ATUKA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Management Team
Christopher joined Atuka's board in 2011. He is an active educator in the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs at the University of Toronto and is internationally recognized as a leader in lymphocyte development and antibody formation, with an active research program in training the immune system to recognize cancer cells. Christopher is the Vice President of Research at the University Health Network, which is comprised of the Toronto Rehab, Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. He received his Ph.D. in immunology at the Sloan-Kettering Division of Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in 1979.
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Member of the Management Team
James' research expertise includes animal models of Parkinson's disease and the preclinical evaluation of novel disease modification and symptomatic therapeutics. In recent years, his work has led to the development of progressive rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease alpha-synucleinopathy. James received his H.B.Sc. and M.A. in experimental psychology from Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, ON), his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA) where he also joined their faculty. These and other studies are detailed in James' 40+ peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his role at Atuka, James is a visiting Professor of Neurology at Huashan Hospital/Fudan University and occasionally serves as a lecturer at the University of Toronto.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Founder
- Member of the Management Team
Jonathan founded Atuka in 2003 and was its first CEO. He has led translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 70 drug candidates in non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease and the advancement of 16 drug candidates to clinical studies. He has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Manchester, U.K. (1991) and has more than 25 years' experience in Parkinson's disease research managing teams that have identified and validated many drug targets for Parkinson's disease. Jonathan has over 200 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his role at Atuka, he enjoys a reputation for excellence as an academic researcher, leading research programs at University Health Network (2002-present) and University of Manchester, U.K. (1991-2002).
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Director
- Member of the Management Team
Michael joined Atuka in 2011. Previously, he held the position of chief operating officer at a CRO where he led translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 30 drug candidates in rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease, seven of which advanced to clinical studies. He has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Manchester, U.K. (1997) and has more than 15 years' experience in Parkinson's disease research. Michael has over 30 peer-reviewed publications.
Job Titles:
- Chief Innovation Officer
- Member of the Management Team
Patrick joined Atuka in 2013. Prior to joining Atuka, he was Head of Preclinical Sciences at Phytopharm plc, a U.K.-based pharmaceutical company, and he has over 25 years' experience working in drug discovery and development. He has been involved in managing projects from early preclinical evaluation through to Phase II clinical studies, including clinical studies in Parkinson's disease. Patrick also has experience in the generation and management of intellectual property and is a named inventor on several patents. He has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Bristol, U.K. (1999).
Job Titles:
- Chief Quality Officer
- Member of the Management Team
Paula joined Atuka in 2011. She has extensive experience with the key rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. She has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Manchester, U.K. (2001) and has 15 years' experience in Parkinson's disease research. Paula's research interests are detailed in over 20 peer-reviewed publications.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Management Team
Tom joined Atuka in 2003 and oversees all operational aspects of the company. He received his B.Sc. in pharmacology from the University of Manchester in 1999 and Ph.D. in neuropharmacology from King's College London in 2003. He has considerable experience in preclinical Parkinson's disease models and the development and translation of novel therapies that are featured in 50+ peer-reviewed publications.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Management Team
David joined Atuka's board as a Nonexecutive Director in 2011 and took responsibility for Atuka's commercial affairs in 2012. He studied law at the University of Manchester, U.K., and qualified as a lawyer (solicitor) in the U.K. in 1995 specializing in corporate and commercial matters. In addition to his role at Atuka, David was the managing partner of Laytons Solicitors LLP Manchester, U.K., office for over 10 years (until 2012) and remains a consultant to the firm.