About Us

Rodney A. Brown MRPharmS: President

Rodney is the President and Founding Director of PharmaNova Inc. He was also the founder and Principal of PharmaNova Consulting, which provided consulting and training services for the pharmaceutical industry and from which stems the current organization.  In a career devoted to the discovery and development of new medicines, his industry experience spans pharmaceutical R&D and, as a pharmacologist and Head of Cardiovascular Research at Fisons Pharmaceuticals, UK, he led numerous projects from concept to clinic.  With hands-on-experience in multiple sectors of health care, he established and directed project management in discovery research and clinical development in 3 US organizations and the Discovery Project Office as the hub of Research Coordination and Knowledge Management at Astra Arcus USA, and was Head of Scientific Operations and Project Management at AstraZeneca (Neuroscience) R&D Boston.  A seasoned industry professional experienced in multiple therapeutic areas, Rodney has managed international development projects through NDA in UK, Europe & North America.  He is an author and inventor on numerous scientific papers and patents. Rodney trained in the UK (University of London B.Pharm., MRPharmS.).  He is a former Board Director of the High Tech Business Council of Rochester, NY and a founding member of the Rochester NY BioCluster. His goal for PharmaNova is for the Company to become an internationally recognized leader in the field of pharmaceutical nanoparticle technology and to become successful in worldwide commercialization of medically important new product opportunities derived from PharmaNova’s NovaSperse℠ and associated technologies.

Michael R. Violante, PhD., Vice President, Research and Development

Mike has 35 years of experience directing technology development in academic and corporate environments. During his tenure as Associate Professor Radiology at the University of Rochester, NY, Mike developed a patented nanoparticle drug delivery technology to improve the utility of injectable diagnostic imaging materials. He currently directs PharmaNova’s R&D efforts, and is responsible for developing new applications for nanoparticle technology based on his pioneering work at the University of Rochester. 
In 1982 Mike joined Sterilization Technical Services (STS) Inc., as partner and Vice President for R&D.  STS subsequently spun off two companies. In 1991 Mike became Partner and Executive Vice President of STS Biopolymers Inc., a company focused on biocompatible coatings for medical devices. That same year Mike also became Partner and President of Medisperse LLC, a nanotechnology company. 
Mike left STS Biopolymers in 2003 when it was acquired by Angiotech Pharmaceuticals to extend that company’s pioneering work on medicated coatings for medical devices. He then merged Medisperse with PharmaNova to extend his work on the application of Medisperse™ nanoparticle technology to therapeutic pharmaceuticals. Mike Violante is the author/inventor of many patents, peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

   Vivienne H. Brown: Founder & Director, Business Management and Administration 

A co-founder of PharmaNova, Inc., Vivienne is also a Company Officer, being Secretary and Treasurer to the Board of Directors.  She is also a Founder and Board Director of PharmaNova Europa, Ltd., PharmaNova’s affiliate company in the UK/Europe.  Vivienne has held numerous administrative and senior management positions in companies including transport manager of a heavy haulage company, helping to bring the business from a division of a plant hire company to a highly successful independent business (Tracton, Ltd.).  Joining two other entrepreneurs in 1975 she helped grow a gas controls company from inception to a multi-million £UK enterprise (Seagas, Ltd.) in 4 years.  Seagas continues to thrive on the manufacture, import/export and distribution of gas control systems.  Her experience in understanding and managing the needs of smaller organizations to successfully maintain the business and facilitate growth are a perfect match for PharmaNova as it transitions through the point of inflection to true organic growth.  A natural multi-tasker, Vivienne directs and manages the accounts, benefits, HR, purchasing, insurance and general procedures, interfacing closely with all business units and personnel.  Her goal for PharmaNova is to help create a solid structure for lasting growth.

