Jeffrey Wolf

Jeffrey Wolf is the founder Elusys and the Chairman and CEO of Elusys Holdings. 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.

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.

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 all global government relations efforts, public affairs initiatives, and business development opportunities. In this role and in his career, Ryan has advocated before the White House and United States Congress — successfully driving legislation, oversight, and regulatory reform that has enhanced health security and healthcare in the United States. Prior to joining Elusys, Ryan founded RK Strategies, Inc., a lobbying and political consultancy whose clients spanned healthcare and defense sectors. Ryan also served as a political advisor and consultant to United States Senators, Governors, and many members of the United States House of Representatives before entering the private sector. Ryan graduated from Wake Forest University and now lives in Virginia.

Cindi Dillon

Evan Brower, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations

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.

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.

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.

Jennifer White

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.