Key Deal Facts
TrippBio is developing a potential treatment for COVID-19, by repurposing an FDA-approved drug, referred to as TD213. TD213 could be used as a preventive or as a treatment for active COVID-19 infection.
Research demonstrates that TD213 could prevent and lessen the severity of COVID-19 by decreasing viral replication. Laboratory studies shows that TD213 can decrease the viral load by 90%.
TD213 will not compete with preventive vaccines. Effective treatments for active COVID-19 infection, as well as vaccines to potentially prevent future infections, are urgently needed.
TD213 will not contribute to viral mutations, meaning it will not lose efficacy over time.
In 2019, the global antivirals market was valued at $52 billion U.S. dollars and is forecasted to reach $75 billion U.S. dollars by 2027, an increase of 23%. Expectations are that the current pandemic will continue to drive up the antivirals market.
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Billy Meadow
Chairman
Billy Meadow is a serial technology entrepreneur and has thrived for decades in commercializing and funding companies like TrippBio, based on the ideas of professors and research scientists. His latest company, SpinUp Campus, focuses on matching trailblazing university scientists with public investors to bring new drug treatments and medical innovations to market. He excels at business strategy and is seasoned in the art and science of start-up company success. Billy has a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Florida State University.
Philip J. Young
President & Chief Executive Officer
Phil Young has successfully managed the growth of public and private companies taking scientific innovations from discovery to commercialization. He has served as an executive officer and board member for biopharma companies for the past 20 years and has consistently created significant shareholder value while building integrated scientific and commercial operations. Phil has directed successful M&A transactions and was responsible for generating more the $900MM through acquisitions and equity financings, while managing business operations and transactions across the globe.
Richard Still
CFO
Richard Still has a strong background in finance, operations and corporate startups. He has most recently served as CFO of a $100 million dollar privately held company. His previous positions included COO of a multi-location environmental company, financial analyst for an investment banking firm and plant manager for a manufacturing company. Richard was also the founder and CEO of three different companies. Richard has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University and an MBA from Columbia University School of Business.
Ralph A. Tripp, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer
Dr. Ralph Tripp’s main focus is on developing translational disease intervention strategies for emerging respiratory viruses. He has been a professor and Georgia Research Alliance Chair in vaccine and therapeutic development at the University of Georgia for 24 years. Dr. Tripp is a viral immunologist, having experience in molecular biology and biochemistry with a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. TrippBio was named after Dr. Tripp and his amazing work in the field of disease intervention.
Fred D. Sancilio, MS, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Sancilio is a serial entrepreneur in the healthcare field and is currently a principle of Clearway Global, Inc., a pharmaceutical development advisory service. He is also president and serves on the board of directors of Alpha Cognition, Inc., a Canadian biotechnology company that is developing neurological products to treat Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s diseases. Dr. Sancilio received his Master of Science and Doctorate degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. For over four decades, he has contributed to the development of over 1,000 drug products marketed worldwide, holds numerous patents and has written dozens of scientific publications. Dr. Sancilio served as a research professor and managing director of Translational Development & Commercialization at Florida Atlantic University and was an adjunct professor of chemistry at University of North Carolina.
David E. Martin, PharmD
Director
Dr. David E. Martin has over 29 years of hands-on drug development experience across the spectrum of drug discovery, pre-clinical development, Phase I-IV clinical development, and regulatory affairs. He has been responsible for managing 30 discovery/early phase clinical programs in a variety of therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, inflammation, respiratory, and HIV. Dr. Martin has published more than 137 peer-reviewed, scientific publications and has 14 granted/provisional patents. Dr. Martin received his PharmD from the University of Southern California, as well as completed his Residency in Clinical Pharmacy there.
Kathy Blahunka, PharmD
Advisor
Dr. Kathy Blahunka has 27 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in a variety of roles within drug development including clinical development, regulatory, technology assessment, R&D technology enablement and medical affairs. She was on teams for two successful NDA submissions and approvals, is active with two incubator programs and the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She received her BS and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Illinois Medical Center Campus.
Kevin Pegg, Ph.D.
Advisor
Dr. Kevin Pegg has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur with seven startup biotechnology companies in both environmental and clinical diagnostics instrumentation, and in chemistry. He has a doctorate from Florida State University with studies on a molecular model for multiple chemical sensitivity, a master's in genetic toxicology, and a bachelor’s in marine sciences. Dr. Pegg also has spent over 15 years in academia as a professor of biotechnology and microbiology. He has received numerous grants, holds multiple U.S. and international patents, and is a registered U.S. patent agent specializing in biotechnology art.
