Dr. Jeffrey Turner, CEO
Dr. Turner is a biotechnology industry executive with 17 years of experience managing advanced R&D programs developing medical countermeasures for chemical and biological threats. Currently, President and CEO of Defyrus Inc., Dr. Turner is focusing on broad spectrum antivirals, specifically the lead drug candidate DEF201 which he in-licensed from DSTL & DRDC. Prior to Defyrus, Dr. Turner was President and CEO of Nexia Biotechnologies Inc. a R, D & E company with a commercial focus of manufacturing novel, high-value recombinant, protein-based pharmaceuticals for nerve agent intoxication. Nexia’s Protexia®, a recombinant human butyrylcholinesterase was supported by a $215M development and procurement contract and BAA from USAMRMC and is currently in Phase 1 human clinical programs with CBMS- DoD. In 2000, Turner/Nexia completed the largest Life Sciences IPO in Canadian history. Prior to Nexia, Turner held a tenured Professorship at McGill University, Montreal, QC. Turner holds a Ph.D. (Mol. Biology) & M.S. (Physiology & Biophysics) from the University of Illinois (Urbana) and a M.S. (Physiology) from McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. He has published more than 100 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters and holds 34 issued domestic and international patents ranging in subject matter from immortalized mammary cell lines, recombinant spider silk, nerve agent antidotes, cloned dairy goats and broad spectrum antivirals.
David F. Masotti, Chairman
Mr. Masotti is a senior executive, corporate director and entrepreneur with extensive experience in a range of industries including telecommunications, aerospace, bio-defense and venture capital. Mr. Masotti brings considerable operational experience as the former President of Spar Aerospace Systems, Rogers Telecommunications, and Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund and venture capital experience as a Managing Director of Tancho Innovation Capital. Masotti serves as a Director at Firan Technology Group (TSX:FTG) and COM DEV (TSX:CDV). Previously Mr. Masotti served on the Board of Trustees for Queen’s University, and several other private and public companies. He earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University and was a recipient of the Top 40 under 40 business award.
Dana Rath, CFO
Mr. Rath is an industry financial executive with 30 years experience in the private sector. As both a chartered accountant and an attorney Mr. Rath brings a well-rounded perspective to management with a law degree from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Science degree and a graduate diploma in public accountancy from McGill University. Mr. Rath has biotechnology experience as V.P. of Finance & Administration at Nexia Biotechnologies Inc. and tax and audit experience at both Abbott Laboratories Canada and Ernst & Young.
Jane Ennis, Senior Project Manager
Ms. Ennis has particular experience in managing projects in the medical countermeasure and defense fields. At her former company, Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics, she managed the development of stem cell technology from the research lab to an industrial product including SOPs, manufacturing and quality measures. She also managed procurement of seed stock and inventory control, and completed several applications to granting agencies including Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and a successful application to the Canadian Forces Defence Industry Research Program.
Upon joining Defyrus in 2008, Ms Ennis has been managing a network of collaborators in the military, academic and private sectors performing contract work for manufacturing, efficacy studies (small and large animals), pharmacokinetics, and mechanism of action. To date over 50 efficacy studies have been performed, and GLP and cGMP manufacturing has been completed and prepared for transition to larger scale production. Jane has also prepared all documents for Pre-IND and Pre-CTA meetings to date for the lead product, DEF201, and has liaised between military, manufacturing and efficacy partners in this process.
Dr. Eleanor Fish, Senior Technical Advisor
Dr. Fish is recognized expert in the field of cytokines with a focus on interferon in particular, and she holds the position of Senior Scientist & Division head at the Toronto General Research Institute. Dr. Fish also holds a professorship at the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto, and is the Canada Research Chair in Women’s Health and Immunobiology. Dr. Fish earned a Ph.D. in Immunology and Cell Biology at the University of Toronto.
Directors
Dr. Jack Gauldie, Director
Dr. Jack Gauldie established the Fitzhenry Vector Facility at McMaster, a cGMP level facility providing small clinical lots of viral vectors for human trials. He is PI of a major CIHR Team grant in Mucosal Innate Immunity, has published over 350 scientific papers and consults widely in the pharmaceutical industry on aspects of inflammation, immunity and vaccine development. Dr. Gauldie is a Fellow of the Royal Society Canada, a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Infection and Immunity of CIHR and was a member of the Research Management Committee of CANVAC, the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. He serves on the scientific advisory board of several companies, is on the editorial board of a number of basic and clinical journals, and is a regular reviewer of grants from Canadian, UK and US agencies. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Ontario Research Fund, the Ontario Genomics Institute and was Co-Chair of the Medical Review Panel and a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the CIHR Canada Gairdner International Awards. Dr. Gauldie received his B.Sc. from McMaster University and Ph.D. from University College, London, England. Since 1970 has been at McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine. He has been University Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine for fifteen years and is currently Director of the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Health, and recently was awarded a DSc from McMaster University.
James Eaton, Director
James Eaton is the President of Weatons Holdings, a Canadian private holding company, and is a general partner of Tancho Innovation Capital. James has been active in the founding, growth and divestiture stages of Weatons portfolio companies across a wide variety of industries. James’ responsibilities at Weatons include overseeing twelve private investments and a portfolio of listed securities. James serves on the boards of JC Clark, Metaris, Phenomenome Discoveries, BPSResolver, and Ceviche. James also serves on the boards of the Canadian Art Foundation, and the True Patriot Love Foundation, and is a trustee of the John David and Signy Eaton Foundation.
John Hyshka, Director
Mr. Hyshka joined the Defyrus board of directors in 2009. He is the co-founder, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Phenomenome Discoveries a bio-technology company that focuses on using metabolomics to develop diagnostics and drugs. Mr. Hyshka has been involved in the Biotechnology industry in Saskatoon for over twenty years, six of them as the Director of Economic Development of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA). John was a founding board member of the Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network. Following SREDA, John joined Performance Plants Inc. Mr Hyshka then co-founded Phenomenome with his business partner Dr. Dayan Goodenowe. John sits on three private biotech company boards while being a member of Biotech Canada’s emerging company committee. In the past he has sat on the Saskatchewan Government Growth Fund, Saskatchewan Opportunities Corp. and the Business Development Bank of Canada. Mr. Hyshka obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Univeristy of Saskatchewan.
