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About Us

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Did you know most regenerative medicine products come from deceased human donors?

 

When you hear “skin graft” or “tissue transplant,” you probably imagine something high-tech and futuristic. But the truth is, much of today’s regenerative medicine still relies on body parts from deceased donors. That’s right—real human tissue, harvested after death, cleaned, processed, and used to treat patients with burns, wounds, and other serious injuries.

 

Now imagine the challenges that come with that—limited supply, variable quality, and the simple fact that we’re depending on tragedy to create hope.

 

At XenoTherapeutics, we’re changing that.

 

We’ve developed realSKIN—a new kind of skin graft made not from human donors, but from genetically engineered pigs. These animals are designed specifically to provide safe, effective skin tissue that works just like human skin—potentially even better.

 

If that sounds wild, think about this: We already raise pigs by the millions for food. We’ve bred them to be safe, consistent, and high-quality—so why not also use them to save lives?

 

From pigs to patients, we’re building a new model for regenerative medicine.

 

By creating a reliable, scalable, and ethically sourced supply of transplant-ready skin, we can help millions of patients - burn victims, wound care patients, and others—with the potential to heal faster and more completely.

It’s not science fiction. It’s happening now.

 

We are XenoTherapeutics. And this is realSKIN.

2016

Foundation’s

Purpose

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Advance the

science of xenotransplantation towards

therapeutic reality.

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Collaborate

with partners, investigators and academic institutions to develop new regenerative medicine therapies.

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Lead xenotransplantation to become the

new standard

for regenerative medicine.

Leadership Built for Translation, Regulation, and Scale

XenoTherapeutics is led by a multidisciplinary team spanning clinical medicine, engineering, regulatory strategy, and translational science. Together, we focus on executing defined regulatory pathways, building reliable source systems, and advancing regenerative therapies from validated science to approved clinical use.

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JON ADKINS, M.B.A.

Co-Founder,

President & Executive Director

  • 20+ years in medical device and regenerative medicine, with leadership roles at Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Biomet, Bacterin (now Xtant Medical), and Johnson & Johnson.

  • Leads XenoTherapeutics in translating realSKIN, the first skin xenotransplant designated as a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) and Orphan Drug, from clinical validation through regulatory approval.

  • Directs Phase 3 execution, 351(a) BLA strategy, and regulatory leadership across CBER for a new therapeutic category.

  • Oversees clinical partnerships, intellectual property expansion, business development, and capital strategy to sustain clinical execution and operational scale toward a vertically integrated xenotransplant tissue bank.

  • Holds a B.A. from University of Florida and a M.B.A. in Healthcare Management.

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PAUL HOLZER, D.Eng, M.S, 

Co-Founder,

Director of Engineering

  • Leads engineering, embryology, and source-animal development supporting the clinical and regulatory advancement of realSKIN and future regenerative tissue products.

  • Designs FDA-regulated 351(a) BLA protocols and biostatistics, supporting translational systems for preclinical and clinical programs.

  • Actively clones IGA source animals and performs CRISPR, SCNT, and embryo transfer to produce consistent, high-quality donor lines.

  • Lead inventor on 20+ patents spanning xenotransplantation methods, processing, genetic edits, and AI-enabled regenerative therapies.

  • Former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, bringing operational discipline and executional rigor to complex, high-stakes programs.

  • Holds a Doctor of Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Engineering from MIT, a Master of Science in Experimental & Molecular Medicine from Dartmouth, and an M.B.A. in Economics.

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CHELSEA SUSCHENA, B.S.

Laboratory Manager

  • Life sciences leader with over 15 years of experience in biotechnology, preclinical, and clinical program management.

  • Expert in laboratory bioassay development and data analysis.

  • Expert in research team management.

  • Supports XenoTherapeutics through research, quality control, inventory management, and regulatory compliance.

  • Graduated with distinction from University of Nevada, Reno (B.S. in Biochemistry).

  • Honoree, Nevada Woman of Achievement, Nevada Women’s Fund (2023). 

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ROD MONROY, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer, Emeritus

  • Experienced research scientist in cell therapy R&D, GMP manufacturing, and GCP in the conduct of clinical trials. 

  • Conducted stem cell research in radiation biology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. (U.S.Navy)

  • Conducted investigation for the induction of tolerance in xenotransplantation at Biotransplant. 

