ENTREPRENEURS

heila Thorne started her company Multicultural Healthcare Marketing S Group LLC back in 2003 at a time SHEILA THORNE when very few were thinking about diversity, inclusion, or equity in commercial operations. Do you have CLAS? But Sheila was. And she has continued to evangelize that stakeholders across the industry (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Strategies) need to acknowledge and work to address and dismantle systemic and institutional racism in teacher of foreign languages as well as serving African American Leadership Initiative on the healthcare system. in professorial roles at several universities and Cancer “Unsung Heroes” Award, and the As a former senior executive with global colleges. Community Service Patient Advocacy Award experience working with several preeminent Connections are everything, and Sheila, a from Englewood Hospital Medical Center. healthcare marketing and communications natural convener, has developed long-standing Sheila also was recognized by The White companies, Sheila brings an international per- relationships with numerous health leaders of House Office of Public Engagement for her spective to health and healthcare marketing Black, Latino, Asian, and Native American volunteer work to educate communities of strategies. medical societies and has worked extensively color in New York, New Jersey, and Washing- Over her storied career, she has worked with Congressional Black and Hispanic Cau- ton, D.C., about the landmark Patient Pro- with healthcare professionals around the world cuses, National Black Caucus of State Legis- tection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). representing the top 50 pharmaceutical, bio- lators, National Association of Latino Elected Sheila says the best advice she ever received technology, and medical device companies Officials, and the Asian-Pacific Islander Amer- was from her mother, a nurse, who told her: and 20 U.S. hospital systems in the clinical ican Health Forum. speak truth to power; be a woman of your research and marketing of prescription medi- She is known for sparking innovation and word; have integrity; never forget who you cines and consumer health products to people engaging diverse community partners who are; and embrace and be proud of your cultural of color. can address and affect social determinants heritage. Anybody who has been in her presence of health. “I lead by example,” she says. “I for more than two minutes immediately rec- ‘walk’ the diversity ‘talk’ through the health PASSIONATE. DISRUPTIVE. ognizes that Sheila is a force of nature. She is programs and campaigns that I develop from undaunted by the word “no,” she is courageous molecule to market.” Sheila L. Thorne in the face of adversity, and she simply ignores And by listening to diverse patient sto- TITLE: Founder, President, and CEO barriers that try to prevent her from advocat- ries and using the insights learned, she and PharmaVOICECOMPANY: Multicultural Healthcare ing the ideals that she has been espousing for her team have developed evidence-based pro- more than two decades. grams, strategies, and tactics that have re- Marketing Group LLC She describes her leadership style as collab- ceived wide acclaim and awards, including the EDUCATION: B.A., Hunter College of the City orative, motivational, and educational, which NAACP Freedom ofFund Award for her efforts University of New York makes sense as Sheila is a former high school to seek quality healthcare for all, the National PERSONAL AWARDS: Unsung Heroes Award/National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer COMPANY AWARDS: Nominated Obamacare “Champions for Coverage” by The White House Office of Public Engagement COMMUNIT Y AWARDS: Patient Advocate of the Year, Englewood Hospital Medical Center; Freedom Fund Healthcare Award, NAACP; Citizen of the Year Health Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Community Service Award, Elks Civil Liberties Division ASSOCIATIONS: Students 2 Science; Summit Health Institute for Research and Education; National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives; Medical, Marketing & Media Editorial Advisory Board Compliments HOBBIES: Music, dance, art T WITTER HANDLE: @sthornemhmg

Igniting change by… HAVING COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE, ETHNICITY, (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] CULTURE AND HEALTH IN AMERICA

74 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

Dave Oury FAIR. FAIR. TITLE: President and Founder COMPANY: Medical Leverage EDUCATION: B.S., Finance and Real Estate; University of Arizona ASSOCIATIONS: Forbes Agency Council; DAVE Mentor University of Arizona, Eller College HARD-WORKING. HARD-WORKING. of Management; American Medical Writers Association; International Society for Medical OURY Publication Professionals; and the Council of Seize new Science Editors opportunities personally led more than 250 advisory boards, One of the formulas for Dave’s success is championed the development of various state- that he has infused a few large pharma proto- of-the-art platforms to support small to mid- cols into the way Medical Leverage operates. sized pharma companies, developed important From the moment one of his employees is on- ave Oury, founder of Medical Leverage, relationships with hundreds of thought leaders boarded, they become indoctrinated into liv- was recently asked to join the Forbes and experts across numerous therapeutic areas, ing every workday by these guiding principles. DAgency Council, an invitation-only and participated in a leading role for the suc- The weekly departmental meetings follow the community for owners of and executives in cessful launch of hundreds of products and same doctrine and use a scorecard to measure successful public relations, media strategy, biotech devices. He has developed a creative the past week’s productivity. Each meeting creative, and advertising agencies. He was vet- team of writers, developers, and designers starts with the members of that department ted and selected by a review committee based to support the creation of medical, training, giving their professional and personal best mo- on the depth and diversity of his experience. and promotional materials. His participation ments from the previous week. Quarterly goals Criteria for acceptance include a track record in international committees for the design of are set, issues and to-do’s are discussed, and of successfully impacting business growth product marketing, communication,PharmaVOICE and com- every meeting ends with rating it on a scale metrics, as well as personal and professional mercial plans has allowed him to partner with from 1 to 10 based on efficiency and effective- achievements and honors. clients over the past 20 years to support their ness. This practice has created a work environ- This honor, along with being named to the key strategic imperatives. ment that motivates and empowers employees 2021 PharmaVOICE 100, are true testaments Dave has not onlyof created a successful while rewarding them for their efforts, both in to his ability to lead both as a mentor and as an company that partners with pharmaceutical salary and year-end bonuses. expert in the business of medical communica- and biotech companies through the develop- To maximize the talent, he is constantly tions. Over the past 20 years, Medical Leverage ment of seamless services and deliverables, he evaluating to ensure that each employee is not has worked with more than 100 client compa- also continually mentors individuals to high only the right fit for the company, but they nies, helping to launch over 75 new products, levels of performance. Dave is truly a “talent are sitting in the right seat. It is common for with brand revenue greater than $50 billion. developer” to his core. He has the ability to employees to switch roles within the organi- Medical Leverage’s average client retention identify the gaps that would make a project, zation, which allows them to better use their span is a whopping seven years. idea, person, or presentation truly excel. specific skill set. This allows both the company Starting out, the company consisted of just Investing time and resources in finding the and employee to continue to grow and learn three employees trying to figure out how to right people to help create the right culture, while increasing company output. execute and manage each individual project. process, platform, and training pays off in Dave strives to live by standards instilled Today, the agency employs nearly 30 full-time the long run, which Dave says is one of the in him by his parents: Work hard, be fair, and employees, with single-digit turnover rates. important lessons he has learned through his good things will happen. He adds to that his “Through the help of many, we have built a career. own advice: Listen more than you speak; give sustainable company, exponentially growing Colleagues say Dave is one of the nicest more than you take; treat people better than year-on-year, with high standards of excellence guys in the industry. His company has grown you expect to be treated; and, make fun of for the clients we serve, and for the patients steadily since its inception, and in 2021 it will yourself, not others. Be happy. our clients’ medicines provide benefit to,” double in size. Co-workers credit Dave’s com- Colleagues say he truly embodies these core Dave says. munication style, strength, and his character values and more, and represents what being a Over the courseCompliments of his career, Dave has for this exponential growth. great person and leader looks like. Blazing new trails to… WIPE THE OLD WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS OFF THE BOARD AND RETHINKING HOW TO GROW AND SUSTAIN OUR BUSINESS IN THE (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] NEW WORLD OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 75 ENTREPRENEURS

