venomBLOCK Targeted Therapeutic Interventions for Venoms and Toxins

Owner & Founder of antiVenX Therapeutics: Dr. Harry Ridgway is a recognized expert in molecular dynamics simulations with an extensive background in microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. He earned his PhD at UCSD's Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, California and carried out postdoctoral research at UC San Diego and UC Irvine. Dr. Ridgway's interest in venom toxicology and therapeutic interventions stems partly from his many surprising and at times close encounters with rattlesnakes, scorpions and other poisonous creatures in the American desert southwest where he resides. His research on snake venom chemoproteomics is a natural extension of his earlier work in chemosensory signaling mechanisms in bacteria and the application of computer aided drug discovery (CADD) and bioinformatics in microbial (biofilm) pathogenesis. Dr. Ridgway was the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for his contributions in the field of biofilm interactions with industrial surfaces (e.g., desalination membranes). He is owner/founder of AquaMem Scientific Consultants, Rodeo, New Mexico, USA and currently serves as adjunct professor in the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Livable Cities (ISILC) at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. His current research focuses on the simulation of soft-matter (polymer) interfaces, chemical reactions and identification, improvement and repurposing of FDA-approved drugs for treatment of snakebites in humans and animals (see our Technology page).

Technical and Business Strategy Adviser: John Dresty holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, as well as a Juris Doctorate Degree and a Masters Degree in Materials Engineering and Metallurgy from the University of Connecticut. Heis widely recognized for his expertise in materials engineering and metallurgy and has practiced engineering across a broad range of disciplines including chemical, mechanical, environmental, electrical and biotech. He has served as President of three companies which he founded, including Clearwater Systems Corporation, Essex, Connecticut, which he grew to encompass worldwide markets with nearly $10 million in annual sales. From 2011-2017 John was Vice President of Product Development and Marketing with Griswold Water Systems, Inc. in Irvine, California, a company focused on water treatment of cooling systems using pulsed electromagnetic (induced) field technology. In this capacity he forged alliances with domestic and international cooling-tower manufacturers, trade organizations and regulatory agencies in order to enhance technology and product acceptance. John also served as a faculty member and Executive Director of the Pollution Prevention Research & Development Center at the University of Connecticut, Environmental Research Institute. In 2009, John was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Hall of Fame, University of Connecticut.