About Us
VasGene's management team and board include industry recognized biotechnology professionals who have a thorough understanding of all phases of drug development. Furthermore, the Company's cofounders bring a strong entrepreneurial track record in developing biotechnology companies and commercially successful FDA approved products, including Taxol® and DaunoXome®.
Mission Statement
Build a comprehensive biotechnology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics by applying advances in vascular biology for the treatment of cancer and eye disease.
Executive Management Team
Raymond A. Mirra, Jr. - Chairman of the Board of Directors, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer - Successful pharmaceutical industry entrepreneur, investor and executive with over 20 years building shareholder value in the healthcare sector. Mr. Mirra, Managing Member of RAM Capital Group, LLC, built a large national specialty biopharmaceutical distribution firm, APS Enterprises, (subsequently sold to AmerisourceBergen in early 2003). Mr. Mirra was founder, CEO and lead investor in Cell-Matrix, Inc. a biotechnology drug discovery firm that merged with CancerVax Corporation (NASDAQ;CNVX) in 2002. In addition, Mr. Mirra is a founder and lead investor for several healthcare ventures.
Parkash Gill, M.D. - Co-founder and Director - Professor of Medicine (Hematology, Oncology and Pathology) at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Gill is a leading expert in angiogenesis and its role in the progression of a number of prevalent diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Dr. Gill played a pivotal role in the development of three marketed drugs including Taxol® and DaunoXome® and served on the FDA BRM Advisory Committee for five years.
Mark A. Kovinsky, CPA, CA - Chief Financial Officer and Director - Mr. Kovinsky has over 14 years of financial, transaction and investment experience specific to large, mid-size and start-up healthcare firms. He most recently served as CFO of Cell-Matrix, Inc. and APS Enterprises. In addition, Mr. Kovinsky served as Senior VP - Corporate Development for a publicly traded post-acute healthcare provider and was an accounting professional at KPMG.
Paul Ketteridge, Ph.D. - VP, Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs - Mr. Ketteridge enjoys over 20 years in new drug development including private sector, FDA and NIH, possessing comprehensive experience in regulatory science and specializing in early product development.
Complimenting the management team are seasoned consultants and staff who have managed drug development from clinical trials to FDA approval. In addition, VasGene's scientific advisory board consists of highly respected individuals in their scientific fields who will provide an invaluable resource to VasGene through the R&D process. Their collective experience includes expertise in the development and testing of new therapies for cancer and ophthalmology diseases.