Checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer treatment by enhancing patients’ existing anti-tumor immune responses, but this approach does not work in the vast majority of immunologically “cold” tumors where there is no underlying immune response to amplify. Angarus is developing small molecule checkpoint inhibitors that can initiate cytotoxic T-cell infiltration in immunologically cold tumors. Through a deep understanding of the biology of the STING pathway, Angarus has identified an extracellular enzyme, ENPP1, which is a key checkpoint in modulating innate anti-tumor immunity and offers an attractive approach to modulating STING activity in cancer patients. Angarus has developed a pipeline of best-in-class ENPP1 inhibitors which demonstrate impressive anti-tumor activity, both alone and in combination with other agents, in animal models of hard to treat immunologically “cold” tumors such as pancreatic cancer and triple negative breast cancer.

Tolerion is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing TOL-3021, which has potential to be the first disease modifying therapeutic for type-1 diabetes (T1D) and the first significant innovation in the treatment of this autoimmune disease since the discovery of insulin some 70 years ago. TOL-3021 is designed to restore antigen-specific tolerance in T1D patients. Existing clinical data suggests that TOL-3021 preserves or improves pancreatic insulin functionality, thus improving the regulation of blood glucose and mitigating the long-term complications of diabetes. Tolerion's plaform for inducing antigen specific tolerance has potential for developing disease-modifying therapeutics for select other autoimmune diseases.

Atreca is a privately held immuno-oncology company with a platform for identifying novel antibodies and tumor targets which drive successful treatment outcomes. We measure and analyze the structure of patients’ clinically relevant immune responses to identify the antibodies, T cell receptors, and targets that are key to successful treatment outcomes. Using these insights, we are developing a pipeline of novel cancer immunotherapies that drive anti-cancer immune responses more robustly and specifically to improve treatment outcomes in cancer patients who fail to respond well to checkpoint inhibitor therapy or who have a relapse of their cancer.

Responsible for creating and implementing an effective, proactive growth strategy for Aptalis’s licensing business and for leading a team of 8 licensing professionals in both US and Europe that identify and evaluate new opportunities and structure relationships with pharmaceutical companies globally, maximizing the values of Aptalis’s technologies and related products

Led the licensing of 3 clinical-stage products to treat post-operative pain, cancer breakthrough pain and procedural analgesia/sedation. Developed worldwide and regional licensing strategies and managed all aspects of licensing discussions with partners.

Established business development strategy and led Limerick BioPharma’s partnering efforts for select early-stage assets in pain, immunosuppression and metabolic disease

Identified, structured and negoted complex, worldwide product and technology licensing transactions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners. Led the licensing for ELADUR, a transdermal pain product in Phase 2. Managed all aspects of licensing discussions with potential partners, including managing 11 large and specialty pharmaceutical partners during the diligence process. Secured 6 term sheets and closed a $263 million final agreement in a competitive bid situation.Led the $25MM acquisition of Southern BioSystems, a privately held drug delivery company, giving DURECT rights to 3 technologies (SABER, DURIN and ORADUR) on which the bulk of the companies valuation was built.Managed all aspects of transaction from first contact to final negotiation. Led the post-acquisition integration team.Negotiated a variety of buy- and sell-side agreements to support the development and commercialization of DURECT’s pipeline products. Transactions included acquisitions, intellectual property licenses, manufacturing supply agreements, distribution agreements, excipient supply agreements and research and development partnerships.

Built and managed a profitable commercial business unit of ALZA Pharmaceuticals with worldwide sales. Accountable for P&L performance to ALZA’s V.P. of Marketing and Sales. Consistently exceeded sales growth and profit contribution targets.