David Kalergis
David Kalergis (born December 9, 1948) is an American life sciences entrepreneur and the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC, a Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical company.[1] He co-founded the company in 2001 with American chemical engineer John L. Gainer. Kalergis became Diffusion's CEO in 2004, a position in which he has drawn extensively on his career in law, business, and clinical trials implementation.[2] Under Kalergis’ leadership, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals has been cited for advancing improved cancer treatments and is currently conducting multicenter clinical trials of a novel therapeutic for brain cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme.[3][4][5][6]
Education and career
Kalergis received a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1970 and J.D. and M.B.A. Degrees in 1982 from the University of Virginia. He subsequently worked with the New York-based law firm Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer & Wood, maintaining that association until 1986, when he became President and General Counsel of Designs Import/Export, Ltd. From 1991 to 1997, he was Consultant, Director of Business Development, and General Counsel to the contract research organization Pharmaceutical Research Associates (PRA), Inc.[1][7] While with PRA, he was involved in numerous pharmaceutical development projects through the pre-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing stages.
In 1998 Kalergis was appointed Director of University of Virginia Gateway, a program to establish stronger ties between industry and academia, particularly in the area of life sciences.[1] His efforts have been cited in advancing relationships between the high-technology business and academic sectors, both regionally [8] and internationally.[9] It was through his association with the University of Virginia that Kalergis met Gainer, who was at that time a Professor of Chemical Engineering, leading to their collaboration in the founding of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals.
Kalergis is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Leadership and Strategy in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals program.[7]
Other activities
Kalergis is a founding director of publicly traded Virginia National Bank where he was Chairman of the Assets and Liabilities Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. He is a former member of the Boards of Directors of the Virginia Biotechnology Association, the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council, and the Computers4Kids Program in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a member of the New York and Virginia State Bar Associations.[1][7]
Awards and books
Kalergis received the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council's Navigator award in 2002.[7] His and Gainer's work at Diffusion Pharmaceuticals was acknowledged in 2012, when the company received the Virginia Healthcare Innovators “Medical Product or Device” award.[10]
Kalergis is the author of The Role of the University in the Commercialization of Biotechnology (1981).[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "David Kalergis". Walker Research. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- ^ a b "David Kalergis". Forbes. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ "Two local firms head to clinical trial stage for cancer treatment medications". The Daily Progress. February 20, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "Area biotech groups lead the charge". The Daily Progress. February 23, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "Company Overview of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ "Safety and Efficacy Study of Trans Sodium Crocetinate (TSC) With Concomitant Radiation Therapy and Temozolomide in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma (GBM)". ClinicalTrials.gov. November 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Executive Profile: David G. Kalergis J.D., MBA". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- ^ "Virginia Gateway in the news". Gateway. 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "U.Va. building Japanese partnerships Patent Foundation opens licensing office in Kobe". InsideUVA. January 18–24, 2002. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Wins 2012 VA Healthcare Innovators Award". Virginia Biotechnology Association. Retrieved October 30, 2012.