2A Biosciences is advancing novel serotonergic therapies to transform age-related and inflammatory disease treatments. We are developing first- and best-in-class small molecules that modify disease, beginning with neurodegenerative conditions of the eye and brain.
Our Mission
The Genesis of 2A Biosciences
In 2007, Dr. Charles Nichols made the pivotal discovery that certain serotonin 2A agonists, commonly known as psychedelics, can drive potent anti-inflammatory effects. Working alongside his father Dr. David Nichols, a pioneer whose research laid the foundation for modern psychedelic science and CNS therapeutics, the two uncovered how 2A receptor activation mediates anti-inflammatory and neuroplastic effects without inducing behavioral changes.
Meet the Team
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Alex Speiser
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
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Tim Foster, PhD
Co-Founder & Head of Translational Discovery Research
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David Nichols, PhD
Co-Founder & Head of Chemistry
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Charles Nichols, PhD
Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer
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Allan Shepard, PhD
Chief Development & Operations Officer
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Gerald Billac, PhD
Director of Preclinical Operations
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Marina Crowe, MBA
Vice President of Corporate Development
Team Track Record
Aggregate accomplishments of founding scientists & executives
490+
Peer-review publications
& book chapters
50+
Patents filed & issued
4
IND enabling
development programs
10
Clinical trials run
10
Drug approvals
3
IPOs
Advisors
Development
Alan Weiner, PhD
Former Sr. Director of Pharmaceuticals, Alcon
CMC-DP
Rose Verhoeven, PhD
Former Toxicology Director, Aerie
Toxicology
Gary Novack, PhD
President, PharmaLogic Development
Regulatory Affairs
Jim Chastain, PhD
Former Toxicology Director, Aerie
DMPK
Chris Verbicky
Managing Director, CurVe Consultants, LLC CMC-DS
Clinical & Commercial
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, FRCP
Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
Diabetes & Corneal Neuropathy Expert
Gary Sternberg, MD, MBA
Former CMO, Aerie (acq. by Alcon)
Clinical & Commercial
Chair of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford Glaucoma & Neuro-Ophthalmology Expert
Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, PhD
Former Commercial / BD Head at Shire (acq. by Takeda)
Commercial
Susan Benton, MBA
Clinical Professor, Harvard and Mass General Brigham
Glaucoma & Neurodegeneration Expert
