Metabesity 2021 speaker line-up
Joe Cook Jr, currently serves as Executive Chairman and President of NuSirt Biopharma, a biopharma company focused on developing products that combine the company’s patented technologies with currently marketed and well-defined pharmaceutical products, with a focus on obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In addition, he serves as Executive Chairman of Appello Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharma company focused on developing oral therapies for patients who have Parkinson’s Disease. The Appello technology was licensed from Vanderbilt University, with which the company has continuing relationships. He serves on or has visitation rights to the board of directors of: Castle Biosciences, a company developing and commercializing molecular diagnostics to aid healthcare professionals in assessing probability of tumor progression to metastasis and improving information for therapy choices, and AgTech Accelerator, a unique startup accelerator focused on discovering and developing emerging agricultural technology companies.
Biotechnology leader
Joe Cook Jr.
Mr. Cook graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965, where he received a BS in Engineering with High Honors and was a UT Torchbearer. Mr. Cook previously served on the board of directors of the following select companies: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of medicines to treat patients with diabetes and other metabolic diseases; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRWD), a biotechnology company in Cambridge, MA focused on gastrointestinal therapeutics; Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORT), a biopharmaceutical company in Palo Alto, CA engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of severe metabolic, oncologic, and psychiatric disorders associated with the steroid hormone cortisol; and Diagnovus, a molecular diagnostic company targeting rare and orphan diseases; among others. At Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Cook served as CEO from 1998 to 2003 and Chairman from 1998 to 2009. Mr. Cook is a founder and past-Chairman of over 10 years at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mr. Cook retired as a Group Vice-President, Global Operations, of Eli Lilly and Company in 1993 after more than 28 years of service. Mr. Cook is a past Chair and current director of Mercy Multiplied International, Inc. with headquarters in Nashville, TN. He is also a past Chair and current member of the University of Tennessee College of Engineering Advisory Board. Mr. Cook has served on the national board of the American Diabetes Association and is past Chairman of the board of Life Science Tennessee.
See the Full Metabesity Speaker List
TARGETING METABESITY 2021 takes on some of the most critical issues in healthcare today. This important virtual gathering of experts was initiated by the Kitalys Institute.
- Focusing on chronic (not just acute) diseases
- Shifting the spotlight beyond treatment to prevention
- Going beyond disease-by-disease treatments to prevention of multiple diseases by addressing common root causes
- Shifting from addressing diseases to extending healthy lifespan—healthspan
Metabesity 2021 speakers have been drawn from multiple disciplines, including science and medicine, behavioral science, government regulation, policy, reimbursement, industry and capital markets, patient advocacy, boomer and senior lifestyle, digital health.
Main photo credit: Brett Jordan Unsplash