mir Malka had a vision to create a com- From established life-sciences organizations to munity focused on knowledge-sharing emerging biotechs to medical device startups, A and connecting life-sciences profes- Bioforum’s data masters help clients improve AMIR sionals from the academic, business, and gov- and innovate data processes to optimize clin- ernment sectors. To fulfill that mission, Amir ical trials and, ultimately, accelerate the de- established Bioforum in Israel in 1998, and livery of new medical treatments to patients. MALKA along with his co-founders, he identified not Delivering quality and building trust are only a need, but an opportunity. the top priorities and at the heart of every There’s always What developed is the Bioforum Applied engagement at Bioforum. As Amir reminds Knowledge Center, renowned as Israel’s lead- his team: “People care about people and re- a way ing and a one-of-a-kind forum for biomedical lationships matter. First and foremost, we’re education and training that offers practical here to serve patients. Second, partners must courses, conferences on timely topics and be a team and a real team is like a trusted Amir Malka trends, and professional development semi- family. Getting to know colleagues and cli- TITLE: CEO and Co-founder nars. To date, Bioforum has trained more than ents, and what’s important to them, being in COMPANY: Bioforum the Data Masters 150,000 individuals and hosted nearly 3,500 the trenches together, and providing value at educational events on analytical chemistry, every turn — whether navigating success or EDUCATION: Commercial law, Bar-Ilan regulatory affairs and quality assurance, among failure — is what enables trust and strong, University; B.A., Law, Netanya Academic College many other topics. long-lasting partnerships.” ASSOCIATIONS: Society for Clinical A decade later, in 2008, recognizing the This partnering philosophy has been Bio- Data Management (SCDM), Clinical Data impact of new technologies on clinical trials, forum’s north star and what has enabled the Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) Amir saw another opportunity to develop company’s consistent growth in Israel and, an additional knowledge base for the Israeli more recently, around the world. Today, Bio- market, one focused on the efficient collec- forum has an established global footprint, tion, standardization, and reporting of clinical serves more than 100 customers and employs caring, collaborative, and visionary leader who research data, as well as clinical supply chain more than 170 people between Israel and its does what he says he is going to do and fos- management. However, this time he took subsidiaries in Australia, South Africa, and the ters a company culture that is nurturing and it a step further, building interdisciplinary, United States. empowering. He consistently challenges col- cross-functional teams of experts who can While Bioforum has experience across ther- leagues to self-assess and be forward-thinking, also provide outsourced support and scale to apeutic areas and as a partner PharmaVOICEto a diverse range considering what Bioforum should continue to life-sciences organizations of all sizes. of clients, the company’s specialty is working do, stop doing and start doing. Beginning with clinical data management, with small biotech companies, medical de- Amir is committed to developing talent Bioforum’s core competencies quickly grew vice startups, and other emerging life-sciences and giving people opportunities to try new to encompass biostatistics, statistical pro- companies. As Amirof says, these companies are things, gain experience and advance their gramming, and medical writing capabilities. playing a significant role in driving successful careers within the organization, encouraging clinical trial innovation, responsible for much company leaders to take into consideration of the life-sciences industry’s R&D pipeline in each person’s strengths, varied professional recent years. “And now, more than ever, these backgrounds, and personal motivations. Col- smaller organizations are under pressure to get leagues say he is always the first to offer his CRO and vendor partnerships right from the support to aspiring executives and that Amir start, much more so than big pharma,” he says. has been a long-term advocate for women “Emerging companies cannot afford missteps in the workforce, dedicated to developing, that cost them time and money, such as delays, mentoring and promoting women across the out-of-scope change orders and cost overruns. industry and within Bioforum, where they For many, one poorly designed clinical trial make up 75% of senior management. COLLABORATIVE. OPTIMISTIC. OPTIMISTIC. could end their existence.” “When you care, you do your best work, Clients say Amir has built a company and can make a real difference, and there are that acts as a partner in every way. He asks so many incredibly caring and talented people questions and listens carefully, thinks big and in this industry,” Amir says. “I have and con- delivers bigger. As challenges come up, Amir tinue to benefit from mentors who provided and his team are responsive and creative, find- guidance, encouragement, and opportunities. ing solutions and, when needed, connecting They made a huge difference not just in my clients with experts throughout the industry career, but in my life. I think we have a duty to who can help identify more options. pay it forward, so that future generations can Colleagues also are deeply inspired by continue to carry the torch and keep making a ComplimentsAmir’s patient-first worldview. Those who difference, especially for the patients we’re all have worked with him describe Amir as a here, in this industry, to serve.” Igniting change by… ENGAGING IN PARTNERSHIPS THAT BRING (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] PROBLEM SOLVERS TOGETHER

76 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEUR

Congratulations to the 2021 PharmaVOICE 100 honorees, including our very own Amir Malka for being recognized among this year’s 100 most inspiring people in life sciences!

Extraordinary times require extraordinary leadership, and all of you inspire us every day. On behalf of the Bioforum team, thank you for your vision, enthusiasm and PharmaVOICE unwavering commitment to advancing clinical research, delivering needed new therapies to patients and improving health of and wellbeing for people everywhere.

Amir Malka CEO & Co-Founder

THE DATA-FOCUSED CRO

At Bioforum, our goal is to consistently improve and innovate data processes, enabling clients across the global life sciences industry to optimize their clinical trials and accelerate the delivery of new medical therapies to patients. Our team of experts has experience across therapeutic areas and the clinical trial ecosystem, but our specialty is working with small biotechs, biopharma startups and other emerging companies, and scaling with them as they grow.

