Our team
Dr. Lisa Osbelt Block
CEO & Co-Founder
Lisa Osbelt-Block is our CEO and co-founder. She has a background in infection biology and developed the project from scratch during her PhD. She has been working in the microbiome field for over eight years and has been the lead scientist behind the discoveries forming the basis of Arvalus' IP.
From an early stage, Lisa has been passionate about translating biomedical discoveries into new therapies. She has continuously enhanced her expertise in translational medicine and entrepreneurship through the TRAIN academy and various entrepreneurship workshops. Additionally, she has secured significant non-dilutive funding to propel Arvalus to its current stage.
Prof. Dr. Till Strowig
Scientific Advisor
Till Strowig is an outstanding microbiome researcher, future board member, and scientific advisor. Since 2013, he has led the research group on Microbial Immune Regulation.
In 2019, he became head of the department of the same name and was awarded a W3 professorship at Hannover Medical School (MHH). Till has been guiding Lisa through her PhD and has supported her all the way from the first discovery in the lab up to now.
Currently, he is also involved in two other projects focused on clinical testing of innovative therapies for preventing and treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. His scientific expertise and continuous support are invaluable to Arvalus.
Dr. Steffen Schabel
Business Development
Steffen Schabel is responsible for business development at Arvalus and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, having held positions as CEO and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at various healthcare companies.
He mentored Lisa during the early stages of the project and has been coaching her ever since. His key expertise lies in sales, management, consultancy, training, and coaching. His motto is, 'The only thing impossible is the thing that has not yet been tried.' Steffen will guide Arvalus along the path to a successful exit.
Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild
Clinical Advisor
Maria Vehreschild is our clinical advisor and future board member. She is a clinical scientist, head of the Department of Clinical Microbiome Research at the University Clinic in Frankfurt, and head of the Cologne Microbiota Bank.
Maria has already treated over 300 patients using FMTs as individual healing attempts and is Germany's leading expert in the production and clinical testing of microbiome-based therapeutics. She provides in-depth knowledge of regulatory affairs and clinical trial management. She has been involved in the project from an early stage and will continue to advise us in preparation for the clinical trial.
Currently, we are collaborating on her Phase I clinical trial, which aims to personalize FMT treatments for improved efficacy against Gram-negative pathogens.
Dr. Christian Brandstetter
CFO & Co-Founder
Christian Brandstetter is our CFO. He studied economics and entrepreneurship and has extensive expertise in the start-up sector.
He has developed and led the H3 Health Hub, a Helmholtz transfer academy, is lecturing at different universities and worked for an incubator supporting startups before.
Moreover, he was involved in several venturing activities during his time in Karlsruhe.