LEADERSHIP TEAM

David M. Jackson, PhD is the CEO of Ceria Therapeutics and brings more than 25 years of experience specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative healthcare technologies addressing unmet market opportunities. He has led multiple product development efforts, fundraising campaigns, regulatory engagements and corporate transactions. Dr. Jackson earned a doctorate in the medical sciences from the Boston University School of Medicine; trained and experienced as a Patent Agent and Securities Analyst.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Liechty is the Company founder and inventor of the product. He is Professor of Surgery at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, Director of Pediatric Surgery Basic and Translational Research, and is Co-Director of the Colorado Fetal Care Center, and is the Sandy Wolf Chair in Maternal Fetal Surgery.

Dr. Liechty has a strong interest in healing. He is currently the 2019-2020 Vice President of the Wound Healing Society and will be President-Elect of the Society in 2020-2021. Dr. Liechty is currently the 2019-2020 Vice President of the Wound Healing Society.

Dr. Liechty’s research team has pioneered the role of dysregulated microRNAs in the diabetic wound healing impairment, and the mechanisms of the correction of this healing impairment with stem cell and gene therapy. The Liechty research team is developing novel treatment paradigms using small molecule therapeutics including the microRNA conjugated nanoparticles, as well as stem cells and gene therapy strategies to promote healing and tissue regeneration in multiple tissues by modulating the inflammatory response, angiogenesis, the composition of the extracellular matrix, macrophage polarization, and progenitor cell content.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Zgheib is the CSO of Ceria Thearpeutics, inc. (CeriaTx), a preclinical biotechnology company focused on developing innovative and novel therapies to treat overactive and nonproductive inflammation to promote healing. CeriaTx is developing its first product, a microRNA146a conjugated cerium oxide nanoparticle, CNP-miR146a. Under Dr. Zgheib’s leadership, CeriaTX is advancing CNP-miR146a clinical development through multiple delivery formulations for the treatment of multiple diseases including diabetic foot ulcers, burn wounds, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and myocardial infarction.

Dr. Zgheib has an expansive background in leadership and over 16 years of experience in biomedical research.  He has extensive experience in regenerative medicine, tissue repair, nanotechnology, and biomaterials. Dr. Zgheib has overseen the development of CNP-miR146a, a combination of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) that possess ROS scavenging properties conjugated with a miR-146a mimetic, an anti-inflammatory molecule. This novel strategy allows to synergistically target oxidative stress and inflammation. Dr. Zgheib earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology with an emphasis on targeting inflammation to promote tissue repair and regeneration. Dr. Zgheib also earned a Master of Pharmacology and Cosmetology Degree, a Master of Biomedical Sciences Degree, and a Bachelor of Biochemistry Degree. Dr. Zgheib trained at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute where he studied regenerative medicine with an emphasis on elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of inflammation and oxidative stress in injured tissue, and identifying potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes to promote tissue repair and healing. Dr. Zgheib is a well published author and has multiple US and International patents to his name. Dr. Zgheib received many awards including The 2018 Owen H. Wangensteen Excellence in Research Award from The American College of Surgeons, the 2019 Wound Healing Society Shark Tank Finalist, and the Award for Academic Excellence and Superior Scholarship from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Gavin Maitland has worked with life sciences companies for over 12 years.

He has worked with companies at all stages of their development, and specializes in early-stage companies, where he provides expertise in accounting and financial reporting, financial control, budgeting and forecasting, fund-raising, and investor relations.Mr. Maitland is a graduate of the University of Dundee in Scotland, The London Business School, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Ms. Liechty holds a B.S. in microbiology and has more than 20 years’ experience in clinical research including, clinical monitoring, study start up, data base lock, and project management in both domestic and global studies. Ms. Liechty has successfully worked in both sponsor, CRO, and academic environments and offers a universal understanding of the clinical development process.

Ms. Liechty has demonstrated strong team leadership, and has consistently managed high quality/visibility clinical trials and programs throughout her career, including but not limited to studies that have brought 3 drugs to market, first in human CAR-T cells studies, first in human bi-specific antibody studies, and multiple pivotal studies. Ms. Liechty has a focus on cellular and immunomodulating therapies over the course of her career in multiple indications. Ms. Liechty also brings a strong cross functional background in data management with multiple EDC platforms, vendor management, laboratory requirements, logistics, and bench research.

REGULATORY EXPERTISE

Dr. Hartsough has been in the drug development field for 15 years with experience as a regulator in the U.S. FDA and as a nonclinical consultant.

In 2017, Dr. Hartsough founded Hartsough Nonclinical Consulting to provide scientific, regulatory and strategic advice associated with nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology development of biologic products, small molecules and combination products. Dr. Hartsough graduated from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine with PHD in Phamacology.

REGULATORY EXPERTISE

Experienced Analytical and formulation Development scientist with Regulatory Affairs certification.

Expertise in filing enabling activities including assay development/qualification/validation, laboratory investigations, and formulation development and troubleshooting for multiple dosage forms. Expert in the establishment of comparability and biosimilarity.

REGULATORY EXPERTISE

Dr. Ellis is a consultant on clinical and regulatory strategy for development of biologics for broad range of indications.

Experience with vaccines, cell and gene therapy, blood products, monoclonal antibodies, and biosimilars. She has designed and executed of clinical trials to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of vaccines for global health, including innovative proof of concept studies for assessment of biologic impact of tuberculosis and malaria vaccines.