Venture Partners, Executives-in-Residence and Advisors Archives - Page 3 of 3

Bob White

With more than 20 years of senior management experience in the medical technology industry, Bob has a keen eye for groundbreaking medical technologies.

Bob joined Pappas in 2014 as a Senior Advisor and also currently serves as President and COO for Entellus Medical (NASDAQ:ENTL), a medical technology company focused on products for the minimally invasive treatment of chronic and recurrent sinusitis patients. From early 2010 through the end of 2013, he was CEO of TYRX, a Pappas Ventures portfolio company that was sold to Medtronic.

Bob has over 20 years of senior management experience in the medical technology industry through numerous positions of increasing responsibility with Medtronic Inc., Instromedix-LifeWatch, ALARIS Medical Systems, Eli Lilly, and General Electric. Bob served as President of Medtronic Kyphon following the $3.9 billion acquisition of the spinal treatment business. During his time with Medtronic, Bob also served as President of Physio Control, Chief Development Officer responsible for all corporate development activities, and Vice President of U.S. Sales and Global Marketing where he was responsible for commercial operations for the Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm Management business.

Bob began his career with General Electric. In 1989 he joined Eli Lilly and through successive promotional opportunities became the International Marketing Manager for IVAC based in Europe for three years. At ALARIS Medical Systems, a $400 million infusion therapy company, his last role was as Vice President, Corporate Development. Bob then became Founder and CEO of Liquid Borders, a healthcare software development company. At Instromedix-LifeWatch, which specializes in selling non-invasive cardiac monitoring solutions, he served as President and CEO.

Education:

University of Missouri-Rolla (BS in Aerospace Engineering)
Cornell University (MBA)

Lisa Dreyer - June 4, 2013 - No Comments

David Savello, PhD

Dave joined Pappas Capital in 2002 as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board, becoming a Venture Advisor in 2012. He regularly provides clinical development guidance to our portfolio companies – including CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, Milestone Pharmaceuticals and Lumena Pharmaceuticals, where he was a member of the board of directors prior to its acquisition by Shire in 2014.

Dave was most recently Senior Vice President of Development Operations for Xenoport. Prior to Xenoport, he co-founded NDA Partners, a drug development consulting company. Prior to NDA Partners, he was Chief Scientific Officer for Cardinal Health, and before that, Senior Vice President for Drug Development at Guilford Pharmaceuticals. He held senior level positions in drug development and regulatory affairs at Glaxo and Glaxo Wellcome, including Vice President for North American Regulatory Affairs. Prior to Glaxo, Dave held positions with Warner Lambert Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim and Riker Laboratories. Dave served on the North Carolina State University School of Physical and Mathematical Science Foundation Board, and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Advisory Committee. He previously served as a director for Panacos Pharmaceuticals, a Pappas Ventures I portfolio company.

Education:

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy (BS)
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (MS and PhD in Pharmaceutics)

kevinp - June 3, 2013 - No Comments

In Memoriam: Ernie Mario

Ernie joined Pappas Capital in 2002 as a member of the firm’s Scientific Advisory Board, serving as a Senior Venture Partner from 2011 until his passing in October 2024.

Ernie’s career began in 1966 as a pharmaceutical researcher at Strasenburgh Laboratories in Rochester, NY. He later held various management positions within SmithKline and Squibb Corp., overseeing operations, quality control, and manufacturing. He was elected to the Squibb Board in 1984. He joined Glaxo plc in 1986, and subsequently served as Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, during which time he oversaw the launch of five major brands that grew the company's sales and profits by nearly 15 percent annually, as Glaxo became the second largest global pharmaceutical company. In 1993, Ernie joined Alza Corporation as CEO, where he ultimately consummated with Johnson & Johnson what was then one of the largest mergers in pharmaceutical history. In 2001, Ernie founded Apothogen, a company involved in early-stage pharmaceutical development, which subsequently merged with IntraBiotics. He went on to serve as Chairman and CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline. In 2007, Ernie joined Soleno Therapeutics (formerly Capnia) as Chairman and CEO, and served as Chairman until August 2024. He previously served as a director for Pappas portfolio company Balance Therapeutics and as Chairman for Pappas portfolio company Chimerix (NASDAQ: CMRX). Ernie holds honorary doctorates from the University of Rhode Island and Rutgers University, where the School of Pharmacy bears his name. He served as a Duke University trustee for 18 years and in 2009 received the University Medal for Distinguished Meritorious Service. In 2007, he was awarded the Remington Medal, the highest honor in the field of Pharmacy in the United States.

