Our Team
Orion leverages strong expertise and decades of experience in the non-viral delivery and genetic medicines spaces to advance a novel lipid nanoparticle delivery platform and RNA therapeutics pipeline internally and in partnership.
Richard (Trey) Fisher, PhD
Richard (Trey) Fisher, PhD
Co-founder, President & CEO
Dr. Richard (Trey) Fisher leads Orion Therapeutics with a robust background in vascular gene therapy and lipid nanoparticle delivery systems. Holding a PhD in Comparative and Experimental Medicine from the University of Tennessee, Trey is the co-inventor of Orion's platform technology. He has extensive experience in developing innovative genetic medicine solutions and has been instrumental in securing multiple pitch competition victories and significant funding for Orion. His visionary leadership continues to drive the company towards groundbreaking advancements in genetic medicine and RNA therapeutics.
Michael McCaman, PhD
Michael McCaman, PhD
Co-Founder, VP & Chief Strategy Officer
Dr. Michael McCaman brings over 30 years of biotechnology product development experience to Orion Therapeutics. With a PhD in Biochemistry from UC Davis, Michael has held leadership roles at Intellia Therapeutics, Lonza, and Halozyme Therapeutics. He led the first gene editing program at Intellia to reach the clinic, including NTLA-2001 for ATTR amyloidosis cardiomyopathy. His expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 technology, cell therapy, and viral vectors, along with his regulatory and process development skills, drives Orion's strategic initiatives and positions it for clinical advancement.
Leanne Minall, PhD
Leanne Minall, PhD
Interim Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Leanne Minall brings a wealth of experience in RNA delivery and lipid nanoparticle technology to Orion Therapeutics. She holds a PhD in Chemical Biology from the University of Oxford and has held senior scientific roles at Pfizer and other leading biotech companies. With extensive expertise in developing scalable LNP formulations and driving R&D strategies, Leanne plays a critical role in advancing Orion's scientific vision and therapeutic pipelines. Her strategic insights and leadership are pivotal in positioning Orion for clinical success.
Jennifer Zachry, PhD
Jennifer Zachry, PhD
Co-Founder, Director of Business Development
Dr. Jennifer Zachry has been a pivotal part of Orion's growth over the past two years. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology with expertise in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University, where she published in top-tier academic journals, including Nature Neuroscience and Neuron, and won multiple awards and recognition for her work. Jennifer's strategic vision and business acumen have driven Orion's market strategy, positioning Orion as a genetic medicine company enabled by a novel delivery platform. She has led Orion to win several awards, including the Eli Lilly Genetic Grand Medicine Challenge, the Chiesi Golden Ticket Challenge, and the Life Science TN pitch competition, among others. Jennifer is set to complete her professional MBA at the University of Tennessee at the end of 2024.
Deidra Mountain, PhD
Deidra Mountain, PhD
Co-Founder, Director of Vascular Disease Pipeline
Dr. Deidra Mountain is an accomplished scientist with extensive expertise in vascular biology and gene therapy. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from East Tennessee State University and serves as a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. As the Scientific Director of the Vascular Research Laboratory, Deidra has led numerous groundbreaking studies and holds multiple patents in lipid nanoparticle technology. Her leadership in Orion Therapeutics focuses on advancing the vascular disease pipeline, positioning the company for clinical success.
Dave McCaman, CPA
Dave McCaman, CPA
Director of Finance
Dave McCaman brings over 25 years of experience in financial management and accounting to Orion Therapeutics. As a CPA and a FINRA Series 7, 66 registered professionals, Dave specializes in financial strategy, investment and portfolio management, and tax planning. Before joining Orion, he held senior roles such as Vice President and Corporate Controller at Codexis, and Chief Accounting Officer at Good Technology and Atmel Corporation. Dave's extensive expertise in financial strategy and business operations, particularly within high-tech and biotech industries, make him a pivotal asset in driving Orion's financial planning and growth.
Mark Wienhold, M.S.
Mark Wienhold, M.S.
Director of Preclinical Sciences
Mark Wienhold brings extensive experience in molecular and cellular biology to Orion Therapeutics. Holding a Master's from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor's from St. Cloud State University, he has led significant advancements in drug delivery systems and preclinical research. As Director of Preclinical Sciences, Mark has established all preclinical testing procedures for in vitro and in vivo testing and oversees the administration of these studies to expand Orion’s platform technology. His previous roles have provided him with expertise in experimental design, QA/QC programs, and team leadership.
Natalie Gosnell, MBA
This is Modal Title
Director of Laboratory Operations
Natalie Gosnell brings extensive experience in lipid nanoparticle formulation and GMP production to Orion Therapeutics. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. With a proven track record in directing the manufacturing of complex drug products and leading technology transfers, Natalie ensures the highest standards of quality and efficacy in our laboratory operations.
Samuel Mattern-Schain, PhD
Samuel Mattern-Schain, PhD
Associate Director of Platform Development
Samuel Mattern-Schain is an organic chemist with expertise in cellular biology and preclinical nanodrug development. He earned his PhD from the University of Tennessee, where he developed novel strategies for protein profiling and controlled release of nanocarriers in genetic medicine. His DARPA-funded postdoctoral work involved creating biomimetic smart materials capable of autonomously modulating their properties based on environmental cues. Currently, Sam leads proof-of-concept and application studies for Orion Therapeutics’ delivery platform.
Locations
Knoxville Lab
Cherokee Farms
2641 Osprey Vista Way
Knoxville, TN, 37920
Boston Lab
Tufts Launchpad | BioLabs
75 Kneeland St, 14th Fl
Boston, MA 02111