From academic medicine to PATHORA

After more than two decades in academic medicine, Professor Perner founded PATHORA. Previously, he served, among other roles, as Director of the Institute of Pathology at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein. Further scientific positions took him to Harvard Medical School and Weill Cornell Medical Center. As an author and co-author, he has contributed to around 300 scientific publications.

His experience in pathology, research and academic medicine formed the medical foundation for PATHORA. The goal was to build an independent Institute of Pathology and Tissue Medicine combining high quality diagnostics, scientific collaboration, modern technology and an international outlook.

PATHORA was conceived not only as a provider of pathology services, but also as a scientific partner for collaborations involving academia and industry.
 

PATHORA today

PATHORA’s core remains pathology and tissue medicine.

The Institute provides specialized pathological diagnostics, consultation and reference pathology, supported by digital pathology and modern laboratory technologies.

Digital pathology has become a central part of PATHORA’s model. It enables pathology expertise and scientific collaboration to be integrated into diagnostics and analysis regardless of location.

PATHORA already works internationally and combines digital diagnostics with reporting in German and English as well as collaborations with partners abroad.

As the Institute has grown, PATHORA has also strengthened its executive leadership to support its continued development and international ambitions.
 

Strengthening the leadership team

Aaron Perner, LL.M., is a co-founder of PATHORA and today serves as Chief Strategy & Financial Officer. He has been involved in the strategic development of the Institute since day one.

With a degree from the George Washington University Law School and experience from successful start-up ventures, he brings strategic, financial and operational expertise to PATHORA’s further development. His responsibilities encompass corporate strategy, financial management, organizational development, commercial operations and strategic partnerships.

Professor Dr. med. David Adler, MD/PhD, MBA, joined PATHORA as Chief Scientific & Medical Officer in May 2026.

Harvard and Cornell educated, he brings more than 15 years of experience in oncology research and development, including a decade in senior leadership within Bayer’s Global Oncology Clinical Development organization. His experience spans oncology clinical drug development, translational medicine and biomarker strategy.

At PATHORA, Professor Dr. med. David Adler is responsible for the Institute’s scientific and medical strategy. One focus of his work is building and further developing the Translational Pathology & Drug Development Platform. The goal is to combine PATHORA’s pathology expertise and access to human tissue with drug development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Expanding into the United States

In August 2026, PATHORA announced plans for Professor Dr. med. David Adler and Aaron Perner, LL.M. to lead the Institute’s expansion into the United States.

The U.S. presence will extend PATHORA’s existing capabilities in pathology, tissue analysis and digital pathology into oncology drug development. The focus will be on tissue-based analyses and biomarker strategies that support well-founded decisions in translational research and drug development. In this way, PATHORA particularly supports biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in developing new cancer therapies.

Professor Dr. med. David Adler will lead the scientific and medical development of the U.S. organization and its translational oncology strategy.

Aaron Perner, LL.M., is responsible for the strategic, operational and financial build-up. His responsibilities include corporate governance, financial management, organizational development, commercial operations and building strategic partnerships.

PATHORA will initially leverage its existing laboratory infrastructure and scientific capabilities in Germany. In parallel, the Institute is expanding its presence in the United States and developing new scientific collaborations and partnerships with companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
 

From Reutlingen to the World

PATHORA continues to strengthen its position in Germany while laying the foundation for further international growth.

The Institute continues to develop its pathology and tissue medicine activities while digital capabilities extend its expertise internationally. Its planned U.S. organization adds a new dimension by expanding PATHORA’s capabilities into oncology drug development for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

What began with Professor Dr. med. Sven Perner’s vision for an independent Institute of Pathology and Tissue Medicine has thus developed into an internationally oriented company that combines diagnostic pathology, scientific collaboration and oncology drug development.