Meet The Team

Senior Leadership

Our Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors at PTx are made up of talented and diverse experts in mRNA science, particularly in areas like immunotherapy, infectious diseases, cancer, and therapeutics. Each member brings a deep understanding and extensive experience, which helps our organization stay ahead in mRNA technology, including drug development and vaccine production.

Providence Therapeutics Logo
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Brad Sorenson, MBA

The Foundation of Providence

Founder & CEO

  • MBA from the University of Rochester
  • Co-founder Arcturus Therapeutics
  • Advocate for brain cancer research

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Brad Sorenson is the founder and CEO of Providence Therapeutics.

In 2013, a stage four cancer diagnosis for Brad's teenage son set a course for Sorenson to dedicate his time and research towards eradicating the word "terminal" from any cancer diagnosis.

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Natalia Martin Orozco, PhD

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Chief Science Officer

  • PhD in Immunology-Medicine from UNAM, Faculty of Medicine
  • Principal Scientist at Merck Serono
  • Principal Scientist at Lion Biotechnologies Inc. (Now Iovance)
  • Senior Scientist at Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Leon Rozen, MBBS (Hons) FRCPA

Chief Medical Officer

  • Experienced pharmaceutical physician with expertise in Medical Affairs and Clinical Research
  • Trained Hematologist with a strong background in multinational pharma companies
  • VP, Global Head Medical Immunology at Baxter/Baxalta/Shire
  • Global Senior Medical Director at AbbVie – Solid Tumour Portfolio
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Board of Directors

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Ken Hughes, MPA, ICD.D

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Chair of the Board

  • Master of Public Administration, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1983)
  • Member of Canadian Parliament, (1988-93)
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister
  • Certified Member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, (ICD.D) 2005
  • Founding Chair of Alberta Health Services (2008-11)
  • Member of Alberta Legislature (2012-14)
  • Alberta Minister of Energy, Minister of Municipal Affairs (2012 - 2014)
  • Co-Founder, Principal shareholder and Chair, Alpine Insurance & Financial Inc. (2002-present)
“I was initially compelled to join the Providence team because I saw an opportunity to help move compelling science closer to the patient bedside. Over the last two years, I have been delighted to see the immense and diverse capabilities of the team that is coming together. My focus is getting real improvements for real patients. Providence Therapeutics presents a rare opportunity where we have a legitimate shot at that important outcome. If we succeed at that medical outcome, shareholders will do just fine as well.”

Scott Leary, MD

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Co-Founder & Board Member

  • M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis​
  • Practicing Neurosurgeon at the SENTA Clinic and Scripps Health in San Diego
  • Experienced principal investigator for multiple FDA clinical trials
  • Extensively published, including three cover articles in the International Journal Neurosurgery
"I co-founded Providence Therapeutics because as a practicing Neurosurgeon I am frustrated with the lack of progress in advancing treatment options for late-stage cancer patients. For nearly twenty years I have seen these patients suffer and ultimately pass from this deadly disease. For the first time, I am optimistic that outcomes can change and that these patients will have a chance at beating their diagnosis and living full lives."

Eric Marcusson, PhD

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Co-Founder, Board Member, & Chair of the SAB

  • PhD in Biomedical Sciences from University of California San Diego
  • Director of Oncology at Isis Pharmaceuticals
  • Co-founder & Senior Director of Oncology at Regulus Therapeutics
  • Named inventor on over 50 published patent

“I joined Providence because I have a passion for trying to develop new technologies that will help make a difference in patients' lives. I have been in the biotechnology industry, and more specifically RNA therapeutics, for more than 20 years and was one of the early people working on antisense technology that is just now coming to full fruition and literally giving patients and their families a new lease on life. The biggest hurdle in RNA therapeutics has always been the delivery of the drug into cells. In Providence Therapeutics, I saw the chance to take what I considered to be the best lipid nanoparticle delivery system and apply that to oncology, the field I have worked in most of my career. The chance to be a part of a "second wave" of RNA therapeutics that was aided by a new delivery system was something I could not pass up.”

Leah Goodman, BSc, MCom, GAICD

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Board Member

  • MCom from the University of NSW
  • Chief Executive Officer of Biointelect
  • Former Managing Director at Sanofi, Merk, and Bristol Myers Squibb across APAC
  • Extensive expertise in biotech commercialisation including oncology, immunotherapies, cell & gene therapy, and GMP manufacturing

"My excitement in joining the Providence Therapeutics Board is based on the opportunity it presents to help shape innovations that can truly transform patient lives. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how powerful scientific breakthroughs become when paired with thoughtful commercialisation. My passion for cell and gene therapies is both professional and deeply personal, shaped by years living and leading across Asia Pacific and witnessing the urgency for cutting-edge treatments. Providence’s vision aligns perfectly with my motivation to enable meaningful, accessible innovation. I’m honoured to bring my global leadership experience and deep Australian insight to support the team in delivering life-changing therapies to patients around the world.”

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Scientific Advisory Board

Pam Ohashi, PhD

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Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • PhD from the University of Toronto
  • Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Immunology at the University of Toronto
  • Canada Research Chair in Autoimmunity and Tumour Immunity
  • Director of Immune Therapy Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Past Chairperson, Cancer Immunology Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research
  • Canadian Association of Immunologists-Pharmingen Investigator Award
  • NCICs William E Rawls Award, and CSI Cinader Award

"I was excited to join Providence because the vision of the Company aligns well with the current directions of the cancer immunotherapy field. Their technology is superb, and has tremendous potential to impact the quality of life for cancer patients."

Art Krieg, MD

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Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • MD from Washington University in St. Louis
  • Founding CEO of RaNA Therapeutics (now Translate Bio)
  • Founder and CSO of Checkmate Pharmaceutics
  • Founder and CSO of Coley Pharmaceuticals
  • CSO at Sarepta Pharmaceuticals
  • CSO and VP at Pfizer
  • Entrepreneur in Residence at Atlas Ventures
  • Professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at University of Massachusetts
  • Immediate Past President of the Oligonucleotide Therapy Society
  • Discoverer of immune stimulatory (CpG) oligonucleotides
“One of the most important factors for me was the team. I already knew Eric and Pam and was delighted by the chance to work with both of them. Aside from that, the preliminary data and the science are exciting, and potentially the best in class. Cancer immunotherapy has incredibly high potential, and Providence has the chance to be a serious player.”