Mr. Finley is an experienced financial executive, having played instrumental roles in raising nearly $1 billion in capital for companies as both an internal Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and an independent investment banker. Prior to joining Palisade Bio (formerly Leading BioSciences) as the company’s CFO, Mr. Finley was the Chief Executive Officer, President and CFO for PointAcross, Inc., a software company providing business messaging and communications services. Mr. Finley previously co-founded Proteus Capital Partners, Inc., a firm specializing in providing financing for a variety of businesses, and was a Principal and CFO at Phillips Capital, a broker/dealer firm specializing in private debt and equity capital raises. During his career, he also served as Executive Vice President and CFO of MetroGolf, Inc., where he successfully completed MetroGolf’s initial public offering and was instrumental in growing the start-up company to over 125 employees. Mr. Finley began his business career as a tax specialist with Deloitte & Haskins and Sells (now Deloitte LLP), and later was co-owner of Mitchell Finley & Company, a full-service accounting firm.

Mr. Finley earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boise State University and a Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Denver.

Dr. Mitch Jones is an accomplished physician and executive with extensive experience in the development of innovative therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. As Chief Medical Officer at Palisade Bio, Dr. Jones oversees all clinical development programs, regulatory strategies, and medical affairs, ensuring the advancement of the company’s pipeline in inflammatory, autoimmune and fibrotic disease.

Dr. Jones has a distinguished track record of advancing innovative therapies from translational research through clinical development and achieving regulatory approvals. He most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy at Chemomab Therapeutics, where he directed corporate strategy, program development, and strategic partnerships. His efforts were instrumental in advancing Chemomab’s clinical-stage programs and supporting the company’s financing and M&A activities.

Prior to Chemomab, Dr. Jones held key leadership roles at Finch Therapeutics and Biora Therapeutics (formerly Progenity). At Finch Therapeutics, he was Vice President of Clinical Discovery and Development, contributing to the company’s IPO and the early clinical development of novel therapeutics for IBD, chronic hepatitis B, and solid tumor immunotherapy. At Biora Therapeutics, he served as Vice President of Innovation and Clinical Translational Development, where he lead the development of the company’s technology platforms including Navicap™ and Biojet™, executed early clinical development and proof of efficacy studies, created strategic roadmaps and played a pivotal role in securing $125 million in venture financing and leading the company through its IPO. His early role within the company was building the GI therapeutics division as Vice President of Translational and Clinical Development.

Dr. Jones founded Interface Therapeutics, where he developed a novel sampling platform for multi-omics analysis of GI tract samples, leading to the discovery of locally acting therapeutics for IBD. Interface Therapeutics was later acquired by Biora Therapeutics. Earlier in his career, he founded Micropharma, where he developed the FDA-approved product LRC™, now sold globally by Chr. Hansen, and achieved regulatory approvals for microbiome-based therapeutics for metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Jones is an inventor on nearly 200 patents and has authored numerous scientific publications. He holds MD and PhD degrees.

Mr. Willie has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller of Palisade Bio since February of 2023 and previously served as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller. Prior to joining Palisade Bio, Mr. Willie held various senior roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP where he provided key assurance services to clinical-stage biotechnology companies as they navigated the complexities of international collaborations, clinical trials, and follow-on offerings.

Mr. Willie earned a Master’s degree in Accountancy and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the state of California.

Dr. Joerg Heyer is an accomplished leader in Translational Science, Translational Medicine, and Clinical Research with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. As the Head of Translational Science and Medicine, Dr. Heyer has demonstrated exceptional expertise in guiding drug development from preclinical stages through to clinical trials. Dr. Heyer has played a pivotal role in the successful development and strategic management of multiple drug programs, including the oncology drug tivozanib and an infectious disease treatment, CP101. Dr. Heyer’s career is distinguished by his contributions to biomarker strategy and assay development, where he has developed and validated numerous clinical biomarker assays and led innovative strategies for integrating standardized assays into clinical trials. His preclinical research achievements include pioneering chimeric mouse models and devising novel dosing strategies, which have been instrumental in advancing targeted therapies and securing major pharmaceutical partnerships. Dr. Heyer has held senior leadership positions at Dynamicure, Finch Therapeutics, and AVEO Pharmaceuticals, among others, where he has successfully managed multi-million-dollar collaborations and built high-performing teams across international sites.

Dr. Heyer’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. from the University of Wuerzburg and postdoctoral research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Heyer’s extensive publication record and his role as a sought-after speaker at prestigious international conferences underscore his influential contributions to the field.

