PhotoPharmics Strengthens Executive Team Ahead of First Product Launch

American Fork, Utah - May 22, 2025

PhotoPharmics, a clinical-stage company pioneering light-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced the appointment of Samantha John as Chief Commercialization Officer and Greg Schneider as Chief Market Access Officer. The hires come as the company nears FDA submission for its first commercial product.

“These strategic additions position us strongly for our next phase,” said Kent Savage, CEO and co-founder. “Samantha and Greg bring proven leadership in launching novel therapies and navigating complex payer landscapes—exactly what we need as we move toward market readiness.”

John brings over 25 years of commercial leadership, including successful product launches at Aimmune Therapeutics, UCB, and Eli Lilly. She’s led brand strategy, patient services, and global marketing teams, and currently heads Horsepower Ventures, a commercialization consultancy for biotech and pharma firms. Her background in patient-centric strategy and specialty markets will be key to PhotoPharmics’ go-to-market plans.

Schneider joins after three years as a strategic advisor to the company. He is a recognized authority on reimbursement strategy and healthcare policy, with senior roles at Medtronic, Siemens Healthineers, and Pfizer, and is the founder of VBHC, LLC, where he’s guided medtech firms through market access challenges. His deep experience in coverage, coding, pricing, and advocacy will support broad adoption of PhotoPharmics’ therapies.

The company’s growing leadership team blends scientific expertise with commercialization depth:

• Kent Savage, CEO & Co-Founder – veteran medtech entrepreneur and light therapy innovator
• Dan Adams, Co-Founder & Science Officer – expert in circadian biology and phototherapy systems
• Karl Kieburtz, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer – neurologist and former FDA CNS Advisory Chair
• Samantha John, Chief Commercialization Officer
• Greg Schneider, Chief Market Access Officer
• Brett Walker, Chief Marketing Officer – previously at Intel, Ancestry, and multiple health tech firms
• Suzanne Hendrix, PhD, Biostatistics – clinical trial design and data science specialist
• Brad Wyman, PhD, SVP of Science – clinical development leader
• Mike Drake, VP, Quality & Regulatory – regulatory and compliance operations

“We’ve assembled a world-class team with the experience to execute—from science and trials to market access and patient impact,” said Savage. “With pivotal trials wrapping up, we’re on track for FDA submission and commercial launch.”

PhotoPharmics is a privately held, American Fork, Utah-based medical device company advancing non-invasive, specialized phototherapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Building on decades of research in circadian biology and light-based treatment—including innovations acquired by Philips Respironics in 2007—the company is developing novel therapies aimed at improving quality of life in conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

In April 2025, PhotoPharmics secured $6 million in a Series B extension round, as previously reported by TechBuzz, to support late-stage development and prepare for commercialization.

Learn more at www.photopharmics.com