Harnessing the microbiome to treat skin disease
Our Approach
Azitra Inc. is a clinical-stage medical dermatology company that leverages extensive scientific knowledge about the skin microbiome to discover and develop novel products for the treatment of adverse skin conditions and diseases.
The Company’s technology platform, developed in collaboration with scientists at Yale University and the Jackson Laboratory, is based on a proprietary strain of the natural commensal bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis. Direct application of these commensal bacteria alone improves skin appearance, hydration, and healing.
These bacteria can also be designed to become effective therapies using the tools of genetic engineering. Many diseases, including ichthyosis vulgaris and orphan diseases such as Netherton syndrome, are the result of deficient or missing proteins in the skin. We have engineered commensal skin bacteria to deliver these missing, critical proteins directly to the target through the stratum corneum of the skin, resolving the underlying disease cause and returning the microbiome to a more normal state. This approach represents a major platform technology adaptable to the expression of different proteins that target multiple diseases and skin care needs.
These types of products, known as Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs), are cost-effective topical applications with the potential to solve skin disease challenges and avoid systemic therapy. Azitra has pioneered this work and established many of the foundation patents in the space. Our products are rapidly progressing to clinical testing and commercialization.
Driven Leadership
Our Leadership Team
Francisco Salva
President and CEO
Francisco Salva
President and CEO
Mr. Salva has a proven dedication to building companies, including over a decade in biopharmaceutical executive leadership and a decade in life science venture capital and investment banking. His growth-oriented experience transcends numerous business functions, including corporate finance, business development, portfolio management and clinical operations. Prior to Complexa, he was a Founder and Vice President of Operations at Acerta Pharma, which successfully developed acalabrutinib, a second generation Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prior to being acquired by AstraZeneca for $4 billion to date (expected total consideration of over $6 billion). Before Acerta Pharma, Mr. Salva served as Senior Director of Corporate Development at Pharmacyclics, where he participated in the strategic turnaround of the company that reprioritized focus and efforts on ibrutinib, a key driver of AbbVie’s $21 billion acquisition of the company. Mr. Salva holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics and Philosophy from Brown University and a Master of Science degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Jeanne Bertonis, MS, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Jeanne Bertonis, MS, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Bertonis has held senior management and strategic business consulting roles at multiple public and private healthcare companies and venture capital firms in the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Azitra, she served as CEO at Visgo Therapeutics and BioSyntech and Chief Business Officer for Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Her earlier career included business and scientific positions at several companies including Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genzyme Corporate, Guidant Corporation, Eli Lilly & Company, Biogen, Inc., and Repligen Corporation. Ms. Bertonis has also served on the Board of Directors at several public and private life science companies and was on the board of BIOTECanada, Canada’s national trade organization. She holds a Master of Management degree from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a Master of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts.
Trudy H. Grossman, PhD
Vice President of Research
Trudy H. Grossman, PhD
Vice President of Research
Prior to joining Azitra, Dr. Grossman was Senior Director of Biology and Pharmacology at Melinta Therapeutics. Previously, she held leadership positions at TetraPhase Pharmaceuticals and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Grossman began her career at Procept, Inc., where she managed a fermentation laboratory and developed new recombinant protein production strategies in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Biology and Molecular Genetics from Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Christopher Hartnett, PhD
Vice President of Manufacturing
Christopher Hartnett, PhD
Vice President of Manufacturing
Prior to joining Azitra Inc., Dr. Hartnett was Senior Director Process Development at Assembly Biosciences where he oversaw Drug Substance Process Development and Manufacturing for Assembly’s panel of Live Biotherapeutic Products. He also previously served in positions of increasing responsibility at The Medicines Company, Savient Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron. At each of the companies, Dr. Hartnett was responsible for CMC activities for Biologics (both Drug Substances and Drug Products) manufactured in Microbial and Mammalian systems as well as CMC for a siRNA therapeutic at The Medicines Company. Earlier in his career, he spent time in early-phase Process and Analytical Development and Expression System development at Neurogen and Bristol-Myers Squibb. His work included a pivotal role in the regulatory filing and approval of more than six therapeutic products. Dr. Hartnett received his graduate degree from Yale University (PhD) and spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Roger Leger, PhD
Vice President of Chemistry, Formulation and Development
Roger Leger, PhD
Vice President of Chemistry, Formulation and Development
Prior to joining Azitra Inc., Dr. Leger was Senior Director Chemistry and CMC at Thrasos Therapeutics where he oversaw discovery research operations as well as manufacturing and clinical supply. He also previously served as VP Research at Indel Therapeutics Inc. and as VP R&D Chemistry and Co-founder at Ulysses Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Leger was responsible for discovery and pre-clinical research at these two companies, which both focused on development of novel treatments for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. He was Director of Medicinal Chemistry at ConjuChem Inc. where he led discovery chemistry in protein therapeutics to treat multiple ailments including diabetes, obesity, cancer and infectious diseases. Early in his career, he was a research fellow at Microcide Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Leger holds numerous patent applications including 14 granted US patents. He received a graduate degree from the University of Montreal (PhD) and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Geneva Switzerland and at Columbia University.
