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Management
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Thomas Butler
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
Prior to founding Biomea Fusion in 2017, Ramses and Tom built-up Point Sur Investors, a long-only biotech investment fund focused solely on innovative therapies that significantly improve the standard of care where Tom serves as Managing Partner. Before forming Biomea, Tom managed Investor Relations at Pharmacyclics Inc., where he helped grow the company from a market cap of $6.74B to over $21B, which included the execution of one of the largest biotech acquisitions to date. Prior to Pharmacyclics, Inc., Tom spent 6 years as a medicinal chemist at Gilead Sciences Inc. engaging in novel drug design and drug development of HCV polymerase and protease inhibitors. Tom is co-inventor of VEKLURY (Remdesivir), a polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. Remdesivir generated revenue in 2021 of $5.6B. Tom holds an M.B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles (2012) and a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of California Santa Barbara (2007). As a research scientist, Thomas Butler has been awarded numerous patents in the U.S. and internationally, as well as published in top academic journals such as the American Chemical Society Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and Angewandte Chemie.
Founder, COO & President
Ramses Erdtmann
“Never regret yesterday, life is in you today and you determine your tomorrow.” – Hubbard
Prior to founding Biomea Fusion in 2017, Ramses and Tom built-up Point Sur Investors, a long-only biotech investment fund focused solely on innovative therapies. Ramses also worked together with Tom at Pharmacyclics, where he most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Ramses helped grow the company from approximately 40 employees with a market cap of $40M in 2009 to 650 employees and a market cap of $21B in 2015, when the company merged with AbbVie, Inc. He was involved in the operational expansion of the company and oversaw various departments during the growth phase including Finance, HR, Legal, Communications, IR, Facilities, Events, and IT. Prior to joining Pharmacyclics, Inc., Ramses managed assets for US high net-worth equity investors and large European closed-end funds. Ramses began his career at Commerzbank AG in Germany, where he was an investment banker and portfolio manager for international clients. He earned the Diplom Kaufmann degree with distinction in Finance and Banking from the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universität of Muenster, Germany.
Chief Medical Officer
Juan Pablo Frías M.D.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill
Juan joined Biomea Fusion as Chief Medical Officer in September 2023. In this role he is overseeing the clinical development of BMF-219 in diabetes. Dr. Frías is a board-certified endocrinologist who has served as principal investigator of over 250 clinical diabetes studies, with more than half of those being Phase III studies. He has also participated in the clinical development of more than 20 approved diabetic agents, including Mounjaro™ (tirzepatide’s SURPASS trials), Ozempic® (semaglutide’s STEP, SUSTAIN, and SUSTAIN FORTE trials), Trulicity® (dulaglutide’s AWARD trials), and Farxiga (dapagliflozin’s DURATION studies). Dr. Frías is a board member of the nonprofit T1D Exchange and a member of the clinical advisory boards to five of the top pharmaceutical companies in the diabetes care market. He has held leadership positions in Clinical and Medical Affairs at Eli Lilly, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, where he served as CMO and Global Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs, Diabetes Care. Dr. Frías has also held academic positions at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, and the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He has published over 125 articles in peer reviewed journals; his numerous publications in this field include first author publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, Diabetes, Diabetes Care, and Cell Metabolism.
Chief Technical & Quality Officer
Heow Tan
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
Heow joined Biomea Fusion, Inc. in November 2020. At Biomea, Heow is the Chief Technical & Quality Officer and is responsible for all aspects of CMC development, manufacturing, supply chain and Quality Operations. Heow brings 37 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in these areas. Prior to Biomea, Heow was the CTO for Pharmacyclics with similar responsibilities and was instrumental in scaling-up and getting the CMC section of Imbruvica NDA, with its 4 Breakthrough Therapy Designations approved. He helped grow Imbruvica to more than USD 5 billion worldwide revenue. Prior to Pharmacyclics, he was at Collegium Pharmaceutical where he served as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations. Before that, he was the Vice President, Industrial Operations and Development at Praecis Pharmaceuticals. Throughout his career, he has served in similar roles at many biopharmaceutical companies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Heow received his BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering and an MS in Engineering from The Ohio State University. He also holds an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Chief People Officer
Naomi Cretcher
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.“ – Marie Curie
Naomi brings over 15 years of operational experience to biomea fusion. Prior to joining the company, Naomi was one of the first hires at Kartos Therapeutics where she served as Executive Director overseeing operations in the early stages of the company. At Kartos she helped grow operations and established systems and processes. She also was one of the early employees of Pharmacyclics Inc, where she headed the meetings, events and media department which led to 4 FDA labels, with three Breakthrough Therapy Designations within 14 months. She worked closely with CEO and COO on AbbVie’s $21B acquisition of Pharmacyclics; one of the largest biopharma sales ever. Pharmacyclics also received the prestigious Prix Galien for Best Pharmaceutical Agent, which Naomi helped coordinate. Before joining Pharmacyclics, Naomi spent 5 years at Genentech in Medical Communications.
