Agenta Biotechnologies

Capitalizing on a patented molecular proteoglycan technology platform

Overview

Personnel

Contacts

PressRoom

Agenta Management Dr. Arthur DeCarlo, President, CEO Dr. Thomas Dooley, VP for R&D	Agenta Scientists Dr. April Ellis Dr. Arthur DeCarlo Dr. Chuanyu Li Dr. Hernan Grenett Dr. Guang Yang Dr. John Whitelock Dr. Ling Li Dr. Patrick Hardigan Dr. Don Petersen Dr. Maria Belousova	Agenta Advisors Mr. Jonathan Nugent Mr. William (Sandy) White

Dr. Arthur DeCarlo Full-time Research Scientist Science Director Agenta Biotechnologies
The President and founder of Agenta Biotechnologies, Inc., Dr. Arthur DeCarlo, is a former clinician, and academician, with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics (’94) who currently oversees the scientific and development aspects of the business as a full-time employee of Agenta. Dr. DeCarlo received his Ph.D. training at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dr. DeCarlo has spent more than a decade acquiring expertise and experience in surgical clinical medicine, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and immunological research. He has a proven experience in conveying the scientific knowledge and information necessary to garner peer-reviewed publications, research approvals, and elite funding awards. Dr. DeCarlo has also spent several years on committees that oversee research in human subjects (IRB), and served as Chairman of the Health Professions Research at Nova Southeastern University, a position since filled by Dr. Patrick Hardigan. International experience has provided a broader scientific perspective to an already award-winning research career.

Dr. Thomas Dooley Vice President Research and Development Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Dooley has been involved in biomedical research, including product discovery, development, and commercialization since the 1980’s. Dr. Dooley has a PhD from Indiana University and has published 65 scientific articles on topics related to dermatology, pharmacology, oncology, and molecular biology. He has been the recipient of 10 patents and numerous professional awards and honors. Prior to Agenta, Dr. Dooley, was a Founder and/or executive in the leadership of other small businesses (CSO at MediQuest Therapeutics Inc., CEO at IntegriDerm Inc., and CEO of ALtruis LLC). He has held faculty positions in academia and biomedical nonprofits (Southern Research Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama at Huntsville, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio). Tom was also employed as a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry at The Upjohn Co., where he contributed to the Rogaine® and oncology drug discovery programs. In addition, he was a Co-Founder and the original Presiding Officer of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama, as well as the Co-Founder of three 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Dr. April Ellis Full-time Research Scientist Dermatology Program Director Agenta Biotechnologies
Dr. Ellis has assisted in the development of a combinatorial library of designed calcium binding proteins based on rat cell adhesion CD2. In the initial stages of her graduate work, she characterized a metal-binding near infrared dye, which has been published in Talanta. Further research included the development of protein-based calcium sensors for in vivo studies on the temporal and spatial distribution of calcium in the cytosol and cellular compartments. In this work, she designed calcium-binding sites into a non-calcium-binding scaffold protein to further understanding of the key factors of calcium binding, such as ligand type and location. Dr. Ellis has been awarded an American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship and a Brain and Behavior Predoctoral Fellowship during her career.

Dr. Maria Belousova Full-time Research Scientist Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Belousova earned her M.D. degree from Tomsk State University in the Russian Federation. Since then she has dedicated her life's work to research, including phage display, epitope recognition, high-throughput assay development, and 3-D tissue modeling. Dr. Belousova is in her first year with Agenta.




Dr. Hernan E. Grenett Molecular Biology of Wound Repair Vascular Stent Program Director Agenta Biotechnologies
Hernan E. Grenett, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiovascular Disease). Dr Grenett is an experienced biochemist/molecular biologist, with extensive experience in molecular cloning, DNA-mediated gene transfer, and gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. He is currently project leader in a program project dealing with the cardioprotective benefit of ethanol and polyphenols. His scientific expertise in vascular biology is well recognized, as exemplified by his being asked to review manuscripts for a number of scientific journals, including the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Journal Thrombosis Research, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. He has been internationally sought after as a visiting professor at the Universities of Cadiz, Spain and Antofagasta, Chile. Currently his laboratory is engaged in a novel phamacogenomic approach to molecular pathway analysis in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Restenosis and thrombosis that lead to failure in too great a proportion of central and peripheral vascular stent procedures is central to Dr. Grenett’s research with Agenta Biotechnologies, Inc. As Director of Agenta’s Bioactive Vascular Stent Program, Dr. Grenett will be advancing biotechnology to increase stent re-endothelialization and to decrease thrombus development following stent placement.

