Developing novel approaches

for maintaining health

though gut integrity

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Rifat Pamukcu, M.D.,
Chairman, President & CEO

Dr. Pamukcu was a Founder, Director and CSO of Cell Pathways, Inc.(CPI), an emerging pharmaceutical company acquired by OSI Pharmaceuticals. He directed the basic science, preclinical drug development, clinical research, regulatory programs, and various aspects of chemical scale-up and manufacturing over the course of decade. He was also instrumental in obtaining over $140 million of capital and in the transformation of CPI to a public company. He received his B.A. in Biology from The Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Dr. Pamukcu has authored over 110 journal articles, book chapters, and abstracts and is an inventor on over 150 issued or pending patents in the areas of drug discovery and development for cancer prevention, cancer treatment, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Harry Arader, Director

Mr. Arader is the founder and President of the Centromere Group, a business development and strategy consultant to the biotechnology industry, universities and government labs. He was CFO of Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. at the time of its IPO. Prior to Millennium, he spent ten years at Searle, the Pharmaceutical arm of Monsanto, in various capacities including: Managing Director of Searle Greater China, Vice President of International Marketing, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Product Director – GI/Anti-Inflammatory Products. He held Sales and Marketing positions at Merck & Co. after receiving his MBA in Marketing and Strategic Planning from the Wharton School, and a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the State University of New York at Purchase.

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John Alverdy, M.D.

Dr. Alverdy is the Sarah and Harold Thompson Professor and Vice Chairman of Surgery and Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He is an NIH-funded recognized leader in the field of gastrointestinal defense mechanisms directed at preventing invasion by infectious diseases. His seminal publication in the July 28, 2005 issue of Science identifies host factors that induce gut bacterial virulence. He is a member of the Society of Gastroenterologic Surgeons and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Surgical Research. Dr. Alverdy has published over 100 reviews, textbook chapters, peer reviewed scientific articles, and abstract.

Eugene Chang, M.D.

Dr. Chang is the Martin Boyer Professor of Medicine at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and the Co-Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center - Basic Research Faculty. He is the current Chair of the American Gastroenterological Association Council. His research focuses on intestinal exchange transport proteins and intestinal mucosal protection. He is an internationally recognized investigator in the field of mucosal cytoprotection from inflammation and immune-associated injury. He has served as an Associate Editor for Gastroenterology and as a past President of theGastroenterology Research Group. Dr. Chang is an author of over 250 textbook chapters, peer reviewed scientific articles and abstracts.

Elaine Petrof, M.D.

Dr. Petrof is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario; and formerly Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics at The University of Chicago Department of Medicine. She has conducted extensive research in gastroenterology and in infectious diseases affecting the urinary tract. She is a leading researcher on probiotics, or good bacteria. One of Dr. Petrof’s areas of interest is in studying the molecular basis of the effects of probiotic formulations in inflammatory bowel disease.

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BioAdvance

BioAdvance provides funding to startup life sciences companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania through its $20 million Greenhouse Fund. BioAdvance invests in therapeutics, devices, diagnostics and platform technologies focused on human health. Since its first investments in 2003, BioAdvance has become one of the nation's leading investors providing pre-seed and seed-stage funding. To date BioAdvance has committed more than $16 million to 26 seed-stage companies and 17 pre-seed companies. Their portfolio companies are working to develop products to treat health problems including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, obesity, GI disorders, neurological and respiratory illnesses. BioAdvance was established with $33 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's share of tobacco settlement monies.
BioAdvance Website

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is the region's catalyst for Stimulating Entrepreneurial Potential. For over 25 years, Ben Franklin has invested in innovative enterprises and created commercialization pathways and partnerships that generate wealth through science and technology. Ben Franklin is part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Technology Partnership. They provide entrepreneurs and established businesses with the Capital, Knowledge and Networks to compete in the global marketplace. They have provided a total of more than $130 million to grow more than 1,600 regional enterprises across all areas of technology.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania Website