Joe Cook, Jr.

Mr. Cook currently serves as Executive Chairman of Appello Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a biopharma company focused on developing medicines for patients who have Parkinson’s Disease. The Appello technology was licensed from Vanderbilt University with which the company has continuing relationships. In addition, he also serves as Executive Chairman and President of NuSirt Biopharma, a biopharma company focused on developing products that focus on treating conditions associated with metabolic dysfunction.

Mr. Cook previously served on the boards of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLN), a biopharmaceutical company founded on development of medicines to treat patients with diabetes and other metabolic diseases; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRWD), a biotechnology company in Cambridge, MA focused on gastrointestinal therapeutics; Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORT), a biopharmaceutical company in Palo Alto, CA targeting medicines for the treatment of metabolic, oncologic and psychiatric disorders; and Castle Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSTL) a molecular diagnostic company focused on developing and commercializing tests for dermatologic cancers. At Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Cook served as CEO and Chairman. At Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Cook was a founder and served as Chairman of over 10 years.

Mr. Cook retired as a Group Vice-President, Global Operations, of Eli Lilly and Company after more than 28 years of service. Mr. Cook is a past Chair and current director of Mercy Multiplied International, Inc. with headquarters in Nashville, TN. He is also a past Chair and current member of the University of Tennessee College of Engineering Advisory Board. Mr. Cook has served on the national board of the American Diabetes Association and is past Chairman of the board of Life Science Tennessee.

Mr. Cook graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965 where he received a BS in Engineering with High Honors and was a UT Torchbearer.