Tachyon operates with a dedicated internal core development team and a world-class external network of expertise. We enlist the support of leading experts in their field, from pharmacology to manufacturing, and from science to clinical to work with us in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment. Tachyon selects from the best preclinical and clinical contract research organizations (CRO) and outstanding contract manufacturing organizations (CMO) to achieve one goal – advance our innovative programs with scientific rigor, speed and quality. This highly flexible and effective model allows us to achieve our mission to bring new cancer drugs to patients in need as fast as possible.
FRANK PERABO, MD, PHD
Chief Executive Officer
FRANK PERABO, MD, PHD
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Perabo is a Life Science Executive and Entrepreneur with over 20 years’ R&D experience in Pharma and Biotech. He has founded and co-founded several Biotech companies (Barricade Therapeutics, MAIA Biotechnology). He has also served as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Development of ESSA Pharmaceuticals and Executive Director at Astellas Pharma where he was instrumental in the development and worldwide approval of XTANDI® (Enzalutamide). Dr. Perabo has a proven track record in leading successful early and late-phase clinical development programs with extensive regulatory interactions globally. Dr. Perabo obtained his medical training at the Universities of Munich, Freiburg and Bonn after graduating magna cum laude from medical school at the University of Munich, with a PhD in Cancer Biology.
JANET NOKLEBY
Senior Consultant, Regulatory Affairs
JANET NOKLEBY
Senior Consultant, Regulatory Affairs
Ms. Nokleby joined Tachyon as a senior consultant and is a board-certified toxicologist (2004-2024) and regulatory affairs expert with over 30 years of drug development experience in multiple therapeutic areas and modalities. Her career encompasses over 18 years of experience at Amgen, where she served in a variety of roles including Global Regulatory Lead, US Regulatory Lead, and Toxicologist. In addition to representing Regulatory Affairs on Amgen product teams she was a Director for the US Regulatory Affairs team with direct supervision of the US Regulatory Affairs staff. She also served as a toxicologist on multiple drug development project teams in several modalities, including small molecules, biologics, peptides, and peptibodies, and in multiple therapeutic areas. After leaving Amgen, she has been a regulatory consultant providing regulatory support for small companies developing innovative investigational therapies. Ms. Nokleby received her BA in Biology from Augustana University and served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines.
CHAN CHANDHASIN, PHD
VP, Program Management
CHAN CHANDHASIN, PHD
VP, Program Management
Dr. Chandhasin has more than 15 years of diversified experience in the field of oncology in leading academic, industry, and health care organizations. Prior to joining Tachyon, she served as Chief Clinical Officer at Medicenna Therapeutics where she oversaw clinical programs related to data analysis, scientific communications, and in-vitro diagnostic development. Prior to that she served as the Director of Medical Affairs at ESSA Pharmaceuticals and held Program Management positions at ApoCell, Inc., Christiana Care Health Systems, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Chandhasin received a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine.
SHIRLEY TU
Director of Clinical Operations
SHIRLEY TU
Director of Clinical Operations
Ms. Tu brings over 15 years of deep experiences in clinical research and operations across pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academia. She has overseen global phase 1-3 clinical trials as well as diagnostic/device trials over various therapeutic areas. Beginning her career as a lab researcher and study coordinator at the University of California, San Francisco, she has since held pivotal roles at Ultragenyx, Grail, Exelixis, Gilead Sciences, and Nodality. Ms. Tu earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Riverside, and has completed advanced training in Clinical Trial Conduct and Management, as well as Phlebotomy.
RACHEL KUDGUS, PHD
Director of Clinical Pharmacology
RACHEL KUDGUS, PHD
Director of Clinical Pharmacology
Dr. Kudgus Lokken joined Tachyon as a senior consultant and brings more than 14 years of experience in clinical pharmacology across all phases of drug development. She has profound expertise in pre-clinical (design, analysis and execution of discovery PK studies for >85 assets at NCI) and clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory/scientific/technical writing. She has designed clinical pharmacology studies including renal/hepatic impairment, human AME, clinical DDI, food effect, pediatric and SAD/MAD. Her experience also includes multiple regulatory interactions with FDA/EMA/Health Canada/China/Japan. She has worked across various therapeutic areas, modalities and specific populations. Dr. Kudgus has a PhD in Chemistry from North Carolina State University and completed her clinical pharmacology fellowship at Mayo Clinic. She was an Associate Professor and a Clinical Pharmacologist for Mayo Clinic’s Cancer Center and Pharmacology Shared Resource, and the Children’s Oncology Group. Currently, Dr. Kudgus is the Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Allucent, and she currently serves as an adjunct professor at Wright State University’s Pediatric Department.
ISABEL PORTER
Assist Dir, Planning Administration & Logistics
ISABEL PORTER
Assist Dir, Planning Administration & Logistics
Ms. Porter has over 15 years of combined administrative experience between healthcare and technology industries. Prior to joining Tachyon, she served as Executive Assistant at HCA Houston Healthcare. There she leveraged her analytical and organizational skills to assist in the overall operational performance of the teams she supported. At Tachyon, Isabel is leading multiple organizational development initiatives, with the goal to promote and maintain operational excellence. Isabel is a US Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and applies those lessons of service, dedication, and attention to detail to Tachyon’s mission.