Michael Goldblatt, Ph.D., J.D.
Michael Goldblatt, was Chief Executive Officer of Functional Genetics, a biotechnology company, until 2013 when its assets were acquired by Elanco, its collaboration partner. Michael joined Functional Genetics in 2003, after his appointment as Director of Defense Sciences at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Part of Michael’s DARPA responsibilities included creating the foundational efforts to make biology a future historical strength for the Department of Defense by leveraging biology to enhance defense systems and human performance enhancement. Prior to his work with the Department of Defense, Dr. Goldblatt was the Science and Technology Officer for the McDonald’s Corporation with broad responsibilities, including nutrition, product development, food safety and corporate venture capital.


In addition to a variety of public service activities, Michael serves on the boards of a number of aspiring technology and venture startups and maintains membership in the Washington DC and U.S. Patent Bars. Michael received his J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis and a B.A. from Reed College.

Julian Chick, Ph.D.
Julian has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and medical technology sectors, as well as 10 years in investment banking. He has worked with both public and private companies, bringing a number of technologies from discovery to market, as well as experience in capital raisings, company restructuring, licensing, business development and M&A transactions. He has a PhD from La Trobe University / Oxford University. Julian has held senior executive roles and directorships at several Australian and international life science companies, both listed and private, including Avexa Ltd (ASX:AVX), Opyl Ltd (ASX:OPL) and Admedus Ltd (ASX:AHZ).

Andrew Katz, O.D.
Dr. Katz is a health care provider and entrepreneur for over 35 years, with experience in private practice, hospital-based practice at the federal level and a consultant to the New York State prison system. Additionally, he was an early investor in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the early 2000’s.

David Horn, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.I.D.S.A. (CEO & Founder):
Dr. Horn brings over 30 years of research & clinical expertise in infectious diseases. He has held senior positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Thomas Jefferson University, and continues to serve as an Industry Consultant. David is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and infectious diseases, and he is an expert in clinical development and medical affairs. Dr. Horn completed his fellowship training in infectious diseases at Brown University, Providence, RI. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Horn has authored or co-authored numerous publications concerning fungal diseases, bacterial infections, HIV infection and AIDS, tuberculosis, medical informatics and sepsis.

Dave Jobes, Ph.D. (President & Co-Founder):
Dr. Jobes brings over 25 years of research and business development expertise in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Jobes received his Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from Tulane University and completed a postdoctoral and research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Jobes has held numerous senior-level research and/or business development positions at a range of biotech companies and is co-founder of three of them. Dr. Jobes is a well-published scientist and successful business development executive, having completed >$500M in transactions (buy and sell side).

Jean-Pierre Gagnon, Ed.D. (Senior VP of Operations and Co-Founder):
Dr. Gagnon has over 35 years of executive experience in U.S. and International Sales & Marketing, Commercial (P&L) Operations (including President – Merck Mexico). During his career at Merck, Dr. Gagnon was the architect for the launches of several multi-billion dollar brands in the US and led large commercial organizations in Canada, US and Latin America. Dr. Gagnon led the launches and the commercialization of the most successful vaccines and anti-infective brands created by Merck over the last 25 years. In 2013, he graduated with a doctoral degree in Global Business Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania (in collaboration with the Wharton Business School and Thunderbird University). Over the years, Dr. Gagnon has developed an extensive global network of thought leaders, business leaders, human and animal health experts, practitioners, and academicians.