Dr. John Whitelock Co-Investigator Scientific Advisory Board Agenta Biotechnologies
Dr. John Whitelock has been investigating the role of proteoglycans, perlecan, and the heparan sulfate attached to it, for the last two decades. Dr. Whitelock also has developed expertise in biomaterials after several years of polymer-related research and his current activity in the Department of Bioengineering. His extensive experience in proteoglycans and biomaterials is evidenced by his publication record and funding awards. He is currently full-time with the University of New South Wales, and provides expertise to Agenta on a regular, but as-needed basis. Dr. Whitelock is also committed to on-site consultation one week every six months.

Dr. Ling Li Consultant Scientific Advisory Board Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Ling Li is a molecular biologist with significant experience in viral gene delivery and the development of gene delivery constructs at the Salk Institute. She also has prior industry experience, and understands the demands of industry consultation. She is currently full-time with Scripps Florida and provides expertise to Agenta on a regular, but as-needed basis.

Dr. Guang Yang Research Scientist (part-time) Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Yang has many years experience in molecular biology, transient expression in adenovirus, and phage displayed antibody library handling.
Dr. Patrick Hardigan Statistical Consultant Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Patrick Hardigan, Ph.D., Statistician, Nova Southeastern University, will continue to serve as a statistical consultant for data analysis.

Dr. Don Petersen Research Scientist (part-time) Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Petersen, a graduate of the UAB Bioengineering program, has spent years working with biomaterials, in particular, chitosan, and brings important materials expertise in developing pipeline candidates for clinical application. Dr. Petersen has established a start-up company dedicated to medical chitosan products (Biological Innovations, LLC) and is working with Agenta Biotechnologies, Inc. as an independent contractor with expertise in materials science and chitosan, in particular.

Dr. Chuanyu Li Full-Time Research Scientist Agenta Biotechnologies Dr. Li has had more than 20 years of research experience, 11 years in China and 12 years in the United States. After receiving his M.D. degree in 1985 from Taishan Medical College, one of the most distinguished universities in China, he graduated with his Master degree of Microbiology and Immunology in 1991 from Capital University of Medical Sciences, a well-known university in Beijing, China. During this period of training, Dr. Li authored or co-authored eight scientific publications. Dr. Li then held four major research grants in China funded by National Science Foundation of China, Beijing National Science Foundation, Beijing Foundation for Young Excellent Researcher of Science, which supported him to carry out research on the immortalized human pancreatic β cells transfected with HPV E6E7 transforming genes as potential substitutes for human islets to cure type 1 diabetes, and mechanism of thrombosis in the patients who had the increased level of plasma anticardiolipin antibodies. Dr. Li also obtained a Second Award of Achievement of Science & Technology from Beijing Department Public Health in 1994, and the Academic Prize for the Excellent Thesis, which honors exceptional researchers. Since then Dr. Li has worked on signaling and immune pathways in cancer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, molecular diagnostics in China, and he has written a review on the neuroinflammatory pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Mr. Jonathan Nugent Corporate Advisor Red Mountain Bio Mr. Jonathan Nugent is a member of Agenta's Board of Advisors. John has significant experience in financial matters pertaining to biotechnology, most recently as Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations of the Birmingham-based public company BioCryst. Prior to joining BioCryst, Mr. Nugent served as Senior Vice President and Director of Investor Relations at Burns McClellan, Inc., the country's largest independent healthcare public and investor relations firm. Working primarily in the agency's New York office, Mr. Nugent provided senior counsel to companies specializing in pharmaceutical discovery and development, drug delivery, medical devices and diagnostics, as well as to advisory and investment firms focusing on the biotechnology industry. He has extensive experience in providing strategic guidance in the areas of financial, scientific and regulatory communications, product launches, meetings before the FDA, IPO and follow-on financings, U.S. and European investors and crisis and issues management. John understands corporate financing as it pertains to biotechnology and adds value to Agenta through his advice as well as his relationships with others in the biotechnology and financing industries.

Mr. William (Sandy) White Corporate Advisor Icon Bioscience Sandy White has over 25 years of broad pharmaceutical industry and technology commercialization experience. This experience has resulted in a strong core competency in general management, global corporate development/licensing, and technology commercialization. Additional significant experience encompasses a variety of functions, including research and development, investment banking, venture capital, regulatory affairs, sales and marketing. Primary therapeutic/technical areas of knowledge include biotechnology, oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology and virology. Prior positions include CEO, President of BioCache Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Vice President of R&D/Commercial Development & Planning of Storz Ophthalmics, a division of American Home Products; President/Business Leader of Integrated Protein Technologies, a unit of Monsanto and CEO of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Foundation. Experience at the Board of Director level includes BioCache Pharmaceuticals and CropTech Corporation (Chairman). Sandy is a current member of the management team and Board of Directors of Icon Bioscience, Inc. He also serves as an advisor to Ramscor, Inc. He received a degree in Biology from the University of Virginia where he was the recipient of the Folkes Scholarship, a degree in Pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.