# Steve Watt

> Steven R. Watt, Ph.D., is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientist of Madison-based Atterx BioTherapeutics and an advisor to Bench in a Box Technologies. Trained in biochemistry and microbiology, he has worked across cell biology, transgenesis, government programs and antibacterial drug development, staying with Atterx and its predecessor ConjuGon since 2006. His public record traces an unusually patient scientific project: turning benign bacteria and bacterial interference into practical alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

- **Role:** Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientist at Atterx BioTherapeutics; advisor to Bench in a Box Technologies
- **Organizations:** Atterx BioTherapeutics, ConjuGon, Bench in a Box Technologies, OpGen, Infigen, Promega, University of Guelph, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- **Education:** Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Guelph, B.Sc., University of Guelph, Postdoctoral training, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- **Known for:** Helped carry C-1205 from an FDA-cleared investigational application in 2009 to FDA Fast Track designation announced in 2025., Co-authored peer-reviewed research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Journal of Bacteriology., Co-authored research on gene-targeted pigs published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2004.

## Career timeline

- **1994** — Co-authored a Journal of Bacteriology paper characterizing two extracellular autolysins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.
- **1998-1999** — Held a postdoctoral position at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- **After 1999** — Worked as a scientist at Promega, according to the training record of his postdoctoral sponsor.
- **Before 2006** — Held senior management roles as Director of Cell Biology and Transgenesis at Infigen and Director of Government Programs at OpGen.
- **2006** — Joined ConjuGon, the company later renamed Atterx BioTherapeutics.
- **2009** — As ConjuGon's COO, announced FDA clearance of the IND for C-1205.
- **2010** — ConjuGon raised $1.9 million to support its antibacterial-drug programs.
- **2018** — The Wisconsin corporate record changed the company's name from ConjuGon, Inc. to Atterx BioTherapeutics, Inc.
- **2020** — A U.S. patent naming Watt, Caleb Dorsey and Josh Smith as inventors was issued for methods involving bacterial preparations for wound and surface treatments.
- **2025** — Atterx announced FDA Fast Track designation for C-1205.
- **2026** — Bench in a Box Technologies listed Watt as an advisor while identifying him as COO of Atterx.

## Achievements

- Helped carry C-1205 from an FDA-cleared investigational application in 2009 to FDA Fast Track designation announced in 2025.
- Co-authored peer-reviewed research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Journal of Bacteriology.
- Co-authored research on gene-targeted pigs published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2004.
- Named as an inventor on intellectual property concerning preparation, growth, storage and use of therapeutic bacterial strains.
- Has served Atterx and its predecessor ConjuGon since 2006 across scientific and operating leadership.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Atterx remained in good standing in Wisconsin, with Watt listed at the company's registered office, and Bench in a Box Technologies listed him as an advisor and Atterx COO.
- **2025-05** — Atterx announced that the FDA granted Fast Track designation to C-1205.

## Links

- Website: https://www.atterx.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-watt-6bab078

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-watt
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-27