Education:

Rutgers University (BS in Pharmacy)
University of Rhode Island (MS in Physical Sciences)
University of Rhode Island (PhD in Physical Sciences)

kevinp - June 2, 2013 - No Comments

Franz Humer, PhD

Franz joined Pappas Capital in 2013 as a Venture Partner and Senior Advisor, reuniting with Art Pappas and Ernie Mario, who all served together in the early 1990s as senior executives and board members for Glaxo Holdings.

In March 2014, Franz retired as Chairman of Roche Holding Ltd., capping a transformative 15-year tenure as Chairman and/or Chief Executive Officer. He became the CEO for Roche Group in 1998, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Pharmaceuticals (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd). Franz began his career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1973, joining Schering Plough Corporation as assistant to the vice president of Europe, Africa, Middle East operations and general manager of Ecuador, UK and Portugal. After leaving Schering Plough, he held various managerial positions (including director) at Glaxo Holdings plc, where he was responsible for research, business development, manufacturing, commercial strategy, and all operations outside the United States. Franz joined the Board of Diageo plc, the world’s leading spirits company, in 2005, and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2008 through 2016. He is an Independent Director of Allogene Therapeutics (San Francisco), LetterOne Holdings, and Walter Frey Holding, and Chairman of HMNC Munich.

Franz also serves as member of the board of directors for the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2000, he received the Oliver R. Grace Award for distinguished service in advancing cancer research.

Education:

University of Innsbruck (PhD in Law)
INSEAD (MBA)
Faculty of Science from the University of Basel (Honorary Doctorate)
School of Pharmacy, University of London (Honorary Doctorate)

Lisa Dreyer - June 1, 2013 - No Comments

Mike Grey

Mike has been a Venture Partner with Pappas Capital since January 2010 and served as a member of the firm's Board of Advisors from 2004 to 2010. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Plexium, Sorriso Pharmaceuticals (a Pappas Ventures VI portfolio company), Spruce Biosciences, and Theolytics Ltd., and as Chairman of Alethio Therapeutics Ltd. and Mirum Pharmaceuticals (a Pappas Ventures V portfolio company). Mike also serves as a board member for OnKure Therapeutics, which merged in 2024 with Reneo Pharmaceuticals, a Pappas Ventures V portfolio company that he co-founded.

In 2011, Mike spearheaded the founding of Lumena Pharmaceuticals (a Pappas Ventures IV portfolio company), and served as CEO until it was acquired by Shire plc in 2014. Prior to Lumena, Mike was President and CEO of Auspex Pharmaceuticals, and President and CEO of SGX Pharmaceuticals until its sale to Eli Lilly. Prior to joining SGX in 2001, Mike served as President and CEO of Trega Biosciences until its acquisition by Lion Bioscience. He also served as President of BioChem Therapeutics, the pharmaceutical arm of BioChem Pharma, from 1994 to 1998, and served as President and COO for Ansan during 1994. From 1974 to 1993, Mike served in various roles with Glaxo Holdings plc and Glaxo Inc., including positions as Vice President of Corporate Development and head of worldwide business development.

Mike previously served as Executive Chairman of Reneo Pharmaceuticals, and CEO and subsequently Executive Chairman of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals (a Pappas Ventures V portfolio company), which was acquired by Pfizer. He also previously served as a director for Horizon Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HZNP), BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: BMRN), Mirati Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRTX) (a Pappas Ventures III portfolio company), Balance Therapeutics (a Pappas Ventures IV portfolio company), Selventa (a Pappas Ventures II portfolio company), Biothera Pharmaceutical, Ziarco Pharma (acquired by Novartis), and three public companies, SGX Pharmaceuticals, IDM Pharma and Achillion Pharmaceuticals.

Education:

University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (BS in Chemistry)

kevinp - May 31, 2013 - No Comments