The Altheus management team has deep experience in drug development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Collectively, this leadership team is responsible for 34 INDs, 14 NDAs, 12 product launches, and the formation of 14 new companies.
Dennis Schafer Chief Executive Officer & President
Mr. Schafer is an accomplished entrepreneur with 25 years’ experience in organizing and managing new life science ventures. He has played leadership roles in a dozen start-ups, serving as CEO in several, accessing technologies from multiple universities; raising start-up capital from institutional venture funds; and forming corporate partnerships with both major and mid-major pharmaceutical companies. Companies in his portfolio include BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Zynaxis (acquired Secretech), Avant Immunotherapeutics (acquired Megan Health), Coley Pharmaceuticals, and Aderis Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Schafer received his BA with distinction from the University of Nebraska, and earned an MA in American Literature and an MBA from the University of Virginia.
Richard F. Harty, M.D. Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Harty is an internationally recognized practitioner, educator, and researcher in the field of gastroenterology, with focus on inflammatory bowel diseases. Dr. Harty is the retired Chief of the Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and has conducted clinical and laboratory research in gastroenterological diseases for over 40 years. Zoenasa was developed based on his research while at OUHSC. Dr. Harty received his M.D. from Georgetown University, and has held academic positions at several leading Universities.
Dayton T. Reardan, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Reardan brings to Altheus an expertise in developing orphan drugs and other products with abbreviated development paths. Dr. Reardan played leadership positions in the registration teams of 13 approved FDA indications including 6 new chemical entities, along the way receiving two FDA special commissioner awards for his work on orphan drugs. Prior to Altheus, Dr. Reardan led regulatory affairs for Orphan Medical, Eleos, QOL Medical, and held positions of increasing responsibility at companies including CV Therapeutics and Xoma. Dr. Reardan has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from University of California – Davis.
Dennis Hair, Ph.D. Vice President, Product Development
A physical chemist with 17 years of management experience, notably in the field of liposome formulations at NeXstar (now Gilead Sciences), Dr. Hair has experience in a broad range of fields relevant to Altheus’ programs. Dennis leads our product development efforts, directs manufacturing, and oversees quality at Altheus. Dr. Hair has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Southern California.
Justin Briggs Corporate Development & Operations
One of the Company’s first employees, Mr. Briggs has 6 years of operations and management experience, and has participated in the development of the Zoenasa across regulatory, clinical, finance, and project management functions. Mr. Briggs has a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Oklahoma and an M.B.A. with High Honors from Oklahoma City University.