Saol Therapeutics Team

Dave has steered Saol Therapeutics as CEO since 2016, shaping the company's trajectory with a strategic acumen that has secured over $100M in financing and orchestrated divestitures crucial for advancing new product development. Under his leadership, Saol's late-stage pipeline flourished, culminating in the 2021 approval of LYVISPAH® and the strategic sale of Commercial programs, fueling investments in breakthrough treatments like SL-1002 for knee osteoarthritis and spasticity, and SL-1009 for rare diseases and oncology.

Before his tenure at Saol, Dave honed his expertise through progressive roles at Genentech and Corcept Therapeutics. At Corcept, as Vice President of Commercial Operations, he spearheaded the turnaround of the Korlym® franchise, propelling its sustained growth. Dave's expansive industry experience integrates commercial leadership with technical proficiency spanning product development, manufacturing scale-up, finance, and CMC.

Dave's academic journey underscores his multidisciplinary approach, holding a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northwestern University, along with Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from MIT. He further enriched his knowledge through post-graduate studies at Stanford University and research stints at Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute. Dave's innovative spirit is reflected by more than 10 US patents, numerous international patents, and pending applications across pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, medical devices, and health technology. Additionally, he contributes his expertise to the Georgia Bio Management Board, exemplifying his commitment to advancing the biotech landscape.

Sharon Hamm was one of the original co-founders of Saol in 2015, and she continues to lead the Technical Operations team with responsibilities for all drug development and regulatory endeavors. Her background incorporates more than 30 years of experience encompassing non-clinical, clinical, pharmaceutical development, quality, compliance, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory affairs. She has lent her expertise to a diverse range of therapeutic areas.

Following 19 years with Elan Corporation where she last served as the Senior Vice President, Technical Operations, Sharon became an independent consultant to support clients in all stages of pre-and post-market development, including product assessment, development planning, and regulatory support. She also held management roles in Regulatory and Compliance at Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

Sharon holds both Bachelor and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Mercer University College of Pharmacy.

Brian joined Saol Therapeutics in 2017 as the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations.  He brings over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and in 2019, assumed additional responsibilities as Senior Vice President, Strategy, overseeing the Commercial and Medical Affairs departments at Saol.

Prior to his time with Saol, Brian spent nine years in senior leadership roles with Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Analytics, responsible for marketing, marketing operations, analytics and market research for the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Franchise.  Brian has also held strategic commercial roles of increasing responsibility at GlaxoSmithKline, Ortho-McNeil and Johnson & Johnson.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of South Florida, and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Paul joined Saol in 2017 as Vice President of Supply Chain and General Manager of Saol Therapeutics Research Limited, Ireland. In 2018, he was made responsible for the international sales and market expansion for the hyperimmune portfolio acquired in 2017 and 2019. This included including building teams with capabilities to embed acquired hyperimmune product portfolios, establishing a global sales strategy and office in the MENA territory and identifying a new manufacturing partner for long term product manufacturing stability. Following the divestment of the hyperimmune portfolios, he has been involved in ensuring the portfolios are transitioned smoothly to the acquiring parties whilst supporting the organizational transformation to focus on the clinical programs.

His background includes 15 years of experience in global supply chain optimization, strategic planning and project leadership in both the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries. Paul served on the leadership team of Astellas Pharma's European Pharmaceutical Technology Division, heading up the strategic business planning department developing a highly-successful, multi-cultural team responsible for developing strategic plans and realizing value creating projects across the globe. Prior to Astellas, Paul held senior roles at SAP and Mondi Paper.

Paul holds degrees in Civil Engineering and Business Systems, INSEAD Leadership development certificates and a Master of Business Administration degree from UCD Michael Smurfit Business School.

Focusing primarily on healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, Brian has accumulated over 20 years of finance and accounting expertise, including his role as a co-founder of Saol Therapeutics in 2015. Prior to his time at Saol, Brian was the Director of Finance for Vidara Therapeutics, an Ireland-based specialty pharmaceutical company where he also was a co-founder. In this role, he coordinated a successful reverse merger with Horizon Pharma in 2014. In addition, Brian has held finance and accounting focused roles with Northside Hospital, Alaven Pharmaceutical, Deliotte, and Arthur Andersen.