Ms. Skare brings more than 24 years of leadership experience in global clinical development and operations across large and emerging biotechnology companies. Her expertise spans autoimmune, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and fibrotic diseases, with a track record of successfully delivering programs from early development through regulatory approval, commercialization, and post-marketing submissions. She has served seven years as a department head within Clinical Operations and has been instrumental in multiple global inspection-readiness initiatives and post-approval filings for therapies in ulcerative colitis and diabetes. Ms. Skare most recently served as Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Operations at Abivax, where she oversaw global Phase 3 and Phase 2 programs in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Previously, Ms. Skare held senior leadership positions at Pfizer and Arena Pharmaceuticals, where she led the global clinical operations program for Etrasimod, an oral, selective S1P receptor modulator for ulcerative colitis, now approved as Velsipity™. She earned Pfizer’s Craig A. Saxton Clinical Development Excellence Award and 12 additional company recognitions for clinical development excellence and operational leadership. Sharon served as head of clinical operations at Elcelyx Therapeutics, advancing a delayed-release metformin formulation for Type 2 diabetes from proof of concept through End-of-Phase 2 alignment with the FDA. Early in her career Ms. Skare was part of the core clinical operations and clinical science teams at Amylin Pharmaceuticals through the development and approval of Byetta®, the first GLP-1 agonist, and Symlin®, the first non-insulin treatment indicated for Type 1 diabetes. She also held clinical research roles at PPD and Clinimetrics Research Associates.

Dr. Izanec is a physician–scientist with over two decades of clinical and drug development leadership spanning immunology, neuroscience, and gastroenterology. He brings extensive experience directing registrational Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs, shaping asset-level development strategies, and guiding cross‑functional execution at leading pharmaceutical organizations including Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen.

Prior to joining Palisade Bio, Dr. Izanec served as Senior Medical Director and Clinical Development Lead at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he led global Phase 2/3 development programs across autoimmune and neurological diseases. His responsibilities included oversight of a 1,200‑patient Phase 3 Crohn’s program, leadership of pediatric development programs in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis, and strategic ownership for the clinical development plans of ozanimod and deucravacitinib.

Previously, he served as Medical Director at Janssen, where he led global Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies in gastroenterology and immunology, contributed to lifecycle and label‑expansion programs for ustekinumab and infliximab, and helped support the successful launch of Stelara in ulcerative colitis, the largest franchise within Johnson & Johnson.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Izanec spent a decade as a practicing gastroenterologist and hepatologist, serving as principal investigator for more than 50 clinical trials across inflammatory bowel disease,

hepatology, functional GI disorders, and motility disorders. He has authored more than 100 peer‑reviewed publications and abstracts and has been a frequent invited speaker at global medical congresses including DDW, ECCO, ACG, and UEGW.

Dr. Izanec received his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, completed his internal medicine residency at Temple University Hospital, and his gastroenterology fellowship at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association and graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University.

Daniel J. Larkins is an accomplished regulatory affairs leader with more than 30 years of experience guiding pharmaceutical products through global development and registration. He brings deep expertise in U.S. and international regulatory strategy, health authority engagement, and cross-functional leadership, with a strong focus on inflammatory and gastrointestinal diseases.

Most recently, Mr. Larkins served as Director and Global Regulatory Lead at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he was part of the team developing duvakitug (anti-TL1A), a novel therapy currently initiating Phase 3 development for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. At Teva, he led global and U.S. regulatory strategies for early- and mid-stage specialty programs in gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases.

Previously, Mr. Larkins held senior regulatory leadership roles at AbbVie, where he was a member of the upadacitinib (RINVOQ) development team supporting its Phase 2/3 programs in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. He also provided regulatory support for risankizumab (SKYRIZI). Earlier in his career, he held regulatory roles at Merck & Co., Inc., contributing to development and approval programs across immunology, infectious disease, vaccines, oncology, and women’s health, with direct engagement with the FDA and other global health authorities.

In addition to his industry leadership, Mr. Larkins has served as an Adjunct Professor of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at the Temple University School of Pharmacy since 2008. He holds a Master of Science in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Temple University.

Mr. Patel has over 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry with deep expertise in end-to-end drug development, spanning pre-clinical development through late-stage clinical programs and NDA submission. He has a strong background in drug substance and drug product development, process optimization/scale-up, validation, regulatory filings, and global supply chain execution.

Prior to joining Palisade Bio, Mr. Patel held leadership roles at Elevar Therapeutics, AbbVie, Allergan, Lohmann Therapy Systems, Mylan, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, supporting multiple clinical and commercial products across a range of dosage forms.

Mr. Patel holds an MBA from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, a Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

Mr. Williams has more than 40 years of experience in the accounting and finance sector, including 36 years in the public accounting industry and over four years serving on the board of various public and private companies. His public accounting experience includes 18 years as a partner with Ernst & Young, and seven years as a partner with Grant Thornton. With a primary industry focus in the life sciences/healthcare and technology sectors, he served companies involved in the extended care market, acute care market, and roll-up transactions involving physicians, dentists and ambulatory surgery centers while at Ernst & Young. During his time at Grant Thornton, he served as national leader of the life sciences industry sector and managing partner of the San Diego Office. From 2001 to 2014, Mr. Williams served on the board of directors of the San Diego Venture Group, during which time he also served as the group’s President and Chairman. He was also a founding member of the Young VCs of Southern California.

Mr. Williams currently serves on the board of directors of Adhera Therapeutics, Akari Therapeutics, Alphatec Spine, and ImpediMed. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Southern Illinois University and completed the director education and certification program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Business.

