About
AJK Biopharmaceutical was founded in 2018 with a mission to combat life–threatening infectious diseases. We are focused on the clinical development of novel anti-infective drugs with emphasis on developing broad-spectrum antimicrobial cyclic peptides with activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, anti-fungal and antiviral peptides.
Our Mission
AJK Biopharmaceutical is committed to discovering and developing antimicrobial agents that are effective against several drug-resistant bacterial pathogens, thus providing health care practitioners with critical new approaches to infections disease therapy.
Leadership
Zahra Mahdieh, PhD.
Research Scientist
Zahra has extensive experience in biomaterials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and disease modeling. At AJK Biopharmaceutical, Zahra is responsible for the preclinical research. She brings her interdisciplinary knowledge of materials science and biological systems to develop novel approaches to infections disease therapy.
Robert Gundel, PhD.
Head of Preclinical Development
Robert Gundel, PhD, MBA is a seasoned executive and former CEO and Board Member with more than 30 years of experience in both large pharmaceutical organizations as well as smaller biotech companies. He joined AJK Biopharmaceuticals as a consultant and scientific advisor in July 2023.
Board of Directors
David Pruitt, Esq.
David Pruitt provides leadership on legal affairs, business development, risk management, and innovative finance initiative at AJK Biopharmaceutical. He advises the board of directors and CEO on governance and strategy, and he is responsible for structuring collaboration with industry and public sector partners.
Assad Kazeminy, PhD.
Assad J. Kazeminy is founder and former CEO of Irvine Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (CRO) and Avrio Biopharmaceutical LLC (CMO). He has more than 30 years of research experience in Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Feyzi Fatehi, PhD.
Feyzi Fatehi is a technology visionary, inventor, innovator, and entrepreneur. He was the recipient of the 2019 CODiE Lifetime Achievement Award, an award previously bestowed on Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen, among others.
Phil Brancazio
Phillip J. Brancazio - Retired Senior Vice President and General Manager of Par Pharmaceutical, Irvine CA an Endo International Company. Mr. Brancazio has over 40 years of pharmaceutical and medical device industry experience.
Scientific Advisors
Dominique Gouty, PhD.
Dr. Dominique Gouty brings over 25 years of business leadership experience in multi-national Pharmaceutical / Healthcare and Services industries, spanning, clinical operations, diagnostics, manufacturing of Biologics and Bioanalytical testing of Protein Drugs, Cell Therapies and Gene Therapies.
James Wade, PhD.
James is a clinical and academic leader, as well as a clinician-scientist, an educator, a nationally recognized and excellent cancer and infectious diseases physician, with extensive clinical care, research and healthcare technology experience and a long history of clinical and academic success.