Brian received his Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Accounting degrees from the University of Alabama. He is a registered CPA in the state of Georgia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Melinda has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and was a co-founder of Saol Therapeutics in 2015, and has held Compliance and Operations responsibilities during her tenure. Prior to her time at Saol, she led Human Resources and Operations and served as the Compliance Officer for Vidara Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company.  At Vidara she was instrumental in building and managing a high performing senior clinical field team while building out the company’s compliance program.

After a successful reverse merger of Vidara with Horizon Pharma in 2014, Melinda continued with the company supporting the full and successful integration of the two companies and the additional growth of the orphan business unit.

Prior to Vidara, Melinda held roles at Meda Pharmaceuticals, Alaven Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth.

Melinda holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources from College of St. Elizabeth and a Bachelor degree in Social Work from West Chester University.

Dr. Nohria currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Saol Therapeutics and Sebela Pharmaceuticals. He is an experienced biotechnology entrepreneur and drug developer with a track record of success in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Dr. Nohria is a board-certified neurologist with special qualification in child neurology. Dr. Nohria co-founded Vidara Therapeutics in 2011 and served as its President and Chief Medical Officer until the company’s sale to Horizon Therapeutics in 2014. In the past, Dr. Nohria was part of the founding team of Alaven Pharmaceutical and Alaven Consumer Health LLC and served as its Chief Medical Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Executive Vice President from 2008 until its sale to Meda Pharma in 2010. Additionally, Dr. Nohria worked for Eli Lilly on Zyprexa and at UCB, where he was clinical lead for submission and commercialization of Keppra in the United States. Between 2003 and 2005, he was Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Xcel Pharmaceuticals where he led development of retigabine (ezogabine) for the treatment of epilepsy. Dr. Nohria’s medical training was conducted at the University of Cambridge in England. His postgraduate training was completed in the United Kingdom and the United States at Duke University. He also holds a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology and has authored many publications and book chapters.

John Devane currently serves as Chief Scientific Advisor and board member to Saol Therapeutics. He is also a board member of Sebela Pharmaceuticals, he is an advisor to Avego Healthcare Capital and a member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board of Processa Pharmaceuticals Inc. Previously, Dr. Devane was Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) with Horizon Pharma Ireland Ltd. and (2012-2014) served as CSO to Vidara Therapeutics Research Ltd.  In the past, Dr. Devane was part of the founding team of AGI Therapeutics plc. and served as its CEO from 2004-2012.  Additionally, Dr. Devane founded and led Athpharma Ltd. as CEO from 2002-2005.  Dr. Devane worked for Elan Corporation from 1981 to 2001 and held various senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President R&D (1993-2001) and Senior Vice President Clinical & Regulatory, where he led key clinical trial programs in the USA and negotiated NDA approvals directly with FDA.  During the period 1990 to 2001, Dr. Devane and his team were responsible for 6 NDA and 3 'complex generic' ANDA approvals. Dr. Devane has had a long career designing and successfully delivering major product development programs spanning the full range of drug development.  He has a deep knowledge in pharmacology, drug delivery, clinical development, regulatory affairs and intellectual property.  Dr. Devane is the inventor/co-inventor on many granted and pending patent applications and has also been widely published in the scientific/medical literature.  His graduate and post-graduate scientific training was conducted at University College in Dublin, Ireland.  He holds a diploma in Accounting & Finance (ACCA) and is a certificate/diploma holder from the Institute of Directors (UK).

Dave has steered Saol Therapeutics as CEO since 2016, shaping the company's trajectory with a strategic acumen that has secured over $100M in financing and orchestrated divestitures crucial for advancing new product development. Under his leadership, Saol's late-stage pipeline flourished, culminating in the 2021 approval of LYVISPAH® and the strategic sale of Commercial programs, fueling investments in breakthrough treatments like SL-1002 for knee osteoarthritis and spasticity, and SL-1009 for rare diseases and oncology.

Before his tenure at Saol, Dave honed his expertise through progressive roles at Genentech and Corcept Therapeutics. At Corcept, as Vice President of Commercial Operations, he spearheaded the turnaround of the Korlym® franchise, propelling its sustained growth. Dave's expansive industry experience integrates commercial leadership with technical proficiency spanning product development, manufacturing scale-up, finance, and CMC.

Dave's academic journey underscores his multidisciplinary approach, holding a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northwestern University, along with Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from MIT. He further enriched his knowledge through post-graduate studies at Stanford University and research stints at Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute. Dave's innovative spirit is reflected by more than 10 US patents, numerous international patents, and pending applications across pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, medical devices, and health technology. Additionally, he contributes his expertise to the Georgia Bio Management Board, exemplifying his commitment to advancing the biotech landscape.

