HemoShear, a biotechnology research company, has appointed Robert A. Figler, Ph.D., scientific director.

Previously, Figler was director of pharmacology at Adenosine Therapeutics and an assistant professor in the department of molecular physiology and biological physics at the University of Virginia (UVA). He is also a well-published scientist who is a named inventor on seven patents for adenosine analogs, several of which are in human clinical trials. Figler has extensive experience with animal models and in-vitro assays used in drug development.

Figler's primary responsibility will be to lead HemoShear's NIH-funded research efforts to develop an extensive database of drug-induced vascular genomic response profiles using the company's proprietary human-surrogate vascular system.

"HemoShear's business is growing and our needs for additional scientific and operational expertise are increasing," said Jim Powers, HemoShear's CEO.