Scott M. Whitcup MD

Dr. Scott Whitcup is the Founder and CEO of Akrivista, a company focused on developing novel treatments in ophthalmology. Previously, he was EVP, R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Allergan with experience running a large R&D organization with > 2500 employees and an annual budget of >$1B, and participated in many commercial launches. He has R&D expertise in ophthalmology, CNS, urology, dermatology, medical aesthetics, anti-infectives, and obesity. He has been extensively involved in business development, and has Board experience on both private and public companies.

Dr. Whitcup has served on the Board of Semnur Pharmaceuticals since 2013. He was a Director at Avanir Pharmaceuticals (2005– 2014), serving as Chair, Science Committee, and Member, Corporate Governance Committee. Avanir was acquired for $3.5B by Otsuka in January 2015. A Director on Questcor Pharmaceuticals’ Board (2012– 2014), Dr. Whitcup was Chair, Compliance and Science Committees. Questcor was acquired for $5.6B by Mallinckrodt in 2014. Dr. Whitcup also serves as a special advisor to Vivo Ventures.

Before, Dr. Whitcup worked in leadership positions at the National Eye Institute at NIH. He has a BA from Cornell University and an MD from Cornell’s Medical College; has completed Internal Medicine (UCLA Medical Center) and Ophthalmology (Harvard Medical School) residencies, and a fellowship in Uveitis/Ocular Immunology at the NEI.