Michael Ehlers

Michael Ehlers is a prominent figure in the biopharmaceutical industry, currently serving as the Chief Scientific Officer and General Partner at ATP (Apple Tree Partners), a leading life sciences venture capital firm.13

Professional Background

Dr. Ehlers has had an illustrious career spanning academia and industry:

Academic Career::

• He was a professor and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Duke University Medical Center.2
• As the George Barth Geller Professor of Neurobiology at Duke, he focused on neuronal organelles and the trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors.3
• He has authored over 100 scientific papers and served on multiple editorial boards and advisory boards for organizations including the National Institutes of Health.2

Industry Experience::

• Before joining ATP, Dr. Ehlers was the Executive Vice President for Research and Development at Biogen.13
• At Biogen, he led discovery sciences, translational medicine, clinical development, and regulatory sciences, focusing on neurological, immunological, and rare diseases.2
• Prior to Biogen, he served as the Biotherapeutics Group Senior Vice President and Neuroscience Chief Scientific Officer at Pfizer.23

Education and Early Life

• Dr. Ehlers holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.23
• He received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.23
• Born in Germany and raised in rural Nebraska, he developed an early interest in science through collecting insects and rocks.3

Achievements and Contributions

At Biogen, Dr. Ehlers:

• Expanded and diversified the clinical portfolio
• Transformed research and development productivity
• Advanced more than 20 novel clinical candidates
• Oversaw the approval of Spinraza® for spinal muscular atrophy and Vumerity® for multiple sclerosis
• Advanced development programs for Leqembi® for Alzheimer's disease and Qalsody® for ALS2

At Pfizer, he:

• Created and advanced neuroscience and rare disease portfolios
• Directed global development activities in biologics
• Successfully brought 22 compounds into the clinic2

Personal Interests

Dr. Ehlers plays the French horn and piano, showcasing his diverse talents beyond the scientific realm.3