Dr. Robert Richard Ruffolo, PhD

Chairman and Director

Robert Ruffolo is a distinguished scientist, globally recognized for his executive leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. He served as the President of R&D and Senior Vice President of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now, Pfizer) from 2002 to 2008. Prior to Wyeth, Dr. Ruffolo served as Senior Vice President, R&D, at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now, GlaxoSmithKline) for 17 years. He has played a significant role in the discovery and development of a number of successful products, including Carvedilol, Ropinirole, Dobutamine and Eprosartan. 

Dr. Ruffolo has won several prestigious awards, including the Discoverer’s Award in 2008 for his pioneering work on the discovery of Carvedilol for the treatment of congestive heart failure. He has published over 500 full-length publications, edited 15 books, and was Editor-in-Chief of four international pharmacology journals. Dr. Ruffolo was appointed to Aragen’s Board in April 2019. He was also on the Board of Aridis Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA from April 2016 to March 2023.

Professional Experience

  • President, R&D and Senior Vice President, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now, Pfizer)
  • Senior Vice President, R&D, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now GlaxoSmithKline)
  • Chairman, Cardiovascular Research Committee, Eli Lilly and Company

Leadership

  • Director, Sapience Therapeutics
  • Director, Sigilon Therapeutics
  • Director, Elucida Oncology
  • Director, X-VAX Technology, Inc
  • Director, Aragen Life Science
  • Director, Elicio Oncology
  • President, Ruffolo Consulting LLC (since 2008)

Education

  • PhD in Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, USA
  • BSc (Summa Cum Laude, and with Distinction) in Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, USA
  • Honorary Doctorate in Science (DSc), West Virginia University, USA
  • Honorary Doctorate in Engineering (DEng), University of Catania, Italy
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