Dr. Jan Scicinski is a distinguished pharmaceutical executive, inventor, scientist, entrepreneur, and board advisor whose career spans more than four decades at the forefront of drug discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Throughout his professional journey, he has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker and problem solver capable of transforming innovative scientific concepts into viable therapeutic products that improve patient outcomes. His unique ability to bridge scientific innovation, operational execution, and corporate strategy has made him a respected leader within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Born with a passion for chemistry and scientific discovery, Dr. Scicinski pursued his academic foundation at two of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He earned his Bachelor of Science with Honors in Chemistry from Imperial College London before completing his PhD in Organic Chemistry at Darwin College, Cambridge University. He launched that career at Glaxo — later GlaxoWellcome and GlaxoSmithKline — where he spent sixteen years developing expertise in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical research. During this formative period, he contributed to numerous research programs targeting complex diseases and gained invaluable experience working within a large global pharmaceutical organization. His work helped establish the scientific rigor, disciplined decision-making, and collaborative leadership style that would become hallmarks of his career. His doctoral studies were fully funded by GlaxoWellcome, deepening his expertise and laying the groundwork for a career dedicated to advancing human health through scientific innovation.
As the biotechnology sector expanded, Dr. Scicinski embraced opportunities to build and lead emerging organizations. At Nuada Pharmaceuticals, he served as the founding medicinal chemist and played a pivotal role in reshaping the company’s business model from a reactivity database and contract research organization into a fully integrated drug discovery enterprise. He recruited and developed multidisciplinary scientific teams, guided strategic partnerships, and helped position the company for long-term growth. His contributions demonstrated an exceptional ability to align scientific innovation with business objectives while creating high-performing organizations.
His leadership continued to expand through executive positions at ALZA Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, and DURECT Corporation. At DURECT, he led new product opportunity assessments and became the architect behind Methydur, an innovative ADHD therapy featuring an optimized controlled-release pharmacokinetic profile. The product ultimately reached commercialization in Taiwan and Korea, serving as a tangible example of his ability to identify unmet medical needs and shepherd concepts through development toward market success. During this period, he also gained valuable experience evaluating licensing opportunities, conducting commercial assessments, and advising scientific advisory boards on strategic investment decisions.
Perhaps one of the most defining chapters of Dr. Scicinski’s career occurred at EpicentRx, where he served in executive leadership roles including Vice President of Research and Development, Chief Scientific Officer, and Senior Vice President. As a key architect of the company’s scientific and operational strategy, he helped transform EpicentRx into a highly efficient virtual biotechnology organization. He led the development of RRx-001, an innovative oncology therapeutic, from lead optimization through Phase III clinical development. His responsibilities extended across discovery research, CMC development, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, clinical strategy, and manufacturing oversight. Working with a global network of CROs, CDMOs, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies, he helped guide the program through complex development milestones while maintaining exceptional capital efficiency.
In addition to his corporate leadership experience, Dr. Scicinski has demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He founded Janus Pharmaceutical Consulting to provide strategic guidance to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies navigating the challenges of drug development. Through his consulting practice, he has advised organizations on CMC strategy, regulatory pathways, manufacturing readiness, technology transfer, clinical development planning, and supply chain risk management. His ability to provide practical, experience-driven solutions has made him a trusted advisor to executives, investors, and emerging biotechnology companies worldwide.
Dr. Scicinski further expanded his entrepreneurial accomplishments as co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Avicenna Therapeutics. Under his leadership, the company focused on developing novel enhanced NSAID therapies with applications in cancer and inflammatory diseases. He led corporate strategy, fundraising initiatives, licensing negotiations, grant applications, and scientific development programs while helping establish the company’s long-term vision. His experience building organizations from inception has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurial ventures and growth-stage companies alike.
Throughout his career, Dr. Scicinski has become widely recognized for his expertise in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of pharmaceutical development. He has authored regulatory submissions, overseen manufacturing programs, managed global supplier networks, established quality systems, and guided companies through IND-enabling activities, clinical development, and commercial readiness. His understanding of regulatory expectations and manufacturing risk management enables him to provide valuable oversight and strategic direction at both the executive and board levels.
Beyond his executive accomplishments, Dr. Scicinski has made significant contributions to scientific literature and intellectual property development. He has authored or co-authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, patents, conference abstracts, and book chapters covering oncology, medicinal chemistry, drug development, epigenetics, nitric oxide therapeutics, and pharmaceutical innovation. His work has earned him international recognition as a scientific authority and thought leader. Additionally, he has been awarded 22 granted patents, reflecting a career dedicated not only to advancing science but also to creating commercially meaningful innovations.
Today, Dr. Scicinski continues to serve as a trusted advisor, executive consultant, and board candidate for organizations seeking experienced leadership in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology innovation, and scientific governance. His unique combination of scientific depth, operational expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and strategic vision enables him to provide valuable perspectives on corporate growth, risk management, research prioritization, and long-term value creation. Whether advising emerging biotechnology ventures or established pharmaceutical organizations, he remains committed to advancing innovative therapies that improve lives around the world.
His career reflects a profound commitment to scientific excellence, responsible leadership, and continuous innovation. From discovering new molecules and building companies to mentoring teams and advising boards, Dr. Scicinski has consistently demonstrated that meaningful breakthroughs occur when science, strategy, and execution work together. As he continues to contribute to the future of healthcare, his legacy remains defined by a singular mission: transforming scientific possibility into medicines that make a lasting difference for patients.
Character:
Dr. Scicinski demonstrates integrity through a career built on scientific rigor, ethical leadership, and accountability. He consistently places patient outcomes and organizational success above personal recognition. His commitment to mentoring colleagues and supporting emerging companies reflects a genuine dedication to advancing both people and innovation.
Knowledge:
He possesses an exceptional depth of expertise across drug discovery, CMC development, regulatory affairs, clinical strategy, and commercialization. His decades of experience provide him with a rare understanding of the entire pharmaceutical development lifecycle. His extensive publication record, patents, and executive accomplishments demonstrate both technical mastery and continuous learning.
Strategic:
Dr. Scicinski has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and align scientific initiatives with business objectives. He has successfully guided organizations through complex development pathways, corporate transformations, and growth initiatives. His strategic perspective enables companies to make informed decisions that balance innovation, operational execution, and shareholder value.
Communication:
An effective communicator who translates highly complex scientific concepts into clear and actionable business insights. He has presented to boards, investors, regulatory agencies, scientific conferences, and executive leadership teams throughout his career. His ability to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders has been instrumental in achieving successful outcomes across numerous organizations.
