Co-Founder of Velesco Pharmaceutical Appointed to Board of Directors at TSRL

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The Preclinical CRO welcomes biopharma industry veteran Gerry Cox

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (August 6, 2025) — TSRL, Inc., a preclinical CRO specializing in testing services and early-stage development strategies, announced today the appointment of Gerry Cox to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Cox brings more than 30 years of biopharma leadership experience in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, having held senior executive positions at major industry players including Pfizer, Velesco, and Pace Analytical Life Sciences.

Cox’s extensive background spans finance, operations, and strategic leadership across the life sciences sector, having previously served as Senior Finance Director at Pfizer and more recently Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Velesco.

"We are honored to welcome Gerry to the board, and his appointment represents a strategic step that aligns perfectly with TSRL's growth goals," said Elke Lipka, CEO of TSRL. "His proven track record in building and scaling life sciences organizations aligns with our mission to provide strategic, science-forward support to companies navigating early-stage drug development."

Based in Boston, Cox's appointment provides TSRL with enhanced connectivity to the thriving East Coast biotechnology and life sciences ecosystem. This strategic geographic presence complements TSRL's Ann Arbor headquarters and positions the company to better serve clients and partners across key life sciences corridors. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for TSRL as the company continues to expand its capabilities and deepen its role as a trusted partner to pharma, biotech, academic, and government clients.

"I have long admired TSRL’s scientific approach and its commitment to strong scientific research and preclinical testing," said Gerry Cox. "TSRL has built an impressive foundation, and I look forward to helping the organization further drive meaningful impact across the drug development lifecycle to become the preclinical CRO of choice.”

TSRL’s board includes leaders from Ash Stevens Inc, the Drug Delivery Foundation, the University of Michigan, and more, guiding the company’s long-term vision and supporting its mission to help sponsors move compounds from discovery to clinical readiness.

Learn more at www.tsrlinc.com.

 

About TSRL

TSRL, Inc. is a preclinical contract research organization (CRO) specializing in formulation development, bioanalysis, exploratory toxicology, and pharmacokinetic strategies to guide human dosing schedules. Based in Michigan, TSRL supports pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and government partners with a science-first approach that goes beyond standard testing. As a preclinical CRO, TSRL delivers a focused set of services that help research teams move drug candidates forward. Each solution is designed to reduce development risk, generate high-quality data, and support better decision-making earlier in the process. Learn more at www.tsrlinc.com.

Media Contact

Don F. McLean, McLean Media

+1-734-716-4182

Ann Arbor-based Life Science Companies TSRL, AnchorBio, and AAPharmaSyn Launch The A2 BioPharm Collaborative at BIO 2025

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. and BOSTON (June 16, 2025) – Three Michigan-based companies—TSRL Inc., AnchorBio, and AAPharmaSyn—have announced the formation of The A2 BioPharm Collaborative, a new strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating drug development from target identification to IND-enabling studies. The announcement coincides with the companies’ joint presence at BIO 2025, one of the largest global biotechnology conferences, where they are co-located within the Michigan Pavilion inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center this week.

With complementary expertise across discovery biology, synthetic chemistry, and oral drug delivery, The A2 BioPharm Collaborative was created to deliver a seamless, cross-functional solution for biotech and pharmaceutical innovators seeking to move faster and smarter from first compound to first-in-human dose.

Understand how each organization works together, below:

  • AnchorBio brings biology-focused preclinical discovery services including target ID, assay development, and mechanism-of-action studies.

  • AAPharmaSyn offers deep capabilities in synthetic chemistry, process development, and lead optimization.

  • TSRL Inc. provides advanced formulation, PK/ADME, and preclinical development services with a focus on superior drug delivery.

“We have seen firsthand how difficult it is for teams to align chemistry, biology, and formulation early on. The A2 BioPharm Collaborative brings those disciplines together, creating a smarter way forward for biotech and pharma innovators,” said Dr. Elke Lipka, CEO of TSRL Inc. “Rooted in Michigan’s strong scientific community, our combined expertise helps early-stage developers all over the world reduce complexity and build real momentum toward the clinic.”

The collaborative’s launch comes at a time when biotech companies face increasing pressure to validate drug candidates quickly while conserving capital. The integrated services offered by The A2 BioPharm Collaborative are designed to streamline decision-making, reduce fragmentation, and improve outcomes across the R&D pipeline.

