Jeffrey Wolf

Jeffrey Wolf is the founder and CEO of Elusys. He also founded Seed-One Ventures, a firm focused on the systematic formation and management of new biomedical companies founded on breakthrough ideas and technology.

Throughout his career, Mr. Wolf has specialized in building new life-science companies from the ground up and plays an active role in supporting the growth of his companies. Mr. Wolf’s start-ups include Avigen (co-founder and director), a NASDAQ-listed gene therapy company; TyRx Pharma (co-founder and chairman), which was focused on the development of novel biocompatible polymers and acquired by Medtronic; and NightHawk Biosciences (co-founder and founding CEO), the parent company of Scorpius Biomanufacturing, a CDMO service provider focused on the manufacture of large molecule biologics for clinical and commercial development.

Mr. Wolf received his M.B.A. from Stanford Business School, his J.D. from New York University School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Chicago where he graduated with honors in economics.

William L. Ostrander

Mr. Ostrander has over 22 years of experience in financial management at public and private companies. Mr. Ostrander previously served as Executive Director of Finance at Liquidia Technologies, a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company. Prior to that, he served as Senior Director of Finance and Accounting at KBI Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical contract services company. He also served as Manager of Finance at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a data analytics solutions company. Prior to that, he served as Controller of Seisint Inc., a private information products company that was acquired by LexisNexis. Other previous roles include Senior Manager of Finance and various other accounting and finance positions for Boca Research, a data communications hardware manufacturer. Mr. Ostrander holds a B.S. in Finance from Central Michigan University.

Michael Menezes, Ph.D.

Director of Program Management

As the Director of Program Management, Dr. Menezes leads the internal and external operational teams responsible for the production of obiltoxaximab and the delivery of the associated final drug product.

Cindi Dillon

Matthew M. Seavey, Ph.D.

Vice President of Research and Business Development

As Vice President of Research and Business Development, Matthew Seavey holds over a decade of preclinical drug development experience. Originally trained as an immunologist, Dr. Seavey is an expert in early drug development and has been involved in the development of different drug modalities (biologics, small molecules, cellular therapeutics, vaccines) across multiple therapeutic areas, including GI, CNS, immuno-oncology, respiratory, inflammation and cardio-metabolics. He has held former positions as Drug Discovery Team Leader at Cephalon, Global Pharmacology Project Leader at Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Oncology Program Director at United Therapeutics. Dr. Seavey is a co-inventor on several patents and has contributed to the intellectual property base of Advaxis and founding of Oncoceutics. Most recently, Dr. Seavey served as Director of Preclinical Pharmacology for CinRx Pharma and founding partner of BioPoint Consulting, LLC. Dr. Seavey holds a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Vermont, an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Rochester, and an M.B.A. from West Chester University.

Ryan Kane

Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development

Ryan Kane is the Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development for Elusys, where he overseas federal and state government relations, public affairs initiatives, communications, and business development opportunities. Ryan is also the President of RK Strategies, Inc., a public affairs and political consultancy with clients spanning publicly-traded pharmaceutical, energy, and technology sectors, and a founding partner of RKS Capital Holdings, LLC, a boutique investment group. Ryan has advised U.S. Senators, Governors, and a half-dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Michalek leverages scientific, clinical, and program management expertise to drive organizational growth through the alignment of projects with corporate objectives, the identification of strategic risks, and the development of partnership opportunities.

Dr. Michalek received his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Wake Forest University with a focus on redox regulation of T cell activation. Subsequent postdoctoral studies at Duke University included foundational studies on the metabolic regulation of T cell differentiation, while biochemical profiling work with Metabolon resulted in publications encompassing cancer, autoimmune disease, and diabetes. Dr. Michalek’s experience also includes oversight of early and late phase clinical trials across several treatment modalities (cell and gene therapy, immunotherapy, small molecule inhibitors) with previous roles as the therapeutic area head of oncology for Pharm-Olam, co-chair of the Gene Therapy Operational Center of Excellence at PPD, and project leadership within IQVIA and Chiltern.

