Dennis Merkle
About Dennis Merkle
Dennis Merkle serves as the CEO of Predicine Europe and the Global Head of Biopharma Business, bringing extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He holds a BSc and PhD in Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, and Biochemistry from the University of Calgary, and an EMBA from Durham University.
Current Role at Predicine
Dennis Merkle serves as the CEO of Predicine Europe and the Global Head of Biopharma Business. He has held this position since 2022, operating from Berlin, Germany. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction and operational management of the company's biopharma initiatives, focusing on advancing precision medicine and companion diagnostics.
Previous Experience in the Biopharma Industry
Before joining Predicine, Dennis Merkle held several senior leadership positions in the biopharma sector. He worked as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at ArcherDX, Inc. for a brief period in 2020. Prior to that, he spent six years at Merck Group as the Global Head of Market Enabling Technologies and Companion Diagnostics, where he developed a companion diagnostics strategy across various therapeutic areas.
Educational Background
Dennis Merkle earned a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, and Biochemistry from the University of Calgary, where he studied from 1995 to 2004. He also completed an Executive MBA at Durham University, focusing on Executive Business Management, Strategy, Marketing, and Innovation from 2012 to 2014.
Achievements in Companion Diagnostics
Throughout his career, Dennis Merkle has been instrumental in advancing companion diagnostics. He developed a strategy that was implemented across oncology, immuno-oncology, and immunology programs. Notably, he led the world's first simultaneous approval of a front-line liquid biopsy and tissue biopsy companion diagnostic, showcasing his expertise in integrating diagnostics with therapeutic development.
Career Progression and Key Roles
Dennis Merkle has held various significant roles in the biopharma industry. He was a Senior Scientist at Philips Research from 2006 to 2011, where he built a team that achieved the organization's first simultaneous drug and companion diagnostic approvals. He also served as the Senior Vice President at Invitae, focusing on Oncology Development Strategy and Alliances from 2020 to 2022, and as a Marketing Manager for Oncology at Abbott Molecular from 2011 to 2014.