About Us

About Us

MatriSys Bioscience is leading the discovery and clinical development of a novel class of biopharmaceuticals to transform the treatment of chronic skin diseases. Our groundbreaking technology platform identifies beneficial bacteria derived from healthy human skin to potentially treat the millions of children and adults suffering from difficult to treat chronic skin diseases. Our lead clinical program focuses on patients with Atopic Dermatitis, we are also rapidly advancing therapeutics for Acne, Netherton and other skin disorders.

Our team is committed to addressing the unmet medical need in the dermatology space to innovate the next generation of therapeutics to reduce the use of steroids, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics.

Leadership

Philippe Calais has more than 35 years’ experience managing across functions of the drug development chain from discovery through commercialization, partnership, financing, and IPOs. Prior to joining MatriSys, Philippe served as Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer of CohBar. He has more than 23 years of experience in North America and 13 years in Europe managing companies in broad therapeutic spaces including oncology, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, dermatology, and CNS. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Phileas Pharma and TransCode Therapeutics and is an affiliate research professor in the Center for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science of Florida Atlantic University. Philippe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University François-Rabelais in Tours, France.
Joyce Rico is a board-certified dermatologist with over 20 years of experience in dermatologic drug development. She currently serves as Principal at Joyce Rico Consulting, LLC. Previously, Joyce served as Chief Medical Officer at Arcutis Biotherapeutics and Novan Therapeutics, as well as Vice-President for Medical Sciences and Medical Affairs at Astellas. She was a full-time dermatology faculty member at New York University and Duke University and is a Voluntary Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Joyce has served on the Board of Directors of the American Dermatologic Association, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Women’s Dermatologic Society. She holds a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, an MD from the University of Florida College of Medicine, and an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
Brian Zucker has over twenty-five years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. He has served as the President and Chairman of Atlantis Business Development Corp. (ABDV), Chief Financial Officer of Natcore Solar Technology, Inc. and as a Managing Director of American Frontier Financial Corp. Brian started his career as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Haskins and Sells and later Price Waterhouse. He holds a BS in Public Accounting from Pace University.

Board of Directors

Magda Marquet is a serial entrepreneur who has built, led and commercialized multiple life science companies. She is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of ALMA Life Sciences LLC, an early-stage healthcare investment firm. Previously, Magda co-founded Althea Technologies and, as its co-CEO with full P&L responsibility, led the company to become a leader in the field and a highly profitable, commercial company, subsequently acquired by Ajinomoto. Magda is also a co-founder of AltheaDx. Prior to starting Althea Technologies, Magda held several leadership positions in product and pharmaceutical development in companies such as Vical and Amylin Pharmaceuticals. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Arcturus Therapeutics (ARCT) and AnaptysBio (ANAB). She also served on the Board of Pfenex (PFNX) until its acquisition by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. In addition, Magda is the Chairman of the Board of Micronoma, ProciseDx and is on the board of several private companies. She holds a PhD in biochemical engineering from INSA/University of Toulouse, France.
Philippe Calais has more than 35 years’ experience managing across functions of the drug development chain from discovery through commercialization, partnership, financing, and IPOs. Prior to joining MatriSys, Philippe served as Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer of CohBar. He has more than 23 years of experience in North America and 13 years in Europe managing companies in broad therapeutic spaces including oncology, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, dermatology, and CNS. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Phileas Pharma and TransCode Therapeutics and is an affiliate research professor in the Center for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science of Florida Atlantic University. Philippe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University François-Rabelais in Tours, France.
Ms. Cayer has over twenty-five years of biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device experience. She has co-founded several biotech companies that were funded by blue chip venture investors and subsequently acquired by global pharmaceutical companies or became publicly traded companies. She has executed multiple alliances with pharmaceutical and biotech companies worth over $5B including mergers and acquisitions, drug licensing, technology licensing, drug discovery and development collaborations, and company spinouts. She is a board member of multiple biotech companies and academic research institutes including Matrisys Biosciences, Devacell, University of California, San Diego Cancer Center (currently serving as Chairman of the Board), and BiocomCA. Ms. Cayer is the Founding Co-Chair of the Biocom Global Partnering Conference and a member of Corporate Directors Forum. Ms. Cayer graduated from University of California, San Diego with a BS in Bioengineering.
James Mackay has over 30 years of experience in the development of pharmaceuticals, and a strong record of bringing multiple drugs to market and patients. He is currently the founder, president, and CEO of Aristea Therapeutics. Previously, James served as the President and CEO of Ardea Biosciences, where he led the successful $1.2B acquisition and transition of Ardea Biosciences into AstraZeneca. He held a number of senior roles in AstraZeneca’s Clinical Development Function as well as Global Product Vice President for Diabetes. James is currently chairof CONNECT (www.connect.org) Board of Directors and sits on the Board of Governors of Biocom. James is also an independent Board Director for Privo Technologies and Arthrosi Therapeutics. James holds a BSc in Genetics and a PhD in Medical Genetics from Aberdeen University, Scotland.
Robert Eastlack is an orthopedic spine surgeon and fellowship-trained spine specialist. He currently serves as General Partner for Baker and Eastlack Ventures, a medical device and life science fund, Head of Spine Surgery at Scripps Clinic, CEO and President of Top Doctors Labs. At Scripps Clinic, he is co-Director of orthopaedic and spine research, as well as for the Fellowship/Residency training program for spine surgery. He serves on the Boards of Nocimed, San Diego Orthopaedic Society, and San Diego Spine Foundation, and is positioned on multiple scientific advisory boards for multinational device manufacturers in the spine space. He is also currently the President of the San Diego Orthopaedic Society. Robert is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, holds a BA from Stanford University, and received his MD from the Baylor College of Medicine.
Mark co-founded MatriSys Bioscience in 2015 and previously served as President and CEO. He has 28 years biopharmaceutical and diagnostic experience with extensive accomplishments in pharmaceutical licensing and business development, new organization startup, and strategic alliance formation. Mark currently serves as a Principal in Pacific BioVentures. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Scientific Founder and Advisor

Richard is a Distinguished Professor and the Founding Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the UCSD School of Medicine. He is a leading medical scientist in the human immunology and skin microbiome space. Richard’s groundbreaking research discovered the existence of antimicrobial peptides in mammalian skin, revolutionizing our understanding of the function of the skin microbiome in human health and advancing our understanding of diseases including atopic dermatitis, rosacea and acne. MatriSys’ discovery platform is built upon his pioneering research at the Gallo Laboratory at the University of California San Diego. Richard has received major awards from the Society of Investigative Dermatology, the Japanese Society of Investigative Dermatology, and the European Societies of Investigative Dermatology. He has also been elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of Microbiology, the American Association of Clinical Investigation, the American Association of Professors and the American Dermatology Association. He completed his Dermatology Residency at Harvard Medical School and holds an MD and PhD from the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Careers

We are building a team of highly motivated individuals dedicated to transforming the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Join our growing team!

Careers Contact Form