Prof. Dr. Erich Schlick
Venture Partner
- Medical Doctor & Professor of Immunopharmacology
- Joined Wellington in 2005
- Former Member of BASF Pharma Board; responsible for development of Humira (sales in 2020: US$ 20 billion)
- Former Deputy Head of 3i Healthcare Worldwide
Biography
Erich is one of a very few European scientists/drug developers to see their innovation become a blockbuster: In the 1990s he initiated the development of Humira, the first fully-human monoclonal antibody treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and today the world’s top-selling drug, with sales reaching US$ 20 billion in 2018.
He joined Wellington Partners as an Investment Partner in October 2005 from 3i and has since been responsible for a number of successful European biotech and medtech companies such as Symetis (acquired by Boston Scientific) and the successful IPO of immatics on NASDAQ in 2020 by way of a SPAC transaction.
At 3i, he served as Director and Head of 3i Healthcare Germany and as Deputy Sector Head of 3i Healthcare Worldwide. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with BASF Pharma / Knoll AG, including 10 years as Global Head of R&D and as a member of the Executive Board of Directors of Knoll AG. During this time, he obtained worldwide registrations for several products in cardiovascular, metabolic and pain indications. In 1993, he established the partnership with Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT), which led to the successful development of Humira.
Erich holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, as well as a professorship in immunopharmacology. He also trained at the US National Cancer Institute, where he specialized in oncology and immunology.