Chief Financial Officer
Franco Valle
“Concentrate all of your thoughts upon the work in hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.“ – Alexander Graham Bell
Franco joined Biomea Fusion as Chief Financial Officer in July 2021. He brings over 16 years of progressive experience in Biotech and Pharmaceutical industry, with public and private experience. Prior to joining us, Franco was with Graphite Bio as the Senior Vice President, Finance. Previously, he held finance and leadership positions at various biotechnology companies, including Eidos Therapeutics, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President, Finance, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., as Controller, and Pharmacyclics, Inc. as Senior Director of Accounting. Franco began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked in the Life Science and Venture Capital Group. He received a B.S. in Corporate Finance from San Jose State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Chief Development Officer
Steve Morris M.D.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
Steve joined Biomea Fusion as Chief Medical Officer in February 2022 and transitioned to the new role of Chief Development Officer, continuing to lead clinical development of Biomea’s oncology portfolio, after having served as a clinical consultant since 2020. He brings over 35 years of experience as a physician-scientist and life sciences executive. Notably, Dr. Morris served on the staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 25 years. In addition to working as a clinician, he led a basic and translational research laboratory at St. Jude, which discovered and characterized oncogenes that cause a variety of human cancers, most notably anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Prior to joining full time, Dr. Morris has served as a consultant or CMO for multiple oncology-focused biotech startups, including Biomea. Steve is a member of the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha, an American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award winner, and an inductee into the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Morris earned his MD from Louisiana State University Health Science Center, completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Health Science Center, and completed training in medical oncology at Yale University School of Medicine.
Executive Vice President of Chemistry
Thorsten Kirschberg Ph.D.
“The doer alone learneth.“ – Friedrich Nietzsche
Thorsten received his chemistry training at the universities of Münster/Germany, Osaka/Japan and at Stanford University/USA. He has extensive experience leading teams to discover and develop small molecule drug candidates. He spent more than a decade at Gilead Sciences and contributed to the company’s drug portfolio and pipeline. With his team, he synthesized ledipasvir, a component of Harvoni®, to cure HCV infections. He led research to the discovery of GS-4875, a COT inhibitor in advanced clinical studies for the treatment of IBD. More recently at Terns Pharmaceuticals, his chemistry leadership provided multiple optimized candidates and identified TERN-501, a selective THR- b agonist for the treatment of NASH.
EVP, Intellectual Property
Ravi Upasani
The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong – Swami Vivekananda
Ravi joined Biomea Fusion as Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property in April 2021. He brings over 30 years of experience in Biotech and the Pharmaceutical industry. Ravi earned his Ph.D. in small molecule chemistry and his qualifications include a unique combination of extensive experience in medicinal chemistry and expertise in Intellectual Property. Prior to joining us, Ravi was with Protagonist Therapeutics as the Vice President of Intellectual Property. Previously, he held senior level Intellectual Property positions at Pharmacyclics, Evotec, AG, and Renovis. In this capacity, Ravi was responsible for the management of IP functions, including the development and implementation of patent strategy; drafting and prosecution of patent applications, and managing the company’s extensive patent portfolio. He is registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a patent agent. Ravi has authored over 35 publications and is an inventor on more than 15 United States patents.
Senior Vice President, Contracts
Caroline Perez- Dupont
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho
Caroline joined Biomea in March 2021 as a consultant and in July 2021 as our Vice President of Contracts. As a California licensed attorney and French in-house counsel, Caroline brings over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Prior to Biomea, Caroline served as the Senior Director of Contracts at Dermira, a biotechnology company focused on medical dermatology from 2015 to 2021 until its acquisition by Eli Lilly and Company, and as the Associate Director, Corporate & Commercial Transactions at Pharmacyclics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of cancer therapies, from 2013 to 2015. Caroline also worked at Perseid Therapeutics-Astellas, Accuray, Maxygen, Versata and Sequoia Law Group.
Caroline holds a L.L.M in US Law from Florida Coastal School of Law and a J.D. from University of Toulouse, France.
Vice President of Drug Discovery
Jim Palmer Ph.D.
“Whosoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the entire world.“ – Rabbi Hillel the Elder
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Jim brings over 30 years of experience of drug discovery programs targeting oncology, cardiovascular, inflammation, joint and bone disease, and infectious diseases.
Formerly, Jim was employed by Biota Pharmaceuticals as Director, Drug Discovery, responsible for coordinating Biota’s antibacterial research discovery program in Australia and the UK. Prior to this he was Head of Chemistry at Cytopia, from 2007-2009. Before joining Cytopia, Jim was Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry, at Celera Genomics, in San Francisco, where he led the team that discovered Imbruvica® (ibrutinib), now approved for CLL and other indications. Jim’s teams have contributed to the discovery and development of several other clinical and late-stage preclinical candidates, including odanacatib (Phase III, Merck, osteoporosis), momelotinib (Phase III, Gilead/Sierra Oncology, myelofibrosis), abexinostat (Phase II, Pharmacyclics, oncology), and K11777/SLV213 (Phase II, Selva Pharmaceuticals, Covid-19).
He undertook post-doctoral studies at Purdue University, having obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (1979, Old Dominion University) and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (1985, Purdue University), and has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and is an inventor on over three dozen issued patents and published applications. In 2019 he was awarded the American Chemical Society Heroes of Chemistry Award for his role in the development of Imbruvica by Pharmacyclics.
