Ariel’s management team has broad experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and has been involved in the development of more than ten FDA approved drugs.
Steve Orndorff is a serial entrepreneur with 30 years experience in the biotechnology industry, and founder of three biotech companies in Colorado over the past 15 years. Prior to founding Ariel he was founder, President and CEO of Accera, Inc., where he oversaw the research, development, and commercial launch of a CNS therapeutic, and of Univera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a drug discovery company focused on diseases of inflammation and the immune response. During his career he has had responsibility in a broad array of disciplines such as basic research, manufacturing, product development and business development at various biotechnology companies including Genex Corporation, Monsanto NutraSweet division and ZeaGen, Inc. Dr. Orndorff is a past President of the Society for Industrial Microbiology and a founding board member of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA). Currently he is chairman of the CBSA. He received a B.S. degree in Biology from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in microbiology from University of Maryland.
Beth Crump has more than 17 years of clinical development/operations experience; Phase I – III clinical trials in oncology (hematologic malignancies and solid tumors), trauma, sepsis, cardiovascular, allergy, and surgical indications. Ms. Crump came to Ariel from Allos Therapeutics, Inc. where she was responsible for the clinical programs both in the US and internationally, successfully working with cross-department teams resulting in FDA approval of Folotyn® (pralatrexate injection) for patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL in 2009. Her transition from the intensive care nursing world to biotech started at Cortech, Inc., where she was responsible for the conduct of clinical trials. Ms. Crump received a BSN from Loma Linda University.
Chad Beyer has 16 years of experience in drug discovery for CNS and neurological disorders. For more than 10 years Dr. Beyer worked in the Discovery Neuroscience group at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Princeton, NJ, holding positions with increasing responsibility including serving as the Head of Neurochemistry and leading the Psychiatry Task Force. During his career at Wyeth, Dr. Beyer managed several drug discovery teams, contributed to the submission of more than 30 INDs, and provided supporting data for the commercialization and life-cycle management of Effexor® and Pristiq®. Dr. Beyer’s research career began at the National Institutes of Health in NIDA’s Addiction Research Center. Dr. Beyer has a PhD in Pharmacology from LSU Medical Center and an MBA from the Rutgers Business School. He has authored nearly 70 manuscripts, 3 patents, and is the co-editor of a psychiatry review book entitled “Next Generation Antidepressants.”
Mr. McKeever has more than 28 years experience in the development, optimization and operation of pharmaceutical and fine chemical processes and facilities. His experience includes active pharmaceutical ingredients to Class 3 potent compounds, cGMP manufacturing, multi-step synthetic chemistry manufacturing processes, process development and design and commissioning of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. Most recently he was Vice President, Operations for Boulder BioPharmaceuticals. Previously he held a range of positions ranging from Chief Engineer to Managing Director and Vice President at Hauser, Inc., Hauser Laboratories and Cedarburg Hauser Pharmaceuticals. Mr. McKeever has a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado.
Tariq Osman has more than 18 years of experience in biotechnology business management. Previously he was at BTG Ltd. where he had several positions of increasing responsibility in the management of Biotechnology, IP, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Business Development. His career included being the Ageing, Neurology and Repositioning Head of Licensing in the EU to co-leading the creation of Provensis Ltd (UK), a wholly owned BTG subsidiary based on vascular conditions. Later he led the creation and business operations of KetoCytonyx Inc (USA), a BTG neurological development subsidiary created to develop ketone bodies as neurodegenerative and protective agents. He has been a Visiting Lecturer at Queen Mary’s, University of London and at Imperial College Business School. Mr. Osman received an MBA with emphasis on Healthcare, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship from Imperial College London and an MSc from Queen Mary, U. of London.