Leadership Team
Deep expertise in inhaled drug development and clinical operations
Our Team
Experience That Matters
Our team combines extensive capital markets experience with deep expertise in inhaled drug development and clinical operations, the specific capabilities required to advance KP001 (REZQPUFF) through clinical development.
George H. Luciuk, MD
President & Founder
Dr. Luciuk brings over 40 years of clinical allergy and immunology experience to Kokua Pharma. Since 1993, he has been working to develop improved treatments for patients experiencing anaphylaxis with inhaled epinephrine, including those sensitive to metabisulfite preservatives found in injectable epinephrine products.
His clinical observations identified the need to address both upper airway obstruction and systemic symptoms, insights that have guided KP001's development. He has served as President of the Allergy Section of the Canadian Pediatric Society and held leadership roles in multiple professional organizations.
Kevin W. Stapleton, PhD
Pharmaceutical Development
Dr. Stapleton brings nearly 30 years of experience in all phases of inhalation drug product development, from preclinical and discovery through commercial production. He has been instrumental in advancing several FDA-approved inhaled products and has vast expertise across a wide range of therapeutic areas including cystic fibrosis, NTM, migraine, and Parkinson's disease.
He excels at program management and using CDMO networks to effectively drive development and achieve project milestones.
Lisa Discepola, MSc
Clinical Operations
Ms. Discepola brings extensive clinical operations expertise spanning the full drug development lifecycle from Phase 1 through regulatory approval. She has successfully led clinical programs in asthma, allergy, and autoimmune conditions, therapeutic areas directly relevant to anaphylaxis.
Her experience in study design, site management, regulatory compliance, and data integrity supports efficient clinical execution while maintaining high standards of patient safety and scientific rigor.
Simon Pimstone, MD, PhD
Clinical Development
Dr. Pimstone brings extensive experience in biotech leadership and capital formation. He has raised over $1 billion in capital markets throughout his career and has served as CEO of multiple publicly traded biotechnology companies, including Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: XENE) and Eleven Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: EBIO).
His track record includes advancing clinical-stage assets, building high-performing teams, and executing successful financing strategies.
See the Science Behind KP001 (REZQPUFF)
Learn how 40 years of clinical observation informed the development of an inhaled epinephrine formulation.
View the Science →Business Development