Rubius Therapeutics, Inc. announced the appointment of Susanne Schaffert, Ph.D., to its board of directors. Dr. Schaffert brings more than 25 years of experience across clinical development, marketing and sales, finance and commercialization in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with a focus on oncology, immuno-oncology and cell therapy. Dr. Schaffert most recently served as President of Novartis Oncology.

Rubius announced that Anne Prener, M.D., Ph.D., is stepping down from her role on the board of directors, effective immediately. Dr. Schaffert spent 27 years at Novartis, most recently as President of Novartis Oncology. Before that, she spent six years in Novartis' Oncology Business as a member of the Global Novartis Oncology Leadership Team, including as Region Head, Novartis Oncology Europe, where she successfully launched and marketed key products in lung, breast and renal cancer as well as hematology.

She also served as President and Chair of Accelerated Advanced Applications (AAA), launching Lutathera®, a radioligand therapy for the treatment of certain cancers, in the U.S. and E.U. Also during her tenure in Novartis' Oncology Business, she was instrumental in the GSK Oncology integration. From 2010-2013, Dr. Schaffert was Head of Investor Relations, and before that, she served as Global Franchise Head for Immunology and Transplantation. Dr. Schaffert first joined Novartis Germany in 1995 and held a series of positions in Sales and Marketing with increasing responsibilities in both national and global functions.

Dr. Schaffert holds a Ph.D. with honors in Organic Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Chemistry, both from the University of Erlangen (Germany).