Vice President of Clinical Operations
Priyanka Mandava
“The best innovation comes from inclusive work environments that foster diverse ideas, nurture people with diverse talents and backgrounds, and create strong relationships with diverse communities.“ – Mark Parker
With over 16 years of Clinical Research/Development Experience, Priyanka joined Biomea Fusion in March of 2022 as Vice President, Clinical Operations. Priyanka brings with her in-depth knowledge of clinical research operations, including the interpretation and implementation of ICH/GCP guidelines as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other Health Authority (HA) regulations. Throughout her career, Priyanka has contributed to the global approval of two blockbuster drugs (Imbruvica and Sofosbuvir) and several sNDAS.
Priyanka holds a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology and was most recently the Vice President, Global Clinical Operations at Summit Therapeutics where she provided leadership and strategic direction to the Clinical Operations team and oversaw the Phase III and Phase II studies in C.Diff. Prior to Summit, Priyanka worked at AbbVie/Pharmacyclics as the Director, Clinical Operations/Program Development where she oversaw and lead multiple hematology and solid tumor early to late phase programs with Imbruvica and multiple early phase molecules. In addition, Priyanka managed multiple collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and cooperative groups. Priyanka also worked on infectious disease (Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C) Phase III & IV studies at Gilead with Truvada, Tenofovir, and sofosbuvir.
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
Hanna Cho
“I believe that success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination” – Zig Ziglar
Hanna brings over 20 years of drug discovery and development and regulatory strategy experience to Biomea Fusion. Prior to joining Biomea, Hanna worked as a global regulatory lead at various biopharma companies including BioMarin, Iovance, Clovis Oncology, and Genentech. She successfully led cross functional global teams for various products including approvals of vosoritide (first and only therapy for achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism) and rucaparib (for ovarian cancer with germline and somatic BRCA mutations diagnosed by a companion diagnostic). Hanna has diverse experiences in various functions of regulatory affairs including clinical/nonclinical, CMC, labeling, and international regulatory. Also, her regulatory strategy experience extends from pre-clinical to post-market life cycle management. Prior to switching her career to regulatory affairs, Hanna was a medicinal chemist at Plexxikon (acquired by Daiichi Sankyo) and Pharmacia (acquired by Pfizer). As a medicinal chemist, Hanna designed and synthesized the active moiety of vemurafenib (the first personalized/precision medicine targeting melanoma) that is globally marketed as Zelboraf®, and it is considered as the first drug designed using fragment-based lead discovery to be approved and marketed. Hanna earned her Ph.D. in medicinal organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Global Diabetes Scientific Advisory Board
Alex Abitbol, MD
Dr. Alex Abitbol is an accomplished endocrinologist and Assistant Medical Director at LMC Healthcare in Toronto, Ontario. He completed his medical education and specialized in Endocrinology and Metabolism at McGill University. Dr. Abitbol focuses on diabetes care and management, particularly applying technology to improve patient outcomes, including developing the artificial pancreas and automated insulin therapy. He is a principal investigator at Centricity Research, involved in clinical trials for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr. Abitbol frequently speaks at conferences and is dedicated to advancing diabetes management technologies and patient care.
Pablo Aschner, MD
Dr. Pablo Aschner Montoya is an endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, serving as an Associate Professor of Endocrinology at Javeriana University School of Medicine in Bogotá, Colombia. He is also the Senior Research Advisor at San Ignacio University Hospital and the Scientific Director of the Colombian Diabetes Association. Dr. Aschner holds a medical degree from Javeriana University, specialized in internal medicine and endocrinology, and obtained a master’s in clinical Epidemiology. His research focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of diabetes, emphasizing type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Dr. Aschner has significantly contributed to understanding diabetes care practices through influential studies like the International Diabetes Management Practices Study (IDMPS). He has authored over 100 publications on diabetes research, including studies on insulin therapy and the impact of diabetes education. He has held leadership roles in the Colombian Endocrine Society and the Latin American Diabetes Association (ALAD) and has been a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel and the IDF taskforce on Guidelines. His work continues to advance the understanding and management of diabetes, improving patient outcomes globally.
Juliana Chan, MD
Dr. Juliana Chan is an endocrinologist, clinical pharmacologist and a diabetes researcher, currently serving as a Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). She is the Founding Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity and the CEO of the Asia Diabetes Foundation. Dr. Chan also directs the CUHK-PWH International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Centre of Education and Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care.
Dr. Chan’s research focuses on the epidemiology, genetics, clinical trials and data-driven clinical management of diabetes. She established the Hong Kong Diabetes Register and developed the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Technology, a web-based platform used in 11 Asian countries. This innovative approach has enrolled over 120,000 patients with diabetes and significantly contributed to a decline in the death rate among people with diabetes in Hong Kong.
Dr. Chan has published over 900 articles and 20 book chapters. Her contributions to diabetes research and care have earned her numerous awards, including the American Diabetes Association’s Harold Rifkin Award. She actively collaborates with international organizations, advising the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation. She is also a member of the Global Council of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
Through her multidisciplinary teams and innovative use of big data, Dr. Chan continues to advance diabetes care, improving patient outcomes globally.
Alice YY Cheng, M.D.
Dr. Alice Cheng is an endocrinologist and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, specializing in endocrinology and metabolism at Trillium Health Partners and Unity Health Toronto. She completed her medical education at the University of Toronto in 1998 and has since become a leading expert in diabetes care.