USAComplimentsSouth Africa Australia Germany Israel

(c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] www.bioforumgroup.com

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 77 ENTREPRENEURS SAM GLASSENBERG Unleashing the potential of game technology rtist, engineer, manager, and execu- as well as medical societies and government Sam’s hope is that his achievements at tive — Sam Glassenberg has been all organizations. Level Ex can help to reimagine the pharma A of these across multiple industries. A forward planner and thinker, Sam kept industry’s relationship with medical profes- After developing cutting-edge video game tabs on what was going on in Asia in January sionals. technology at LucasArts and then Microsoft, 2020 and by February he had convened the IT “In the games industry, I want to be Sam began creating companies that would team in preparation to work from home, before remembered for doing my part to create an revolutionize how game technology and de- the pandemic was on anyone’s radar. He and entirely new genre of medical games, since sign could be leveraged by other industries. his team found creative ways to keep employ- genre creation is the apex achievement in the He built and sold Funtactix, which created ees engaged and connected. field,” he says. groundbreaking movie-based games on plat- “For example, we host ‘Game Jams,’ in- Mentoring matters to Sam, who also gives forms like Facebook, iOS, and Android. Then tense, 48-hour competitions in which we talks at schools to kids of all ages and socio- he founded Level Ex, which uses video game break into teams and create wildly imagina- economic statuses where he speaks about how technology and design to improve physician tive, fully functional games from scratch,” he games are created and about careers in the skills and accelerate the adoption curve for new says. “We also have Game Days throughout industry. techniques and technologies in healthcare. the year when employees take part of their “We’ve united a team of world-renowned work day to play board and video games, relax, CREATIVE. TRANSFORMATIONAL. game developers, artists, designers, and ex- and hang out. Whether it’s themed remote pert physicians to take the best technology happy hours or Level Ex custom memes and Sam Glassenberg and neuroscience-based design from the video emojis in Slack, we use our inventive mindset TITLE: CEO and Founder games industry and apply it to medicine,” he and abilities to find fun ways to stay connected COMPANY: Level Ex says. across departments.” Under Sam’s leadership, Level Ex has been He encourages his employees to be inspired EDUCATION: M.S., Computer Science, able to influence many real-world outcomes by by their colleagues and to trust one another to Graphics, Stanford University ; B.S., Computer pioneering cloud gaming technology to en- supplement and share knowledge.PharmaVOICE Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana- able collaborative virtual surgery, disseminate As a leader, he draws on his many experi- Champaign COVID-19 best practices, and help to improve ences to ensure his employees have the tools PERSONAL AWARDS: MM+M 40 Under medical skills. and freedom to live up to their full potential. 40, 2021; MM+M’s Top 40 Healthcare Level Ex has grown from about 10 employ- For example, he drawsof on his experience as a ees in 2017 to more than 130, and has more technologist to ensure current technology lim- Transformers, 2019; PM360’s ELITE Winner in than 750,000 medical professionals playing itations don’t get in the way of what an artist is the Entrepreneurs category, 2019 its games. trying to achieve. “As a leader, I strive to make COMPANY AWARDS: Fast Company Sam and his team work with more than sure that the business enables and supports the World’s Most Innovative Companies — Health a dozen of the top 20 life-sciences companies vision and not the other way around,” he says. category, 2021; Chicago Inno’s 2020 Inno on Fire list, 2020; PM360’s Most Innovative Products, 2020; Fast Company World’s Most Innovative Companies — Gaming category, 2020; One of Built In Chicago’s Best Small Places to Work, 2019; Medical Design Excellence Award for Pulm Ex game, 2019; Igniting change by... SIGGRAPH’s Real-Time Live! audience choice awards (2018, 3rd place; 2019, 2nd place); ADVANCING Variety, Best Entertainment-Based Mobile Game, 2013; Webby Awards, Best Tablet NEUROSCIENCE OF Game (Academy and People’s Choice), 2013; GAME DESIGN Top 10 Most Promising Companies in Israel, 2012; Technical Emmy, National Academy of Compliments Television Arts & Sciences, accepted on behalf of the DirectX team, 2007 COMMUNIT Y AWARDS: Jewish United Fund: 36 Under 36, 2015 T WITTER HANDLE: @samzg (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected]

78 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

AMY DUROSS On the frontline for patients ome people tackle healthcare gaps and Amy sees her job as elevating teammates with disparities by raising awareness, start- different expertise from her own and resourc- S ing petition drives, or conducting a ing them for success. Her primary obligation, study. Then there’s Amy DuRoss, who is tak- she says, is taking care of the team in all areas. ing on some of the biggest medical innovation Over the past 18 months, empathy has challenges of our time by rolling up her sleeves been key to her leadership success. To stay in EMPATHETIC. VISIONARY. and finding new ways to bring cell and gene touch with her staff and keep people motivated therapies to patients. during the pandemic, Amy started sending Her activism for patients began with push- out weekly emails where she shares wins, tells ing for additional research funding for Type 1 stories, addresses concerns, and checks in on diabetes, which led to the unanimous approval the well-being of her team. This communica- of a $1.5 billion congressional bill. By the tion has evolved over the last year and a half time she was 30, Amy was leading the suc- and will continue into the future. It is a com- cessful campaign for Proposition 71, which has munication employees look forward to reading Amy DuRoss poured billions of taxpayer-supported funds weekly. Vineti also instituted mental health into stem cell research in California. days in months when there aren’t annual hol- TITLE: Co-founder and CEO Today, as co-founder and CEO of Vineti, idays, which are Zoom-free and meeting-free COMPANY: Vineti Amy is again laser-focused on patients. Vineti by design. PharmaVOICEINDUSTRY AWARDS: San Francisco was established to solve the challenge of pro- “The lovely thing about our team is we Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay viding personalized therapeutics, such as CAR really have managed to find a new way of T cell therapies, at a scale to reach all in need, communicating together, and there is a funda- Area Business, 2020; Aspen Institute Health at a cost that the healthcare system can sustain, mental level of respectof for this various domain Innovators Fellow, 2018 and with the safety required for patient and expertise and this broad sort of hybrid team,” COMPANY AWARDS: Technology Pioneer clinician confidence and trust. she says. “I have never been more challenged award from the World Economic Forum in 2019 “I feel most alive when I am engaged in the than in this particular role with this company. as a company with the potential to improve hard work of driving change that ultimately I am constantly attempting to bridge gaps and society for years to come is geared toward reducing human suffering,” create a common understanding.” Amy says. At the same time, the mental, The pandemic has introduced new pres- COMMUNIT Y AWARDS: Fellowships with physical health, and safety of patients, teams, sures but created opportunities for all com- the Coro Foundation and the Aspen Institute and partners does keep her up at night. “I am panies. “We must all come together to solve ASSOCIATIONS: Alliance for Regenerative a chronic worrier,” she says. this challenge and keep other parts of the Medicine Foundation (Board), Aspen Global A visionary leader, Amy has not let the healthcare ecosystem moving forward at the Leadership Network, Americans for Cures pandemic prevent her from pushing ahead. She same time, including the advanced therapies has secured more than $68 million in Series C that Vineti provides,” Amy says. “I plan to T WITTER: @DurossAmy funding for the company, recruited a world- keep doing all I can to help provide solutions class executive team, and helped to secure sig- and save lives.” enable those goals. Together, we will help ad- nificant collaborations, including a partnership To keep the team inspired, Amy consis- vanced therapies reach more patients, faster.” with Cardinal Health, to support cell and gene tently reinforces the bigger picture: Vineti’s One of the tough lessons Amy has had to therapy manufacturers. mission — a company purpose-built for per- learn as a CEO is how to compartmentalize. “Since patients sit at the center of our sonalized therapies — and why this is import- “Learning how to actively listen, take in all the work, I rely on patients’ perspectives and try to ant to patients. “We are personalized therapy input, and compartmentalize it appropriately find opportunities to reinforce that perspective innovators who are ambitious in our aim to is very difficult to do, but it’s absolutely crucial among my team,” she says. serve patients and transform healthcare,” she if you’re going to be successful with any lon- Taking a servant-leadershipCompliments approach, says. “The Vineti team works every day to gevity,” she says.

Igniting change by... TRULY PERSONALIZING MEDICINE — I THINK WE’RE JUST (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] BEGINNING