With over 30 peer-reviewed publications, ~5,000 citations, a previous appointment to the NIH Biomarker Consortium steering committee for Inflammation and Immunity, and awards from the Cancer Research Institute and American Association of Immunologists, Dr. Michalek is committed to identifying and advancing medical breakthroughs.

Evan Brower, Ph.D.

Director of CMC

As Director of CMC, Dr. Brower is responsible for developing and executing the CMC strategy, managing external CDMO partners, and supporting regulatory activities required for product commercialization and delivery.

Dr. Brower earned his Ph.D. in biology from Johns Hopkins University, where his research concentrated on the thermodynamics and biophysical analysis of naturally occurring HIV variability and its effects on anti-HIV drug potency. Following his doctorate, he pursued postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School, where he investigated the structural and biochemical mechanisms underlying how cancer-associated mutations in kinases, and other proteins, negatively impacted cellular processes and supported cancer progression. His industry experience includes roles at Catalent and NextCure, where he gained expertise in forging fruitful cross-functional collaborations and focused on development, tech transfer, and manufacturing of a diverse array of modalities including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, fusion proteins, gene therapy vectors, and numerous vaccine technologies (virus-like particles (VLPs), virus-like replicon particles (VRPs), multivalent protein-polysaccharide conjugates, and nanoparticles).

Dr. Brower is dedicated to harnessing his passion for technology, science, and innovation to provide patients with safe, effective, and cutting-edge therapies.

Jennifer White

Associate Director of Quality Assurance

As the Associate Director of Quality Assurance, Jennifer White oversees corporate quality and GMP compliance of internal and external operations associated with the production of obiltoxaximab and the final drug product.

David Taylor, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Analytical

As Associate Director of Analytical, Dr. Taylor is responsible for bioanalytical assay management and analysis to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of Elusys products. Leveraging over a decade of practical laboratory experience, Dr. Taylor provides technical insight and guidance to internal teams and external vendors to confirm the design, reporting, and validation of Elusys bioanalytical methods support regulatory and cGMP compliance.

Dr. Taylor obtained his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genomics from Cornell University where he studied establishment and maintenance epigenetic imprinting in mice. During his postdoctoral work at Yale University, Dr. Taylor investigated the epigenetic profile of specialized stem cells in the highly regenerative flatworm model system. He transitioned into industry as a translational scientist at Heat Biologics where he worked across research, clinical, and manufacturing functional teams to push forward preclinical and clinical large molecule assets in the oncology, autoimmunity, and biodefense space.

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Shelby Foster

Manager, Regulatory and Quality

As Regulatory and Quality Manager, Shelby supports all activities required for commercialization and delivery of Elusys products through coordination of global regulatory submissions and management of quality assurance and compliance tasks.

Shelby holds a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in technical writing from Penn State University and a M.S. in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance from Temple University. Her industry experience includes manufacturing and process development work in biologics at GSK and manufacturing, science, and technology (MSAT) engineering in cell and gene therapy at CRISPR Therapeutics. Shelby is passionate about translating scientific communication into effective technical writing and uses her manufacturing and lab experience to support developing regulatory strategy.

Nicholas Pagano, CPA

Comptroller

Nick joined Elusys Therapeutics in December 2024 with an extensive background in Pharmaceutical and Biotech finance.  He maintains a CPA license in North Carolina, and comes with a successful track record of transforming small Finance teams through lean process improvements, short- and long-term strategic planning, and systems planning and administration.  Most recently, he was instrumental in the US commercial launch of BAFIERTAM® at Banner Life Sciences in September 2020.  Prior to this, Nick was a key contributor to the US financial and commercial operations for the TUDORZA®, DUAKLIR®, and NIOX® brands at NIOX Group plc (formerly Circassia Pharmaceuticals) since 2008.

General Richard B. Myers

General Richard Myers is the former President of Kansas State University and previously served as the fifteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2001 until his retirement on September 30, 2005. In this capacity, he was the highest ranking officer in the United States military, and served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, General Myers served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from March 2000 to September 2001. From August 1998 to February 2000, General Myers was Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command; Commander, Air Force Space Command; and Department of Defense manager, space transportation system contingency support at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Prior to assuming that position, he was Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from July 1997 to July 1998. General Myers served as the Colin L. Powell Chair of National Security, Leadership, Character and Ethics at the National Defense University from 2006 to 2016, was former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Service Organization’s World Board of Governors, and is currently on the Board of Directors of MP Materials and Rivada Corp. He is a former director of Deere & Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Aon Corporation, and United Technologies Corporation.