Dr. Cheng has been involved with the development of the Diabetes Canada clinical practice guidelines since 2003, serving as Chair for the 2013 version. She is past-Chair of the Professional Section of Diabetes Canada. Her contributions have earned her prestigious awards, including the Charles H. Best Award and the Gerald S. Wong Service Award from Diabetes Canada.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cheng served as the Chair of the Scientific Planning Committee for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) annual scientific sessions (2023-2024) and is an Associate Editor for the journal, Diabetes Care, and co-hosts the “Diabetes Care On-Air” podcast. She is also serving on the planning committees for the 2025 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) scientific meeting, as well as the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) scientific meeting. She created The Med Ed Pledge to promote diversity and inclusion in continuing medical education. She has lectured extensively around the world and continues to contribute to diabetes care and management through her work in clinical trials and education.
Thomas Danne, M.D.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Danne is Chief Medical Officer International of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). He is the Director-Emeritus of the Department of General Pediatrics Endocrinology/Diabetology & Clinical Research at the “AUF DER BULT” Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Hannover Medical School, Germany, which is the largest pediatric diabetes center in Germany.
He trained at the Free University Berlin Children´s Hospital in Berlin and was Consultant Pediatrician at the Charité Children´s Hospital of the Humboldt University Berlin. He is a former Research Fellow of the Joslin Diabetes Center of Harvard Medical School in Boston. Presently he is appointed as Chairman of the SWEET-registry (www.sweet-project.org) and Vice-Chairman of the INNODIA-iVZW (www.innodia.eu), a consortium to fight type 1 diabetes. He has served as Secretary-General and President of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD)
Also, he is the Past-President of the German Diabetes Association (DDG). He has been awarded the “Helmut-Otto-Medal” of the German Diabetes Association, the “Somogyi-Award” of the Hungarian Diabetes Association the ISPAD “Prize of Achievement”, the ISPAD “Prize for Innovation” with the SWEET initiative, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). His research interests include basic and clinical research in pediatric diabetology with special emphasis on disease modifying therapies for type 1 diabetes, quality improvement through registers, new insulins, glucose sensors, insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery.
Melanie Davies, MD, CBE, MB ChB, MD, FRCP, FRCGP, FMedSci
Dr. Melanie Davies is a highly esteemed endocrinologist and Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester. She directs the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre and the Patient Recruitment Centre Leicester. With over 25 years in diabetes research and clinical care, she has led numerous global clinical trials on diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Davies has published over 900 articles, significantly impacting international clinical guidelines for insulin and GLP-1 therapy. Her co-leadership at the Leicester Diabetes Centre has established it as a global leader in diabetes research and education.
Honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), Dr. Davies is recognized among the top 100 female scientists in the UK. Her work continues to advance diabetes care worldwide, making her a leading figure in the field.
Asma Deeb, M.D., MBBS
Dr. Asma Deeb is a highly respected Consultant and Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She is also a clinical professor at Khalifa University and Gulf University. Dr. Deeb trained in the UK, obtaining her MD from the University of Newcastle and specializing in Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Cambridge.
Her research focuses on disorders of sexual differentiation, pediatric diabetes management technology, and diabetes genetics. She has published extensively and conducted significant studies on diabetes treatments and the effects of fasting during Ramadan on young diabetes patients.
Dr. Deeb is the President of the Arab Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ASPED) and has held leadership roles in several international pediatric endocrinology organizations. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards, including the Research Innovation Award from the Dubai Health Authority and the Technology Innovation Pioneer award from SEHA.
Dr. Deeb’s innovative approaches and leadership have significantly advanced pediatric endocrinology, making her a leading figure in the field.
Ralph DeFonzo, MD
Dr. Ralph A. DeFronzo is a renowned endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently serving as Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and Deputy Director of the Texas Diabetes Institute. He graduated from Yale University and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, with further training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital and fellowships in Endocrinology and Nephrology.
Dr. DeFronzo focuses on the pathogenesis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly insulin resistance. He pioneered the euglycemic insulin clamp technique and played a key role in developing and obtaining FDA approval for metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors. His work has led to significant advancements in diabetes treatment.
He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Banting Award and Claude Bernard Award, and published over 800 articles. His contributions have profoundly impacted diabetes understanding and management, influencing guidelines such as the ADA’s 2022 Standards of Care. Dr. DeFronzo remains a pivotal figure in diabetes research and care.
Linda DiMeglio, MD, MPH
Dr. Linda DiMeglio is a celebrated pediatric endocrinologist and expert in type 1 diabetes research. She is the Edwin Letzter Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, Division Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology at Riley Children’s Health in Indianapolis, and the co-director of Workforce Development for the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.
Dr. DiMeglio graduated with honors from Harvard University and obtained her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s) and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, where she also earned a Master of Public Health degree.
Her research focuses on type 1 diabetes prevention, beta-cell preservation, and new diabetes management technologies and therapeutics. Dr. DiMeglio has led numerous clinical trials contributing significantly to the understanding of beta-cell stress biomarkers. She has published over 300 articles, including guidelines for glycemic management in children and screening guidance for persons who have early-stage diabetes. In 2023, Dr. DiMeglio received the George Eisenbarth Award for Type 1 Diabetes Prevention from the JDRF, recognizing her leadership in prevention research. She serves as the Vice Chair of TrialNet and on editorial boards, including co-leading the current International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent guidelines, shaping diabetes research and clinical practice.