  • Conducted phase II/III clinical trials using MSCs for the treatment of GVHD (Osiris) and hepatocytes for the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorders (Cytonet). 

  • PhD, Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University. 

Board of Directors

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WILLIAM S. DEACON

Board Chairman

  • Senior Vice President - Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, PIA Portfolio Manager.

  • Drives innovation on the XenoTherapeutics Board, fostering collaboration through shared expertise and a diverse background.

  • Holds degrees from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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RUTA J. LAUKIEN, J.D. MBA

Trustee

  • Strategic Advisor and Investor focused on strategic advisory in the Global Supply Chain.

  • Brings over 12 years of investment-banking experience, specializing in M&A, debt capital markets, and equity capital raises.

  • Trustee on the XenoTherapeutics Board, safeguards the mission with a focus on responsible and impactful advancements.

  • With seven years at Bear Stearns and as a former Director at C.W. Downer, Laukien contributes Wall Street prowess and deep industry knowledge, specializing in M&A and healthcare transactions.

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Dr. DICKEN KO

Chief Medical Officer / Clerk

  • Board-certified urologist specializing in renal transplants and general urology.

  • Dr. Ko serves as both Chief Medical Officer and Clerk on the XenoTherapeutics Board of Directors, embodying a unique blend of medical expertise and corporate governance.

  • Former surgical urologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, with fellowships in multi-organ transplantation and transplantation biology research.

  • Member of the American Board of Urology, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons, with a medical degree from Queen’s University School of Medicine, Ontario, Canada.

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MARK NEDELMAN

Trustee

  • Drug development and CRO veteran with 35+ years of experience.

  • Serves as a Trustee on the XenoTherapeutics Board; began research at MGH, leading H. William Strauss's nuclear cardiology lab.

  • At Centocor, led Preclinical Pharmacology, shaping first-in-class drugs. At Charles River Labs since 1996, held key roles, including establishing a new business unit and growing Biomere into one of the largest specialty contract research labs.

  • Led Biomere through acquisition by Joinn Laboratories, serving as CEO and Executive Steering Committee member. Pharm/tox expertise fuels Celecor's Phase 3 trial for zalunfiban.

After three decades of rigorous research in the field of xenotransplantation, pigs have become the preferred source for xenogeneic transplants. We believe these pigs have big potential; when unlocked, they will provide a cure for every single person.

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ROBERT KAISER Ph.D., D.A.B.T.

Director of Product Development

  • Board-certified toxicologist with 20 years of drug discovery and development experience, contributing to hundreds of INDs over the course of a distinguished career.

  • Shepherds XenoTherapeutics through research and strategic pipeline expansion.

  • Manages academic/biotech collaborations and regulatory affairs, ensuring adherence to all compliance standards for our therapeutics.

  • Co-founder of multiple cell and gene therapy companies, holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and completed a research fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

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J. MICHAEL HAGER, CPA 

Director of Finance

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  • Certified Public Accountant with 20+ years of experience leading business operations for public and private companies. 

  • Oversees the legal, IT, and intellectual property departments of XenoTherapeutics. 

  • Former Chief Financial Officer of US Methanol. 

  • B.A. in Business Management from Marshall University. 

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DEBRA McCLELLAND

Director of Operations

  • 25+ years of diverse experience in the private sector as Director and COO with experience in Project and Operations Management, overseeing 14 offices in seven states, 1,400+ personnel, and gross revenues of more than $100M.  Collaborated with the CEO to develop a strategic direction to ensure alignment with organizational initiatives.

  • Quality Assurance professional responsible for real-time data recording and strict compliance with Protocols, SOP's and regulatory requirements for all patient data related to clinical trials at XenoTherapeutics.

  • Assists the scientific team as a surgical assistant, providing critical support during technical procedures in the manufacturing of realSKIN®

  • Co-authored Minimize Risk: How to Structure Law Firm Internal Controls, a reference guide for the National Association of Legal Administrators.

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JESSICA OLDHAM

Operations Manager

  • Over a decade of experience in operations and logistics, including roles as Chief of Staff and COO in a lobbying and media firm.

  • Fosters collaboration and communication among the Board, vendors, partners, and staff, ensuring seamless coordination and effective relationships.

  • Provides essential support for critical projects, ensuring smooth execution and adherence to timelines.

  • Assists the scientific team in data management, contributing to research and development efforts.

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