Management

An industry executive with a 37-year career in biotechnology and a proven track record of developing turnaround and financing strategies, executing strategic alliances, and building commercial and R&D capabilities.

He is the former President and CEO of Asterias Biotherapeutics and Optimer Pharmaceuticals with 16 years’ experience at Pfizer Inc as President of Global Primary Care and President of Europe.

He currently sits on the Advisory Board of Zero Gravity. He holds an MBA degree from Wharton School of Business and an engineering degree from the National University of Mexico.

Dr. Oliver’s experience spans 12 years in academia and 24 years in both the public and private sectors of the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry and contract research organizations.

He served in numerous clinical development operations roles including Chief Operating Officer, SVP Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs, Chief Science Officer, and Medical Officer. Throughout his career he successfully managed large cross-functional project teams with internal staff and oversaw CRO vendors. Dr. Oliver has significant FDA experience with both the Drug and Biologic divisions, having prepared more than 50 INDs and participated in seven successful NDA submissions for U.S./Global pharmaceutical companies. In his tenure with public and private biotechnology companies, he participated in several series of successful fund raisings. In addition, Dr. Oliver has served in licensing negotiations and out-licensing of several oncology assets.

Executive bringing more than 20 years of financial and operational experience primarily in the life sciences industry, including the past 11 years at start-up/small public and private biotech and medical device companies.

Mr. Darragh is the former Chief Financial Officer of Pharmacosmos Therapeutics Inc. and Eleison Pharmaceuticals LLC, where he led finance, administration, supply chain, and information technology and established the financial infrastructure to support clinical program advancement and product launch preparation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting (summa cum laude) and a Master of Business Administration from Montclair State University. Mr. Darragh is a certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered global management accountant (CGMA).

Cidnee Vaykovich brings 7 years experience in biotechnology. Previously, Vaykovich was a Research Analyst in New Product Development at Aequus Pharmaceuticals and an Associate in seed and early stage private equity at Northview LifeSciences. There, she supported pipeline management and deal evaluation across a range of licensing transactions and acquisitions with a focus on psychiatry and neurology. Cidnee holds a Master of Management from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and a  BSc in Health Sciences and Biology from Western University. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Starton Therapeutics and serves as Secretary of the Board.

Executive bringing more than 30 years of operational experience including 13 years in transdermal development and manufacturing.

Mr. Rensink is the former President and COO of Tapemark, where he led development, strategy implementation for pharmaceutical CDMO developing and manufacturing Transdermal Patches and Oral Thin Film products. Currently sits on the Board of Advisors for Hydra-Flex chemical dispensing systems. Holds a Masters in Engineering from Marquette University, BSME from University of Wisconsin and completed the GE Manufacturing Management Program.

Executive bringing over 20 years of experience in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), real world evidence generation, pricing, market access, value demonstration and health policy.

Former Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, Healthcare Quality, Policy and Outcomes at Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Executive Director of HEOR at Boehringer Ingelheim. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from The State University of New Jersey, a BSc. in Pharmacy and a BSc. in Molecular & Cell Biology from University of Connecticut and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in outcomes research at Geisinger Health System/Novartis.