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Leading with Purpose. Driving Patient-Centered Innovation.

Our leadership team brings together expertise in engineering, design, and commercialization—united by a shared commitment to patient-centered innovation and transforming how people experience injectable medicine.

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Our Leadership Team

Conor R. Cullinane, PhD

Conor R. Cullinane, PhD

Co‑Founder, Chairman, CEO, President, Principal Investigator

Conor Cullinane is a mission‑driven healthcare innovator who leads Pirouette Pharma's strategy at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and commercialization. He has guided the company's evolution from device startup to clinical‑stage pharmaceutical organization, aligning a hidden‑needle, push‑button auto‑injector with proven therapeutics as regulated combination products. Under his leadership, Pirouette has secured institutional and community investment, earned competitive non‑dilutive funding, and built U.S. manufacturing and regulatory roadmaps that prioritize patient‑centric usability, reliability, and scale.

Conor's background spans NASA and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he focused on human‑centered design and translational research—capabilities that now underpin Pirouette's platform for chronic at‑home care and emergency rescue. Cullinane's portfolio approach emphasizes device‑driven adherence, partner‑ready programs, and pathways that expand access while maintaining rigorous quality and safety.

Dr. Cullinane holds a PhD in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (Bioastronautics) from MIT and Harvard Medical School (HST), and a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering with minors in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics from Clarkson University. His portfolio approach prioritizes scalable platform solutions and robust clinical and regulatory pathways to address unmet needs across chronic and emergency care settings.

Matthew J. Kane, M.Sc.

Matthew J. Kane, M.Sc.

Co-Founder, Secretary, and Chief Operating Officer

Matthew J. Kane is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Pirouette Pharmaceuticals, where he leads operations to deliver scalable, compliant, and innovative drug delivery solutions. Matt brings deep technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, having launched his career at Clarkson University, where he and co-founders led the Rocket Division in applied aerodynamics—developing hands-on experience in design, testing, and program leadership that informs Pirouette's rapid development culture today.

As COO, Matt oversees Pirouette's operational efficiency and cross-functional execution, ensuring the company meets the highest standards in quality, compliance, and supply chain reliability. He holds a dual B.S. in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering (minor in Mathematics) from Clarkson University and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, with focus in turbomachinery development and advanced system optimization.

Matt is an avid pilot, devoted husband, and father who thrives on collaborative technical challenges and purposeful innovation. Outside the office, he pursues exploration and adventure—enjoying backcountry hiking and road trips with his co-founders—bringing that same spirit of resilience and teamwork to Pirouette's mission.

Elijah M. Kapas

Elijah M. Kapas

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer

Elijah "Eli" Kapas is co‑founder and Chief Technology Officer of Pirouette Pharmaceuticals, where he leads platform R&D, product development, quality, and manufacturing scale‑up for the OnePush auto‑injector portfolio. He oversees the end‑to‑end device lifecycle—from user‑centered design and human factors through verification/validation, DFM/DFA, supplier qualification, and automated assembly—to deliver reliable, compliant drug‑device combinations at scale.

A mechanical and systems engineer by training, Eli is the inventor on 20+ U.S. and international patents spanning device architecture, safety mechanisms, and high‑reliability actuation. His leadership integrates IP strategy with rigorous design controls and lean operations, aligning engineering roadmaps with clinical, regulatory, and commercial priorities to accelerate time‑to‑market.

Eli holds dual B.S. degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from Clarkson University. He is focused on building cross‑functional teams and robust, audit‑ready processes that translate breakthrough design into patient‑preferred products and dependable global supply.

Kevin Statz

Kevin Statz

Vice President of Commercialization

Kevin Statz brings over twenty-five years of expertise leading commercial strategy, market access, and product launches across specialty injectables and rare diseases, both in the U.S. and globally. He is recognized for his ability to build and scale high-performance commercial organizations at both emerging and established companies.

At Pirouette, Kevin heads all commercial activities—including business development and licensing, marketing, launch operations, and market access—guiding Pirouette's transformation from an R&D-driven innovator to a fully integrated commercial company. His strategic leadership is central to Pirouette's plan to launch seven managed injectable medicines over five years while establishing a sustainable market presence.

Previously, Kevin served as Chief Commercial Officer at DMK Pharmaceuticals, where he led all commercial activities. As Vice President of Commercial Strategy at Peregrine, he led go-to-market planning and strategic execution for specialty and rare disease brands. Earlier in his career, Kevin held pivotal leadership roles at several high-growth start-up pharmaceutical companies, including Alkermes, Collegium, and Anika Therapeutics. Kevin began his career at Johnson & Johnson's Ortho Biotech, where he held multiple sales leadership roles.

Kevin earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Florida State University.

Our Board of Directors

Conor R. Cullinane, Ph.D.

Chair

Matthew Kane, M.Sc.

Secretary

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