Dr. DiMeglio’s groundbreaking research, clinical expertise, and leadership roles continue to advance pediatric endocrinology and diabetes care, improving prevention strategies, treatments, and quality of life for individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Steven Edelman, MD
Dr. Steve Edelman is not only a physician specializing in diabetes, he has also lived with T1D for over 50 years diagnosed at the age of 15. Based on his belief that the people living with diabetes should be the most knowledgeable about their condition, he founded Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), a 501c3 organization in 1995. Along with being the founder and director of TCOYD, Dr. Edelman is also a professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System of San Diego. Throughout his career, Dr. Edelman has published over 250 articles and 5 books.
Dr. Edelman was the valedictory of his medical school graduating class at UC Davis and has won numerous awards for teaching and humanitarianism including the ‘Diabetes Educator of The Year’ award by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the ‘Distinction in Endocrinology’ award by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and named ‘Top 1% of U.S. Endocrinologists’ by US News and World Report. Most recently Dr. Edelman was awarded the ‘2021 Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). He is very proud of his two daughters, Talia and Carina.
Franco Folli, MD, PhD
Dr. Franco Folli is an internist and diabetes researcher, currently a Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Department of Health Sciences, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano and affiliated with ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo in Milan, Italy. He earned his medical degree and Ph.D. from the Università di Milano.
Dr. Folli’s research focuses on inflammation, insulin signaling, and the pathophysiology of diabetes, significantly advancing the understanding of insulin resistance and inflammation in diabetes. He has published over 327 papers with more than 17,748 citations.
Previously, he was a Professor of Internal Medicine (with tenure) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he conducted groundbreaking clinical and basic research on diabetes. Supported by grants, from the Italian Ministry of Health, Telethon, National Institute of Health (USA), Dr. Folli has pioneered work on the molecular mechanisms of insulin action and resistance.
Dr. Folli’s contributions to research and education have established him as a leading expert in endocrinology and diabetes. His ongoing work continues to improve the understanding and treatment of diabetes, enhancing patient care and therapeutic approaches.
Francesco Giorgino, MD, PhD
Dr. Francesco Giorgino is an endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently Professor of Endocrinology and Chairman of the Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Bari Aldo Moro, and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology at University Hospital Policlinico Consorziale in Bari, Italy.
Dr. Giorgino has published over 300 original and review articles in high-impact journals, focusing on insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, and the effects of diabetes drugs on pancreatic islets and the cardiovascular system. His notable studies include research on SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, impacting glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes.
He has held leadership positions, including President of the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) and Senior Vice President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Dr. Giorgino has been also the Director of the Specialty School of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Bari for several years, mentoring future endocrinologists.
Dr. Giorgino’s research, clinical expertise, and leadership have significantly advanced diabetes treatment and prevention, improving patient care and earning him numerous awards and honors.
Freddy Goldberg-Eliaschewitz, MD
Dr. Freddy Goldberg Eliaschewitz is a prominent endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently the Director at CPClin Clinical Research Center in São Paulo, Brazil. He completed his medical degree and master’s in Endocrinology at Universidade de São Paulo. Dr. Eliaschewitz has contributed significantly to clinical research and patient care at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo.
His research focuses on diabetes, particularly glycemic control, insulin therapy, and preventing diabetic complications. He has led numerous clinical trials, including the GOAL study and IDMPS, exploring the efficacy of ultra-long basal insulins like degludec.
Dr. Eliaschewitz has served as a consultant and advisory board member for major pharmaceutical companies and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His work on insulin therapy and diabetes management has advanced treatment practices, especially in low- and middle-income countries. A frequent speaker at conferences, Dr. Eliaschewitz is a respected figure in endocrinology and diabetes.
Mohamed Hassanein, MD
Dr. Mohamed Hassanein is a Senior Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes at Dubai Hospital, UAE, since 2014, and a Senior Lecturer and Associate Director for Postgraduate Diabetes Education at Cardiff University, UK, since 2007. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt, and is renowned for his research on diabetes management during Ramadan.
Dr. Hassanein has co-authored influential guidelines, including those for the American Diabetes Association and the IDF-DAR practical guidelines. He has published over 70 papers and presented at more than 50 conferences, focusing on the safety and efficacy of diabetes treatments, like SGLT2 inhibitors, during fasting. His research includes flash glucose monitoring and insulin pump therapy.
Recognized with several awards, including the SAHF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, Dr. Hassanein is a respected global diabetes expert. He is dedicated to educating healthcare professionals on diabetes management during Ramadan, improving care and support for Muslim patients.
Steven E. Kahn, MB, ChB
Dr. Steven E. Kahn is the Leonard L. Wright & Marjorie C. Wright Term Chair of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington (UW). He also serves as a Staff Physician at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and Director of the UW Diabetes Research Center.
Dr. Kahn earned his medical degree from the University of Cape Town and completed his endocrine fellowship at UW. His research focuses on the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, specifically islet beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. He has significantly contributed to understanding how islet amyloid formation leads to beta-cell loss and hyperglycemia.
