James Sapirstein

James E.
Sapirstein was the founder of Tobira Therapeutics, Inc., founded in 2006, where the titles held included President, Chief Executive Officer & Director from 2006 to 2011.
Current jobs include Chief Executive Officer & Director at Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. starting in 2026; Director at Clinical Supplies Management, Inc.; Independent Director at Blue Water Acquisition Corp.
II; and Independent Director at ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc. starting in 2023.
Former jobs include Chief Executive Officer & Director at Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2014 to 2018; Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Marizyme, Inc. in 2021; Chief Executive Officer & Director at Alliqua BioMedical, Inc. from 2012 to 2014; Chief Executive Officer at Tobira Therapeutics, Inc. from 2006 to 2016; Chief Executive Officer at GridAI Technologies Corp.
in 2025; Chairman at BioNJ, Inc. from 2017 to 2019; Chairman at Onconetix, Inc. from 2025; Director-International Marketing at Bristol Myers Squibb Co. from 1996 to 2000; Independent Director at ProBility Media Corp.
from 2015 to 2016; Product Director at Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.; Independent Director at NanoViricides, Inc. from 2018 to 2020; Lead Independent Director at Blue Water Biotech, Inc. from 2022 to 2023; Independent Director at Blue Water Acquisition Corp.; Independent Director at Lunai Bioworks, Inc. from 2018 to 2024; Director at Biotechnology Innovation Organization; Independent Director at RespireRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2014 to 2020; Director at Leading Biosciences, Inc. from 2016 to 2021; Head-Global Marketing at Gilead Sciences, Inc. from 2000 to 2002; Manager-International Operations at Eli Lilly & Co.; and Executive Vice President-Metabolic & Endocrinology at EMD Serono, Inc. from 2002 to 2005.
Education includes an undergraduate degree from Rutgers State University of New Jersey conferred in 1984 and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University conferred in 1997.