Marella Thorell

Ms. Thorell has been a member of ESSA’s board since 2019 and is currently Chairperson of Vallon Pharmaceuticals and Chief Financial Officer of Evelo Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel platform of orally delivered medicines acting on the small intestinal axis, SINTAX, with systemic therapeutic effects. Ms. Thorell has more than 25 years of experience in finance and operations. Prior to Evelo, Ms. Thorell served as Chief Accounting Officer at Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA) where she led the establishment of Centessa’s finance operations, its public company readiness activities in connection with its initial public offering and oversaw finance and accounting operations. Prior to that, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Palladio Biosciences Inc., before its acquisition by Centessa. Previously, Ms. Thorell served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Realm Therapeutics until the company was acquired by ESSA in 2019. At Realm, Ms. Thorell was responsible for in-licensing and out-licensing assets, and capital strategy to fund growth and clinical development. Ms. Thorell began her career and earned her CPA at Ernst & Young, LLP. Subsequently, she worked for Campbell Soup Company in finance and operational roles of increasing responsibility and served as an executive consultant focusing on financial and human capital projects.

Ms. Thorell earned a B.S. in Business from Lehigh University, magna cum laude.