Meet Anthony Rohr, StageBio's Business Development Executive.

With over two decades of CRO leadership experience, Anthony helps biotech and pharma teams navigate the complexities of preclinical development. We sat down with him to discuss smart strategy, common pitfalls, and what it takes to accelerate programs without cutting corners.

1. Can you introduce yourself, share your role at StageBio, and explain what initially drew you to join the team?

Hello! I’m Anthony Rohr, Business Development Executive at StageBio. With over 22 years in contract research and development and extensive leadership experience across multiple CROs, I was drawn to StageBio’s reputation for scientific excellence and its commitment to being a true strategic partner for clients. The opportunity to leverage my background in operational leadership, process improvement, and client engagement to help advance preclinical programs was a perfect fit for my passion for driving innovation and collaboration. 

2. What does a typical day look like for you at StageBio?

My day often starts with client outreach, typically I’m responding to inquiries or proactively engaging biotech and pharma teams to understand their program needs. From there, I work closely with internal scientific teams to align capabilities with client objectives, ensuring proposals and timelines are accurate and strategic. Throughout the day, I manage CRM updates, review metrics, and collaborate on marketing initiatives. I also dedicate time to collaborating with team members on continuous improvement initiatives.

3. How do you see your role supporting both our internal scientific teams and our clients throughout the lifecycle of a program?

I act as a bridge between clients and our scientific teams, where I translate complex technical requirements into actionable plans. My industry experience in study design, project management, and regulatory compliance allows me to anticipate challenges and ensure smooth execution. By maintaining open communication and aligning resources early, I help clients feel confident in their decisions while enabling our teams to deliver high-quality, timely results.

4. What types of challenges or questions do clients most often come to you with, and how do you help guide them toward the right StageBio solutions?

Clients frequently ask about timelines, regulatory compliance, and how to optimize study design for speed and accuracy. I leverage my background in GLP and OECD compliance to provide clear guidance and recommend solutions that balance scientific rigor with efficiency. Often, this involves educating clients on overlooked considerations, such as SEND data requirements or the impact of early pathology input on downstream decisions.

5. Can you share a memorable example of a client engagement where close collaboration led to a particularly strong outcome?

One example that stands out is when I partnered with a biotech client facing aggressive timelines for IND submission. By coordinating internal resources and streamlining communication, we delivered critical pathology data ahead of schedule, enabling the client to meet their regulatory milestone. This success reinforced the value of early engagement and transparent collaboration.

6. How do you stay fluent in StageBio’s scientific capabilities and technologies so you can effectively translate them for clients?

I stay current by attending industry conferences, participating in internal training sessions, and reviewing scientific updates from our teams. My history of representing organizations at trade shows and developing marketing content also helps me distill complex information into client-friendly messaging.

7. From your perspective, what is one common misconception or overlooked consideration drug developers have when planning preclinical programs?

A common misconception is underestimating the importance of early pathology input. Many developers focus heavily on efficacy models without considering how histopathology can inform dose selection and safety margins. Engaging experts early can prevent costly delays and improve confidence in decision-making.

8. How does engaging StageBio early in development help clients make more confident, lower-risk decisions?

Early engagement allows us to identify potential pitfalls in study design, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. By leveraging our expertise in GLP standards and SEND data sets, we help clients avoid rework and accelerate timelines, ultimately reducing risk and cost.

9. As the drug development landscape evolves, what trends or shifts are you seeing in how companies evaluate therapeutic assets, and how is StageBio responding?

There’s a growing emphasis on translational models and integrated data strategies to de-risk programs earlier. Companies are also prioritizing CRO partners who offer flexibility and strategic insight rather than transactional services. StageBio responds by investing in advanced technologies and fostering deep scientific partnerships that support clients from discovery through IND.

Anthony's insights reflect StageBio's commitment to being more than a service provider. We're strategic partners invested in your program's success from discovery through IND and beyond.

Ready to explore how our preclinical expertise can support your development goals?
Connect with our team today.