Gilgamesh is a discovery and early development biotech company developing small molecules complemented by biomarkers to treat mental illness. The company leverages deep expertise in the medicinal chemistry and neuroscience of psychedelic compounds to develop innovative medicines.
I am a medicinal chemist, pharmacologist, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in the design and preclinical development of psychoactive drugs for the future treatment of psychiatric illnesses. In the context of my entrepreneurial endeavors I have also built significant expertise in business, fundraising, operations, and intellectual property strategy.
Duke University BS, MD from University of Miami, former Chief of Psychiatry in Boston Area. Academic work at Mass General Hospital and NIH (intramural), researcher at JNJ in psychiatry and neurology, and then at Pfizer Inc in NYC (Clinical Disease Area Expert in Neuroscience Area), Founder of start up, Perception Neuroscience (exited) and was CSO, and now Founder of Gilgamesh. Live in NYC and mountains of NC.
Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University with expertise in synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular design, synaptic imaging, neuropharmacology, and experimental therapeutics. Led new conceptual advances in chemical synthesis (C-H bond functionalization), developed fluorescent false neurotransmitters (FFNs), elucidated the mechanism of action of antidepressant tianeptine, expertise in iboga alkaloid and mitragynines chemistry and pharmacology.