Greg Burel

Greg Burel is the former Director of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Mr. Burel served as the Director of SNS from March 2007 to January 2020. In this role, Mr. Burel directed the nation’s premier medical materiel preparedness and response organization charged with delivering critical medical assets to the site of a national emergency. In addition, his prior service includes senior management roles with increasing responsibility with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the General Services Administration (GSA). Mr. Burel recently retired after nearly 38 years of federal service in January of 2020.

Jack Kingston

Former US Representative Jack Kingston is a Principal at Squire Patton Boggs, a premier, full-service global law firm that helps clients address public policy challenges in legislatures and regulatory agencies around the world. He also serves as Secretariat for The Alliance for Biosecurity, which promotes a stronger, more effective partnership between government, the biopharmaceutical industry, and other stakeholders in seeks to advance their shared goal of developing critically needed medical countermeasures. The Alliance also seeks to develop sound public policy proposals that could bolster national efforts to rapidly develop, produce, stockpile, and distribute medical countermeasures. In Congress, Rep. Kingston earned a reputation as an effective legislator with a keen ability to resolve complex matters by reaching across the aisle. Rep. Kingston’s leadership of the largest domestic appropriations subcommittee and his senior position on the defense appropriations subcommittee give him a deep understanding of the policy and financial challenges global clients face. In addition, Rep. Kingston assists with strategic counseling for the firm’s leadership in defense related issues and other specialty areas. Rep. Kingston served Georgia’s 1st Congressional District in Southeast Georgia from 1993 to 2015. He also served as vice-chairman of the House Republican Conference, the sixth-ranking post among House Republicans, from 2002 to 2006.

Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz

Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz is an Associate Professor and Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He is also an Associate Faculty at the Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason and a member of the Scientists Working Group on Chemical and Biological Security at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, DC. He has published widely on issues related to the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and has briefed the UN Security Council on the threat of non-state actors acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction.

David F. Lasseter

David F. Lasseter was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction where he was responsible for, among other issues, all strategies and policies concerning preventing the proliferation of WMD and WMD-related materials; the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Cooperative Threat Reduction Program; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense. Prior to this, Mr. Lasseter worked for United Technologies Corporation as the lead defense government relations professional. He has served as a Congressional chief of staff, military legislative assistant, and counsel. He is also a Marine Corps intelligence officer in the reserve component. Mr. Lasseter received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and a juris doctor from the University of Alabama.

David F. Lasseter was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction where he was responsible for, among other issues, all strategies and policies concerning preventing the proliferation of WMD and WMD-related materials; the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Cooperative Threat Reduction Program; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense. Prior to this, Mr. Lasseter worked for United Technologies Corporation as the lead defense government relations professional. He has served as a Congressional chief of staff, military legislative assistant, and counsel. He is also a Marine Corps intelligence officer in the reserve component. Mr. Lasseter received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and a juris doctor from the University of Alabama.

Mark Pryor

Former US Senator Mark Pryor currently serves with the premier law firm, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. He is a former two-term U.S. senator and Arkansas attorney general. During his 12 years representing Arkansas in the Senate, he worked across the aisle to pass more than 70 pieces of legislation on a range of critical issues, including homeland security and defense. Sen. Pryor served on several high-profile committees during his tenure, including Appropriations; Armed Services; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Andy Weber

Andy Weber is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Strategic Risks’ Janne E. Nolan Center on Strategic Weapons. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Weber has dedicated his professional life to countering nuclear, chemical, and biological threats and to strengthening global health security. Mr. Weber’s decades of U.S. government service included five-and-a-half years as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. He was a driving force behind reducing biological weapons threats, and destroying Libyan and Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles. In addition, he coordinated U.S. leadership of the international Ebola response for the Department of State.