Timm Crowder, PhD, is a biomedical engineer, inhalation delivery expert, and biotech founder-operator with over two decades of experience building respiratory and inhaled-therapeutics companies from formation through clinical proof-of-concept and commercialization.
Dr. Crowder founded his first inhaled-drug company, Oriel Therapeutics, during his PhD studies under Professor Anthony J. Hickey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Oriel's dry powder inhaler innovations led to its acquisition by Sandoz as their generic Advair candidate. He went on to co-found and lead additional ventures, raising approximately $150 million in capital across his career from angel investment through institutional venture and non-dilutive funding, and has led companies advancing inhaled programs in cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and inhaled biologics.
Between ventures, Dr. Crowder held senior roles at GlaxoSmithKline, where he contributed to the development of BREO and TRELEGY, both approved and now flagship respiratory brands. He is an inventor on twelve issued patents for dry powder inhaler and particle-engineering systems and a co-author of a textbook on pharmaceutical particulate science.
He currently advises early-stage inhaled and nasal programs as a Fractional Executive at Incandescent Bio, guiding startup teams on strategy, operations, development, CMC, and CDMO/CRO selection. He is a recognized advocate for integrating scientific mentorship with entrepreneurship.
Dr. Crowder holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UNC Chapel Hill and degrees in Physics from North Carolina State University and Davidson College.