Attendees of BIO 2025 can meet with representatives from all three companies at their shared kiosk within the Michigan Pavilion. For more information, visit www.tsrlinc.com, www.anchorbiosolutions.com, and www.aapharmasyn.com.

Media Contact

Don F. McLean, McLean Media

+1-734-716-4182

TSRL Sponsors the A2 BioSocial – June Celebration at HOMES Campus

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TSRL is excited to announce our sponsorship of the A2 BioSocial – June Celebration, taking place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at the vibrant HOMES Campus – Beer Garden in Ann Arbor, MI.

This annual event marks the final A2 BioSocial of the season and is a cornerstone gathering for Michigan’s growing life sciences ecosystem. It brings together innovators, founders, researchers, investors, students, and professionals from across biotech, medtech, academia, and healthcare.

We’re especially proud to co-sponsor this event as part of the A2 BioPharm Collaborative, alongside AAPharmaSyn and AnchorBio Solutions.

Bring your team, expand your network, and help us toast to a successful season and a bright future for life sciences in Michigan.

🌟 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a2-biosocial-june-tickets-1370217801329?aff=oddtdtcreator

TSRL to Join BIO International Convention 2025 at the Michigan Pavilion

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We are excited to share that our CEO, Dr. Elke Lipka, will be attending BIO International Convention 2025 in our kiosk as part of the Michigan Pavilion!

If you’re heading to Boston for one of the industry’s biggest gatherings, we’d love to connect. TSRL is a preclinical accelerator based in Ann Arbor, supporting innovators across with expert guidance and lab-based execution. If you're looking to move your candidate from discovery to IND readiness, let’s talk about:

✅ Bioanalytical testing (HPLC, LC-MS/MS)
✅ Formulation development for oral, injectable, and transdermal delivery
✅ In vitro and in vivo ADME & PK studies
✅ Regulatory strategy and SBIR grant support
✅ End-to-end preclinical support with a collaborative approach

Stop by the Michigan Pavilion or connect with us here to schedule a meeting: https://lnkd.in/egeP-c87

TSRL, Inc. Awarded $3 Million NIH Grant to Develop a First-in-Class Oral Antibiotic

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April 25, 2023, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN — TSRL, Inc., a privately held preclinical accelerator, announced today that the company was awarded a Phase IIB Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institute of Health (NIH).

TSRL and its collaborators from the University of Washington were awarded $3 million over the next three years to conduct a successful development program that will be the foundation for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MRS-2541 (the lead candidate emerging from research conducted under our previous Phase II SBIR grant).

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) pose a significant healthcare challenge in the United States, with over 14 million visits to ambulatory and hospital institutions each year. Considering this alarming statistic, our previous research has unveiled a novel antibiotic, MRS-2541, which exhibits a unique mechanism of action (MOA) and the potential for oral administration and would represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of Gram+ infections.

 

Traditionally, vancomycin has been the preferred treatment for hospitalized patients with ABSSSIs. However, rates of resistance or intermediate resistance to Staphylococcus aureus (SA) strains, which have now surpassed 5% and continue to climb, have now shed light on the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.

 

Our extensive research has resulted in the revelation of MRS-2541, a novel small-molecule antibiotic. MRS-2541 exhibits a unique MOA by inhibiting the bacterial methionyl-tRNA synthetase enzyme (MRS), which is necessary for protein synthesis. Therefore, additional lead characterization studies will still be required to advance the lead candidate toward an IND application. This research holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for ABSSSIs, offering patients and healthcare professionals a much-needed alternative to addressing these complex infections.

 

About TSRL, Inc.:

TSRL, Inc. is a preclinical biotech accelerator. We collaborate with partners in academia and industry to develop early-stage therapeutics and drug delivery technologies. In these collaborations, we provide infrastructure, drug development expertise, and access to non-dilutive funding. Our portfolio holds promising lead-stage therapeutics. We are actively looking for new technologies and strategic partnerships. More information about TSRL, Inc. and portfolio technologies are available at http://www.tsrlinc.com or can be requested by contacting Elke Lipka, CEO, elipka@tsrlinc.com

TSRL, Inc. awarded NIH Grant to Discover Novel, Safe, Efficacious Heparin Reversal Therapy

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Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 8th, 2022 – TSRL, Inc., a privately-held preclinical accelerator, announced that in September the company was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institute of Health (NIH).

