Robert Schumacher, PhD, has spent more than 25 years advancing translational research and development across the pharmaceutical industry and academia, including key roles at Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. His leadership spans the entire development lifecycle, from early- stage strategy and preclinical research to regulatory engagement and clinical development. Dr. Schumacher has a proven track record of designing and directing development programs for both New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and repurposed therapeutics, successfully advancing multiple candidates into the clinic. His expertise includes developing Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and managing regulatory strategies through End-of-Phase 2 meetings.

A Minnesota native, Dr. Schumacher earned his BS in Chemistry from St. Cloud State University and went on to complete a PhD in Biochemistry at the Mayo Graduate School. Following a fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine, he transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, where he served most recently as the founding Director of Clinical Sciences at KV Pharmaceutical. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, he served as the Scientific Director of Mayo Clinical Trial Services, Co-Director of the Clinical Trials Biomarker Research Laboratory, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Since 2009, Dr. Schumacher has served as Scientific Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), where he focuses on translating promising research technologies into clinical and commercial development. ThyrOxy™ is one of more than a dozen CTM-supported therapeutics candidates that have been successfully out-licensed, six of which have already progressed into clinical development.