Valo Health Names New CSO, Karin Conde-Knape

Valo Health has announced its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Karin Conde-Knape, PhD.

Conde-Knape succeeds Mike Graziano, PhD, who is retiring as CSO and transitioning to the role of Scientific Advisor for Valo. Valo also recently named a new Chief Financial Officer, Rita Kale.

Valo Health Advances With AI

As Valo’s mission is using human data and AI to accelerate drug discovery and development, Conde-Knape will oversee various areas. These include the scientific strategy and execution needed to advance the company’s diverse portfolio of internal programs.

Valo also has global collaborations in place that focus on delivering transformative therapies for patients. One of those, active since 2023, is with Novo Nordisk—an agreement to advance as many as 20 drug programs. These mainly target cardiovascular disease, and the collaboration was expanded significantly in January 2025.

New CSO Brings Experience

In a synergistic way, Conde-Knape’s appointment to Valo aligns with this partnership. She joins Valo from Novo Nordisk, where she had been Senior Vice President of Early Development and Global Drug Discovery.

“I have long admired Valo’s vision, ways of working, and bold approach to reimagining drug discovery,” Conde-Knape said.

She added that Valo’s approach lends itself to opportunities to design new drugs based on what researchers learn.

“By starting with human data and applying advanced analytical tools and techniques, we can better understand disease causality,” Conde-Knape said. “I look forward to building on Valo’s momentum and partnering with the team to deliver more therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.”

Valo CEO Brian Alexander, MD, MPH, said the appointment comes at a critical time for the company. Elaborating on this, he said Valo is continuing to scale its platform and transform drug discovery through AI-enabled means.

“Dr. Conde-Knape’s scientific leadership, passion for patient-centric innovation, and proven track record in drug discovery will be invaluable,” Alexander said.

Prior to her tenure at Novo Nordisk, Conde-Knape also held posts at Hoffman-La Roche and Johnson & Johnson.