MBX Biosciences Appoints Karen Basbaum as Chief Business Officer

Accomplished biopharmaceutical executive to lead strategic partnerships and corporate transactions for MBX Biosciences

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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MBX Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision peptide therapies for endocrine and metabolic disorders, has appointed Karen Basbaum as its new Chief Business Officer. Basbaum brings over two decades of experience in corporate strategy, business development, and value-creating transactions in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Why it matters

The appointment of an experienced business development executive like Karen Basbaum signals MBX Biosciences' focus on forging strategic partnerships and pursuing value-creating transactions to advance its pipeline of innovative peptide therapies and bring them to patients worldwide.

The details

In her new role, Basbaum will be responsible for sourcing, structuring, and executing high-value partnerships, financings, and mergers and acquisitions to support the development and commercialization of MBX Biosciences' pipeline. Prior to joining MBX, Basbaum served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Poseida Therapeutics, where she led strategic partnerships and corporate transactions totaling more than $10 billion in potential value.

  • MBX Biosciences announced Basbaum's appointment on March 10, 2026.

The players

MBX Biosciences

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel precision peptide therapies for the treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Karen Basbaum

An accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with more than two decades of experience in corporate strategy, business development, and value-creating transactions across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Kent Hawryluk

President and Chief Executive Officer of MBX Biosciences.

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What they’re saying

“Karen is a highly accomplished and strategic leader with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and executing high-value partnerships, financings, and mergers and acquisitions that create long-term shareholder value.”

— Kent Hawryluk, President and Chief Executive Officer of MBX Biosciences (businessinsider.com)

“I am thrilled to join MBX Biosciences at such an exciting time in the company's evolution. MBX has built a compelling pipeline of innovative peptide therapies with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs. I look forward to working with the talented team to forge strategic partnerships, accelerate development, and help bring these important therapies to patients worldwide.”

— Karen Basbaum, Chief Business Officer, MBX Biosciences (businessinsider.com)

The takeaway

The appointment of an experienced business development executive like Karen Basbaum underscores MBX Biosciences' commitment to advancing its pipeline of innovative peptide therapies through strategic partnerships and value-creating transactions, with the goal of bringing these important treatments to patients in need.