Kurt Harrington

About Kurt Harrington

I am the Founder and CEO of Ventoux Biosciences, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience in the global biopharmaceutical industry. Ventoux has earned multiple accolades, including Pharmaceutical Company of the Year, Best Pre-Clinical Biopharmaceutical Company, and Most Innovative Chronic Inflammatory Company of the Year. I also serve as the Principle of Harrington Life Science Consulting. I founded Ventoux Biosciences to address unmet medical needs in fibrosis and immunology, with focus and lead programs in Dupuytren’s disease—a condition I personally understand as a patient. Working with a world-class team of experts, we have advanced pre-clinical research and identified a lead therapeutic target for Dupuytren’s disease. We are now progressing toward first-in-human studies and expanding our development pipeline.Prior to founding Ventoux, I held senior commercial leadership roles across various therapeutic areas. At Avanir Pharmaceuticals, I led marketing for NUEDEXTA, contributing to the company’s $3.5 billion acquisition by Otsuka. At Cadence Pharmaceuticals, I played a key role in the launch of OFIRMEV, supporting its $1.3 billion acquisition by Mallinckrodt. I also served as U.S. Brand Leader at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, where I led the repositioning of BYETTA, a first-in-class GLP-1 therapy for diabetes. At Biogen, I contributed to the global launch of RITUXAN in Rheumatoid Arthritis, transforming autoimmune disease treatment. Earlier, I helped grow SEROQUEL into one of the top-selling antipsychotics at AstraZeneca.In addition to these roles, I have advised multinational pharmaceutical companies, offering strategic guidance across neurology, psychiatry, cardiovascular, nephrology, metabolic, and rare diseases. My experience spans the entire product lifecycle, from pre-clinical to post-launch optimization, and I’ve been interviewed in leading industry publications like PharmaVoice, Fierce Biotech, and Life Science Leader.I hold a B.S. in Marketing from Western Michigan University and an M.B.A. in Pharmaceutical Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University. Based in San Diego, I enjoy spending time with my wife, two sons, and three dogs. In my free time, I support my sons’ activities, compete in triathlons (including five Ironman 70.3 finishes), and enjoy photography, travel, and playing the guitar despite Dupuytren’s disease.

Experience

1. Founder, CEO

   Ventoux Biosciences

   Oct 2022 — Present · Encinitas, CA, US

   Founding CEO of Ventoux Biosciences, advancing novel therapeutics for immune-fibrotic conditions, including lead candidate VEN-201 for Dupuytren’s contracture. Built and scaled the company from inception—guiding fundraising, team formation, translational strategy, and IND-enabling regulatory planning. The company’s scientific and strategic achievements have been recognized with multiple industry honors, including Best Emerging Biopharma Innovator and Pre-Clinical Company of the Year. Leverages 25+ years of biopharma leadership across drug development, market strategy, and scientific collaboration, with a focus on fibrosis-related pathways and unmet-need therapeutics.

Education

• Berklee College of Music

  Music Performance, General

• Western Michigan University - Haworth College of Business

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), B.B.A. Marketing

  1992 — 1997

• Saint Joseph's University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Pharmaceutical Marketing

  2001 — 2006

Skills

• Team Leadership
• Marketing Research
• Strategy
• Diabetes
• Hospital Sales
• Marketing
• Sales Management
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Business Development
• Neurology
• Commercialization
• Sales Effectiveness
• Medical Devices
• Biotechnology
• Advertising
• Sales
• Selling Skills
• Rare Diseases
• Market Entry
• Competitive Analysis
• Pain Management
• Department Budget Management
• Life Cycle Planning
• Brand Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Competitive Intelligence
• Marketing Strategy
• Product Development
• Managed Care
• Market Planning
• Psychiatry
• Brand Architecture
• Strategic Planning
• Pharmaceutical Sales
• Product Launch
• Media Planning
• Leadership
• Global Marketing
• Positioning
• Market Analysis