Meet Our Leaders
Sheila Ann Mikhail, JD, MBA
Founder & CEO, Board Member
Sheila Mikhail has over 20 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience and is CEO and co-founder of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a company she started in 2001. She has also served as CEO and co-founder of Bamboo Therapeutics, which in 20 months raised $50 million, advanced a therapeutic for GAN into the clinic, completed pre-IND studies for a Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapeutic, and built a GMP manufacturing facility. Bamboo was acquired by Pfizer in August 2016 in a deal valued at $827 million.
Carrie Helland, MBA
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Carrie Helland is an industry leader with over 20 years of therapeutic drug development experience. She started her career as a formulation biochemist at Amgen, later moving into leadership roles in drug development and company formation in oncology and infectious disease. She was instrumental in the early growth and success of VIR Biotechnology and later joined ARCH Venture Partners as an Entrepreneur in Residence, aiding in the creation and expansion of portfolio companies.
Irnela Bajrovic, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
Dr. Irnela Bajrovic-Jasarevic, Chief Scientific Officer at Jurata, specializes in advancing pharmaceutical technologies and biopharmaceutical development. She earned her PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, where her research demonstrated the viability of Jurata's thin film formulation as a groundbreaking method for vaccine stabilization, bypassing cold-chain requirements. Following her PhD, she led the establishment of a formulation team at a leading biotech company, resulting in a patent, multiple publications, and innovative solutions for biologics development. Her career reflects a commitment to scientific innovation and leadership in the biopharmaceutical field.
R. Jude Samulski, PhD
Co-Founder, Board Member
Dr. Jude Samulski received his PhD in medical microbiology and immunology from the University of Florida. His graduate work (1978-82) demonstrated the first use of AAV as a viral vector and culminated in the first U.S. patent involving non-AAV genes inserted into AAV. Dr. Samulski has worked with AAV for 40 years, and for 25 years, he was director of the University of North Carolina Gene Therapy Center. He was the scientific founder of Bamboo Therapeutics, Inc. and served as the Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Chairman of the company until its acquisition by Pfizer in 2016. Dr. Samulski has advanced therapeutics into human clinical trials for hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, giant axonal neuropathy, and heart failure. He holds more than 200 patents related to AAV technology.
Tim Obara
SVP, Corporate Development
Tim Obara brings his extensive experience in corporate and business development within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, to lead corporate growth as the SVP of Corporate Development at Jurata. Mr. Obara has had leadership roles at top companies like AstraZeneca, GSK, and Merck, focusing on strategic planning, market access, and global commercial development across multiple therapeutic areas. With over two decades of experience, he has consistently driven growth and innovation through strategic partnerships, licensing, and commercialization efforts worldwide.
Megan Livingston, MSc
Vice President, Business Development
Megan Livingston has a strong background in business development, strategic planning, and corporate partnerships within the biotechnology and cell therapy industries. As VP of Business Development at Jurata, she leads investor coordination, strategic planning, and partner recruitment to advance proprietary technology. Her earlier career includes experience in cell and gene therapy product development and biomedical research roles at world class academic institutions, showcasing expertise in scientific innovation and project execution.