Mark Sampson, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Mark Sampson, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Sampson most recently worked with Botanix Pharmaceuticals where he was responsible for development of the preclinical strategy and clinical development plans for new antimicrobial indications. Previously, he served as Vice President of Research and Development at Realm Therapeutics (formerly Puricore), a company developing therapeutics for dermatology and immune-mediated diseases. Dr. Sampson held prior research roles at Sterilox Technologies and Warwick International Ltd. He earned an undergraduate degree and Ph.D. degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry from University of Aberdeen, UK.
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology
Travis Whitfill is the Chief Science Officer of Azitra Inc. His background began in molecular biology and biochemistry after receiving scientific training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University. He has co-founded several biotech and healthcare startups companies, including Azitra. Mr. Whitfill’s strong background in entrepreneurship and business was recently acknowledged when he was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2018. He serves as a partner at Bios Partners, a healthcare-focused venture capital fund based in Texas, and as the Senior Analyst at Bios Research, which provides research services to institutional investors. He also is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale University. Mr. Whitfill received degrees from Yale University (MPH) and Dallas Baptist University (BS in biology).
Board of Directors
Francisco Salva
President and CEO
Francisco Salva
President and CEO
Mr. Salva has a proven dedication to building companies, including over a decade in biopharmaceutical executive leadership and a decade in life science venture capital and investment banking. His growth-oriented experience transcends numerous business functions, including corporate finance, business development, portfolio management and clinical operations. Prior to Complexa, he was a Founder and Vice President of Operations at Acerta Pharma, which successfully developed acalabrutinib, a second generation Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prior to being acquired by AstraZeneca for $4 billion to date (expected total consideration of over $6 billion). Before Acerta Pharma, Mr. Salva served as Senior Director of Corporate Development at Pharmacyclics, where he participated in the strategic turnaround of the company that reprioritized focus and efforts on ibrutinib, a key driver of AbbVie’s $21 billion acquisition of the company. Mr. Salva holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics and Philosophy from Brown University and a Master of Science degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Naveen Krishnan, MD, MPhil
Senior Director Venture Investments, Leaps by Bayer
Naveen Krishnan, MD, MPhil
Senior Director Venture Investments, Leaps by Bayer
Naveen Krishnan is Senior Director Venture Investments of Leaps by Bayer, the investment arm of the global life sciences company Bayer, where he is responsible for developing investment cases and deal execution. He is also involved in sourcing, screening, and mentoring of companies with game-changing science. As an investor, Naveen is also serving as board member for Edifice Health. Prior to joining Leaps, he had several senior roles in biotechnology companies including running operations, corporate, and business development for a cell and gene therapy company and running commercialization, clinical operations, clinical trials, analytics, product development, med tech/digital health, and logistics for a regenerative medicine company with a lead product focused on regenerating full-thickness skin. Naveen conducted basic science research at the intersection of chemical biology and neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases working at both the Broad Institute and the Center for Human Genetics Research at MGH. He began his career studying Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, received a medical degree from Dartmouth and trained in Plastic Surgery in Washington D.C. before leaving to build biotech companies.
Cain McClary, MD
Founder and Managing Partner
KdT Ventures
Cain McClary, MD
Founder and Managing Partner
KdT Ventures
Cain McClary, MD is the founder and Managing Partner of KdT Ventures. Over the past 10 years, Cain has been at the forefront of the intersection between computation and science. KdT has invested in companies now worth over $2B, including Zymergen, PathAI, Solugen, Dyno Therapeutics, and Firefly Bioworks (Acquired by AbCam). Additionally, Cain is personally involved in entrepreneurship and finance advisory at both the local and national levels.
Dr. McClary received a ScB in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Brown University and his MD from Tulane University. He completed his medical training as a pathologist at Stanford University where he served as Chief Resident and joined faculty there after training, becoming the youngest faculty member in the department at the time. Currently, Cain serves on the faculty at the Tulane University School of Medicine.
