John V. Hatton

Valocor Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, privately-held company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for major unmet needs in dermatology. The company's portfolio of dermatology therapeutics includes Lemuteporfin, a potent and selective topical photodynamic therapy for moderate to severe acne and a portfolio of novel, topical small molecule therapeutics targeting acne, sebaceous gland hyperactivity, skin pigmentation disorders and inflammatory skin diseases. Valocor Therapeutics is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Although many common yet serious skin conditions have unsatisfactory treatment options, dermatology has in recent years attracted limited research resources and investment. As a result, a sparse pipeline and a lack of true scientific innovation have been the dominant themes of this field for the last twenty years. During this same period, technological advances have produced new research techniques that have greatly expanded its ability to study disease processes and establish new effective therapeutic strategies. Much of this innovative research has been applied to the fields such as oncology, autoimmunity, and ocular diseases. Valocor is applying current biotechnology techniques to develop breakthrough therapies for major dermatological diseases, where prevalent conditions, minimal competition and important medical needs exist.

Schering Plough Corp. manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals, consumer and animal health care products. The firm discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies. The company is headquartered in Kenilworth, NJ.

Centocor, Inc. manufactures healthcare products. Its products include avakine & reopro. The company was founded in 1979 by Hubert J. P. Schoemaker & Michael A. Wall and is headquartered in Horsham, PA.

ImStar Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapies for ALS and neurodegenerative disease. The firm's lead drug candidate is IMS-088, a small-molecule compound currently in preclinical development. It is studying compounds directed at a proprietary new therapeutic target for ALS called TANA. The company was founded by Daniel J. Wattier and Jean-Pierre Julien in 2012 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

BIOTECanada serves as a national association for Canada's health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology sectors. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.