Deepak Thassu Ph.D., MBA.  Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development 

Deepak has over 20 years of pharmaceutical product development experience in Research and Development of leading pharmaceutical companies of the world. He is specialized in the fields of Nanotechnology and Novel Drug Delivery Systems with emphasis on parenteral and ophthalmic delivery systems for bio/pharmaceuticals. Deepak is an inventor on multiple US and EU drug delivery and formulation patents and is the author and/or editor of several books and book chapters. His first book in the area of (pharmaceutical) nanotechnology, “Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems,” was published in 2007 (Taylor & Francis).  In March 2010, Deepak's latest book, "Ocular Drug Delivery System: Barriers and Applications of  Nanoparticulate Systems" was accepted for publication (Taylor & Francis).  During his global career he has held several leadership positions: He was Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President Product Development at Holopack International. Columbia, SC., and with UCB Inc and Celltech Americas he was Associate Director Global Product Technology Development and led several extended release technology and product development projects from concept to clinic.  Deepak holds degrees in Pharmacy, PhD in Pharmaceutics, and MBA from Cornell University. 

Thomas C. Parker, Vice President, Commercial Affairs  

Tom serves as Vice President, Commercial Affairs of PharmaNova, Inc. and is experienced in building commercial teams, strategic planning and launching pharmaceutical products in various therapeutic categories including branded and generic prescription products.  Prior to co-founding PharmaNova, Tom was General Manager for Collateral Pharmaceuticals/Therapeutics, a San Diego based cardiovascular gene therapeutics company that was acquired by Schering AG in 2002.  Prior to Collateral Therapeutics, Tom was Sr. VP, Marketing & Sales and Business Development for Celltech Americas and also previously held senior management positions at Fisons Pharmaceuticals and Medeva USA. Tom attended the University of Tennessee and holds a B.S./B.A. and is a graduate of the John Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA, Medical Marketing Program.  

David Hessler, Chief Financial Officer

David Hessler is Chief Financial Officer of PharmaNova. He is an entrepreneurial business executive experienced in both operating management and in private equity financing. David has management experience in both large and small technology businesses, including as CEO and business owner. In addition, he has financing transactional experience as a principal of a small venture capital fund and as Managing Director of two middle market investment banking firms. From 1986 to 1996, David was Chairman, CEO and owner of Information Transfer Inc., a privately-held manufacturer of defense electronic equipment.

Prior to investing in ITI, David was co-manager responsible for investing a small venture capital fund in six early stage entrepreneurial companies.  His corporate background includes twelve “fast track” years in a variety of increasingly-responsible positions in many phases of strategic, financial and product planning at Xerox Corporation during a period of dynamic growth.  David holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University; an MS in Engineering from the University of Michigan; and an MBA (with honors) from the University of Michigan. He received additional training at the NASBIC Venture Capital Training Institute, and the Xerox/Harvard Executive Program (Exeter).  He has held National Assoc. of Securities Dealers (NASD) Series 63, Series 7, and Series 24 securities licenses.

Kieran Rooney, BSc., PhD., MRPharmS.

 Vice President Commercial Affairs, PharmaNova Europa Ltd.

Kieran Rooney is Vice President Commercial Affairs of PharmaNova Europa Ltd.  Dr. Rooney has over 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical & biotechnology sector, having held R&D, clinical, commercial and Board positions within a diverse range of organisations, from multinational pharmaceutical companies & CROs to biotech start-ups & SMEs. Prior to establishing the consulting firm, Halo BioConsulting, Dr Rooney was a UK Government-funded dealmaker, supporting UK-based life science companies with in- & out-licensing and M&A activities. He has a global network in the pharma/biotech space, has identified, negotiated and closed multiple deals in the sector and has extensive experience across a broad range of therapeutic and technology areas. Through Halo BioConsulting, Dr Rooney provides a broad portfolio of commercial consulting and transactional services to the global pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, the life science investment sector and Government agencies. A Pharmacist by profession, Dr Rooney holds a degree in Pharmacy, a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology and worked in neuroscience research at the Universities of Nottingham and Bristol, UK.