Jörn Drappa
About Jörn Drappa
Jörn Drappa, M.D., Ph.D., age 61, is Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research & Development at Alumis, roles he has held since September 2022 . He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Cologne (Germany), completed postgraduate studies at Cornell Medical College/Hospital for Special Surgery, then residency at New York Hospital and a rheumatology fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery . Under his R&D leadership, Alumis reported positive 52‑week open‑label extension Phase 2 data for lead TYK2 inhibitor ESK‑001 and continues Phase 3 ONWARD studies with topline results expected in Q1 2026 .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viela Bio, Inc. | Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D | Feb 2018 – Mar 2021 | Led clinical and R&D functions at a biotech focused on immune‑mediated diseases . |
| MedImmune (AstraZeneca) | Various roles incl. VP, Clinical Development | May 2011 – Feb 2018 | Senior clinical leadership within AstraZeneca’s biologics division . |
| Genentech, Inc. | Senior Medical Director, Inflammation & Autoimmune | Aug 2008 – May 2011 | Medical leadership across inflammation/autoimmune assets . |
External Roles
- No public company directorships or external board roles are disclosed for Drappa in Alumis’ S‑1/DRS/10‑K/DEF 14A filings reviewed .
Fixed Compensation
| Metric | As of offer (Jun 24, 2022) |
|---|---|
| Base salary ($) | $440,000 per year . |
| Contract type | At‑will employment . |
| Perquisites | Travel support of up to two round‑trip flights per month (Economy Plus) between San Diego and San Francisco and lodging up to $250/night while at HQ . |
Notes:
- The 2025 proxy (NEO section) does not include Drappa (NEOs were CEO, CSO, and Chief Business & Strategy Officer), so 2024 salary/bonus outcomes for Drappa are not itemized there .
Performance Compensation
- Specific equity grant details (share counts, fair values, vesting) and annual cash bonus targets/outcomes for Drappa were not itemized in the 2025 proxy NEO tables and are not disclosed elsewhere in the cited filings .
- Company context (plan features): Alumis adopted a 2024 Performance Option Plan (POP) with share‑price performance targets ($46.75, $70.125, $93.50 VWAP hurdles) layered on time‑based service vesting; POP options also include change‑in‑control treatment and post‑termination performance‑vesting windows for certain officers. These plan mechanics are disclosed for named executives but Drappa’s participation and award size are not disclosed .
Equity Ownership & Alignment
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Beneficial ownership (shares/% outstanding) | Not separately itemized for Drappa in the Security Ownership table, which lists >5% holders, directors, and NEOs as of June 4, 2025 . |
| Hedging | Prohibited under the Insider Trading Policy (e.g., prepaid variable forwards, swaps, collars, exchange funds) . |
| Pledging/margin | Pledging and holding shares in margin accounts prohibited . |
| Trading windows/pre‑clearance | Pre‑clearance required; quarterly and event‑specific blackout restrictions apply . |
| Clawback policy | Compensation recovery policy adopted in June 2024 pursuant to Dodd‑Frank/Nasdaq/SEC rules . |
Employment Terms
| Term | Key provision |
|---|---|
| Start in current role | September 2022 (CMO & Head of R&D) . |
| Offer letter | Dated June 24, 2022 . |
| Employment status | At‑will . |
| Severance (without cause/constructive termination) | Salary continuance equal to nine months of base salary, contingent on execution of a release (per offer letter) . |
| Change‑in‑control | Drappa‑specific CIC economics not disclosed in the cited excerpts; Alumis maintains a Severance and Change in Control Plan (existence noted in exhibits), but individual coverage/terms for Drappa not itemized here . |
| Policies impacting trading/awards | Insider Trading Policy and blackout/pre‑clearance requirements apply; hedging/pledging prohibited; company‑wide clawback policy adopted June 2024 . |
Performance & Track Record
- As CMO, Drappa has overseen clinical advancement of ESK‑001, including positive 52‑week OLE Phase 2 data showing sustained/increasing PASI90/100 and sPGA0 responses and a favorable safety profile; Phase 3 ONWARD program is ongoing with topline data expected in Q1 2026 .
Compensation Committee Analysis (context)
- Compensation Committee members: Alan Colowick (Chair), James Tananbaum, Lynn Tetrault; Zhengbin Yao stepped down June 3, 2025. Committee oversees executive pay, equity plans, and severance/CIC protections .
Risk Indicators & Red Flags (company context)
- Option repricing: On March 29, 2024, the Compensation Committee repriced certain outstanding options under the 2021 Plan to $8.84 (fair market value), including awards held by directors and NEOs, as a retention measure without issuing larger new grants; this is a governance watchpoint though not tied specifically to Drappa in the filings reviewed .
- Clawback adoption and strict prohibitions on hedging/pledging are alignment positives for senior officers, including Drappa .
Investment Implications
- Retention risk: Drappa’s at‑will status paired with nine months of salary severance provides moderate protection but limited guaranteed cash; lack of disclosed CIC acceleration terms for him (in the reviewed excerpts) leaves change‑in‑control retention incentives unclear .
- Alignment: Prohibitions on hedging and pledging, pre‑clearance/blackouts, and a formal clawback improve alignment and reduce forced‑sale/pledging pressure risk .
- Execution: His deep immunology leadership (Genentech/MedImmune/Viela) and progression of ESK‑001 into Phase 3 underpin execution credibility on clinical milestones that are likely to be key stock catalysts through 2026 .
- Governance watchpoint: Company‑level option repricing in 2024 signals a willingness to modify underwater awards; while aimed at retention, investors typically scrutinize repricing decisions for pay‑for‑performance rigor .