Unleash’s flagship product, UIO-524, is a stroma-targeted oncolytic virus designed for cancer treatment
UIO-524’s viral replication is initiated by the proprietary SPARC promoter, whose replication is enhanced in tumor microenvironment conditions, including inflammation and hypoxia
Management
Daniel brings over twenty years of early-stage biotech experience, specializing in novel drug programs, fundraising, and business development. He currently serves as the Chairman of Asclepii and has held significant leadership roles, including CEO and Chairman of Precision Virologics. Daniel is also the founder and former President of NeuroHealing Pharmaceuticals and previously served as Vice President of Oridion Medical. He holds an MSc in Biochemistry from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
Frank brings experience from academia, start-ups, and public companies. Frank has had several executive roles in biotech start-ups as well as public companies. Frank started his career as a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada prior to moving into industry. His work at UBC focused on cancer gene therapy, where he discovered the function of key members of the Exostosin (EXT) gene family involved in hereditary bone tumors in children as well as certain cancers. Frank left UBC to start and serve as CSO and then CEO of an oncolytic virus company, which was the first to clinic with herpes simplex virus for treating brain tumors. After a successful sale of the company, he continued as founder/CEO of several virus-based companies and was instrumental in their sale to corporates. Frank also serves as a Director on the Board of several biotech companies in the areas of oncolytic viruses and vaccines and continues to advise companies on business and product development strategy.
Imre has extensive experience in the development of therapeutic drugs in both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology environments. Imre served as Chief Scientific Officer of DNAtrix, after merging DNAtrix with Vectorlogics, where he was the Chief Executive Officer. Before joining Vectorlogics, he served as Chief Scientific Officer with GenVec, a gene therapy company, developing virus-based therapies. Previously, he led drug discovery projects at the New York-based pharmaceutical, American Cyanamid Company (now part of Pfizer). He was a postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University in New York, holds a PhD in molecular biology from Simon Fraser University and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Imre is the holder of over 100 US and foreign patents and has authored over 140 scientific articles spanning virology, gene delivery, molecular biology, and drug development. Also, he has served on the boards of several biotechnology and information technology companies.
Advisors
Ronald Alvarez, MD, Clinical Advisor
Dr. Alvarez is the Betty and Lonnie S. Burnett Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center. Dr. Alvarez served as President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and held various leadership roles at the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Dr. Alvarez previously directed the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama. His academic credentials include an MD from Louisiana State University School of Medicine, an MBA from Auburn University, and a BS from Louisiana State University.