In March 2021, after extensive preclinical investigations into the role of CD5 deletion in enhancing CAR T-cell efficacy, I co-founded Vittoria Biotherapeutics alongside seasoned biotech executives Nicholas A. Siciliano, Ph.D., and Bruce Peacock.

Our shared vision was to translate this promising concept into clinical applications, particularly targeting T-cell malignancies. ​By December 2024, our efforts culminated in the initiation of the VIPER-101 Phase 1 clinical trial for relapsed and/or refractory T-cell lymphoma, a disease with limited treatment options. VIPER-101 is an autologous, gene-edited, dual-population CAR T-cell therapy developed using our proprietary Senza5™ platform, which integrates CD5 gene-editing technology with a rapid, five-day manufacturing process to enhance efficacy and safety.

​The Penn Center for Innovation as of early 2025, is actively enrolling patients, marking a significant milestone in our mission to provide innovative therapies for underserved patient populations. Beyond hematologic malignancies, Vittoria Biotherapeutics has expanded its research and development portfolio to include applications in autoimmune diseases and solid tumors, reflecting our commitment to addressing a broad spectrum of challenging medical conditions.