Dr. Chuang is a pediatric gastroenterologist with nearly 25 years of pharmaceutical and clinical experience spanning large pharma, biotech, therapeutics, medical nutrition, and diagnostics. His expertise spans from preclinical translational medicine through Phase 1-4 clinical development. Notably, his leadership has contributed to multiple drug development programs, including two successful regulatory approvals (NDA/sBLA): infliximab for pediatric Crohn’s disease and lorcaserin for morbid obesity.

Following a successful academic career as an Assistant Professor at both Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Chuang transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, where he has earned a reputation for simplifying complex challenges into actionable development strategies. His work includes significant contributions to programs targeting inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including infliximab and vedolizumab.

Dr. Chuang currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Intrinsic Medicine, a privately held biotechnology company. He also leads Chuang Global Consulting, his independent advisory firm. His prior leadership roles include Head of GI Clinical Development for Nestlé Health Science, Head of GI Translational Research and Early Clinical at Takeda, and Head of GI Precision Medicine at Progenity. Over the course of his career, Dr. Chuang has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and book chapters.

He received his medical degree (MB BS) from the University of Sydney, Australia and completed his pediatrics specialty training (FRACP) in Australia before moving to the United States, where he completed subspecialty training in both pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition.

Mr. Binxian (Phil) Wei has served on our board of directors since February 2019. He has been the V.P. of Darsheng Trade & Tech. Development Co, Ltd. (a subsidiary to Tianjin Tiayo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) since 2015. He is responsible for API and finished dosage marketing for Chinese pharmaceutical companies. From 2008 through 2010, he worked as a business development manager for Sakai Trading.

He holds a Master’s degree in Mathematical & Computer Sciences from Colorado School of Mines, a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University in China.

Dr. Burrill B. Crohn Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and System Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai Health System

Dr. Sands is an expert in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and has earned an international reputation for his care of patients with complex and refractory diseases. He joined Mount Sinai in 2010 as Chief of the Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Sands was Medical Co-Director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he also served as the hospital’s Acting Chief of the Gastrointestinal Unit as well as Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

A longtime advocate for the continued translational research in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Dr. Sands is widely recognized for his innovative treatment of IBD and for his clinical investigations of new therapeutics. He was among the first to report the efficacy of infliximab-a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases-in ulcerative colitis, a result later confirmed in large, multi-center randomized controlled trials. Dr. Sands was also principal investigator for the landmark ACCENT II study, an international project that demonstrated the efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody infliximab as a long-term treatment for fistulizing Crohn’s disease.

Dr. Sands’ research also explores IBD epidemiology and includes the creation of a population-based cohort of IBD in Rhode Island, a project that is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A leader in several major professional organizations, Dr. Sands has served as the chair of the Clinical Research Alliance of the Crohn’s Foundation of America, Chair of the Immunology, Microbiology and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Section of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and chair of the International Organization for the Study of IBD. He is an AGA Fellow (AGAF) and a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG). In 2006 he was named Humanitarian of the Year by the New England Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundations Henry D. Janowitz Lifetime Achievement Award and Mount Sinai’s Jacobi Medallion. Dr. Bruce Sands is a paid advisory board member for Palisades Bio.

Associate Staff in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, as well as an Investigator in the Department of Pathobiology at the Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Rieder is Vice Chair, Co-Director of the IBD section, and Director of the Program for Global Translational IBD at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland. His clinical focus is patients with IBD with a special emphasis on the field of pathogenesis, prediction and therapy of intestinal fibrosis. Dr. Rieder has published more than 150 articles (h-index 52) and book chapters and has been recognized for his expertise as indicated through invitations to clinical guideline steering committees of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO). He is lead author of the ECCO guidelines on Ulcerative colitis and lead author of the first ECCO clinical consensus on ‘Diagnosis and Management of Intestinal Fibrosis’. He received multiple international invitations as a speaker, session chair or conference faculty. Dr. Rieder serves as an abstract reviewer for all major GI conferences, he is past associate editor (Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology) and on several editorial boards of medical journals. He is proud of his significant ties to the ECCO, which he served as the chair of Y-ECCO, member of the ECCO operational board, prior Y-ECCO committee member and member of the scientific committee. He is past chair of REACH-IBD and Co-Chair of the Professional Education Committee of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Dr. Rieder is the leading PI on the international Stenosis Therapy and Research (STAR) Consortium with the goal to build a pathway to test anti-fibrotic medications in stricturing Crohn’s disease.

Ramesh brings over 20 years of experience across the life sciences ecosystem, with a unique perspective shaped by his roles as an investor, sell-side analyst, and corporate strategist. His background spans capital markets, corporate development, and strategic advisory, providing a comprehensive view of value creation across the sector.

 Prior to joining Palisade Bio, Ramesh served as Portfolio Manager at Bioceptive Holdings, a family office focused on life sciences. His experience also includes serving as an advisor to PDL on private credit and royalty investments, as well as several years as a Wall Street analyst at J. P. Morgan, where he covered life sciences tools, diagnostics, and medical devices.

 Earlier in his career, Ramesh worked in management consulting at Easton Associates and Extera Partners, advising companies on high-level corporate strategy. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Bioengineering and Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.