Rick Sullivan

About Rick Sullivan

I’m a biotech R&D leader focused on building high-performing teams and delivery platforms that accelerate the next generation of genetic medicines. My work spans AAV engineering, gene therapy delivery, immune modulation, RNA-based therapeutics, and platform-scale R&D strategy — with a consistent emphasis on turning deep biology into real therapeutic impact.With a background in capsid engineering, vector design, functional genomics, and translational development, I’ve led programs from early discovery through IND-enabling planning, partnering closely with biology, tech ops, and translational teams. I’m passionate about creating delivery solutions that unlock previously inaccessible tissues and diseases, and about mentoring scientists to think both creatively and rigorously.As VP of Delivery, I focus on: • Developing and maturing delivery platforms (AAV, RNA, engineered payloads, immune-modulatory approaches) • Building and leading high-performing scientific teams across discovery, platform, and delivery sciences • Driving cross-functional strategy bridging biology, vector engineering, analytics, and translational development • Establishing scalable delivery technologies that accelerate therapeutic pipelines • Partnering with executives, investors, and collaborators to position platforms for long-term successI’m motivated by impactful science, thoughtful leadership, and building cultures where people innovate, grow, and execute at a high level.If you’re working on transformative delivery technologies, next-gen gene therapy, or innovative platform architectures, I’m always happy to connect.

Experience

1. Vice President of Delivery

   Shape Therapeutics Inc

   Sep 2025 — Present

   As VP of Delivery, I lead the strategy, scientific direction, and execution of all therapeutic delivery initiatives across AAV and novel vector technologies. I oversee multidisciplinary teams spanning capsid engineering, vector biology, and translational interfaces — ensuring delivery innovations directly accelerate pipeline advancement and platform differentiation.Key Responsibilities & Impact • Own end-to-end delivery strategy across early discovery, platform development, and translational readiness — aligning scientific priorities with corporate objectives and therapeutic focus areas. • Lead and scale high-performing scientific teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and sophisticated experimental design. • Drive platform-level AAV delivery innovation, including capsid evolution, tissue targeting improvements, expression optimization, and immunological tuning. • Translate delivery breakthroughs into actionable pipeline decisions, partnering closely with Disease Biology, Tech Ops, RNA Engineering, and Clinical Development teams. • Architect scalable delivery workflows that increase throughput, reliability, and IND-readiness of candidate programs. • Guide portfolio strategy and stage gate reviews, ensuring delivery insights drive go/no-go decisions and program prioritization. • Strengthen cross-functional systems by building data frameworks, assay platforms, and decision-quality analytics that clarify delivery performance across tissues and modalities. • Collaborate with executive leadership, partners, and investors to articulate delivery strategy, competitive advantages, and platform value. • Mentor and develop scientific talent, elevating organizational capabilities in vector design, immune modulation, and payload engineering.

Education

• Berklee College of Music

  N/A, Preformance

  1998 — 2000

• University of Colorado Anschutz

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Immunology

  2007 — 2012

• Metropolitan State University of Denver

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology

  2003 — 2007

Skills

• Grant Writing
• Malaria
• Western Blotting
• Flow Cytometry
• Cell Biology
• Public Speaking
• Qpcr
• Research
• Protein Purification
• Laboratory
• Biochemistry
• Influenza
• Cell Culture
• Pcr
• Elisa
• Molecular Cloning
• Life Sciences
• Teaching
• Immunology
• Microsoft Office
• Cell Sorting
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr)
• Lifesciences
• Elispot
• Molecular Biology