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Letter from Chief Executive Officer, Catharine Smith

Dec 4, 2025

Dear Friends of the Termeer Institute,

The Termeer Institute is leading the way into a new era in life sciences—one where values-driven leaders are supported, empowered,and connected; scientific discovery knows no borders; and the exchange of ideas and experiences drives better health outcomes, all with the goal that every patient has a cure.

Board members, mentors, advisors, and funders like you provide the intellectual capital and resources necessary to fuel this change. We value our shared belief that bold leaders can change the course of human health. Here at the Termeer Institute we’ve seen the efficacy of our work with brilliant life science leaders and its transformational impact. What started as a tribute has become an internationally recognized organization, thanks to hundreds of the most talented leaders in the life sciences. As our global footprint expands, we honor Henri Termeer’s enduring principles of patient focus, humility, and relentless innovation, positioning us as a trusted convener in the biotech community.

That’s why, in 2025, we, as a team alongside our dedicated board, made the intentional decision to embark on several changes. Our new name, the Termeer Institute, reflects the life science industry’s view of our work and its application going forward. The name honors Henri’s legacy and signals our future – an institute built to cultivate leaders, connect communities, and accelerate patientcentered innovation worldwide.

2025 also marks a new chapter in our leadership-  one grounded in purpose and shaped by people who believe deeply in that mission. Geoff McDonough joined us this year as the organization’s first formal board chair, enthusiastically prepared to guide us into this next phase. To learn more about what the Institute has accomplished in 2025, check out our 2025 Impact Report.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Institute’s network of over 600 advocates committed to influence patient outcomes. With your continued partnership, our work as a catalyst for change in the life sciences will continue to prosper.

In gratitude,

Catharine Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Termeer Institute Announces 2026 Transatlantic Connections Award Honorees

Shana Wang of PathCision Medicine and Arno Bisschop of Genewity Named as This Year's Recipients

The Termeer Institute today announced the recipients of the 2026 Transatlantic Connections Award (TAC), recognizing two life sciences entrepreneurs — one in the United States and one in the Netherlands — whose work has the potential to strengthen the relationship and thought partnership between the two regions’ life sciences communities.

This year’s honorees are Shana Wang, co-founder and CEO of PathCision Medicine (United States), and Arno Bisschop, CEO of Genewity (Netherlands). Both honorees join the Class of 2026 Termeer Fellows and become members of the Termeer network. Each will receive support to travel to and engage with the life sciences community in the other’s region.

The Transatlantic Connections Award was established in 2021 with support from the Termeer Institute and Health-Holland, and is rooted in the Massachusetts–Netherlands life sciences partnership formalized through a 2019 memorandum of understanding between the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

“Scientific discovery knows no borders, and the Transatlantic Connections Award reflects that belief,” said Catharine Smith, CEO of the Termeer Institute. “Shana and Arno each bring deep expertise and a patient-first orientation to their work. We look forward to seeing the connections they build as members of the Termeer network and the exchange of ideas that will follow.”

Shana Wang, Co-Founder and CEO, PathCision Medicine

Shana Wang, co-founder and CEO of PathCision Medicine, brings a background in analytics, strategy and operational leadership to her work in life sciences. Prior to founding PathCision, she served as head of marketing and analytics at a femtech company, where she led cross-functional teams to launch new products and implemented data-driven strategies to support market growth. Earlier in her career, she worked in strategy and analytics consulting, advising Fortune 500 companies and developing predictive models to support data-informed decisions. She holds an M.A. in computational and applied mathematics from Rice University and a B.A. in economics and English from Wellesley College.

“Being named a Transatlantic Connections Award honoree is an extraordinary opportunity to learn from and contribute to a community of leaders united by a commitment to patients,” said Shana Wang, co-founder and CEO of PathCision Medicine. “I look forward to building connections across the Atlantic and bringing those perspectives to the work we are doing.”

Arno Bisschop, CEO, Genewity

Arno Bisschop is a medical doctor and entrepreneur in health and life sciences. Trained at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, he holds a PhD in orthopedic and neurosurgery and a master’s degree in management and policy in health and life sciences. Over the past decade, Bisschop has co-founded and exited several health care companies. He currently serves as CEO of Genewity, a clinical-stage company developing gene therapies for patients around the world.

“I am honored to receive the Transatlantic Connections Award and to join the Termeer Fellows community,” said Arno Bisschop, CEO of Genewity. “Collaboration across regions is essential to advancing the science and solutions that patients need, and I look forward to building those connections.”

Wang and Bisschop join a Termeer network that includes more than 600 life science industry leaders— mentors, advisors, board members and community partners — spanning nine countries and united by a shared commitment to patient-centered innovation. Fellows across the program’s history have collectively raised $3.45 billion in funding, with 73% remaining in their roles as CEOs and 87% of their companies continuing to advance. The exchange of ideas and experiences across borders is central to how the Institute drives progress, with the ultimate goal that every patient has a cure.

About the Transatlantic Connections Award 

The Transatlantic Connections Award recognizes one U.S.-based and one Netherlands-based life sciences entrepreneur annually. Honorees become members of the Termeer Fellows class and the broader Termeer network, and receive support to engage with the life sciences community in the other’s region. The award was established in 2021 with support from the Termeer Institute and Health-Holland.

About the Termeer Institute 

The Termeer Institute supports and empowers brilliant life science innovators through values-driven leadership programming, including mentorship, network development and thought leadership to advance groundbreaking, patient-centric solutions. Learn more at termeerinstitute.org.