Gallant Appoints Misti Ushio and Doug Drew to Board as FDA Approval Nears

Gallant, a pioneering animal health biotechnology company, has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. Dr. Misti Ushio and Doug Drew, both seasoned experts in biotechnology and veterinary operations, join the board as Gallant approaches a significant milestone in its mission to deliver the first FDA-approved, ready-to-use stem cell therapy for pets.

The addition of Dr. Ushio and Drew comes at a crucial time for Gallant, particularly following the company’s successful $18 million Series B financing. Notably, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has indicated that the data supporting Gallant’s ready-to-use stem cell therapy for refractory Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS) suggests a reasonable expectation of effectiveness. This marks an important progression in the FDA’s conditional approval process, with a final decision anticipated as early as Q1 2026.

Experienced Leaders Join Forces to Accelerate Innovation

Dr. Misti Ushio serves as a Managing Partner at Digitalis Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to advancements in both human and animal health. With over 25 years of experience in biotechnology, she has a proven track record in translating scientific breakthroughs into commercially viable ventures. As the founding CEO of TARA Biosystems, a company recognized for developing lab-grown human cardiac tissue for drug discovery, she successfully led the firm through a $21.3 million capital raise before its acquisition by Valo Health.

Dr. Ushio expressed her enthusiasm about joining Gallant. “Building a new therapeutic category requires talent, technology, and a great deal of passion. Gallant has it all,” she stated. “I have been impressed by how quickly the team is advancing this therapy through clinical trials and the FDA process, and I’m excited to support them more directly as they prepare to go to market—shifting care from managing symptoms to targeting disease at its source.”

Doug Drew brings significant industry expertise to Gallant, having previously held the position of Global President at Mars Veterinary Health, which oversees a network of over 3,000 veterinary hospitals across more than 20 countries. He played a pivotal role in the organization’s global expansion and directed a $500 million multi-year investment focused on career development, diversity, and operational excellence for veterinary professionals.

Drew articulated his perspective on Gallant’s upcoming therapy, noting its practical benefits. “Gallant’s therapy checks all the boxes for practical, scalable innovation in veterinary care—it’s ready to use, administered through a simple IV injection, and will be available on demand. It fits seamlessly into daily practice and, most importantly, addresses a real gap for pets with many common and underserved conditions.”

Strategic Vision for the Future of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Linda Black, CEO of Gallant, highlighted the complementary strengths of Ushio and Drew, stating, “Misti is a veteran biotech executive who knows how to turn complex science into category-defining products, and Doug has spent his career listening to veterinarians and delivering tools they trust. Their voices reflect both sides of what we’re building—scientific excellence and practical impact. I’m grateful to partner with them as we move toward commercialization.”

Gallant’s mission focuses on creating a new category of veterinary medicine with its innovative stem cell therapies aimed at addressing the root causes of diseases in pets. By leveraging the expertise of its leadership team, the company seeks to make regenerative medicine accessible, thereby shifting the focus from mere symptom management to restoring health at the source.

For further information about Gallant and its initiatives, visit their website at https://www.gallant.com/.

Media inquiries can be directed to Galyna Danylenko at +1 (443) 254-7567 or via email at [email protected].