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 79 ENTREPRENEURS

sonal goals. “Beyond building a great company held our first live leadership team meeting that has an impact, I enjoy seeing the team since the pandemic began, in Philadelphia. It ROB growing in their capabilities and challenging reinforced how much I miss interacting with themselves, establishing goals, and seeing (and people, building real relationships, and align- at times helping) our team members achieve ing on our goals by throwing ideas around in BOHACS new levels of success,” he says. a room for a couple of days. Honestly, it has Results-oriented, he sets goals and delights been challenging engaging teams remotely, Move your rocks in seeing progress across the organization and and though I am proud of how we’ve come individuals as they continue to succeed. together and grown as a company, I am excited hen Rob Bohacs’ father was diag- As an immigrant from Hungary who es- to get back to in-person meetings so we can nosed with ALS, it became clear caped Soviet rule and spent a year in a refugee really thrive as a unified team.” Wto him just how hard it was for pa- camp as a child, Rob realized early that noth- Rob says next-generation leaders are few tients to navigate the complex clinical research ing in life worth having is simply handed to and far between, but they are critical to build- landscape. His parents lived 1,000 miles away you. ing an amazing team. “The clinical trial in- and struggled with schedule coordination, “I’ve been inspired to work hard — proba- dustry is in need of leaders to bring innovation communication, and transportation. The ex- bly much harder than I ever anticipated — to and drive change,” he says. “Fortunately, the perience prompted him to found ClinOne, a drive success,” he says. “And it is easier to next generation of leaders who are coming into virtual trial management company in 2016. do that when you are passionate about what their leadership prime grew up with main- Through ClinOne, Rob has built a world-class you do, because at the end of the day you are stream technology adoption and they aren’t team to rethink how to support patients and helping patients and their families live better afraid of changing the status quo. I welcome their families through the clinical trial expe- lives.” the fresh air and new approaches that will only rience. Rob believes in people — the patients in benefit patients in the future.” “We have partnered with more than 40 clinical trials, the caregivers, family sponsors to enact real change and deploy members, site staff, and the team of TRANSFORMATIVE. COLLABORATIVE. technology to assist patients through their world-class professionals he works journeys,” he says. “I was very pleased to see with. our sponsors adopt new solutions very quickly “My goal is to build an amaz- during the pandemic, including eConsent and ing company led by exceptional virtual visits, to name a few.” individuals who empower thePharmaVOICE pa- While creating the vision for ClinOne, tient and the caregiver through Rob spent countless hours at research sites to their journey,” he says. “I would understand the challenges they faced. He saw like to be reflected on as a leader nurses and principal investigators inundated who brought togetherof a team of with so many tasks and paperwork that there professionals for a common good was often little time or energy left for patient to overcome a major challenge in care. He was determined to fix it by building the industry. We must stop talking a single virtual trial platform that features about patient-centricity and start solutions from automated physician referrals, living it.” enterprisewide eConsent, and a patient portal During the pandemic, ClinOne to Uber Health transportation, eCOA, and has continued to grow, doubling connected devices for activity and safety mon- its headcount over the past 12 itoring. months. Rob says every study assignment has its “I still have not met in-person unique set of challenges. Aligning new spon- half the people who run ClinOne sors and deploying technology that is intended with me,” he says. “Recently, we to support the patient journey using newer technologies and newer approaches tend to have slow adoption. Rob Bohacs “But we are making progress as an industry TITLE: Founder and Chief Solutions Officer and I am proud that ClinOne is a part of that COMPANY: ClinOne Inc. ongoing transformation,” he says. As a leader, he inspires by aligning every- COMPANY AWARDS: Top Ten companies one to a common mission and helping to align to watch, 2019; Top Ten Patient Engagement the organization,Compliments teams, and employees’ per- Company, 2020 Igniting change by... ASSOCIATIONS: Board of Directors of the American Telemedicine Association BRINGING CLINICAL GIV ING BACK: American Cancer Society TRIALS DIRECTLY TO HOBBIES: Anything to do with his kids and travel (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] PATIENTS

80 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

PHILIP ASTLEY-SPARKE Power through to the other side of cancer

or the past 20 years, Philip Astley- separate and differentiate Replimune from to advance transformative cancer treatments. Sparke has focused on a mission to other emerging companies in the oncolytic “Each role requires different characteristics; F make oncolytic immunotherapy a immunotherapy space. the blend is what is important, so I don’t look cornerstone of oncology treatment regimens. A model for corporate good behavior, for a common theme other than people who As CEO for BioVex, which was acquired by Philip applies integrity and rigor to every are able to get stuff done with minimum of Amgen in 2011, he led the development of circumstance. In all business and personal fuss and who are concise and direct communi- Imlygic, the first and only FDA-approved relationships, he epitomizes the philosophy of cators,” he says. oncolytic virus. Although it has been 10 years “put yourself in someone shoes.” The company culture Philip has built is since the completion of BioVex’s Imlygic Colleagues say this is what makes him an one of camaraderie, support, and drive to ad- trials, he stays in touch with the patients excellent negotiator because he always thinks vance the mission in every way possible. He treated with the drug. Imlygic’s final results about and understands what his counterparty’s eschews office politics and barriers that get in showed it could cure one in four patients with interests are. He can easily understand the the way of getting things done. He expects previsceral disease. perspective of investors, potential partners, or everyone, not just the members of his C-level Philip’s belief that cancer patients, if employees. team, to have and express their opinions. He treated with an oncolytic earlier in the course Philip also serves as chairman of uniQure, believes all ideas are to be entertained and as a of their disease, can be cured motivated him to a gene therapy company developing curative matter of course to be robustly debated. co-found Replimune with Imlygic’s inventor, treatments for patients with rare genetic dis- Philip also believes strongly in the phi- Rob Coffin in 2015. Replimune’s oncolytic eases. He was instrumental in establishing the losophy put forward by Leo Tolstoy, which is immunotherapies have the potential to rede- company’s U.S. infrastructure, including the “Many people think of changing the world but fine the cancer treatment paradigm through world’s largest gene therapy manufacturing few think of changing themselves.” igniting a patient-specific anti-tumor immune facility. “It’s a lot easier to control yourself than response systemically throughout the body. With a grounded and humblePharmaVOICE manage- others, and many issues can be avoided or These therapies are designed to not only ment style, Philip is focused on building resolved by mastering one’s own reactions to treat a patient’s cancer, but to also vaccinate the right teams and enabling team members events,” Philip notes. against future relapse. Starting from As a leader he says actions speak a blank sheet of paper, Replimune’s of louder than words. “I believe in innovative platform has produced delegating as much as possible,” he three programs that have all ad- says. “By hiring the right person for vanced into the clinic, dosed several the right job at the right time, you hundred patients, and demonstrated are more than halfway home.” clinical proof of concept in late- Philip takes time to informally stage patients who have exhausted mentor and bring along the next all other therapies. generation of leaders. He takes pride However, Philip’s aim is to drive in the accomplishments of others Replimune’s well-tolerated prod- and is happy to provide guidance ucts earlier into disease courses to along the way. prevent more patients ever getting He is of the opinion that the best end stage disease across multiple way to inspire people is to praise tumor types. Under his leadership, them, quoting the Buddhist priest the company has raised more than Nicherin: “When praised by others, $600 million and now employs 180 there is no hardship one cannot people. bear.” The company has also built a GMP manufacturing facility. Many TRANSFORMATIONAL. companies elect to outsource this SCIENCE-FORWARD. function to mitigate high upfront capital requirementsCompliments and risk, but Philip Astley-Sparke Philip made the strategic decision to TITLE: CEO and Founder go the other way and, where others COMPANY: Replimune see manufacturing as a risk, Philip saw this as an opportunity. He be- Igniting change by... EDUCATION: B.Sc., Bristol lieved that centralizing and owning University, UK the manufacturing function would CHALLENGING PRECEDENTS GIV ING BACK: Mental health (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] lead to core expertise that would