Involved in major clinical trials like the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) Study, Dr. Kahn has published over 730 peer-reviewed articles. He has received numerous awards, including the American Diabetes Association Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award and European Association for the Study of Diabetes Claude Bernard Award. He currently serves as editor-in-chief of Diabetes Care.
Dr. Kahn has mentored many trainees, several of whom have become leaders in diabetes research and care. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of diabetes, particularly in beta-cell function and preservation.
Rohit Kulkarni, MD, PhD
Dr. Rohit N. Kulkarni is a physician scientist and diabetes researcher, serving as a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and holds the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation Chair. He is also Co-Head of the Section on Islet and Regenerative Biology at the Joslin Diabetes Center.
Dr. Kulkarni’s research focuses on signaling pathways that regulate islet cell biology that is crucial to understand the pathophysiology of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. His lab investigates growth factor receptors (e.g. insulin and IGF-1), their substrate proteins, as well as cross talk with incretin signaling pathways. His lab has expertise in generating patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for differentiation into insulin- or glucagon-secreting cells for potential therapeutic applications.
Dr. Kulkarni has received numerous accolades, including the Ernst Oppenheimer Award (Endocrine Society), the Albert Renold Prize (European Association for the Study of Diabetes) and Paul E. Lacy Medal (Midwest Islet Consortium). He is an elected member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. Dr. Kulkarni’s work has been featured in over 200 per-reviewed publications, advancing islet cell biology and innovative diabetes treatments.
Chantal Mathieu, MD, PhD
Dr. Chantal Mathieu is a renowned endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently a Professor of Medicine at KU Leuven in Belgium and Chair of Endocrinology at University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven. She earned her M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Leuven and trained in internal medicine and endocrinology there.
Dr. Mathieu’s research focuses on the prevention of type 1 diabetes, the effects of vitamin D on the immune system, and the functioning of insulin-producing beta cells. She has led numerous clinical trials for type 1 and type 2 diabetes and authored over 350 peer-reviewed publications. Notably, she coordinates the EDENT1FI project, a European initiative aimed at exploring screening strategies and early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. She is Chair of the Board of the INNODIA initiative, a network of clinical trial sites for interventions in type 1 diabetes in Europe.
Her contributions have earned her prestigious awards, including the InBev-Baillet Latour Prize for Clinical Research and the David Rumbough Award from the JDRF for her research on the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes. Dr. Mathieu is also the President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).
Dr. Mathieu’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of diabetes, particularly through her research on beta cells and vitamin D. Her dedication to improving diabetes care and her innovative research approaches have made her a leading figure in endocrinology and diabetes research.
Jeremy Pettus, MD
Dr. Jeremy Pettus is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he specializes in diabetes care and research. After earning his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine, he completed his residency and fellowship in Endocrinology at UCSD. Dr. Pettus is actively involved in clinical trials, focusing on new therapies for type 1 diabetes, including glucagon receptor antagonists and the development of the artificial pancreas. His work is widely recognized, and he is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences.
In addition to his research, Dr. Pettus is committed to patient education through his involvement with the non-profit Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), where he leads the Type 1 Diabetes track at national conferences. His clinical practice emphasizes personalized care, understanding the unique challenges faced by people with diabetes. With a focus on patient empowerment and innovative treatments, Dr. Pettus continues to make impactful contributions to the field of diabetes management.
Julio Rosenstock, MD
Dr. Julio Rosenstock is a renowned Endocrinologist and worldwide expert in Type 2 Diabetes, serving as the Senior Scientific Advisor for Velocity Clinical Research, and he is the Director of Velocity Clinical Research at Medical City Dallas, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. He received his MD from the University of Costa Rica School of Medicine and completed fellowships in Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK, and at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
His clinical and research activities have focused on exploring novel agents and therapeutic strategies to improve glycemic control, particularly early combination therapies in Type 2 Diabetes. Over the last 35 years, he has participated in hundreds of clinical trials and has had an active role in the development of new oral agents, incretin-related therapies and insulin preparations, often acting as a lead clinical investigator and scientific advisor on the design and reporting of clinical trials on novel Diabetes drugs. His recent work includes pioneering research on weekly basal insulins that could become transformative for insulin management in Type 2 Diabetes.
Dr. Rosenstock has been the author or co-author of 397 peer-reviewed manuscripts (h-index 130) and several hundreds of scientific abstracts. He is considered a key opinion leader in Type 2 Diabetes as reported in: (http://www.expertscape.com/ex/diabetes+mellitus+type+2/c/us). In addition, Dr Rosenstock has chaired or been a featured speaker at multiple lectures and presentations both nationally and internationally.
Desmond Schatz, MD
Dr. Desmond Schatz is a highly esteemed pediatric endocrinologist and expert in type 1 diabetes research. He serves as a Professor of Pediatrics and the Medical Director of the Diabetes Institute at the University of Florida (UF), as well as the Director of the Clinical Research Center within UF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).
Dr. Schatz earned his medical degree in South Africa and has dedicated his career to diabetes prevention, treatment, and cure. His research focuses on the prediction, natural history, genetics, immunopathogenesis, and prevention of type 1 diabetes, alongside developing new treatment strategies.