TSRL and its collaborators from the University of Michigan and the University of British Columbia were awarded close to $400,000 to generate critical in vivo proof-of-concept data over the next year to de-risk their lead, second-generation, heparin-reversal therapeutic toward clinical development.

“We are excited to work with this world-class team on the development of a completely novel dendrimer-based therapy approach to rapidly restore blood clotting function when needed in a variety of conditions that require temporary or chronic heparin therapy.”
— TSRL’s CEO, Elke Lipka, PhD, MBA

Anticoagulants and their reversal agents are crucial for managing unwarranted blood clotting (i.e. thrombosis). Heparin is used for thrombosis prevention in multiple clinical indications, including procedures such as catheter ablation and cardiopulmonary bypass, after which heparin’s anticoagulant activity requires prompt neutralization.

Protamine sulfate, the only FDA-approved reversal agent for heparin, is a 60-year-old drug with a Black Box Warning. Its clinical use is constrained by two major limitations:

  1. Requirement of titration because of its very narrow therapeutic safety window.

  2. Potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis manifesting as severe hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and pulmonary hypertension.

Thus, there is a large unmet medical need to discover and develop novel heparin reversal agents with a wider therapeutic window and better safety profile.

“Jay Kizhakkedathu, Ph.D. and colleagues at the University of British Columbia have developed a novel, safe drug platform that allows for safely blocking the action of all types of heparin – even low molecular weight heparins that currently lack an effective reversal agent. It is exciting to work with them and TSRL scientists to bring this promising drug candidate closer to the clinic.”
— James H. Morrisey, Ph.D. TSRL’s collaborator PI at the Univeristy of Michigan

About TSRL, Inc.:

TSRL, Inc. is a preclinical biotech accelerator. We collaborate with partners in academia and industry to develop early-stage therapeutics and drug delivery technologies. In these collaborations, we provide infrastructure, drug development expertise, and access to non-dilutive funding. Our portfolio holds promising lead-stage therapeutics. We are actively looking for new technologies and strategic partnerships. More information about TSRL, Inc. and portfolio technologies are available at http://www.tsrlinc.com or can be requested by contacting Elke Lipka, CEO, elipka@tsrlinc.com

TSRL, Inc.’s Microarray Patch (MAP) of Trospium Chloride for Overactive Bladder Disease Continues Development with Grant from the NIH

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TSRL, Inc.’s Microarray Patch (MAP) of Trospium Chloride for Overactive Bladder Disease Continues Development with Grant from the NIH

TSRL, Inc., a privately-held preclinical accelerator, has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institute of Health (NIH) for about $300,000 over 12 months.

TSRL, Inc. will continue to broaden its MAP portfolio with the development of a once-a-week patch of Trospium Chloride (TC) optimized for improved tolerance and patient outcomes in overactive bladder (OB) disease.

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded $1.7 NIH Grant to Develop Synthetic High-Density Lipoproteins (sHDL) for Treatment of Infection Complications such as Sepsis

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded $1.7 NIH Grant to Develop Synthetic High-Density Lipoproteins (sHDL) for Treatment of Infection Complications such as Sepsis

Ann Arbor, Michigan, September 5, 2021 – TSRL, Inc., announces its plans to develop a sHDL lead candidate for treatment of infection complications such as sepsis in collaboration with Anna Schwendeman, PhD, from University of Michigan. The company was awarded a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institute of Health (NIH). TSRL and its collaborator, Dr. Anna Schwendeman, will receive an estimated $1.7M over the next two years to advance SPS-701 through preclinical development towards GLP toxicology testing.

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TSRL, Inc. CEO Speaks at in2being, LLC.'s Women Who Innovate Webinar

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TSRL, Inc. CEO, Elke Lipka, PhD, MBA, will be speaking at the in2being, LLC. MedTechCrossroads Women Who Innovate Series webinar subseries partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The webinar will focus on how women are making a difference in the MedTech industry.

This is the final episode of our Women Who Innovate series. Don’t miss your last chance to hear from a panel of knowledgeable experts in MedTech.

– in2being, LLC.