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 81 ENTREPRENEURS

EMPOWERING. STRATEGIC. STEVE VIVIANO Orchestrating a better way

Steve Viviano

TITLE: Founder and CEO COMPANY: QBFox Healthcomm Igniting change by… EDUCATION: B.S., Pharmacy, Rutgers College BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS of Pharmacy PERSONAL AWARDS: Agency of the Year, hile leading QBFox Healthcomm level of expertise to everything they touch. “I MedAdNews; Agency of the Year, MM&M; through the pandemic, Founder also like people who care about others and who Agency of the Year, PharmaTimes (London); Wand CEO Steve Viviano found his care about the work product that they and the QBFox 2019 Innovative Start-up Company of center through one of his favorite practices. team put out,” he says. the Year, PM360; QBFox 2018 Agency to Watch, “Playing guitar has always been my creative Trust is also important to Steve. “I do my MM&M; QBFox Grand Prize Convincemetovax outlet and stress reliever,” Steve says. “I have job and live my life in a way that I hope shows Creative Contest, MM&M, 2019; PharmaVOICE several of my guitars hanging on the wall in people they can always trust me and what I my home office, which during the pandemic say,” he says. “I expect the same from people I 100 honoree, 2012 allowed me to simply turn around and grab work with as well.” PharmaVOICEGIV ING BACK: Kiva one for a quick interlude between meetings.” Steve is a big believer in making the work HOBBIES: Playing guitar At first, Steve thought about taking the fun. “In the end, we need to enjoy what we are guitars down to create more of a “work en- doing, and I like to work with people who get vironment” for video calls. “But in the end, I that having fun is ofsuper-important,” he says. career highlight.“While I have certainly en- left them because they are part of who I am,” This ability to have fun and not take any joyed the success from the CEO vantage point he says. “And everyone loved it and this made one issue too seriously has proved to be one at large agencies, the favorite part of my day everyone feel comfortable when facets of their of Steve’s most powerful assets during the has always been working directly with clients own lives crept into meetings.” pandemic. “I joke around a lot in the office and helping them successfully drive individual Steve says working from home has given to keep things light, even when deadlines are brand performance — getting my hands dirty, people a chance to share more of their “au- upon us or issues seem crazy,” he says. “I think as they say,” he says. “It’s something that CEOs thentic” selves with teammates and colleagues. in the beginning of COVID there was a lot of of agency networks don’t get to do too often.” “Whether on purpose or not, a barking dog, a uncertainty about a lot of things: the health of Many of Steve’s former clients have re- child walking into a Zoom chat, or even what everyone and their families of course, but also mained friends over the years. we have on our walls in the background — all concerns about job security and even whether “When a couple of them approached me have given others a unique glimpse into our- clients would be able to get through this. By and asked me to start my own shop, it pro- selves. And I say bravo! It’s important to see continuing to keep the same fun approach to vided a terrific opportunity for me to get back what makes others tick, and that includes who things, even as we all shifted to working from to putting my own ‘hands in the soil’ and work they are when they are not just in the office.” home and away from each other, kept our en- closely again with my senior team of Chet In keeping with his musical passion, Steve tire company inspired and motivated.” Moss and Stacy Patterson,” he says. “Beyond says he views being a CEO like being the Steve’s leadership style is collaborative, and that, starting QBFox has let me create the conductor of an orchestra. “I don’t play all the he seeks everyone’s input even if the final de- kind of agile, client-focused agency I always instruments, but I am surrounded by top-level cision ends up being his own. “Good, talented envisioned.” musicians,” he says. “My job is to lead them people appreciate that their voices and exper- Steve draws on his creative spirit for team in a beautiful concert by understanding each tise are always being considered, and I find motivation. “Part of inspiring others is getting of their strengths and knowing them well that the decisions are better when all points of them to see or feel what it would be like to do enough to understandCompliments how to bring the best view are listened to and considered,” he says. things the way you are suggesting,” he says. out of each of them.” Steve has run healthcare ad agencies for “I use the guiding phrase, ‘Imagine what we Colleagues say Steve is a master at rec- more than 20 years, and his agencies have been can create together’ as a way to make sure I ognizing and assembling good talent that honored with agency of the year awards, as well am always reaching people where they are — quickly gels into a cohesive, supportive team. as scores of creative awards and recognitions whether it is getting my staff to work in a new Steve says he likes to work with people for brand performance. Amid all the accolades, and better way, or getting clients to sign up as (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] who are great at what they do and bring a high he says creating QBFox has definitely been a partners with us.”

82 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE COMMANDERS & CHIEFS Searching for the right spot?

PharmaVOICE of

Compliments

If you’re looking to partner with a smart, experienced agency

(c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] who knows their way around, pull up a cushion. 2 Changebridge Rd / Montville NJ 07045 / qbfox.com / 973.723.9198

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 83 ENTREPRENEURS DR. BRIAN WAMHOFF Happy is, happy does

rian Wamhoff, Ph.D., has passion: the company has initiated the HERO (HElp parents and their children, and that is an in- passion for science, patients, his team, Reduce Organic acids) study, a Phase II clinical credible gift,” Brian says. B his partners, and living. He cares trial investigating HST5040 for the treatment Drug discovery is fraught with failure, and very deeply about the work he does and the of MMA and PA in patients age 2 and older. the big challenge is to shake it off and move patients he will ultimately serve. Colleagues The company has enrolled the first two pa- forward when it does happen, he says. “The and collaborators say he is the type of guy who tients in the Phase II clinical trial. first time we terminated a preclinical program walks in a room and lights it up. Coupled with Children with these diseases rarely live into because it was unlikely to change the natural his passion, he is also a consummate entre- the second quartile of life. Brian has traveled history of a rare disease patient was extremely preneur. He has co-founded multiple medical across the globe to meet with world expert difficult for me personally and for the organi- device and therapeutics companies, including physicians and scientists in these diseases. He zation,” he says. “We regrouped quickly and SoundPipe Therapeutics. He has authored or has met with patients and knows them and through incredible companywide leadership, co-authored more than 70 papers and has been their families by name. He has simultaneously perseverance, and grit, we now have a clini- issued more than 10 patents. led the organization to find treatments for cal-stage program in those same rare diseases.” Over a decade ago, Brian co-invented these underserved patients. His passion and Colleagues say Brian believes drug discov- the HemoShear technology and directed the scientific vision have fueled the formation of ery is the ultimate team sport. “I’m adamant successful development of human models of productive partnerships with Takeda in NASH about working in team settings and having the vascular system, liver diseases, and the and Horizon in gout. fun,” he says. “I want our teams to be happy — tumor microenvironment. His efforts led to “As a founder of HemoShear, I have worn happy people feel good about themselves and the launch of HemoShear’s proprietary drug many hats during this journey — head of produce great results.” discovery programs in rare metabolic diseases. R&D, head of innovation, chief operating offi- CARING. TRUSTWORTHY. What started as a CRO service company has cer, and office coffee maker — but at the end evolved into a drug discovery organization of the day, being a great partner and improv- Brian Wamhoff, Ph.D. leveraging the technology for which it was ing the life of a patient with a rare disease are founded. Brian has been single-minded in always goal No. 1 in everythingPharmaVOICE we do,” Brian TITLE: Chief Operating Officer, Head of advancing the Reveal-Tx platform in which he says. “Every time I turn on a light switch at Innovation, Co-founder has a deep belief. the Shear, that is what I remind myself. This COMPANY: HemoShear Therapeutics As HemoShear has matured, the focus has goal, the patient, makes decision-making and grown more toward rare diseases. Brian led focusing much easierof for me.” EDUCATION: B.S., Biology, Rhodes College; Ph.D., HemoShear’s efforts to validate the cutting The highlight of his career has been work- Medical Physiology, University of Missouri edge, human biology platform and advance ing closely with caregivers, patients, scientists, COMPANY AWARDS: Southeast BIO Partnering the novel therapy for methylmalonic acidemia and clinicians to discover a novel experimental Deal of the Year, 2017; Entrepreneur of the Year, (MMA) and propionic acidemia (PA), two therapy for propionic and methylmalonic acid- CBIC, 2016; Tibbett’s Award for Excellence in fatal inborn errors of metabolism for which no urias for which no treatment exists. “Working SBIR Commercialization, U.S. Small Business current treatment alternatives exist. Recently, in rare diseases brings you face-to-face with Administration, 2014; GLG Leadership 15 R&D Member, 2014; U.S. Congress, Testified, Subcommittee on Science and Technology, 2013; Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) GAP 50 Entrepreneur Award, 2012; Charlottesville Business Innovation Council Rocket Award, 2012; Distinguished Alumni Award, Rhodes College, 2011 ASSOCIATIONS: Board member, director of internships for the Charlottesville Tom Sox Collegiate Summer Baseball Team — 2017 League Champions, 2017 National Champions, 2019 League Champions GIV ING BACK: Mentoring entrepreneurs, Compliments coaching baseball, basketball, and flag football HOBBIES: Traveling with family and friends, coaching, cooking, Disney dad Blazing new trails to... T WITTER HANDLE: @Brian_Wamhoff