James Flexner is a Managing Partner at Avego, based in New York, NY.  Prior to joining Avego, he was an investment professional with Metalmark Capital, where he focused on leveraged buyout transactions and growth equity investments across multiple industries, including healthcare. Mr. Flexner began his career as an investment banker in the Global Healthcare Group at Morgan Stanley, where he executed multiple transactions across the life sciences and healthcare services industries. Mr. Flexner graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA degree in Economics and Chemistry.

Mr. Vandervort joined Avego in 2015, where he is currently a Managing Partner. His background ranges across numerous positions in the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical services industries, including the 3PL DDN Pharmaceutical Logistics and the ultra-orphan drug specialty pharmacy Centric Health Resources, as well as leadership roles in business development for West-Ward Pharmaceuticals and IGI Laboratories (now Teligent, Inc.).  As a sales leader for DDN and Centric, Mr. Vandervort built a brand for each company as the service provider of choice, as evidenced by the rapid growth in new clients and profitability for both companies.  Mr. Vandervort led M&A for West-Ward and was part of the team that acquired Baxter’s multi-source injectable business as well as numerous products that expanded West-Ward’s R&D portfolio to include NDAs as well as paragraph IV challenges. With IGI laboratories, Mr. Vandervort led multiple M&A transactions, including deals with Valeant and Concordia, as well as the acquisition of the Canadian generic injectable company, Alveda Pharma, Inc.  Mr. Vandervort has a BA from Bethany College in Bethany, WV and an MA from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

DeVer is currently a Partner at DFW Capital Partners, which he joined in 2011 as an Associate.  Prior to joining DFW, DeVer was an Analyst at Centripetal Capital Partners, a Connecticut-based growth capital firm investing in lower middle-market service and technology companies.  DeVer received a B.A. in Economics from Union College and an MBA from The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Lopa Bhatt joined Saol in 2019 as Senior Development Programs Manager, where she is responsible for nonclinical development for all pipeline products.  Lopa has over 30 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility ranging from Laboratory Technician to Research Scientist to Project Manager.  Immediately prior to her time at Saol, Lopa held senior roles in R&D at Celtaxsys.  She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Gujarat University, India.

Orla Brennan joined Saol in 2019 where she is Senior Quality Assurance Manager. She is responsible for quality assurance oversight for all development products. Prior to joining Saol Orla worked for several pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Diasorin and Charles River in Quality and Development Science roles. Orla holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a Higher Diploma in Lean and Quality Systems from National University of Ireland, Galway, a Higher Diploma in Statistics from Trinity College Dublin, a Master of Science in Industrial Pharmaceutical Science from IT Sligo and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin.

Kym Childers joined Saol in in 2016 and is currently a Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs.  She has responsibility for maintaining regulatory life cycle data and compliance with all state licenses.  She brings over 20 years of regulatory expertise to the company, including experience at Horizon Pharma, Vidara Therapeutics and Inhibitex, Inc., during the span of her career.

Sue Clement joined Saol in 2017 as Senior Director of Marketing with responsibility for hyperimmunes and rare diseases.  Her current role is Senior Director of Strategic Marketing, where she has responsibilities for strategy and commercial planning for SL-1009.  She has over 30 years of experience in Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing, including 18 years at Merck in roles of increasing responsibility and 12 years at several small companies launching and leading the marketing of rare and niche products.  Sue has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bucknell University, a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University), and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Temple University.

Kiki Diorgu, MD joined Saol in 2021 as the Medical Director of Medical Services, where he oversees clinical trial operations for SL-1002 pain indications.  He also provides medical and scientific support for all development programs.  Prior to joining Saol, Kiki worked at Morley Research Consortium as Vice President of Clinical Operations.  Kiki holds an M.D. from Avalon University School of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University.

Tiffany Jackson joined Saol Therapeutics in 2021 and serves as a Manager of Clinical Studies.  She supports Clinical Operations and Development activities related to all clinical trial activities for products in the Saol development pipeline.  Prior to her time at Saol, Tiffany has spent much of her career as a Clinical Research Associate across multiple therapeutic areas.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition Science from North Carolina State University.

