Management
Vince Wacher, PhD
Chief Executive Officer- Dr. Vince Wacher was CEO of Adipogen Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd prior to the merger of Autogen and Adipogen. Vince has 14 years experience leading applied research; clinical trials; product development; intellectual property; corporate strategy; joint venture; and business development programs for start-ups, small pharma and new business units within large companies. He received an Eastman Business Builder Award in 2004 for his work with Eastman Chemical Company (a Fortune 500 company) in advancing their drug delivery technologies. Vince received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. He resides in San Francisco and currently divides his time between California and Australia.
KEN WALDER
Director, Metabolic Research Unit, Deakin University- Verva conducts its preclinical research activities at the Metabolic Research Unit of Deakin University; a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the discovery and development of novel pharmaceuticals. The facility was purpose-built in 2006 and allows Verva to undertake a comprehensive suite of in vitro and in vivo studies in multiple cellular and animal models. The MRU scientific team - led by Dr. Ken Walder - has combined decades of international experience in metabolic diseases research and has established a track record of successful collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceuticals companies worldwide. Ken’s experience includes a role as the Senior Director of Drug Discovery at ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He obtained his PhD at BioDeakin in 1997 and held a post-doctoral position at the NIH in Phoenix, Arizona. Ken has authored more than 40 publications in international research journals, and is internationally regarded for his expertise in the genetics of diabetes and obesity.