# Karoly Nikolich

> Hungarian-born scientist and company founder Karoly Nikolich co-founded AGY Therapeutics with Bob Swanson in 1998, serving as founding CEO and chief scientific officer. His career includes research leadership at Genentech and Lynx, executive leadership at Stanford’s Neuroscience Institute, multiple company formations, investment and corporate advisory work, and scientific philanthropy in Heidelberg.

- **Role:** Strategic Innovation Advisor at Grifols; Adjunct Professor at Stanford University
- **Organizations:** AGY Therapeutics, Genentech, Lynx Therapeutics, Stanford University, Alkahest, Grifols, Pivotal BioVentures, Amnestix, Neurofluidics, Chase Pharmaceuticals, Circuit Therapeutics, Hummingbird Diagnostics, Engrail Therapeutics, Selonterra, Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation, Schaller-Nikolich Foundation
- **From:** Sopron, Hungary
- **Education:** Chemistry degree, Eötvös Loránd University, Doctorate, Eötvös Loránd University, Postdoctoral fellowship, Tulane University, Postdoctoral work / visiting scholarship, University of California, San Francisco
- **Known for:** Established and led Genentech’s neuroscience research program., Co-founded AGY Therapeutics with Bob Swanson in 1998., Led Stanford’s Neuroscience Institute as executive director from 2005 to 2007.

## Career timeline

- **1971** — Graduated in chemistry from Eötvös Loránd University.
- **1974** — Earned his doctorate.
- **1980s-1990s** — Initiated and led Genentech’s neuroscience research program.
- **1995-1997** — Vice president of research at Lynx Therapeutics, according to institutional biographies.
- **1998** — Co-founded AGY Therapeutics with Bob Swanson; founding CEO and chief scientific officer.
- **2002** — AGY announced a $31.3 million Series C financing in July.
- **2005-2007** — Executive director of Stanford’s Neuroscience Institute.
- **2014** — Co-founded Alkahest with Tony Wyss-Coray.
- **2024** — Co-organized a conference with Robert Malenka and presented the Schaller research award to Mandy Jeske.
- **2026** — Co-editor with Robert C. Malenka of an open-access Springer volume.

## Achievements

- Established and led Genentech’s neuroscience research program.
- Co-founded AGY Therapeutics with Bob Swanson in 1998.
- Led Stanford’s Neuroscience Institute as executive director from 2005 to 2007.
- Co-founded Alkahest with Tony Wyss-Coray in 2014.
- Serves on the board of the Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation.
- Co-edited a 2026 open-access Springer book with Robert C. Malenka.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Research check: Springer lists Nikolich and Robert C. Malenka as editors of the 2026 open-access volume Translational Neuroscience: Foundations for Precision Therapies; this is the verification month, not an asserted publication month.
- **2024-12** — Presented the €100,000 Chica and Heinz Schaller research award to Mandy Jeske in Heidelberg.

## Links

- Website: https://profiles.stanford.edu/karoly-nikolich
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karoly-nikolich-4964ba381

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/karoly-nikolich
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22