Jay E. Yourist, PhD
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Yourist has held a broad range of management and research positions with both the public and private sectors. He began his career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine. His research interests included antiviral properties of natural toxin derivatives and processes mediated by phosphorylation. He was then appointed by the Governor of Florida as Division Director of the State of Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Social Security Office of Disability Determination, overseeing more than 2,200 employees and managing an annual budget of almost $290 million for healthcare and community‐based services for disabled adults in the State of Florida. In this position he also managed Florida’s Head Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury Programs including research funding. Subsequently he served as the CEO of Skilled Health Systems (SHS) and Vice President of its sister company, ClinTrials Network. SHS managed outpatient rehabilitation, diabetes and wound care programs. ClinTrials Network was a CRO managing clinical studies in primarily wound care.
For almost fifteen years until 2009, Dr. Yourist served as the Executive Director of the International Institute for Healthcare and Human Development (IIHHD), a 501(c) non‐profit volunteer organization that he co‐founded. Initially funded by Rotary International grants, the IIHHD researched and developed new practices, policies, systems and training programs to improve healthcare delivery and social integration for persons with disabilities primarily in the twenty Caribbean CARICOM nations. During his tenure, he created multiple strategic partnerships, secured funding and directed the development of care reform plans for chronic disease and disability management.
Dr. Yourist is a co‐founder and currently serves as the President and CEO of Nuovo Biologics. He holds full responsibility over the company’s clinical studies, basic research and development operations, information technology implementation, as well as business management from an executive standpoint. He personally manages all intellectual property and FDA regulatory management compliance requirements for claim approval. With his research staff he co‐ authors all publications that result from in‐house research and grant submissions. In this position, he also develops and maintains a broad range of academic and private partnerships and collaborations.
Craig R. Reinemeyer, DVM, PhD
Medical Director
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Microbiology (Parasitology)
Dr. Reinemeyer is a native of Ohio, and graduated cum laude from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976. After 5 years in mixed animal practice in Kent, Ohio, Dr. Reinemeyer returned to OSU to pursue a PhD in veterinary parasitology. His graduate studies focused on the epidemiology of parasitic nematodes of horses. Dr. Reinemeyer joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and taught veterinary parasitology there for 14 years. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and served as the President of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists from 2003 to 2004.
Dr. Reinemeyer left academia in 1998 to found East Tennessee Clinical Research, a privately-held contract research organization that conducts pharmaceutical development studies for commercial sponsors. Dr. Reinemeyer has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, is co-author of “Handbook of Equine Parasite Control” (2nd ed.) and has delivered over 200 papers at scientific meetings and continuing education conferences. Pivotal clinical studies conducted by Dr. Reinemeyer have contributed to the approval of approximately 25 New Animal Drug Applications and Abbreviated NADAs.
Stuart P. Rose
Vice President for Business Development
Stuart Rose holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami and has over forty years of involvement in federal, state and local government. After graduation and roles at the Florida Attorney General’s office, and later for Miami-Dade County Mayor Steve Clark, Mr. Rose was a founding partner in Project Masters, a full service Public Relations firm specializing in political campaigns, governmental relations and special event planning. There, he and his partners made a reputation for successfully guiding a series of high profile election victories for local, state and congressional office holders. For nearly two decades, Project Masters provided its clients with campaign victories, project victories and sound advice along the way.
Following his years at Project Masters, Mr. Rose focused on strategic planning and relationship marketing for large companies and organizations. His firm offered its clients access to those “decision makers” who were vital to their projects’ success. From contact to completion, he assisted his clients in navigating the often-complex processes of both government and “Network Marketing.” His decision maker network strategies were proven successful.
Over the years, Mr. Rose has participated in projects and regularly serviced clients with interest in such diverse fields as health care, aviation support services, solid waste, engineering, technology, communications and security, to mention a few. At Nuovo, Mr. Rose will oversee the development of our professional networks and be responsible for the company’s image and branding.
Debbie Somers
Chief Operating Officer
Debbie Somers is a Small Business and Health Information Technology (HIT) consultant for academic, commercial and government clients. In her previous position as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Systems, Social Security Administration, Ms. Somers’ vision and energy initiated the SSA HIT program, building the program to national recognition. Ms. Somers devised ways to achieve SSA’s goals while also providing a broader value to the healthcare industry and the community at‐large. Her emphasis on the strategic planning and business impacts for organizations and agencies established a basis for expansion and adoption of national programs. During her tenure she received numerous awards and recognition at the national level from both government and private industry.
As a consultant she has advised organizations on strategic planning for Health IT and disability, and organized think tank sessions to discuss cognitive disabilities. These feats are accomplished by routinely convening diverse organizations and stakeholders to collaborate, identify common goals, and achieve results. Ms. Somers also applies her broad background expertise to partner with small businesses to develop and strengthen their business administration including strategic planning, human resource foundations, information technology oversight and planning, business continuity approaches, and development of policies and procedures to establish a strong security baseline.
The formation of CYGNOS Biotech represents several years of research and development exploring new broad spectrum antiviral, as well as oncology, technologies. Founded in 2010 and based in Florida, the Company is commercializing an innovative set of protein drugs. Our first drug formulation is “PVX”, which appears to treat a broad spectrum of viral infections, including those caused by herpes, influenza, and particular retroviruses; another, “MMX”, for specific malignant tumors. Both drugs are expected to be effective across animal species, and possibly, in humans.
