team_
Building a truly foundational model for molecular biology requires a rare combination of expertise. Our founding team, supported by leading scientific advisors, brings together world-class understanding in quantum mechanics, machine learning, structural biology, and the boldness to reimagine how humanity discovers medicine.
founding team_
Dr. Hannes Nissen-Meyer
CEO & Co-Founder
Dr. Nissen-Meyer is a theoretical physicist who earned his PhD at the University of Munich, where he worked on the theoretical and mathematical foundations of Quantum Electrodynamics, specifically pair creation by strong laser fields. Fascinated by programming since his youth, he has been actively developing modern AI and deep learning systems since 2017. After completing his PhD, he co-founded an AI software development company, delivering cutting-edge AI solutions for global enterprises. Since 2021, he has spearheaded the development of Khumbu’s drug discovery platform alongside co-founders Phillip Grass and Grzegorz Popowicz, combining his expertise in quantum physics and AI to build a truly foundational model for molecular biology.
Dr. Phillip Grass
CTO & Co-Founder
With a background in mathematics and physics, Phillip Grass completed his PhD at the University of Munich, focusing on the microscopic derivation of Vlasov equations with singular potentials. It was during his doctoral work that he met Hannes Nissen-Meyer, sparking a collaboration that continues today. Following his PhD, he joined the AI software development company, where his deep learning expertise and mathematical rigor became key assets. A winner of prestigious Kaggle competitions with expertise in developing sophisticated AI solutions for global enterprises, he architects the machine learning systems that are the foundation of Khumbu’s drug discovery platform.
Dr. Grzegorz Popowicz
Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder
Grzegorz Popowicz is a biophysicist and structural biologist working at the intersection of structural biology and drug discovery. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from the Technical University of Munich under the supervision of Nobel Laureate Robert Huber, focusing on structural studies of cytoskeleton proteins, proteases, and IGF-binding proteins. With over 16 years of experience in drug development at the Max Planck Institute and Helmholtz Munich, he brings deep expertise in translating structural insights into therapeutic approaches. His contributions to combating parasitic diseases earned him the prestigious Erwin Schrödinger Award. Since early 2021, he has been developing Khumbu’s platform alongside Hannes Nissen-Meyer and Phillip Grass. At Khumbu, he ensures the AI performs in real-world drug discovery applications and oversees the company’s internal programs.
scientific advisors_
Dr. Anna Czarna
Leader of KIND Research Group, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University
Dr. Czarna has worked at some of the world’s leading research institutions, including the Max Planck Institute in Munich under Nobel Laureate Prof. Robert Huber, as well as Harvard University and institutes in Guangzhou, China. She currently leads the KIND research group at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, where her work focuses on regenerative medicine and the application of organoids in drug discovery.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Plettenburg
Director of the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry at Helmholtz Munich
Prof. Plettenburg brings extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, having served as Head of Chemical Biology at Sanofi, where he led multiple drug discovery programs from early discovery through clinical Phase 2. He is currently Director of the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry at Helmholtz Munich.