Azure welcomes Dr. Nick Shubin, PhD to the Azure team as Program Director.

Nick brings a strong combination of CEO-level leadership, small-molecule drug development experience, and deep scientific expertise that will be instrumental as we advance lasofoxifene for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Most recently, Nick served as Chief Executive Officer of NemaGen Discoveries, a Rutgers-based biotechnology spin-out focused on developing novel small-molecule inhibitors that block mast cell development from precursor cells. Under his leadership, NemaGen advanced its program from target identification through the development of lead compounds ready for IND-enabling studies, with initial applications in systemic mastocytosis and longer-term potential in food allergy, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. As CEO, Dr. Shubin led corporate strategy, fundraising, investor communications, and board governance while building and guiding the company’s scientific and advisory infrastructure.

Nick brings deep expertise in small-molecule drug development and biotech company building, including CRO selection and management, IP strategy and execution (from provisional filings through national-phase PCTs), licensing agreement management, and clinical development planning. His experience also includes leading internal scientific teams, establishing and facilitating scientific advisory boards, directing grant writing efforts resulting in successful awards, conducting market research, developing business plans, and providing regular updates to investors and boards of directors.

Dr. Shubin began his scientific career in Seattle, earning a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. He worked as a scientist at two biotech start-ups Icogenex (Seattle, WA) and Cardax Pharmaceuticals (Aiea, HI) before earning his PhD in Pathobiology from Brown University under the mentorship of Dr. Alfred Ayala. After graduating, Nick completed two postdocs. The first was a two-year fellowship at the University of Washington Department of Surgery, and the second was at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, where he studied the role of mast cells in sepsis.

Nick is excited to join the Azure team and apply his leadership, small-molecule development experience, and translational expertise to advance lasofoxifene for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).