Steve Chapin

Steve Chapin is Senior Director of preclinical development at Hinge Bio. He is a cell / molecular biologist with considerable biologic drug discovery and development experience. As a graduate student, Dr. Chapin studied functions of tubulin post translational modifications and cloned, sequenced and identified multiple isoforms of microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) a ubiquitous protein related to tau and other neuron-specific MAPs. His post-doctoral work focused on trafficking of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) as well as function of SNARE proteins in protein trafficking and epithelial polarity. He was a Principal Scientist at Arizeke Pharmaceuticals, leading screening and technology development targeting the pIgR with single chain antibodies to mediate trans-mucosal delivery of macromolecules. He subsequently led the assay group screening for “plantibodies” at Planet Biotechnology. In 2006, Steve joined Maxygen, which eventually morphed to a joint venture (Perseid Therapeutics) before being acquired by Astellas. At Maxygen, as Associate Director, he was responsible for molecular interactions assays, leading biochemical screening for improved-affinity / altered-selectivity for programs targeting autoimmunity and transplantation. Programs included CTLA4-Ig, BAFF/APRIL (shuffled TACI/BCMA-Ig), VLA4 (Shuffled VCAM), and ICOS-Ig, where he was the Team Project Leader. This work resulted in 2 INDs for CTLA4-Ig compounds which entered clinical trials. Prior to joining Hinge Bio, Dr. Chapin was Director of Cell and Molecular Biology at Bolt Biotherapeutics, working on novel immunotherapies for cancer treatment, where he was a key thought leader and troubleshooter for developing the technology and advancing individual programs. He revolutionized the process for screening immune stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs), which enabled the “next-gen” pipeline. His group was also responsible for target cell line generation, molecular interactions, PK / ADA assays and immunogenicity. The work resulted in 3 INDs with clinical trials ongoing. Steve has been a co-author on 25 publications and co-inventor on 10 patents and 11 patent applications. He received a B.A. in Biology with Highest Honors from U.C. Santa Cruz, a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from UCLA and did his post-doctoral work at UCSF.