Management

Artisan has assembled a core group of senior managers focused on the clinical development of drugs in the field of critical care and hospital-based therapeutics. We intend to announce additional senior and supportive hires in the near future.

Jeffrey D. Wager, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Wager's senior management experience in the life sciences industry — spanning corporate development, venture capital, investment banking and drug development — dates back to 1990.

From 1996-2006, Dr. Wager founded and grew Apeiron Partners LLC, a boutique life sciences investment bank. There, he raised over $275 million in capital for a wide variety of life sciences clients and completed five corporate spin-outs, including Targacept (NASDAQ: TRGT), QED Solutions and KBI BioPharma. He was also advisor to Z-Cube s.r.l., a $60 million venture capital arm of Zambon Group S.p.a., where he assisted in the founding of Suppremol GmbH, Elagen, Inc. and other companies.

From 1995-2000, Dr. Wager was also a Senior Associate at Medical Science Partners (MSP), a Harvard-sponsored venture capital fund. There, he was involved in the business development of companies such as ICAgen (NASDAQ: ICGN), ZYCOS, Diatide and deCODE Genetics (NASDAQ: DCGN).

From 1991-1995, Dr. Wager was Executive Director, Business Development of a $1.4 billion Japanese trading company affiliate of the Bank of Tokyo, where he managed a number of major clinical studies sponsored by Japanese pharmaceutical companies and structured strategic alliances.

Dr. Wager earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College and his MBA from the University of Chicago.