(c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] BETTER THERAPIES

84 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

Ronda Dean RONDA DEAN TITLE: President, CEO, and Co-Founder COMPANY: Afaxys Inc. Mission-driven, customer-focused EDUCATION: MBA, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University; B.S. in Medical Technology, their patients because they could not reliably knowledge with women in a variety of ways, Ohio State University access the cost-effective products they needed, including through a young entrepreneurs pro- and often might have to change the contra- gram with the Committee of 200. PERSONAL AWARDS: Charleston Business ceptive product they had chosen because the “Helping others to find their place of Magazine, South Carolina Women in Business, supplier raised the price or because supply belonging and their path forward, especially 2021; PharmaVOICE, Women of Influence, was unpredictable. This is incredibly disrup- when they feel they don’t fit a particular mold, April 2021; Charleston Business Journal, Most tive to women, as many contraceptives need always excites me,” she says. “I recently men- Influential Women in Business, 2014 to be taken on a stable, consistent schedule. tored a young female entrepreneur; it gave me “After identifying this need in the market, great pleasure to watch her grow and prepare ASSOCIATIONS/BOARDS: The New we founded Afaxys — the company’s name for her next steps. I could see the future in her Morning Foundation and the Coastal intersects affordable and access — to deliver eyes.” Community Foundation of South Carolina; a stable, affordable supply of products and She says the pandemic underscored the previously, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, services that providers need for their patients,” critical role that the community and public the Storm Eye Institute at Medical University of she says. health sector plays in the healthcare system South Carolina, Wings for Kids Today, Afaxys serves more than 10,000 and how important health centers are to health center locations across the United States, ensuring that all patients have access to es- GIV ING BACK: The Gailliard Performing Arts profitably launched 10 oral contraceptives, two sential care. “As an essential business, we’ve Center, Wings for Kids, the International African emergency contraceptives and a birth control all been motivated during these times to help American Museum shot, and earned the title of leading provider our customers navigate this new normal of of oral and emergency contraceptives in U.S. remote work — and remote healthcare,” she community health centers. Afaxys has ad- says. esponding to a pressing need to solve ditionally saved customers millions of the public healthcare crisis, Ronda dollars on supply purchases through its RESOURCEFUL. FOCUSED. R Dean co-founded Afaxys, a first-of- group purchasing organization. PharmaVOICE its-kind healthcare company and a socially Ronda is resourceful in her approach, conscious organization. Afaxys partners with and together with her business partner the community and public health industry to Susan Overly, overcame each challenge ensure safety net healthcare providers have sta- by leveraging their skillsof and expertise, ble pricing and reliable access to the products and finding the right people to fill the and services they need to serve patients seeking gaps. By December 2012, Afaxys had its reproductive and sexual healthcare. first FDA product approval. Every year, more than 31 million Amer- Ronda zeroes in on the company’s icans rely on community and public health mission and ignores distractions, which centers to get essential care. During her 25- has enabled her to grow Afaxys from a year career in the pharmaceutical industry, startup to one of the largest providers she heard hundreds of stories from men and of oral and emergency contraceptives in women who relied solely on public health cen- U.S. community health centers in just ters to get vital care. over a decade. “I saw how without these community and “I ensure we are attuned not just to public providers — most of whom depend on what providers and patients need today, politically vulnerable government funding, but also how changes in the political and grants, and donations to keep their doors industry landscape affect how healthcare open — many people across the United States is delivered and paid for, and then adjust would have nowhere else to turn for their as necessary,” she says. healthcare,” she says. Ronda shares her experience, vision, Ronda also saw that many public and and passion with others through men- community health providers struggled to serve torship and engagement. She shares her Igniting change by... ComplimentsEMPOWERING ALL PATIENTS TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR REPRODUCTIVE LIVES BECAUSE ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] SHOULD BE A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 85 ENTREPRENEURS

included poor publicity around trials, patient journeys to specific locations, labor-intensive VEER MEHTA paper recording, and lack of real-time insights into patient data. Igniting change for a better world After evaluating all of these issues and backed by his industry experience, Veer fter spending 15 years in product de- He draws on his inquisitive nature and founded Halo Health Systems. He leads the velopment in the medical device willingness to listen to others to look for inno- company by clearly defining the mission and A and pharma industry, Veer Mehta vative ways to solve problems and improve on making sure the why is understood. founded Halo Health Systems in 2019 with existing products, solutions, and operational “I believe in inspiring my organization by the goal to create a digital health company procedures. sharing our strategic direction, what we are that is focused on elevating the patient experi- As a business leader and technologist, he trying to achieve, and how we are going to ence in clinical trials. takes an outside-in approach to understand get there,” he says. “I want employees to un- As a next-generation clinical trials busi- what the customer is doing, what obstacles derstand our common goals and the role they ness, Halo Health uses digital solutions to re- and challenges they face, how solutions can play in the journey. By empowering employ- duce costs, provide greater operational efficien- make them more efficient and productive, and ees, I have been able to create strong teams. I cies, and create higher patient engagement. how their end customer will be impacted. also understand the importance of situational “The end-goal of the trials has not changed, Before starting Halo Health, Veer had an leadership and can quickly adapt based on a it is to show the clinical safety and efficacy of employee whose wife had a terminal illness, given situation.” drugs,” Veer says. “Our mission is to enable yet the family was struggling with coordina- He relies on advice provided to him early patient-centric trials that reduce the patient tion of care and access to new drug therapies. on in his career: results matter but the journey burden of having to go to specific locations “This led me to look into the challenges the team takes matters more. to participate in a trial and, in turn, provide associated with drug development and the Having had a fantastic mentor as he was a larger and more diverse trial population to associated clinical trials,” he says, noting these moving up the ranks, Veer wants his employ- sponsors. It has been exciting to ees to have a similar experience. begin to see the industry and reg- “I focus on providing accessible ulatory agencies embrace alternate guidance and building trust with models, including hybrid and de- the employees while serving as a centralized trials that are driven by mentor,” he says. “With trust as the digital technologies.” PharmaVOICEfoundation of the relationship, it The challenge has been to influ- is amazing to see how comfortable ence large pharma companies, med- the mentee-employee is in every ical device companies, and contract interaction. They know I am open- research organizations to embrace of minded and will always listen to digital transformation in their clin- their input and provide honest feed- ical trial processes. back. They also know that I want “I’m sure there is comfort in the their feedback. You never know business-as-usual approach,” Veer where the next great idea will come says. “The difference is the world from.” around them is going digital and there are new solutions that can OPEN-MINDED. VISIONARY. greatly expand the reach, diversity, and impact of their clinical studies.” Veer Mehta Veer’s goal is to continually look TITLE: Founder and CEO for ways to have a positive impact COMPANY: Halo Health Systems on patient lives — be it through patient-centricity in clinical trials or EDUCATION: M.S., Software Engineering, an improved standard of care. University of Texas at Dallas; B.S., Computer “To achieve this mission, I’m Science, University of Texas at Dallas going to continue to develop digital GIV ING BACK: Support organizations in the systems that bring patients faster U.S. and India focused on providing food to access to clinical trials, new FDA-ap- underserved and impoverished communities proved therapies, and better remote care,” he says. “I know that in many HOBBIES: Big fan of Masters of Scale podcast situations, time is of the essence and by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn access to careCompliments will definitely save T WITTER: @halohealthio lives.” Sparking innovation by... ENABLING PATIENT-CENTRIC CLINICAL TRIALS TO BE ACCESSIBLE (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] TO A BROADER AND MORE DIVERSE PATIENT POPULATION

