In a world of complex pipelines and scattered priorities, we believe focus wins.

X1 Biotech is a biotechnology company built around a simple principle:

Concentrated effort creates outsized outcomes.

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Why X1 Biotech

  • X1 Biotech is advancing X101, a repurposed small-molecule RUNX1 inhibitor, CADASIL-first with expansion potential in IPF and other diseases.

    Singular Focus

    One lead asset. One clear development path. No distractions.

  • drug development targeting vascular repair mechanisms

    Scientific Precision

    Data-driven decisions, rigorous preclinical strategy, and a mechanism-first approach.

  • therapeutics for cerebral small vessel disease and vascular dysfunction

    Execution Discipline

    Lean, experienced leadership with a build-to-milestones operating model.

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Our Approach

We combine deep scientific expertise with a streamlined development model:

  • High-conviction target and clear biological rationale

  • Relentless focus on translational readouts and measurable endpoints

  • Milestone-based execution across preclinical and clinical development

  • Partnership-ready structure designed for efficient collaboration

Our Team

X1 Biotech is led by an experienced team spanning clinical medicine, translational research, and company building.

Lawrence Kaufman, PhD

President & CEO

  • A successful business leader with CEO, COO and director experience in a wide variety of technology-based firms, both public and private. Also conducted turnarounds of troubled companies.

  • B.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, PhD degree in Physics from Tufts University.

Michael Aceti, MBA

Co-Founder, COO

  • Over 30 years of financial and operational experience in a wide range of industries and companies, including Beacon Endoscopic, Catamaran Bio, Fog Pharmaceuticals, GreenLight, Helio Vision, Innosight, Lumicell, and Mercy BioAnalytics as well as in financial and commercial roles at Genzyme, GenRad, and Procter & Gamble.

  • MBA in Finance and Strategy from The University of Chicago.

Dean Eliott, MD

Co-Founder, Board Member

  • Stelios Evangelos Gragoudas Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School; Director Emeritus of the Mass. Eye and Ear Retina Service; Director of Surgical Retina Fellowship.

  • Retina fellowship and Chief Resident at Duke University Medical Center; Ophthalmology residency at Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins Hospital. Internationally recognized expert in vitreoretinal surgery.

  • MD (honors) from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Leo Kim, MD, PhD

Co-Founder,Board Member

  • Monte J. Wallace Chair in Retina; Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

  • Retina fellowship and ophthalmology residency at Doheny Eye Institute /University of Southern California, NIH funded clinician-scientist.

  • MD, PhD from Yale University School of Medicine.

Joseph Arboleda-Velasquez, MD, PhD

Co-Founder,Board Member

  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

  • NIH and USA Department of Defense funded scientist with expertise in neuroscience and vision research.

  • PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Harvard, MD from University of Antioquia, Colombia.

Neal Chen, MD

Board Member

  • Associate Professor Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

  • Chief Emeritus, MGH Hand Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital.

  • MD Yale University School of Medicine.

  • More than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience across multiple mechanistic areas, with expertise in nonclinical development and regulatory strategy. Leadership in safety assessment and early stage development for programs advancing from discovery through IND.

    • PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Utah School of Medicine; board certified toxicologist.

Jane Gunther, PhD, DABT Nonclinical Development Consultant

Advisor

Jeff Bone

Advisor

  • Entrepreneurial leader with a career spanning venture creation, strategic planning, gap analysis, and founder mentorship across technology, healthcare, mental health and medical device industries.

  • AB degree in Government from Harvard University and an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.