Message from our CEO and Founder
As a pulmonologist and critical care physician, I have treated numerous patients, both in the outpatient arena and in the Intensive Care Unit, with life-threatening lung inflammation and progressive fibrosis. This has led me over the course of my career as a physician scientist to focus my research on understanding the mechanisms underlying uncontrolled inflammation and fibrosis with the hope of finding novel solutions as effective therapies remain an unmet need.
The scientific underpinnings of Aqualung Therapeutics began with our functional genomics studies at Johns Hopkins University which led us to identify the protein eNAMPT as a dramatically potent and novel driver of “unchecked inflammation” in a variety of specific inflammatory conditions and to initiate progression to organ fibrosis. All these conditions share a common thread; they are unmet medical needs that require novel therapies. Since this early seminal observation, Aqualung Therapeutics has developed the eNamptor™ platform containing ALT-100, our humanized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes eNAMPT, as well as complementary biomarker and genotyping assays which allow us to select patients who are most likely to respond to ALT-100 mAb therapy. This is an exciting time for Aqualung as we look to take this platform technology into rigorous clinical trials to reduce inflammation, reduce fibrosis and save lives. Please join us on this exciting journey as we strive to achieve incredible milestones over the coming months and years which will improve human health.
Joe “Skip” G.N. Garcia, MD
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Meet the Team
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FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Joe G. N. "Skip" Garcia, MD, is an internationally-noted pulmonary physician-scientist, an endowed professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. A noted academic health system administrator, scholar and educator, Dr. Garcia is a leading authority on the genetic basis of lung disease and the prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung injury. Dr. Garcia is internationally recognized for development of novel biomarkers and therapies for critically ill patients with acute inflammatory lung disease and for addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations. He has over 575 peer-reviewed publications, an expansive portfolio of NIH-sponsored research, and continues to direct large federally-funded programs.
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PRESIDENT
A recognized global executive with success in sales, marketing and P&L leadership in the pharmaceutical/medical device and biotech industries. Mr. Miele was formally the Chief Commercial Officer at bioLytical Laboratories and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. He was also President of Sucampo Pharma Americas for 6 years. He was instrumental on some key licensing agreements for Sucampo, inclusive of the agreement with Abbott Japan, and also Takeda Pharmaceuticals (now Shire). He is actively part of the team ensuring proper execution of clinical development, manufacturing, licensing, capital funding, alliances, and ensuring Aqualung meets all critical milestones. He will be helping the company move toward accelerating the pipeline/platform technology and moving eNamptor™ toward commercialization.
Outstanding Consultants on the Aqualung Team
WuXi Biologics- CMC, mAb Manufacturing
Prevail Infoworks - Clinical Trials
Beyond Drug development Clinical Trials, FDA IND filing, IND-enabling Tox studies
MRIGLobal- Acute IND-enabling studies
Agilex- Chronic IND-enabling studies
Process Development, Manufacturing Support, Non-Clinical Regulatory Guidance