86 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

DR. GRANT DEDICATED. STUBBORN. Grant McFadden, Ph.D. MCFADDEN TITLE: Co-founder, Research Advisor, Director COMPANY: OncoMyx Therapeutics This you can trust EDUCATION: B.Sc., Ph.D., Biochemistry, McGill University rant McFadden, Ph.D., epitomizes PERSONAL AWARDS: IOVC Organizing the phenotype of the scientific ge- Committee nius underpinning breakthrough G COMPANY AWARDS: Royal Society of Canada, therapeutics for patients in need. He is the co-founder, research advisor, and director of Fellow, 2004-present; Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Fellow, 2005-present; OncoMyx Therapeutics, an oncolytic immu- Sparking innovation by… notherapy company. He is also the director Howard Hughes Medical Institute International and professor at Arizona State University’s STARTING NEW Scholarship, 2005-2008; American Academy of Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vac- Microbiology, Fellow, 2007-present; Beijerinck cines, and Virotherapy. A true visionary, his THINGS MYSELF Award Lecturer, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, diligent work in the field of oncolytic viruses has inspired a generation of scientists, contrib- immune subversion, also called anti-immu- 2009; Sidney E. Grossberg Lecturer, Medical uted to the scientific cannon, and led to the nology, and is credited with the discovery of College of Wisconsin, WI, 2009; Remi Amelunxen formation of two companies — OncoMyx and a wide spectrum of virus-derived inhibitors Symposium Lecturer, University of Kansas Viron Therapeutics. of the immune system. His lab also investi- (Keynote), 2011; University of Florida Research Co-founding OncoMyx from scratch, along gates host-virus tropism, and the deployment Foundation (UFRF) Professorship Award, 2012-14; with Steve Potts and Mike Wood, was a career of poxviruses for oncolytic virotherapy for highlight. It also has been his most challeng- the treatment of cancer, particularly with a University of Florida College of Medicine Basic ing assignment in terms of raising Series A rabbit-specific poxvirus called myxoma virus Science Research Award, 2013; Danny Thomas funding, which still keeps him up at night. (MYXV). Colleagues says this platform has the 2014 Lecturer, St Jude Children’s Research Just this summer, OncoMyx Therapeutics potential to treat up to 75% of allPharmaVOICE solid cancers Hospital; Elected President, American Society of extended its intellectual property portfolio to and greater than 90% of liquid tumors. Virology, 2015-16; Keynote Speaker, International include an exclusive option to license IP rights Some of the best advice he ever received Union of Microbial Sciences, Singapore, 2017 for the use and delivery of myxoma virus to was: Find what you love to do, and become the treat certain cancers from the University of world expert in it. Timeof will tell, but to date COMMUNIT Y AWARDS: ASU 1967 Graduates Florida Research Foundation (UFRF). Dr. Mc- few scientists have contributed as much as Dr. Lecture (at Biodesign), 2017; March for Science Fadden developed the IP with his collaborators McFadden has to cancer care. (Washington, DC), 2017; ASU/Biodesign VIP when he was a professor at the University of With a career that has exceeded his expec- Presentation, 2018; CEM Undergraduate students’ Florida College of Medicine. tations, his leadership in harnessing a virus presentation, 2019; Glendale Community College, “In modern approaches in oncolytic viral for good has been noticed by others on local, therapy, the myxoma virus is the only platform national, and international levels and has AZ; Biotechnology Course (Invited lecturer), 2019; that can be both multi-armed and systemi- brought heightened awareness of the scientific Wise Guise II Speaker series (Scottsdale, AZ), 2020; cally delivered in hematologic cancers,” Dr. innovation. The city of Phoenix and the Phoe- ASV/ASM COVID-19 Vaccination Zoom-based McFadden says. “OncoMyx has built a leading nix Biomedical Campus have already felt Dr. Public Town Halls, 2021 technology platform generating multi-armed McFadden’s impact. Based on his expertise, ASSOCIATIONS: American Society for Virology, myxoma virotherapies with demonstrated OncoMyx is expanding its presence on the Member, 1982-present; American Society for ability to modulate anti-tumor immunity Phoenix Biomedical Campus. and be systemically delivered for broad cancer Colleagues say Dr. McFadden’s passion for Microbiology, Member, 1982-present; American killing potential. I am pleased to see Onco- what he does is continually inspiring to oth- Society for Leukocyte Biology, 1995-2016; Myx continue to add to our IP portfolio as the ers. When he first shares the unique story of American Association for the Advancement company builds a pipeline of oncolytic immu- this virus and how it can impact the future of of Science, Member, 1989-2016; Who’s Who notherapies that have the potential to be new cancer treatments, it brings hope that certain in Science and Engineering, Inductee, 1995- pillars in cancer care.” cancers can be beaten soon. Last year, OncoMyx Therapeutics unveiled His passion and commitment have also 2016; International Cytokine Society, Member, preclinical data showing its engineered rabbit garnered the interest of others to join him on 1997-2016; Faculty of 1000, Member, 2001- pox virus therapyCompliments could slow tumor growth this journey, either in the academic lab or the 2017; American Society of Gene and Cell in mouse models of melanoma and bone company’s lab developing the next generation Therapy, Member, 2011-present; AAAS, Member, cancer. Recently it unveiled more preclinical of scientific talent. Dr. McFadden is currently 2021-present evidence, this time in non-small cell lung a professor at Arizona State University and the GIV ING BACK: United Way cancer (NSCLC). Dr. McFadden’s lab studies director of the Biodesign Center for Immuno- how poxviruses that cause immunosuppres- therapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (B-CIVV). HOBBIES: Biking, hiking, reading, traveling sion interact with the host immune system. He has published more than 380 scientific T WITTER HANDLE: @grantmcf_grant (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] The McFadden lab pioneered the field of viral papers and reviews.

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 87 ENTREPRENEURS DR. CARSTEN LINNEMANN It’s kind of fun to do the impossible

