Torigen Pharmaceuticals is comprised of cancer researchers, veterinarians and veterinary professionals focused on providing the most advanced cancer care solutions for companion animals. While science and technology guide us, it is the passion and love for pets that fuel our work.
We recognize the instrumental role pets play in our families, and are determined to extend the lives of companion animals despite a cancer diagnosis.
Meet the Team
Ashley Kalinauskas
Chief Executive Officer
Ashley is the founder and CEO of Torigen Pharmaceuticals, a start‑up that resulted from her graduate thesis project at the University of Notre Dame. Ashley graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2012 with an undergraduate degree in Pathobiology, and went on to complete her Masters at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 2013. Torigen and its product, an experimental autologous cancer vaccine, are based upon the research of Dr. Mark Suckow, her former University of Notre Dame professor.
Dr. Mark Suckow
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Suckow is a professor and the Associate Vice President of Research at the University of Kentucky. His background is in veterinary medicine, and his research interests include vaccines, vaccine adjuvants, and cancer models. In particular, his work has focused on the use of vaccines derived from tumor tissue as a way to create personalized vaccines. With expertise in animal modeling, cancer biology, immunology, pathology, biomaterials, and surgery, Dr. Suckow has published over 90 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 20 books and book chapters. He has served as principal investigator (PI) on numerous grant-funded projects, as well as a Co-PI on many more. His expertise with animal models has allowed him to interface collaboratively on diverse projects, including those related to toxicology, wound healing, and hemostasis and coagulation biology.
Dr. Michael Lucroy
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Lucroy, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) joins Torigen from MedVet, where, for the past several years, he was director of the Clinical Studies Center, leading research efforts across the 24‑hospital organization. Prior to his role at MedVet, he spent four years in technology acquisitions at Elanco Animal Health and served on the faculties of Oklahoma State University and Purdue University. In assuming this newly created role at Torigen, Dr. Lucroy will be responsible for analyzing current data sets, identifying new therapeutic options and managing national immuno‑oncology educational programs.
Dr. Ryan Clauson
VP of Research and Development
Dr. Clauson graduated from the University of Michigan with a Ph.D. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Science. He is an experienced immunologist whose past research focused on the development of novel biomaterials and vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Clauson will be responsible for the establishing and maintaining all research activities at Torigen, including pre-clinical and clinical analysis of current and future products.
