Western Australia, Allison is particularly interested in how cancer cells interact—and outsmart—the immune system. She’s driven by the collective creativity of her team, where exploring uncharted immunological territory is part of the daily routine. Outside the lab, Allison is passionate about the Arts and DIY projects.

Tom Kitson is a Scientist II with a strong foundation in animal welfare and in vivo research, developed over a decade as a highly skilled animal technician. His deep practical knowledge and attention to detail have made him a valuable asset in the fast-paced research environment at Audax. Outside the lab, Tom is on a mission to master Spanish—¡buena suerte!

Diane Wilcock is the Intellectual Property and Legal Counsel to Audax, bringing over 20 years of in-house experience at NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical companies and a strong foundation in both science and law. With a PhD, MBA, and JD, Diane combines deep technical expertise with strategic legal insight. Her career spans global patent portfolio management, licensing, litigation, and contract negotiation, with a particular focus on therapeutic antibodies and platform technologies. Prior to her industry roles, she worked in technology transfer for academic institutions, further enriching her perspective on innovation and commercialisation.

Ashley Arnott is a seasoned Chief Financial Officer and Business Advisor with a strong track record supporting SMEs and start-ups. Ashley has worked with dozens of biotech companies over the past 20 years, as well as previous CFO and Company Secretary roles with multiple ASX listed companies, including The Environmental Group Ltd and Cytopia Ltd. With deep expertise in financial reporting, corporate governance, and capital planning, he has helped life sciences businesses navigate complex financial landscapes, enhancing cash flow and drive sustainable growth.

Martin Crook is a Business Development Advisor to Audax through his consultancy, Biopharma Business Consulting, with over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Most recently serving as Vice President of Corporate Development at Bristol Myers Squibb, Martin held a series of senior leadership roles in a career that spans global business development, licensing, and strategic partnerships. Prior to his time at BMS, Martin held roles at Daiichi Sankyo and Merck, and began his scientific career as a visiting fellow at the NIH after a PhD from the University of Bristol.

Brett Carter is a strategic advisor to Audax bringing over 20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Brett has held senior roles across science and business, including 11 years at GlaxoSmithKline in London, where he led major licensing, acquisition, and investment deals across global markets. Since returning to Australia, he has served as a strategic advisor, company director, and CEO of several biotech organisations, notably leading Cancer Therapeutics CRC through a landmark licensing deal with Pfizer. He holds an MBA from London Business School, a BSc from RMIT University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Simon Chivers is a Toxicology Advisor to Audax, bringing over 20 years of experience in non-clinical drug development and safety assessment. Through his consultancy, Integrated Biologix GmbH, Simon provides expert guidance on translational PK-PD, regulatory strategy, and safety evaluation for biologics and emerging technologies. He has held senior leadership roles across global pharmaceutical organisations, with expertise spanning regulatory toxicology, safety pharmacology, early-stage de-risking, and biopharmaceutical development.

Paul Varley is a CMC Advisor to Audax, with over 30 years of experience in biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Paul has held senior leadership roles at several pharmaceutical companies, successfully guiding complex biologics across the R&D pipeline through to commercialisation. With a PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics, Paul has expertise across preclinical development, bio-manufacturing, DMPK, pharmaceutics, and general drug development.

Katy Rezvani, MD, PhD is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she serves as the Sally Cooper Murray Chair in Cancer Research, Chief of the Section for Cellular Therapy, Director of Translational Research, and Medical Director of the GMP Facility. She also serves as Executive Director of MD Anderson’s Adoptive Cell Therapy Platform. She leads a research lab with a focus on NK cell biology and developing novel NK cell engineering strategies for cancer, with the aim of translating these discoveries to the clinic. Dr. Rezvani completed her medical training at University College London, England and her PhD at Imperial College London. She completed her training in immunology and transplantation biology at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. In addition, she has co-authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple prizes and awards, including the American Society of Hematology E. Donnall Thomas award.

