Richard Martin

Dr. Martin is an accomplished pharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of research and development experience in the fields of antibacterial, inflammation, oncology, antiviral, antifungal, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, sexual dysfunction, as well as glycosciences. An excellent track record of bringing hits to leads, optimizing compounds into development candidates, as well as managing the chemistry, manufacturing, and regulatory activities for both clinical stage and approved drugs. He directed many successful programs of which 4 compounds have entered clinical trials. Collaborated closely with several Big Pharma companies to advance these development compounds following licensing of the assets and participated in joint steering teams. He was instrumental in the CMC efforts that led to the approval of Apricus Biosciences’ first drug Vitaros® in Canada and Europe. Dr. Martin initially served at Tanabe Research Laboratories before joining X-Ceptor therapeutics, which was acquired by Exelixis for their valuable metabolic disease programs. He then held the position of Director of Chemistry at Exelixis before joining RetroVirox as Senior Director of Chemistry, founding partner and investor. Dr. Martin then served as Vice President of Chemistry and Manufacturing at Apricus Biosciences (NexMed USA) where he led the chemistry, manufacturing and supply chain activities at the company. Dr. Martin obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and pursued postdoctoral studies at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego with professor Chi-Huey Wong, a pioneer in the field of glycosciences. Dr. Martin has over 30 patent applications, 26 of which have already been granted in the US, over 25 publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at various scientific meetings.