Aaron Johnston joined Saol in March of 2016 as the Director of Marketing for Neuroscience.  He is currently a Senior Director of Strategic Marketing, with responsibilities for strategy and commercial planning of SL-1002 in pain and spasticity indications.  Prior to his time at Saol, he worked in strategic marketing at Medtronic as a Manager of Global Market Development within the Early Technologies division.  In addition, his 18 years of commercial focused experience also includes roles at Sanofi and Smith & Nephew.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and a Master of Science in Sports Management, both from Illinois State University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Saint Louis University.

Marie Kerins joined Saol in 2016 where she is Senior Director Finance.  She is responsible for external and internal financial reporting; tax planning and compliance; and financial operations.  Prior to joining Saol Marie worked for several companies as VP Finance or Controller including ICON plc and Trinity Biotech plc.  Marie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Cork and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Marion King joined Saol in 2019 as a Senior Manager of Analytical and Formulation Development.  She currently is responsible for the coordination and management of Saol product development programs, specific to CMC for both drug substance and drug product and relevant regulatory submissions.  Prior to her time at Saol, Marion held analytical development roles at companies including Sanofi, Ipsen and Life Scientific.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Analytical Chemistry and Quality Assurance from Munster Technological University, a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Dublin City University and a Master of Science in Management from the Smurfit Business School at University College Dublin.

Allison Lowry joined Saol as the Head of Regulatory in 2021, where she oversees regulatory functions for all aspects of Saol development programs.  Prior to her time at Saol, Allison served as the Sr. Director of Regulatory Affairs at Arbor Pharmaceuticals, where she held roles in increasing responsibility within the Regulatory department.  Additionally she has held regulatory leadership roles at both UCB and Shionogi.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University.

Ciaran Maguire joined Saol Therapeutics in 2016 and is currently the Associate Director of Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Data Management, overseeing all aspects of PV for Saol’s clinical development programs. Ciaran has over 15 years of experience in pharmacovigilance focused roles in the pharmaceutical industry at companies including Bayer Health Care, Sanofi and Quintiles. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from University College Dublin.

Leonard O’Mahony joined Saol in 2018 and is the Sr. Director of R&D. He currently has responsibility for pre-clinical development, formulation, and process development, accelerating molecules through the product development lifecycle from early phase development to product launch.  Previously, he spent 15 years as a technical specialist in various development and leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Mylan, Helsinn and Elan Drug Technologies.  Dr. O’Mahony has had a long career designing and successfully delivering major product development programs spanning activities in preclinical, clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, and intellectual property.  Leonard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Limerick, a PhD in Physical Chemistry (Crystallization) from the Material of Surface and Science Institute at the University of Limerick and a Master of Business Administration from Trinity College Dublin. Leonard has also held a Marie Curie Fellowship at the University of Warwick, UK.

Martin Reynell joined Saol in 2016 and currently serves as the Sr. Director of Quality, where he has responsibilities for all quality management systems and product release for the organization.  Prior to his time at Saol, Martin served as the Associate Director of Contract Manufacturing at BioMarin.  Additionally, Martin held roles of increasing responsibility in Quality at Ovation Healthcare.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Dublin City University and a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology from Trinity College Dublin.

Scott Silverman joined Saol Therapeutics in 2017 and is the Sr. Director for Business Development. At Saol Scott leads all efforts specific to Business Development and Licensing, due diligence and contracting. He has been part of transactions resulting in over $1B in total value. He led the acquisition of CYTOGAM® by Saol from CSL Behring in 2018. He also led the divestiture process of Saol’s hyperimmune portfolio to Kamada in 2021 and the divestiture of Saol’s baclofen portfolio to Amneal Pharmaceuticals in 2022. Prior to his time at Saol, Scott worked in both Business Development and Compliance at Arbor Pharmaceutical. He has also held roles in Regulatory Affairs at Merial. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from South University.

Niall Smith joined Saol in 2019 and currently serves as a Senior Accountant in Finance. He is responsible for timely provision of internal financial management accounts and external financial reporting, effective internal controls, tax compliance and effective working capital and cash management for the Irish and ROW entities. Prior to joining Saol Niall worked for professional services firm Mazars in the outsourcing department specialising in multinational companies residing in Ireland and Allied Irish Banks as a Financial Accountant in their Financial Reporting and Management Accounting department. He holds a diploma in Accounting & Finance (ACCA).

Rachel Thompson, RN, BSN joined Saol in 2023 as a Senior Clinical Study Manager. She supports Clinical Operations and Development activities related to the conduct of clinical trials. Her 15+ years career experience includes Study Coordinator, Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Lead CRA, National CRA Trainer and Project Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University.