Thomas Gajewski, MD, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago where he directs the Melanoma Oncology Clinic and leads the Immunology and Cancer Program of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focusses on understanding fundamental aspects of anti-tumour immunity and bringing these concepts forward from the laboratory into clinical trials. His prolific career spans over 230 manuscripts, 20 book chapters, and 200 scientific conference presentations. Notable accolades include the American Cancer Society-Jules L. Plangere Jr. Family Foundation Professorship, AbbVie Foundation Professorship for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the William B. Coley Award for cancer immunology. As a former president of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and a founding editor of the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, Prof Gajewski's impactful contributions extend to co-founding biotech startups including Jounce Therapeutics and Pyxis Oncology.

Tina Cascone, MD, PhD, is a Physician-Scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She received her medical (summa cum laude) and doctorate degrees from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples, Italy. Dr. Cascone leads a basic laboratory and translational research program that focuses on identifying mechanisms of tumor response and resistance to immunotherapy. She also serves as PI on several clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant and perioperative immunotherapies for patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Cascone is a graduate of the MD Anderson Physician Scientist Program and a past recipient of an ASCO Career Development Award and an ASCI Young Physician Scientist Award. She has published widely in leading journals, including Journal of Clinical Investigation, Cell Metabolism, Cancer Discovery and Nature Medicine.

Mark Lupher, PhD, is a biopharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of experience with biomedical research organizations and over 14 years of experience serving in various executive level roles. Dr. Lupher currently serves as the president and founder of VeritasRx Consulting, an executive consulting service he founded in 2013, advising venture capital firms and their companies on biopharmaceutical operations and drug development. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Adverum Biotechnologies since 2019. Previously, Dr. Lupher held a variety of executive roles at biopharmaceutical companies, to include serving as the Vice President of Translational Pharmacology and Preclinical Development at Sutro Biopharma, a biotechnology company focused on clinical-stage drug discovery, development and manufacturing of oncology products, from 2014 to 2020, and Chief Scientific Officer at Promedior, Inc. (acquired by Roche) that developed biologics to treat fibrosis and ocular diseases, from 2007 to 2013. Prior to those roles he held various positions in drug discovery at ICOS Corporation (acquired by Lilly), from 1998-2007 and at Immunex (acquired by Amgen), from 1991-1994. Dr. Lupher earned his B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Washington and a PhD in Immunology from Harvard University.

Lewis Lanier, PhD, is an American Cancer Society Professor and J. Michael Bishop MD Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California San Francisco. Lewis is a prominent immunologist and pioneer in the field of natural killer (NK) cell research contributing over 500 peer-reviewed articles on the topic over the past four decades. His pivotal work has been cited over 122,000 times and focuses on how NK cells recognize and combat virus-infected tissues, uncovering activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors pivotal in innate immunity to pathogens and cancer. Among his accolades are the prestigious William B. Coley Award for Tumor Immunology (2002), Rose Payne Award for Immunogenetics (2005), and memberships in the US National Academy of Sciences (2010) and American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2011). Notably, as a former President of the American Association of Immunologists, he has been honored with distinguished awards such as the AAI Excellence in Mentoring Award (2017) and the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award (2023).

Stephen Eck, MD, PhD, is Senior Vice President for Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer at MacroGenics. Prior to MacroGenics, Dr. Eck served as CMO of Immatics U.S., a company focused on TCR-based immunotherapies, and as President and CEO of Aravive Biologics. Prior to these roles, Dr. Eck was Vice President and Global Head of Oncology Medical Sciences at Astellas Pharma, managing a portfolio of assets that included enzalutamide (Xtandi®), erlotinib (Tarceva®), and gilteritinib (Xospata®). Dr. Eck has also held leadership positions in drug development as Vice President of Translational Medicine and Pharmacogenomics at Eli Lilly and as Head of Clinical Oncology at Pfizer. He began his professional career at Monsanto in cancer target discovery and later joined the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the Anne B. Young Assistant Professor of Cancer Research and the Director of the Cancer Gene Therapy Program. Dr. Eck currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Center Pennsylvania Clinic, 1CBio, the Personalized Medicine Coalition and Circulogene. He is a past board member of Luminex.