The webinar will take place at 2:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, August 26th, 2022

 

Registration is now closed.

About TSRL, Inc.:

TSRL, Inc. is a preclinical biotech accelerator. We collaborate with partners in academia and industry to develop early-stage therapeutics and drug delivery technologies. In these collaborations, we provide infrastructure, drug development expertise, and access to non-dilutive funding. Our portfolio holds promising lead-stage therapeutics. We are actively looking for new technologies and strategic partnerships. More information about TSRL, Inc. and portfolio technologies are available at http://www.tsrlinc.com or can be requested by contacting Elke Lipka, CEO, elipka@tsrlinc.com

TSRL, Inc. Awarded $3M NIH Grant to Continue Development of Microarray Patch (MAP) for Treatment of Influenza

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded $3M NIH Grant to Continue Development of Microarray Patch (MAP) for Treatment of Influenza

TSRL, Inc., announces the continued development of microarray patch (MAP) of Zanamivir (Relenza®), an inhalation drug product licensed for the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B. TSRL has exclusively licensed the MAP technology for its flu patch from Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.

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PharmaTher and TSRL Enter into Co-Development Agreement For Microneedle Patch Delivery Technology for Psychedelics and Antivirals

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PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “PharmaTher”) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company and TSRL, Inc. (“TSRL”), a company focused on developing microneedle patches for the delivery of antivirals for the treatment of influenza, are pleased to announce that PharmaTher and TSRL (collectively the “Companies”) entered into a Co-Development Agreement to jointly develop a microneedle array patch with the aim to control the manufacturing and supply of microneedle patches for the Companies respective clinical and commercial drug programs.

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TSRL Announces the Appointments of Martha Farmer and Stephen Munk to Board of Directors, and Gregory Amidon as Chairman of the Board

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TSRL Announces the Appointments of Martha Farmer and Stephen Munk to Board of Directors, and Gregory Amidon as Chairman of the Board

TSRL, Inc., a preclinical accelerator, announces the appointments of Martha Farmer, PhD, and Stephen Munk, PhD to the Board of Directors, and Gregory Amidon, PhD, current board member, as Chairman. In addition, Dawn Reyna was appointed to Chief Operating Officer in January of 2019.

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded Two NIH Grants to Develop Therapeutics for Multi-Drug Resistant Infections

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded Two NIH Grants to Develop Therapeutics for Multi-Drug Resistant Infections

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, August 10th, 2017—TSRL, Inc., a privately-held preclinical accelerator, announced today that the company was awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant and a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institute of Health (NIH).

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded NIH Grant to Develop Microneedle Patch for Treatment of Influenza

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TSRL, Inc. Awarded NIH Grant to Develop Microneedle Patch for Treatment of Influenza

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, February 17, 2017—TSRL, Inc., announced today that the company was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). TSRL will receive approximately $600,000 over the next two years for the development of a transdermal delivery system of zanamivir (GSK, Relenza®), an inhalation drug product used in the treatment of influenza A & B.

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TSRL, Inc. Client Company Acquired by Allergan

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TSRL, Inc. Client Company Acquired by Allergan

Sept. 26th, 2016, Ann Arbor, Michigan: RetroSense Therapeutics, a privately-held biotechnology company developing novel gene therapies for vision restoration, announced that Allergan plc has acquired all assets related to its lead development program in an all-cash transaction. RetroSense’s RST-001 program employs a photosensitivity gene to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. Neither of these conditions have FDA-approved treatments to improve or restore vision.

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No Bugs, No Interest? How Public Search Queries for "ESKAPE" Pathogens Change Over Time

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No Bugs, No Interest? How Public Search Queries for "ESKAPE" Pathogens Change Over Time

Introduction

In July 2004, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released a report called "Bad Bugs, No Drugs." This report identified several species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that were expected to play a lead role in the next global health crisis to come. The authors cited a high prevalence of drug-resistant infections--362,000 in the US in 2002--and lack of new antibiotics in development as warning signs. Twelve years have passed since the report published, and according to the CDC, >2 million people become infected and >23,000 die from drug-resistant infections every year. A 2009 paper by Boucher et al implicated six actors from their pathology, persistence, and presence in US hospitals: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter. They termed them "ESKAPE" pathogens.

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