Management
David Demirjian, Ph.D.
CEO
Dr. Demirjian is a Founder of two previous bioprocess
start-ups:
zuChem Inc., a developer of novel carbohydrate-synthesis technologies
and ThermoGen, Inc., a pioneer of biocatalysis technologies for the
production of pharmaceutical intermediates and chiral chemicals. He was
Vice President of Technology Strategy for MediChem Life Sciences after
MediChem’s merger with ThermoGen in May 2000, overseeing the strategic
development of MediChem’s technology platform. He was one of the
leaders of MediChem’s IPO, raising over $52 MM in October 2000 as well
as serving as a member of the Board of Directors of MediChem until its
acquisition in May 2002 by deCode Genetics. He holds a Ph.D. in
Genetics from The University of Chicago and B.S.A. in Molecular Biology
from The University of Michigan.
Rajni Aneja, M.S., M.B.A.
Business Development
Ms. Aneja was previously Vice President, Corporate
Development of
MediChem Life Sciences. She played a lead role in the 2000 merger
between
MediChem and ThermoGen in addition to negotiating MediChem’s strategic
alliance with the global fine chemicals manufacturer, Degussa AG. Prior
to joining ThermoGen, she was Director, Corporate Development of Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, where her responsibilities included project manager
for BAY-43-9006, an oral cytostatic Raf kinase inhibitor currently in
Phase III clinical trials and had a key role in the designation of this
compound as a development candidate. She has over twenty years
experience in commercializing early stage life sciences products and
has previously held positions with Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Ligand
Pharmaceuticals, Abbott Laboratories and ARCH Development Corporation,
the technology transfer affiliate of The University of Chicago. She
holds a M.B.A. in Business Economics and Finance from The University of
Chicago Graduate School of Business.
David R. Dodds, Ph.D.
Research and Development
Dr. Dodds was most recently Director of Fermentation &
Biocatalysis Development with Bristol-Myers Squibb. He previously held
a position at Sepracor in its start-up phase, and was in charge of
enzyme catalysis development. This work ultimately produced a number of
patents on the synthesis of NSAIDs and Diltiazem. He subsequently
joined Schering-Plough to help establish their biocatalysis group,
before joining Bristol-Myers Squibb where one of his responsibilities
was review, and make recommendations on, the various paclitaxel
production technologies being presented to BMS by third parties. Over
the past twenty years, he has been involved in multiple aspects of API
process development and manufacturing, including chemical and
fermentation process development, and the development of intellectual
property in these areas. He has a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, a M.Sc. in
Biological Chemistry, a Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis, all from the
University of Toronto.
