Team

Michael Weiss, M.D., PhD

Founder & CSO  
Professor and Chairman of Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Mike has more than 150 publications, including four on his insulin analog designs that were named “Paper of the Week” by the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mike just completed a 5 year term as chair of the NIDDK’s Board of Scientific Councilors. He earned an AB, summa cum laude in Physics in 1978, an MD, summa cum laude, in 1985, and a PhD in biophysics in 1986, all from Harvard.

Richard Berenson

CEO
Rick is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully launched and financed multiple life science and other organizations around important new technologies in complex markets. A former McKinsey & Company consultant, Rick received a JD-MBA from Harvard Business and Law Schools in 1984 and is a graduate of Harvard College.

Bruce H. Frank, PhD

Vice President of Development  
Bruce was co-inventor of Humalog and retired from Eli Lilly after 34 years, where he held several senior management positions in insulin discovery, development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs. He received his PhD in physical biochemistry from Northwestern University and did his post-doctoral work at Berkeley.

Mitchell Briskin

VP of Strategic Relationships
Mitch most recently was a life science investment banker working on M&A, private placement and business development engagements.  Formerly a practicing attorney, Mitch received an MBA from Harvard University, a JD from New York University and a BA from Wesleyan University.

Thomas Hattier, PhD

Senior Director of R&D  
Thom is an accomplished researcher, who has driven development efforts in  the biotech and biopharma sectors, including at Myriad Genetics, AmpliCon, and Cellular Technology. Thom earned a BA at Connecticut College;  an MS in biochemistry, PhD in pathology, and completed post-doctoral work in molecular genetics, all at Case Western Reserve University. 

Eric Memarzadeh

Director of GMP Manufacturing
Eric is an expert on manufacturing early stage compounds and proteins to meet FDA requirements.  He comes to us from Silicon Valley, where he built extensive experience leading GMP production at both Contract Manufacturing Organizations and start-ups.  Eric has a doctorate from the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris.