Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therap for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Our Team
At Bowen’s FX Therapeutics, we are proud to be driven by a team of exceptional scientists, drug developers and industry experts, all united by a shared mission to transform the future of Fragile X Syndrome.
Bio
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therapy for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Bio
Michael brings over twenty-five years of leadership experience in the life science sector as an investor, financier, advisor, senior manager, and board member.
Michael started his investment career at Rothschild Asset Management in 1998 before co-founding Rosetta Capital Limited in 2001 where he continues as a partner. Michael is also Vice Chairman of GH Research Plc, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for treatment resistant depression and other neurological disorders. In 2021, Michael helped support GH complete a $125 million private financing from leading US healthcare investors and a $184 million IPO on NASDAQ. In 2011, Michael was also a co-founder of Swiss-based ADC Therapeutics SA, which was established to develop antibody-drug-conjugates for the treatment of cancer, where Michael led multiple private, public and royalty financings, including its $267 million IPO on the NYSE during the Covid lock-down in May 2020. Connecting through mutual friends in 2023, Michael joined Jeff Parr in his quest and is on the board of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics.
Michael holds a Bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma in International Business from the University of Copenhagen, a law degree from the University of British Columbia, and was called to the Bar for the Law Society of Upper Canada. Michael resides in London, UK and spends his summers in Skagen, Denmark.
Bio
Eric joined Zymeworks as Protein Engineer in 2010, and developed technologies used in therapeutics to fight cancer. Internally, he worked on several programs including the development of Zanidatamab, while externally he led partnerships of Zymeworks with companies such as GSK for the development of other novel technology platforms and therapeutics. After success at Zymeworks, in 2022, Eric became a consultant for various biotechnology companies, supporting the research and development of novel protein therapeutics in many applications.
In 2024, Eric joined Bowen’s FX Therapeutics as Vice President of Research and Development. He is using his expertise to optimize proteins that can serve as protein replacement therapies for people affected with Fragile X Syndrome. His goal is to make viable therapeutics for Bowen and all people touched by this condition.
Eric holds a PhD from University of British Columbia using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to study the structure and function of various proteins. and holds a BSc in Chemistry from Trent University, where he received the Society of Chemical Industry Student Merit Award in Biochemistry. Eric also received full scholarships to attend the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy and to visit the Albert-Lüdwigs University in Germany.
Bio
Stuart spent 10 years in academic R&D investigating neurological disorders before joining
adMare BioInnovations’ Program and Business Development team in 2017. In 2019, Stuart led a Canada-wide campaign to identify potential therapeutic programs for rare neurological disorders, which led to adMare Bio partnering with Dr. Turner at the University of Calgary to further develop an engineered protein replacement technology for Fragile X syndrome. Stuart facilitated drug development activities undertaken on the prospective therapeutic by adMare Bio’s R&D team in partnership with Dr. Turner’s laboratory until 2024.
In 2023, Jeff Parr approached adMare Bio seeking potentially curative therapies for Fragile X syndrome. Stuart led adMare Bio’s efforts to work towards Jeff’s vision of creating this new company to develop therapeutics for Fragile X syndrome, with the engineered protein replacement technology as the first potential program in the pipeline. In 2024, Stuart joined the new company, Bowen’s FX Therapeutics, to continue to drive the identification and development of new therapeutic technologies as they move towards clinical trials and hopefully to become a curative treatment for Fragile X syndrome.
Stuart holds a BSc(Hons) in pharmacology from the University of Glasgow and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology / neuropharmacology from the University of Strathclyde. He relocated from Glasgow, Scotland to Vancouver, Canada to undertake his postdoctoral research on neurological disorders at the University of British Columbia until 2017. He now lives in Boston.
Bio
Denis Garceau served as Vice-President Drug Development and Chief Scientific Officer at
Neurochem and Bellus Health from 1997 to 2023. Over those 26 years he directed multiple drug
development programs, from research into preclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and
toxicology studies, and into clinical development spanning Phase I through to Phase 3 studies.
His contributions helped support the acquisition of Bellus Health by GSK in 2023 for USD$ 2
billion.
In 1985-86, Denis completed a post-doctorate Research fellowship in Pharmacology at Merck
Frosst Canada. He then served as a clinical scientist and product team leader for Hoechst
Marion Roussel (now Sanofi) from 1986 to 1997. At Sanofi, Denis successfully oversaw North
American clinical programs and participated in global clinical development steering committees.
He was responsible for developing clinical operating plans, designing clinical protocols, and
supervising clinical trials.
Dr. Garceau holds a B.Pharm and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Université de Montréal. He
served on several Boards of Director including Virochem, Innodia and CEPMED (Montreal Heart
Institute). He is currently on the Board of Directors of Ingenew Pharma and CEMCO-FC at
UQAM.
Bio
April Cotton, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer at Bowen’s FX Therapeutics. In 2024, April joined Bowen’s FX Therapeutics, driven by a strong personal connection to Jeff Parr and his family. Their shared vision to make a profound impact on the world,
particularly for Jeff’s grandson Bowen, deeply resonated with April’s own values and passion for meaningful change.
April is the President of Breakwater Investments Inc., a single-family office in Southwestern Ontario. With a wealth of experience in accounting, taxation, estate and succession planning, and philanthropy, April has helped shape strategic financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families. Her career includes a tenure as a Senior Manager in Taxation at Deloitte LLP, where she specialized in developing tailored tax strategies for private companies.
April is also committed to her community and has held several key leadership roles on boards and advisory committees, including the McKeil Family Foundation, United Way of Niagara, and the Niagara Parks Commission.
A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, April holds a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS). She resides in Oakville, Ontario.
JEFF PARR
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Jeff joined the private equity firm Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX:CVG) in 1995, ultimately serving as its Co-CEO and Managing Director until his retirement at the end of 2023. Over that period, Clairvest grew to more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Jeff continues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Clairvest Board of Directors.
In early 2024, Bowen, Jeff’s grandson, was diagnosed with FragileX Syndrome. Since that time, he has applied the experience, capital and network acquired during his private equity career to research the FragileX universe and find the most promising near term curative therapy for FragileX. This resulted in the founding of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics to develop a protein replacement therapy discovered at the University of Calgary with the goal of progressing the therapy into human clinical trials, and potentially changing the world for Bowen and all that are afflicted with FragileX syndrome.
Jeff, holds a FCA and FCPA, and a BA from University of Western Ontario. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Western in recognition of his diverse philanthropic contributions, in particular with student mental health at Western, and he serves on the Investment Committee at Western. Jeff is also a recipient of the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Ted Anderson Community Service Award.
Michael Forer
Board Member
Michael brings over twenty-five years of leadership experience in the life science sector as an investor, financier, advisor, senior manager, and board member.
Michael started his investment career at Rothschild Asset Management in 1998 before co-founding Rosetta Capital Limited in 2001 where he continues as a partner. Michael is also Vice Chairman of GH Research Plc, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for treatment resistant depression and other neurological disorders. In 2021, Michael helped support GH complete a $125 million private financing from leading US healthcare investors and a $184 million IPO on NASDAQ. In 2011, Michael was also a co-founder of Swiss-based ADC Therapeutics SA, which was established to develop antibody-drug-conjugates for the treatment of cancer, where Michael led multiple private, public and royalty financings, including its $267 million IPO on the NYSE during the Covid lock-down in May 2020. Connecting through mutual friends in 2023, Michael joined Jeff Parr in his quest and is on the board of Bowen’s FX Therapeutics.
Michael holds a Bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma in International Business from the University of Copenhagen, a law degree from the University of British Columbia, and was called to the Bar for the Law Society of Upper Canada. Michael resides in London, UK and spends his summers in Skagen, Denmark.
Eric Escobar
VP, Research & Development
Eric joined Zymeworks as Protein Engineer in 2010, and developed technologies used in therapeutics to fight cancer. Internally, he worked on several programs including the development of Zanidatamab, while externally he led partnerships of Zymeworks with companies such as GSK for the development of other novel technology platforms and therapeutics. After success at Zymeworks, in 2022, Eric became a consultant for various biotechnology companies, supporting the research and development of novel protein therapeutics in many applications.
In 2024, Eric joined Bowen’s FX Therapeutics as Vice President of Research and Development. He is using his expertise to optimize proteins that can serve as protein replacement therapies for people affected with Fragile X Syndrome. His goal is to make viable therapeutics for Bowen and all people touched by this condition.
Eric holds a PhD from University of British Columbia using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to study the structure and function of various proteins. and holds a BSc in Chemistry from Trent University, where he received the Society of Chemical Industry Student Merit Award in Biochemistry. Eric also received full scholarships to attend the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy and to visit the Albert-Lüdwigs University in Germany.
Stuart Cain, Ph.D.
VP, Business Development
Stuart spent 10 years in academic R&D investigating neurological disorders before joining
adMare BioInnovations’ Program and Business Development team in 2017. In 2019, Stuart led a Canada-wide campaign to identify potential therapeutic programs for rare neurological disorders, which led to adMare Bio partnering with Dr. Turner at the University of Calgary to further develop an engineered protein replacement technology for Fragile X syndrome. Stuart facilitated drug development activities undertaken on the prospective therapeutic by adMare Bio’s R&D team in partnership with Dr. Turner’s laboratory until 2024.
In 2023, Jeff Parr approached adMare Bio seeking potentially curative therapies for Fragile X syndrome. Stuart led adMare Bio’s efforts to work towards Jeff’s vision of creating this new company to develop therapeutics for Fragile X syndrome, with the engineered protein replacement technology as the first potential program in the pipeline. In 2024, Stuart joined the new company, Bowen’s FX Therapeutics, to continue to drive the identification and development of new therapeutic technologies as they move towards clinical trials and hopefully to become a curative treatment for Fragile X syndrome.
Stuart holds a BSc(Hons) in pharmacology from the University of Glasgow and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology / neuropharmacology from the University of Strathclyde. He relocated from Glasgow, Scotland to Vancouver, Canada to undertake his postdoctoral research on neurological disorders at the University of British Columbia until 2017. He now lives in Boston.
Denis Garceau, B. Pharm, Ph.D.
Independent consultant in Drug Development
Denis Garceau served as Vice-President Drug Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Neurochem and Bellus Health between 1997 and 2023. During these 26 years he directed the Companies’ drug development programs, from preclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and toxicology to clinical evaluation of new products. He was also involved in several Due Diligence activities in Merger and Acquisition (M&A) projects.
From 1986 to 1997, as a clinical scientist and product team leader for Hoechst Marion Roussel
(now Sanofi), Dr. Garceau successfully oversaw North American clinical programs and participated in global clinical development steering committees. He was responsible for developing clinical operating plans, designing clinical protocols, and supervising clinical trials. In 1985-86, Dr. Garceau completed a post-doctorate Research fellowship in Pharmacology at
Merck Frosst Canada.
Dr. Garceau holds a B.Pharm and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Université de Montréal. He served on several Boards of Director including Virochem, Innodia and CEPMED (Montreal Heart Institute). He is currently on the Board of Directors of Ingenew Pharma and CEMCO-FC at UQAM.
April Cotton, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer
April Cotton, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer at Bowen’s FX Therapeutics. In 2024, April joined Bowen’s FX Therapeutics, driven by a strong personal connection to Jeff Parr and his family. Their shared vision to make a profound impact on the world,
particularly for Jeff’s grandson Bowen, deeply resonated with April’s own values and passion for meaningful change.
April is the President of Breakwater Investments Inc., a single-family office in Southwestern Ontario. With a wealth of experience in accounting, taxation, estate and succession planning, and philanthropy, April has helped shape strategic financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families. Her career includes a tenure as a Senior Manager in Taxation at Deloitte LLP, where she specialized in developing tailored tax strategies for private companies.
April is also committed to her community and has held several key leadership roles on boards and advisory committees, including the McKeil Family Foundation, United Way of Niagara, and the Niagara Parks Commission.
A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, April holds a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS). She resides in Oakville, Ontario.
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© 2024 BOWEN'S FX THERAPEUTICS
Jeff Parr
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Michael Forer
Board Member
Eric Esobar
VP, Research & Development
Stuart Cain
VP, Business Development
Denis Garceau
Independent Consultant in Drug Development
April Cotton
Chief Financial Officer