Michael Sherman

iTherX is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for Hepatitis C. This is a disease that affects almost 3% of the world's population, and is the major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure and primary liver cancer. Currently there is only a single mode of therapy and less than 5% of patients can be successfully treated. The company continues to carry out focused research in their areas of expertise to provide sustainability of product pipelines. In an era of managed care and increased regulatory scrutiny, it is easy to yield to the temptation of producing 'me too drugs'. However, they think that innovation in the development of pharmaceutical products is important because it is the only way to improve the outcomes for patients. As such, they also think that innovation can ensure the financial returns that investors in health care deserve for the risks that they take. Their innovative approach is evident in their pipeline of Hepatitis C drug candidates. As new and better treatments are being sought, most companies involved in this effort are targeting the enzymes responsible for viral replication: polymerases and proteases. While these are important targets, there is a great deal of duplication of effort in these initiatives. At iTherX, they are pioneering the development of a novel class of HCV antivirals by targeting the steps involved in the entry of the hepatitis C virus into liver cells. Their Host Cell Receptor Target Program engenders small molecule compounds that target a liver cell membrane protein, SR-B1, which recognize and dock the virus. Their lead compound, ITX5061, has extensive safety data in over 250 patients, and shows picomolar potency in inhibiting HCV infection in vitro. They plan to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial in HCV patients in Q2 of 2009. They have also used medicinal chemistry to develop back-up compounds for this program, and a clinical candidate has been selected for development. Another innovative program is novel cell receptor, which develops antagonists (including biologics) against a novel liver cell membrane protein required for infectivity of the virus.

Thomson Medstat, Inc. provides market intelligence, databases, and software applications to the healthcare industry for improving clinical and business performance. The firm also offers research & consulting services including chronic care & disability, data development & analytic computing, health promotion & disease management services. It serves employers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and state and federal agencies. The company was founded by Ernest G. Ludy in 1981 and is located in Ann Arbor, MI.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc. operates as a non-profit organization that provides administrative healthcare services. It offers health insurance options for companies, families, and individuals. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Wellesley, MA.

America's Health Insurance Plans, Inc. is the national trade association representing the health insurance industry. AHIP's members provide health and supplemental benefits to more than 200 million Americans through employer-sponsored coverage, the individual insurance market, and public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. AHIP advocates for public policies that expand access to affordable health care coverage to all Americans through a competitive marketplace that fosters choice, quality and innovation. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC.

HealthHealthAllies, Inc. provides consumer-driven healthcare programs. The company was founded in July 1999 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN.

Riverside Partners LLC (Riverside Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 1989. The firm is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Museum of Science operates as a museum. The company was founded in 1830 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, Inc. has been helping health plans, providers, government entities, and vendors to connect, exchange information, and operate more efficiently for over 20 years. The non-profit company is based in Washington. The non-profit alliance of health plans and related associations works together to streamline the business of healthcare. CAQH technology-enabled solutions and its Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE) bring the healthcare industry together to make sharing business information more automated, predictable, and consistent. CAQH Insights researches opportunities to reduce the burden of manual processes in healthcare administration. Sarah Ahmad has been the CEO of the American company since 2023.

The Personalized Medicine Coalition promotes the understanding and adoption of personalized medicine concepts, services, and products. The private company is based in Washington and was founded by Patrick F. Terry.