Flourish Biologics has named David J. Leffell, MD, as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Leffell will guide the company through its next phase of growth following its recent evolution from BiologicsMD into a company sharply focused on regenerative treatment for hair loss.
Dr. Leffell brings a rare combination of clinical leadership, biotech investing, and operational experience to the role. He is David Paige Smith Professor Emeritus of Dermatology & Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, where he founded and led the Section of Dermatologic Surgery, Laser and Cutaneous Oncology from 1988 to 2025. He also served as the first CEO of the Yale Medical Group (now Yale Medicine) from 1997 to 2012, and as Yale School of Medicine's Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs from 2005 to 2013, where he oversaw faculty development, clinical trials infrastructure, and strategic planning for the school's physician practice.
Dr. Leffell has spent over a decade investing in and advising healthcare and biotech companies. He has served as a Venture Partner at Tullis Health Investors since 2014, and holds board and advisory roles at several health and life sciences companies, including a board seat at Skinosive and a scientific advisory board position at DermaSensor, Inc. His research contributions include involvement in the international team that discovered PTC1, a tumor suppressor gene linked to basal cell cancer, and he is the author of Total Skin: The Definitive Guide to Whole Skin Care for Life and an editor of Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, the field's leading textbook.
"Flourish Biologics represents an extraordinary opportunity to bring a truly regenerative approach to a condition that affects millions and has been underserved by incremental solutions," said Dr. Leffell. "I've spent my career at the intersection of dermatology, research, and healthcare leadership, and I'm energized to bring that experience to bear as we advance BMD-1141 and build Flourish into the company this science deserves."
Dr. Leffell's appointment follows Flourish's recent evolution from BiologicsMD, a shift that sharpened the company's focus on its regenerative dermatology franchise and its lead molecule, BMD-1141, which is designed to reactivate the hair growth cycle at the follicle level.
For more information, visit flourishbiologics.com
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