About Us

Arietis was founded on technologies for discovering antimicrobials developed by Professor Kim Lewis at Northeastern University. Arietis is led by President and CEO Thomas Dahl, PhD, an experienced biotech executive and drug developer. Michael Barron, a partner at DLA Piper LLP (US), has provided legal representation to Arietis from its inception. Dr. Michael LaFleur leads the drug discovery efforts. Following is a brief description of their backgrounds.

Kim Lewis

Professor of Biology and Director, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University

Dr. Lewis is an expert in microbial drug resistance and drug discovery. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Moscow University and prior to coming to NEU in 2001 has been on the Faculty of MIT, University of Maryland and Tufts University. Dr. Lewis is the author of over 100 publications, several patents and inventions licensed to the Industry. He is the co-founder of NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals, a Biotech Company that uses a method to grow previously unculturable microorganisms as a source of novel compounds. Other inventions of note include sterile-surface materials; synergistically-acting antimicrobials; a high-throughput method for drug screening in whole animals; and a method to identify prodrug antibiotics.

Michael K. Barron

Partner, DLA Piper

Michael focuses his practice on representing early and later stage biotechnology, medical device, healthcare, software, internet and technology companies and investors in such companies. He counsels clients on corporate formation, corporate transactional and intellectual property matters and has particular experience working with clients on early stage financings (angel, venture and strategic), mergers and acquisitions, licensing (software, technology, and biotech), and trademark matters. Mr. Barron has served as the legal advisor for numerous common stock and preferred stock private placements and venture financings for early stage companies. During his career, Mr. Barron has helped his clients close in the aggregate over $500 million in equity financings. In 1995, Mr. Barron founded the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX), a non-profit trade association which serves more than 7,000 New England professionals involved in internet and digital technologies. Mr. Barron currently serves as the General Counsel of MITX and on its Executive Committee. Mr. Barron also serves as the the General Counsel and Clerk of The AntiBody Society, Inc., a non-profit trade association founded to further the broad interests of antibody engineering and antibody therapeutics.

Thomas Dahl, Ph.D.

President and CEO

For 15 years Dr. Dahl has been an accomplished biotech/pharma executive with expertise in early stage ventures, including technical analysis of products and technologies, business strategy and operationalization, development program strategy, clinical trial design and interpretation, and presentation to funding communities, analysts and pharma partners. Dr. Dahl has worked in drug development from research stage through Phase 2 Clinical programs, designing and implementing programs across multiple therapeutic areas including infectious diseases. Dr. Dahl has served in senior management roles for multiple companies ranging from start-ups to major global pharma such as Merck KGaA. Start-ups that he has been involved with have been successfully partnered (e.g., Fuji ImmunoPharmaceuticals, Lexigen Pharmaceuticals, Single Pixel Biomedical, Shionogi BioResearch) or taken public (e.g., Synta Pharmaceuticals, symbol SNTA).

Michael LaFleur, Ph.D.

Head of Drug Discovery

Michael LaFleur is a co-inventor on key Arietis technology for synergistically-acting antifungals. Dr. LaFleur received his PhD from Northeastern University, and has worked closely with Dr. Lewis in understanding recalcitrant infection, and developing therapeutic approaches to making these infections treatable.