Background

Founder & CEO of Medicine.AI; extensive experience in AI-driven drug discovery and technology ventures.

Expertise

• AI platform strategy and development
• Translational partnerships & collaborations
• Biotech business development
• Cross-disciplinary leadership

Vision

Revolutionize drug discovery through agentic-AI molecular design and development.

Background

Partner with extensive experience bridging basic biology and clinical translation.

Expertise

• Cancer target validation
• In vivo pharmacology & toxicology
• Translational strategy
• Preclinical development
• Regulatory pathways

Leadership

Advanced multiple therapeutics from discovery to clinical development.

Background

Scientific Advisor and Adjunct Professor at University of Michigan. Over 29 years of industrial experience in medicinal chemistry across oncology, antiviral, metabolic disease, CNS, anti-inflammatory, and dermatology therapeutic areas.

Expertise

• Medicinal chemistry & drug design
• Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD)
• DNA-encoded library (DEL)
• Bioisosteres & SAR optimization
• ADME/Tox & pharmacokinetics
• Process chemistry & scale-up

Key Achievements

• Contributed to 2 drug candidates to Phase II
• Contributed to 5 drug candidates to Phase I
• Co-inventor of BMS-823778 (Phase II, 11β-HSD1 inhibitor for type II diabetes)
• Led multiple project teams at Pfizer, BMS, and Revolution Medicines
• Published 35+ peer-reviewed articles and 35+ books on medicinal chemistry

Professional Experience

• University of Michigan — Adjunct Professor, Medicinal Chemistry (2022–Present)
• ChemPartner — Vice President, Discovery Chemistry (2019–2021)
• Revolution Medicines — Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry (2017–2019)
• University of San Francisco — Associate Professor and Graduate Director (2013–2017)
• Bristol-Myers Squibb — Senior Research Investigator II (2007–2013)
• Pfizer Global R&D — Senior Principal Scientist (2000–2007)
• Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals — Senior Scientist/Scientist (1997–2000)

Background

Distinguished Professor, UC San Diego; former Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (San Diego) and Director of Strategic Alliances in CNS Cancers at Ludwig Cancer Research.

Honors & Societies

• Elected Member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences & National Academy of Medicine
• Foreign Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina & Chinese Academy of Engineering
• Fellow, AAAS & American Association for Cancer Research; Member, ASCO & ASCI
• Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research (NFCR)

Leadership

30+ years shaping cancer genetics and translational oncology; advisor to biopharma & academia on tumor biology, biomarkers, and therapeutic development.

Background

Professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami. Trained as a clinical ophthalmologist with deep expertise in retinal degeneration research since 1990. Research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration and developing treatments for retinal degenerative disorders.

Key Research Contributions

• CNTF research leading to FDA-approved NT-501 (Encelto) for macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2) — approved March 2025
• Pioneering work on ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and IL6 family neuroprotective cytokines
• Identification of DHDDS gene mutations causing retinal degeneration
• Development of subretinal Matrigel CNV model for AMD research
• Invention of DiI labeling method for retinal blood vessel imaging
• In vivo retinal molecular imaging using VIS-OCT technologies

Expertise

• Retinal neuroprotection & photoreceptor degeneration
• CNTF and neurotrophic factor research
• Retinal vascular disorders & choroidal neovascularization
• Retinal imaging & molecular biomarkers
• DHDDS mutations & dolichol biosynthesis
• Preclinical assessment & translational research

Honors & Recognition

• FARVO (Fellow of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology)
• Career Development Award, Research to Prevent Blindness (1996-1999)
• Karl Kirchgessner Award (1999)
• U.S. Patent 6,066,675: Methods for treatment of retinal diseases (2000)
• Scientist of the Year, Hope for Vision, Miami (2009)
• Nelson Trust Award for Retinitis Pigmentosa, Research to Prevent Blindness (2016)
• William Dawson 2017 Memorial Award, International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision

Leadership Roles

• Director, Laboratory for Retinal Degenerations and Vascular Disorders, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (2007–Present)
• Scientific Director, Adrienne Arsht Hope for Vision Center for Retinal Degeneration Diseases (2009–Present)
• Director, Pre-Clinical Assessment Center, Foundation Fighting Blindness (2005–2013)
• Multiple NIH/NEI Study Section memberships and ad hoc reviewer roles

Experience

• Chief Scientific Officer, Alebund Pharmaceuticals (2025– ) — portfolio strategy; end-to-end development & global regulatory
• Chief Medical Officer, Hasten (2024–2025); CSO/CMO at 3D Medicines (2021–2024)
• U.S. FDA/CDER (2002–2021) — Senior Medical Officer (prev. Medical Officer; Pharm/Tox Reviewer); IND/NDA/BLA leadership; cross-center cardio-renal safety & guidance

Honors

CDER Scientific Achievement Award; APS Excellence in Renal Research Award