He has published over 400 manuscripts and has been a key investigator in the Diabetes Prevention Trial and TrialNet and other multicenter studies. Dr. Schatz has received numerous accolades, including the ADA’s Banting Award for service. Excellence in Clinical Research Award and JDRF’s highest research award. He was honored with the UF College of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and is a member of the Academy of Science and Medicine for Florida.
A past president of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Dr. Schatz is committed to education and advocacy, teaching and mentoring future medical professionals. His contributions have profoundly impacted diabetes research, advancing efforts to combat this chronic disease.
Jay Skyler, MD
Dr. Jay S. Skyler is a distinguished endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently a Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where he also serves as Deputy Director for Clinical Research and Academic Programs at the Diabetes Research Institute.
Dr. Skyler earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed his training in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Duke University Medical Center. His research focuses on type 1 diabetes, particularly immune intervention strategies.
He has led numerous clinical trials, including the NIH-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Trial for Type 1 Diabetes (DPT-1) and the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Clinical Trials Study Group. Dr. Skyler has received numerous awards, such as the Banting Medal for Service from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Distinction in Endocrinology Award from the American College of Endocrinology, and the JDRF’s Mary Tyler Moore/S. Robert Levine Award.
Dr. Skyler has held leadership roles as President of the ADA, Vice-President of the International Diabetes Federation, and President of the International Diabetes Immunotherapy Group. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Diabetes Care and serves on multiple editorial boards.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Skyler has influenced many in the medical field. His ongoing research focuses on immune modulation, beta cell health, and new therapeutic approaches, continuing to advance diabetes care and patient outcomes.
Kohjiro Ueki, MD, PhD
Prof. Kohjiro Ueki, MD, PhD, is a distinguished endocrinologist and diabetes researcher, currently serving as the Director of the Diabetes Research Center at the National Center for Global Health, Japan. He also served as Professor of the Department of Molecular Diabetology, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo where he earned his medical degree and PhD.
Dr. Ueki’s research focuses on insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. He has published approximately 300 peer-reviewed articles, including significant studies on the efficacy and safety of diabetes treatments and the role of pancreatic alpha-cell function in insulin sensitivity.
Supported by grants from prestigious organizations, Dr. Ueki has received numerous awards for his contributions. He serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Japan Diabetes Society and has been instrumental in developing clinical practice guidelines, including the “Kumamoto Declaration 2013”.
Beyond research, Dr. Ueki is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of researchers and clinicians. His work continues to advance diabetes management and treatment, improving patient care worldwide.
Board of Directors
Thomas Butler – CEO, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board
Thomas Butler co-founded Biomea Fusion in August 2017 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of directors since August 2017. He has also been a Managing Member of Point Sur Investors LLC, a biotech investment fund, since January 2016. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Butler was Senior Manager of Investor Relations at Pharmacyclics Inc., a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company. Prior to joining Pharmacyclics, Mr. Butler was a medicinal chemist at Gilead Sciences Inc., a publicly-traded company, engaging in novel drug design and drug development of HCV polymerase and protease inhibitors, from 2007 to 2013. Mr. Butler holds a B.S. in Chemistry from California State University, Chico, an M.B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. We believe that Mr. Butler is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to the valuable expertise and perspective he brings in his capacity as a co-founder and our Chief Executive Officer and because of his extensive experience and knowledge of our industry.
Ramses Erdtmann – President, COO, Co-Founder
Ramses Erdtmann co-founded Biomea Fusion in August 2017 and has served as our President and as a member of our board of directors since August 2017. He has also served as our Chief Operating Officer since February 2021. He has also been a Managing Member of Point Sur Investors LLC, a biotech investment fund, since January 2016. From 2008 to 2016, he held a number of leadership roles at Pharmacyclics Inc., a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company, including as the Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, and most recently, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Prior to joining Pharmacyclics, Mr. Erdtmann founded the asset management firm United Properties Immobilien and Anlagen Gmbh and Oxygen Investments, LLC, which he ran from its founding in 1995 to 2009. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Erdtmann worked at Commerzbank, Germany, where he was an investment banker and portfolio manager for institutional international accounts. Mr. Erdtmann currently serves on the board of directors of Summit, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company and previously served on the board of directors of PolarityTE, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology and regenerative biomaterials company. Mr. Erdtmann holds a Diplom Kaufmann degree in Finance and Banking from the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universität of Muenster, Germany. We believe that Mr. Erdtmann is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his perspective, experience and leadership as a co-founder and the President of our company.
