Francesca Barone

Dr. Francesca Barone joined Candel Therapeutics as Head of Research, Vice President. She currently oversees scientific discovery, the development of the novel viral oncolytic immunotherapies, and the biomarker strategy across the broad clinical portfolio. Dr. Barone previously served as Vice President and Head of Experimental Medicine at Flagship Pioneering’s Kintai Therapeutics, now Senda Biosciences. She has previously designed experimental medicine clinical trials to support rigorous decision-making across various programs and indications.

Before joining the industry, Dr. Barone held the academic position of Reader in Translational Rheumatology and Academic Director of Business Engagement for the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. While there, she was also the Director of the laboratories for Immuno-phenotyping in the Institute of Translational Medicine. Dr. Barone earned her M.D. and completed a specialization in Rheumatology from the University of Rome, Sapienza, with merit and her Ph.D. from King’s College London.