Raised $2.5 million in first round investment from a venture capital syndicate for one-third ownership of the Company: Was the lead inventor of a new core technology that enabled the rewriting of the business plan to emphasize therapeutic products.
For eMetagen Corp., raised $535,000 in angel funding in a very difficult market: Accepted the position of CEO, President and member of the Board of Directors. Rewrote and refocused the business plan to include: Cancer products, identification of markets and strategic partners, and an exit strategy emphasizing acquisition rather than an IPO.
Cytogen was behind its announced schedule for filing for FDA approval of its first two drugs. Was put in charge of getting the filings back on track and on time. Reorganized three divisions, reassigned responsibilities, rescheduled and refocused efforts, and managed all related activity for seven months: Filed both Product License Applications 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Cytogen's stock price rebounded, both products were approved by the FDA and EMEA (Europe), and net sales in the first year after introduction were $1.6 million.
Cytogen needed to develop and sustain research and development agreements to validate technology and offset expenses. Prepared R&D proposals and presented them nationally and internationally to potential partners: Agreements were signed with American Cyanamid, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Kodak. These generated well over $60 million in investment and contract revenue.
Developed and oversaw Company sponsored research projects at research institutions in the US and Europe. Reviewed proposals, recommended funding for those that were a fit and monitored the programs. Sponsored work at Argonne National Laboratories, Imperial Cancer Research Fund (UK), I.N.S.E.R.M. (France), Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and the University of North Carolina. This led to IP that became part of Cytogen's technology.
Cytogen developed an unassailable proprietary position for its technology, which passed review by corporate licensees, investment bankers and the SEC, leading to contract revenue through license agreements, a successful IPO and secondary public sales of stock: Was in charge of all Company intellectual property. Selected putative inventions for patent prosecution and worked with outside patent counsel to edit and review all patent applications and responses to Office Actions during prosecution.
Cytogen wanted to evaluate an acquisition opportunity, Cellcor. Evaluated Cellcor's business plans, technology and facilities, and recommended acquisition to the Board of Directors: The acquisition was approved. Cytogen acquired Cellcor for common stock, and raised a total of $20 million in a related stock offering.
Cytogen's first products did not meet sales expectations. The Company needed to expand its technology base to demonstrate growth potential. Created a subsidiary, AxCell Biosciences Corp., with new, proprietary technology. Wrote a business plan, designed and renovated laboratory/office space. Hired 40 scientists and support personnel and developed a "drug target discovery database": Was named President, CTO and a Director. When introduced to the business and investment community, Cytogen's stock price went from $2 to $20 per share in 2 weeks and the Company's market cap approached $ 1 billion.
AxCell needed partners to validate its business model. Developed partnerships with IBM and HP for free high-end computers, data base expertise and business development support; InforMax, Inc. for co-marketing; and Pluvita, Inc. signed as the first customer: As a result, investment bankers offered to raise $100 million for AxCell.
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Led startup companies in oncology, proteomics, target discovery and infectious diseases.
John D. Rodwell, Ph.D.
CEO/President - Biotechnology
Career Experience
eMetagen Corporation
Madison, WI Natural Products Drug Discovery for Infectious Diseases and Cancer.
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Revised, prioritized and refocused the business plan. Raised $535,000 in angel seed capital.
AxCell Biosciences Corporation
Newtown, PA Drug Target Discovery, Signal Transduction Pathway Elucidation, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics.
President, CTO and Director
Previously, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer; Vice President, Research and Development; Vice President, Discovery Research; Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board.
Recruited for Boards of Directors and Scientific Advisory Boards.
John D. Rodwell, Ph.D.
CEO/President - Biotechnology
Contact John
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