Andrew J. Norris, Cofounder &
Director of Research
Dr. Andrew Norris has a varied background in both business and the technology sector. He has been an Adjunct Faculty at University of California, Los Angeles and has served as a consultant to many life sciences and healthcare companies. Dr. Norris co founded BCN Biosciences, with the aim of dramatically reducing the timeline for developing oncology and supportive care drug development. Currently he oversees all research at BCN Biosciences and holds a research faculty position at UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology.
Eric Gruff, CMC and Project Lead
Dr. Eric Gruff is a pharmaceutical R&D professional with more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industry. He has expertise in pharmaceutical development and project/portfolio management from discovery stage through NDA/MAA filing. Dr. Gruff has a record of proven success in developing strategy at the project and corporate level, and overseeing the progression of drug candidates through development and approval. He has experience in establishing and managing outsourcing relationships with external contract partners. Dr. Gruff led Pfizer’s SARS Project Team that was tasked with the development of a medical countermeasure during the 2003-2004 outbreak.
Examples of Dr. Gruff’s specific experiences include: Oral, Parenteral, Topical, and Intranasal Dosage Forms; GLP/GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 Regulations; Small Molecule and Biological Candidates; Orphan Drugs; US and EU Regulatory Filings (IND, IMPD, NDA, MAA, CTD); Medical Devices: IDE, 510(k), and PMA; Therapeutic Areas: Antivirals, Diabetes, Oncology, CNS, Antitoxin, and Inborn Diseases of Metabolism; Creation and submission of paper and electronic filings to FDA; Design and Improvement of Quality Systems; Internal and External Auditing and Mock Inspections; Cross-Functional Team Leadership; US Agent for Foreign Drug and Device Companies; Strategic Management and Financial Planning; Process Design and Validation; Veterinary Drug Development and Approval; Development of Project and Program Strategy.
Examples of Dr. Gruff’s specific experiences include: Oral, Parenteral, Topical, and Intranasal Dosage Forms; GLP/GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 Regulations; Small Molecule and Biological Candidates; Orphan Drugs; US and EU Regulatory Filings (IND, IMPD, NDA, MAA, CTD); Medical Devices: IDE, 510(k), and PMA; Therapeutic Areas: Antivirals, Diabetes, Oncology, CNS, Antitoxin, and Inborn Diseases of Metabolism; Creation and submission of paper and electronic filings to FDA; Design and Improvement of Quality Systems; Internal and External Auditing and Mock Inspections; Cross-Functional Team Leadership; US Agent for Foreign Drug and Device Companies; Strategic Management and Financial Planning; Process Design and Validation; Veterinary Drug Development and Approval; Development of Project and Program Strategy.
Jerry Kolaja,
PK & Toxicology
Gerald J. Kolaja, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Jerry’s formal training includes a DVM from Michigan State University and a PhD in pathology from the University of Maryland Medical School. He is board certified in Veterinary Pathology and has extensive experience in developing pharmaceuticals for human use. His expertise is in toxicology and toxicologic pathology derived from training and experience in the military, pharmaceutical industry and as a consultant. He has played a significant role at the Upjohn Company, Pharmacia and Upjohn, Immunex and Amgen in the early characterization of compounds being selected for development.
Jerry also planned and supervised the pre-clinical programs for filing INDs and NDAs for several of these compounds. In his consulting practice, he routinely collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on lead selection and development as well as investigative toxicology. He has extensive experience in toxicology and pathology at both the scientific level as well as in management, being the Vice President for Toxicology Operations for Pharmacia and Upjohn.
Jerry’s formal training includes a DVM from Michigan State University and a PhD in pathology from the University of Maryland Medical School. He is board certified in Veterinary Pathology and has extensive experience in developing pharmaceuticals for human use. His expertise is in toxicology and toxicologic pathology derived from training and experience in the military, pharmaceutical industry and as a consultant. He has played a significant role at the Upjohn Company, Pharmacia and Upjohn, Immunex and Amgen in the early characterization of compounds being selected for development.
Jerry also planned and supervised the pre-clinical programs for filing INDs and NDAs for several of these compounds. In his consulting practice, he routinely collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on lead selection and development as well as investigative toxicology. He has extensive experience in toxicology and pathology at both the scientific level as well as in management, being the Vice President for Toxicology Operations for Pharmacia and Upjohn.
Roger Ulrich, PK & Toxicology
Dr. Roger Ulrich has thirty years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D in both large and small company settings. He was Founder and Chief Development Officer at Calistoga Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he led the development of idelalisib for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies; Calistoga Pharmaceuticals was acquired in 2011 by Gilead Sciences. Prior to Calistoga, Dr. Ulrich was Senior Scientific Director with Merck Research Laboratories-Rosetta Inpharmatics, Director Regulatory Toxicology & Safety Pharmacology, and Cellular and Molecular Toxicology with Abbott Laboratories, and as Senior Scientist with The Upjohn Company and Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. Dr. Ulrich holds several patents and has authored more than 120 publications.
Dr. Ulrich received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Chemistry and a Masters of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Western Michigan University. He received his doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Biology from West Virginia University, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences.
Dr. Ulrich received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Chemistry and a Masters of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Western Michigan University. He received his doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Biology from West Virginia University, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences.
Sudip Chakrabortty, Co-founder
Sudip Chakrabortty is a co-founder of BCN Bisociences and oversees Finance, Licensing, Corporate Development and Partnership activities at BCN.
Dip has more than 20 years of experience in Investment, Product, Strategy & Operations primarily in the Healthcare and High-Tech Sectors. Over the years, he has worked in Management Consulting, Investment Banking, Startups as well as Fortune 500 corporate houses - having worked at and with companies such as Healthnet, Pfizer, US Oncology, Medtronic, IMUC etc. Currently he is on the Board of Advisors for mPulse mobile – a secure messaging platform for healthcare.
Dip has Bachelor of Engineering degree and a MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.
Dip has more than 20 years of experience in Investment, Product, Strategy & Operations primarily in the Healthcare and High-Tech Sectors. Over the years, he has worked in Management Consulting, Investment Banking, Startups as well as Fortune 500 corporate houses - having worked at and with companies such as Healthnet, Pfizer, US Oncology, Medtronic, IMUC etc. Currently he is on the Board of Advisors for mPulse mobile – a secure messaging platform for healthcare.
Dip has Bachelor of Engineering degree and a MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.