Michael Dershem

Michael Dershem, aka Dersh, is a seasoned business development entrepreneur who has assisted multiple ventures and attracted millions of dollars of capital. Outstanding track record in strategic business planning and development, capital and financial sourcing, multi-disciplinary problem solving, and technology development. Strong technology-transfer background from government and university research to private sector commercialization. Michael began his ‘serial entrepreneur’ career over twenty years ago. His first foray was as co-owner of RX Returns, which grew to become the largest pharmaceutical returns company in the nation. He later helped form a niche banking company, which became one of the fastest growing private companies in New Jersey. Serving as founding CEO of Pharmasset, an Emory University start-up company, successfully raised over $25 million in private equity funding and executed a $30 million research and development agreement with DuPont. The company has subsequently gone public and was acquired by Gilead Sciences for $11 Billion. Michael graduated with a BA in Economics from Dickinson College and holds an MBA as well.