aking inspiration from Walt Disney, while at Kite, however, his desire to further Carsten’s passion and excitement about it’s kind of fun to do the impossi- push the boundaries of scientific innovation the pioneering science and staying focused T ble, says Carsten Linnemann, Ph.D., led him to co-found Neogene Therapeutics, a on the patient-centric mission encourages his CEO and co-founder of Neogene Therapeutics, preclinical stage biotechnology company. teams to do the same. His goal is to build which is pioneering a new class of fully per- In only the first few months of his tenure, Neogene into a fully integrated, global cell sonalized neo-antigen T cell therapies to treat Carsten led the start-up biotech through its therapy company, ultimately developing prac- cancer. Like Walt, Carsten is a visionary. One Series A financing, which raised $110 mil- tice-changing therapies for patients fighting former colleague says, while it is common for lion. Since the company’s inception, he has cancer worldwide. scientists to dream about discovering a new expanded its proprietary technology platform, It was his longtime mentor, Ton Schum- breakthrough in medicine that changes the which identifies specific TCR genes from acher, Ph.D., who knew he would end up course of history, it is rare to find one who has routine tumor samples using state-of-the-art blazing trails in biotech, which was not part the vision, determination, and ability to realize synthetic biology tools. He built Neogene and of Carsten’s plan. “He told me that I would be that dream. its team from the ground up and has instilled ideally suited to a career in the pharmaceutical Carsten launched Neogene in 2018. Before in his team an exemplary sense of dedication industry,” he says. “At the time, I was a little that he served as associate director at Next to its vision of developing innovative cancer shocked as I was in the midst of my research Generation T Cell Therapies, and managing therapies and bringing them to patients. and getting my Ph.D. Looking back, Dr. director of Kite Pharma, a Gilead company. His leadership style is equal parts vision Schumacher was completely right.” He has co-founded T-Cell Factory, which was and action. He never shies away from mak- Because of Dr. Schumacher’s influence on acquired by Kite Pharma in 2015, and he has ing bold decisions and leads and inspires his his own career, Carsten also mentors others, co-authored several publications in the field of teams with passion, thoughtfulness, and an and feels it is an active responsibility for in- genetic engineering of T cells, and conducted infectious spirit. With his curiosity, commit- dustry leaders. “Mentorship contributes to seminal work on human neo-antigen biology. ment to scientific excellence, and approach to the sustainability of an industry and scientific And, by the way, he is 39. problem-solving, he inspires others to think advancement, and it is always an exciting re- His passion for science and his ability to outside the box, while followingPharmaVOICE the science. lationship that goes both ways because it also inspire those around him ensured his success Carsten has already left an indelible mark on ensures that I continue to grow and advance as the field of engineered T cell therapy and will a leader,” he says. likely do so for years to come. Carsten Linnemann, Ph.D. “There have beenof many enjoyable mo- TITLE: CEO and Co-Founder ments in my career, but arguably seeing COMPANY: Neogene Therapeutics Inc Neogene Therapeutics grow in less than three years from a scientific idea and a small team EDUCATION: Diploma/MSc., Biochemistry, of seven people to a global company with 58 Bielefeld University; Ph.D., Immunotechnology, full-time employees, offices in Amsterdam and RELENTLESS. Leiden University Santa Monica, Calif., and raising $125 million PERSONAL AWARDS: Emerging Pharma to date to deliver innovative treatments to Leader 2021 by Pharmaceutical Executive; patients in need has been both an exhilarating and humbling experience for me as a leader,” Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Prize 2015 (NKI-AVL); Carsten says. INNOVATIVE. INNOVATIVE. Thesis Prize of the Dutch Society for Gene and With both of the biotech start-ups Carsten Cell Therapy (NVGCT) 2014; Ph.D. awarded cum founded, he has transformed the concepts laude 2013; Diploma awarded cum laude 2007 into highly effective, thriving businesses. Re- ASSOCIATIONS: Alumni of Boehringer gardless of his role, Carsten’s mission remains Ingelheim Fonds – Foundation for Basic steadfast: to change how cancer is treated on behalf of patients. Biomedical Research; Alumni German National “I am innovative in my approach to ad- Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des dt. vancing scientific understanding, but also in Volkes) my approach to leadership,” he says. “I am HOBBIES: Scuba diving relentless in solving some of the toughest chal- Complimentslenges facing the future of cancer treatment.” Blazing new trails to… A NEW FRONTIER IN CELL THERAPY BY PIONEERING A NEW CLASS OF FULLY PERSONALIZED NEO-ANTIGEN T CELL THERAPIES TO (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] TREAT CANCER

88 July/August 2021  PharmaVOICE ENTREPRENEURS

VISIONARY. INSPIRING. Raj Indupuri

TITLE: CEO and Co-Founder COMPANY: eClinical Solutions EDUCATION: MBA, Boston University ASSOCIATIONS: DIA, CDISC, MassBio, Biocom, CLSA RAJ INDUPURI Bringing big ideas to life

aj Indupuri is the true definition of an Sparking innovation by… mate vision that was so apparent to him seven entrepreneur: someone who identifies and eight years ago. R an unsolved need, takes a risk, and is EVOKING VISIONARY Raj saw the future game changer not just steadfast in turning that opportunity into a for data management but for clinical develop- reality. What set him apart are his vision and THINKING ment as a whole, and he set out once again to spark to galvanize others to enact the change build on his vision. Raj’s passion has the power he has created. A technologist with more than stakeholders. “What was a chancePharmaVOICE beginning to bring these big ideas to life and bring others 23 years of industry experience, Raj is re- in the life-sciences industry, drawn by per- along with him. He convinced people in the sponsible for establishing eClinical Solutions’ sonal life experiences and the motivation to life-sciences industry that cloud-driven tech- vision and future-looking technology strategy. contribute to research, has now become my nology and solutions were a critical path for The CEO possesses a real-world understanding life’s purpose,” Raj says.of “My biggest career clinical research. of the challenges in clinical development, in- highlight to date is the management buy-out Since 2012, elluminate has been helping genuity to solve those problems to benefit clin- of a services company to pursue my passion companies seamlessly integrate and unify all ical researchers and patients, and the ability and a deep-rooted vision to build a software their data sources, including EDC, eCOA, and to motivate others to look beyond short-term and tech-enabled services company that can labs, for streamlined data review, exploration, solutions to create an end-to-end digital trans- bring treatments to patients faster.” and new data insights. “We built one of the formation accelerator. The inspirational leader When eClinical Solutions was founded in first clinical data clouds nearly a decade ago is deeply passionate about fostering innovation 2012, the focus was always clinical research en- with a team of visionaries,” Raj says. “We to revolutionize the life-sciences industry with abled by technology, with clinical data at the anticipated the need, and through innovation ground-breaking technologies that will mod- core. Raj saw the need to unify data and reduce and perseverance, we evolved elluminate to be ernize clinical trials and bring treatments to the manual effort well before digital transfor- a key enabler for digitizing the industry.” patients faster. With astute business acumen, mation in life sciences became the persistent From his early career as an EDC specialist he is looking beyond the digital future and trend that it is now. While others in the field to his current role as the CEO of eClinical embracing the progress and potential of data were still trying to figure out how to transition Solutions, Raj understands the issues that and analytics, which are at the core of the from paper processes to using an EDC system, clinical teams face and why easing the burden company’s innovative products and solutions. Raj saw early on that getting data into an of manual tasks in data management is so When eClinical president and co-founder electronic system is actually only the first step important in speeding up the drug approval Bob Arnesen met Raj in 2008, Bob recognized to gaining important insights. He knew there process. Raj as a true risk-taker and someone who needed to be many more modules created to Raj sees a huge opportunity ahead for clin- firmly believed in his own vision, no matter import any format of data from any source. ical trials post-COVID-19 and expects to see that the approach went against the tide. At eClinical Solutions has built those modules significant adoption of technologies like AI that time, cloud tech was on the rise across for its clinical data platform, elluminate, to and machine learning across the complete clin- many industries,Compliments but in life sciences, cloud transform, review, and analyze data to improve ical trials value chain within three to five years. was not the norm. Many organizations were efficiencies in studies. He says more real-time data will be com- still focused on the shift to EDC. Undeterred What colleagues find most impressive is ing directly from patients via smart devices by the highly risk-averse nature of the life-sci- that Raj knew from the very beginning that or apps, and generating value or gathering ences industry, Raj saw the need for a clinical there would be many iterations of the earliest insights from the data will require leverag- data cloud that could aggregate information version of elluminate. ing advanced analytics and machine learning (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] and make it accessible and actionable for The industry had to catch-up with his ulti- models.

PharmaVOICE  July/August 2021 89