September 2021

Phoreus Biotech Names Steve Schram as CEO

Category: Press Release

OLATHE, KS, September 9, 2021 – Phoreus Biotech, a leading provider of next-generation peptide nanocarriers, today announces that Steve Schram has been named Chief Executive Officer. Schram brings nearly 38 years of experience leading multiple international animal health companies in the pharmaceuticals and biologics industry. In addition, Schram has served on both for-profit and nonprofit boards in the animal and health care industries. The addition of Schram to the Phoreus management team expedites Phoreus Biotech’s growth and expansion.

“Steve Schram’s background is a great addition to the team as we continue to expand our operations to address the industry need for better nanocarrier technology,” said Dr. Michael Coe, Chief Scientific Officer at Phoreus Biotech. “Phoreus has established a number of key industry partnerships in the past year, and Steve’s involvement in the company will be essential to securing the licensing agreements and additional funding needed to fuel our rapid growth.”

Schram succeeds Phoreus founder Randall Tosh, who is transitioning from his role as CEO to his new role as Chief Operating Officer. “As Phoreus continues to grow as a company, I’m pleased to have Steve join the team to further drive our expansion,” said Tosh. “I’m looking forward to continuing to play an important role at Phoreus as I manage our day-to-day operations including the opening of an additional laboratory at the Bioscience & Technology Business Center at the University of Kansas.”

As the future of animal and human vaccines continues to shift towards mRNA technology, an improved delivery platform will be essential to advancing the efficacy and stability of new products. All new mRNA vaccines will require a nanoparticle carrier to successfully deliver components to antigen-producing cells to create an immune response. Current vaccine producers rely on lipid-based carriers that come with many well-publicized struggles with keeping the vaccines at sub-zero temperature during transport and storage.

The peptide nanocarriers produced by Phoreus Biotech are positioned to drive the next generation of genetic medicine and offer substantial increases in the efficacy of existing drugs and therapeutics. They currently offer two patented nanocarrier platforms: Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsules (BAPC™) and Corralling Amphipathic Peptide Colloids (CAPC™), which offer a superior delivery method for these new genetic vaccines.

While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can be significantly toxic to cells, Phoreus nanocarriers demonstrate much lower cytotoxicity, due to their natural peptide composition. LNPs can also trigger negative immune system responses and break down in extreme temperatures, while BAPC are completely immunogenic and are stable at temperatures up to 100° C, eliminating the need for expensive cold chain storage. These nanocarriers can revolutionize vaccine development, cancer therapeutics, small molecule delivery, and gene editing/therapy. 

“I am pleased to be joining Phoreus Biotech and assist with the important work they’re doing in nanodelivery,” said Steve Schram. “I look forward to helping accelerate Phoreus’ growth through establishing their new lab space, continuing to drive new investment in this exciting technology, and building strategic commercial partnerships with collaborators and customers.”

Most recently, Schram served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Americas for Norbrook Inc., a leading provider of veterinary pharmaceutical products. Prior to Norbrook Inc., he served as the President and CEO of AgriLabs, an animal vaccine manufacturer and animal health distribution company that was acquired by Huvepharma in 2017.