Stella M. Roberston, PhD
Partner, Bios Partners
Stella M. Roberston, PhD
Partner, Bios Partners
Dr. Roberston has over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, including R&D strategies, project management, clinical trials, regulatory filings for US and international registrations, product launch, market support, translational medicine, and medical communications. Dr. Robertson is a co-founder of Bios Partners, a member and investor with the Cowtown Angels, and the owner of Arrochar Consulting, LLC. She formerly was a VP in R&D at Alcon Laboratories, Inc., a Division of Novartis, where she grew and led organizations that were responsible for the ophthalmic pipeline, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. She received a PhD in Biology-Immunology from Johns Hopkins University, is an adjunct member of the Ophthalmology Department of UTHSCD Southwestern Medical School, and is a community volunteer. She holds a number of patents and is the author or co-author of over 50 publications.
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology, Chair of Scientific Advisory Board
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology, Chair of Scientific Advisory Board
Travis Whitfill is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology of Azitra Inc. His background began in molecular biology and biochemistry after receiving scientific training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University. He has co-founded several biotech and healthcare startups companies, including Azitra. Mr. Whitfill’s strong background in entrepreneurship and business was recently acknowledged when he was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2018. He serves as a partner at Bios Partners, a healthcare-focused venture capital fund based in Texas, and as the Senior Analyst at Bios Research, which provides research services to institutional investors. He also is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale University. Mr. Whitfill received degrees from Yale University (MPH) and Dallas Baptist University (BS in biology).
Scientific Advisory Board
Jeffrey L. Bose, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center
Jeffrey L. Bose, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center
Jeff Bose is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He received his PhD from the University of Georgia studying symbiotic host-microbe interactions. He transitioned to his work on the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Nebraska Medical Center studying biofilms. His current work, primarily on MRSA isolates, started as a screen for novel regulatory factors controlling MRSA virulence factor production. His lab focuses on fatty acid metabolism in virulence as a potential host recognition signal. These studies are uncovering a previously uncharacterized enzyme in many bacteria and are dissecting the molecular mechanism linking fatty acid metabolism and skin infections.
Leonard Milstone, MD
Professor Emeritus of Dermatology at Yale Medical School
Leonard Milstone, MD
Professor Emeritus of Dermatology at Yale Medical School
Dr. Milstone has made important contributions to understanding epidermal growth and differentiation, including discovery of keratins 4 and 13 and the unique proteoglycan, Epican. He first described an assay that is now a widely used blood test for tuberculosis, and led the group that first demonstrated gene editing in the epidermis. He has a deep interest in ichthyosis and other rare inherited disorders of keratinization, and for 28 years was chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types. In systematically following those patients over 40 years, he and his colleagues have discovered the genetic causes of several of these rare diseases, and is a leader in understanding the genetics, care and counseling of these patients and their families. He has participated in many early phase trials of new treatments for disorders of keratinization, and is a frequent consultant to the pharmaceutical industry.
Julia Oh, PhD
Assistant Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
Julia Oh, PhD
Assistant Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
Dr. Oh’s main research interests focus on the human microbiome—the diverse bacteria, fungi, and viruses that inhabit our bodies—for its potential to deliver treatments for infectious and other diseases. Dr. Oh comes to the microbiome world by way of fungal chemogenomics with technologist and geneticist Dr. Ronald Davis at Stanford and comparative genomics of wild wine yeast at the FAS Center for Systems Biology at Harvard. Prior to joining the Jackson Laboratory, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Oh’s research, which has focused primarily on the skin microbiome, explores the complex interactions between the host and its microbes and has lead to important implications for the contribution of the microbiome to disease. Dr. Oh received a graduate degree from Stanford University (PhD) and undergraduate degree from Harvard University (BA).
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology, Chair of Scientific Advisory Board
Travis Whitfill, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology, Chair of Scientific Advisory Board
Travis Whitfill is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Advanced Technology of Azitra Inc. His background began in molecular biology and biochemistry after receiving scientific training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University. He has co-founded several biotech and healthcare startups companies, including Azitra. Mr. Whitfill’s strong background in entrepreneurship and business was recently acknowledged when he was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2018. He serves as a partner at Bios Partners, a healthcare-focused venture capital fund based in Texas, and as the Senior Analyst at Bios Research, which provides research services to institutional investors. He also is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale University. Mr. Whitfill received degrees from Yale University (MPH) and Dallas Baptist University (BS in biology).
Investors
Additional Support