Eric Aguiar, M.D. – Lead Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee
Eric Aguiar, M.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Dr. Aguiar has been a partner at Aisling Capital, a healthcare-focused venture fund, since January 2016. Prior to Aisling Capital, from October 2007 to December 2015, he was a partner at Thomas, McNerney and Partners, a healthcare venture capital and growth equity fund. From 2001 to 2007, Dr. Aguiar was Managing Director of HealthCare Ventures, a healthcare-focused venture capital firm. Previously, Dr. Aguiar was Chief Executive Officer of Genovo, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Aguiar currently serves on the board of directors of Invitae Corporation and BridgeBio Pharma, Inc., both publicly-traded pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Aguiar previously served on the board of directors of numerous publicly-traded life sciences companies, including Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eidos Therapeutics, Inc. (prior to its merger with BridgeBio), and Amarin Corporation plc. Dr. Aguiar also served on the board of directors of privately-held Oriel Therapeutics, Inc. (prior to its acquisition by Novartis). Dr. Aguiar is also a member of the board of overseers of the Tufts School of Medicine and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Aguiar holds a B.A. in College Scholar from Cornell University, a M.D. from Harvard Medical School and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. We believe that Dr. Aguiar is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his medical background and his extensive experience as an investor in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Bihua Chen – Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee
Bihua Chen has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Ms. Chen is the founder of Cormorant Asset Management, LP, an investment firm focused on innovative biotechnology, medical technology and life science companies, and has managed Cormorant’s hedge fund, as well as its private equity funds since its founding in February 2013. Prior to founding Cormorant, from 2005 to 2010, Ms. Chen served as a sub-adviser to Millennium Management LLC, a multi-strategy hedge fund. Previously, from 2001 to 2002, Ms. Chen was a healthcare analyst and sector portfolio manager for investment advisor American Express Asset Management. Ms. Chen also served as a portfolio manager for the Asterion Life Science Fund from 2001 to 2002, an equity analyst and portfolio manager for Bellevue Research from 2000 to 2001 and an equity analyst for Putnam Investments from 1998 to 2001. Ms. Chen currently serves on the board of directors of Atia Vision, U.S., a privately-held medical innovation hub. Ms. Chen holds a B.S. in Genetics and Genetic Engineering from Fudan University, Shanghai, China, an M.S. in Molecular Biology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Science at Cornell Medical College and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business. We believe that Ms. Chen is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her demonstrated leadership in her field, her experience as a board member of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and her experience as an investor in life sciences companies.
Michael J.M. Hitchcock, Ph.D. – Chair of the Compensation Committee, Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Member of the Audit Committee
Michael J. M. Hitchcock, Ph.D. (Mick) has served as a member of the board since March 2021. Dr. Hitchcock is currently Past Chair of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Foundation and Adjunct Professor of Microbiology at UNR Medical School, a position in which he has served since July 2016. Dr Hitchcock’s career in pharmaceutical research and development initially began with Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served in several infectious disease research and project planning roles from 1980 through 1993. He joined Gilead Sciences, Inc. in 1993 and during his 27 years with the Company, he held a variety of positions, including vice president roles with responsibility for project and portfolio management, alliance management, strategic planning, medical affairs and specific areas of research. He also served as Senior Advisor at Gilead from 2009 through November 2019. During his career, he was involved in the development and commercialization of a number of anti-infective agents, primarily antivirals (tenofovir, adefovir, cidofovir, elvitegravir, oseltamivir, stavudine, didanosine) for treatment of HIV, HBV, influenza, CMV and other viral diseases. Dr. Hitchcock holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Melbourne, Australia and B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in biochemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, England. He also conducted post-doctoral research at Georgetown University and NIH prior to joining industry. We believe that Dr. Hitchcock is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his academic background and his experience as a senior executive in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Sumita Ray, J.D. – Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Member of the Audit Committee
Sumita Ray, J.D.has served as a member of the board of directors since June, 2021. Most recently, Ms. Ray served as Chief Legal, Compliance & Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary (CLAO) at Instil Bio (NASDAQ: TIL), an oncology cell therapy company in the tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TILs) space. Prior to that, Ms. Ray served as CLAO at Calithera for 5 years. Before her time at Calithera, Ms. Ray served on the Executive Management Team of Pharmacyclics, as Chief Compliance Officer and Associate General Counsel, Head of Healthcare and Regulatory Law, until its acquisition by Abbvie. Prior to Pharmacyclics, she served in leadership roles as in-house counsel for Elan Pharmaceuticals, Genentech and AstraZeneca. Ms. Ray started her legal career as a litigator at Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads LLP. Ms. Ray has more than 20 years of life science, pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience, spanning private practice and in-house legal and operational roles in various therapeutic areas including Oncology, Neurology and Primary Care. She has legal expertise in FDA regulatory law, global health care law, compliance, privacy, brand support, product launches, collaborations and alliance management, as well as extensive experience leading and managing business functions in these industries. Ms. Ray holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Arizona. We believe that Ms. Ray is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive legal background and experience as a senior executive in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Elizabeth Faust, Ph.D. - Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Elizabeth Faust, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2022. Dr. Faust is the principal and owner of Faust Consulting LLC where she works with start-up and bio-pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, she served as the Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs at Tricida Inc where she built and led Medical Affairs and oversaw the Safety and Pharmacovigilance functions. Previously, Dr. Faust was the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Kite Pharma where she built and led the Medical Affairs function supporting the launch of Yescarta, the first cell therapy for lymphoma before transitioning her responsibilities to Gilead after the acquisition. Before that, she was the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Pharmacyclics where she built and led Medical Affairs through 4 launches for Imbruvica and the Abbvie acquisition. Dr. Faust has also served in senior roles in Medical Affairs at Celgene and Gloucester Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene). She was at Amgen for 12 years in the Research, Development and Medical Affairs departments. Dr. Faust has over 26 years in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. She was a key contributor to the launch of 9 new molecular entities (small molecules, biologics and cell therapy) and 4 successful BLA/NDA submissions. Dr. Faust holds a B.S. in Microbiology from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA. Dr. Faust is qualified to serve on the board of directors due to her extensive experience in drug development and her background as a senior executive in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.