Strategic Advisory
About Rod
Offering strategic guidance to founders, executives, and boards on growth planning, organizational development, market positioning, and operational improvement. This service supports clients in making informed, visionary business decisions through expert insight and tailored planning frameworks.
Clients
Vivacelle Bio is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing life-saving treatments for shock and trauma, particularly in septic and hemorrhagic shock. Its lead candidate, VBI-S, utilizes patented phospholipid nanoparticle technology to restore intravascular volume and modulate nitric oxide levels, addressing both absolute and relative hypovolemia. In a Phase 2a trial, VBI-S demonstrated 100% efficacy in elevating blood pressure and improving organ function in patients with refractory hypotension.
Vivacelle Bio
Temprian Therapeutics is a Chicago-based biotech company developing a gene therapy for vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes skin depigmentation. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Northwestern University, the company’s approach involves injecting a genetically modified DNA plasmid encoding a heat shock protein to modulate the immune response and restore pigmentation systemically. Led by CEO Sumeet Dagar and CSO Dr. Caroline Le Poole, Temprian’s platform may also have potential applications for related autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s disease and alopecia areata.
Temprian Therapeutics
Moleculera Biosciences is a precision medicine company specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated neurological and psychiatric disorders. Their flagship product, the Autoimmune Brain Panel™ (formerly the Cunningham Panel™), is a blood test that detects antineuronal antibodies, helping clinicians determine if a patient's neuropsychiatric symptoms — such as anxiety, OCD, tics, ADHD, or behaviors associated with autism — may be due to an autoimmune response triggered by infections. Beyond neuropsychiatric conditions, Moleculera is expanding its diagnostic offerings to include panels for cardiovascular disorders, Long-COVID, and neurodegenerative diseases . The company also leverages a substantial biobank of over 15,000 clinically annotated specimens to develop AI-driven predictive treatment algorithms, aiming to personalize therapy and improve patient outcomes.
Moleculera Biosciences
General Genomics Inc., founded in 2020 and based in Oklahoma City, is a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions for national security and healthcare sectors. Their mission is to address complex security challenges by enhancing force preservation, organizational efficiency, and operational delivery for federal, state, and commercial clients. Utilizing advanced analytics, large language models, and predictive algorithms, General Genomics develops tools that support decision-making and strategic planning. The company also offers executive training programs to help leaders integrate AI into their organizations effectively.
General Genomics
TMAB Therapeutics is a Houston-based biotech company developing first-in-class multispecific antibodies to overcome resistance to anti-VEGF and anti-PD1 therapies in cancers such as ovarian, endometrial, brain, and colorectal. By targeting CD5L and EGLF6, TMAB aims to enhance immune activation while inhibiting angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment. Co-founded by Dr. Tinashe Chandauka, alongside scientists from MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston, the company is supported by Nandi Life Sciences and participates in accelerator programs like MassBioDrive and the Texas Medical Center's ACT initiative.
TMAB Therapeutics
Lucy Healthcare Agency is a boutique creative agency specializing in healthcare communications, with offices in New York, Paris, and London. They partner with pharmaceutical, biotech, and health-focused consumer companies to deliver tailored solutions across strategy, creative, medical, and customer engagement. Their expertise spans various therapeutic areas, including women's health, oncology, neurology, and mental health, aiming to craft impactful, human-centered brand experiences.
Lucy Healthcare Agency
Rod’s Story
Rod Cotton offers more than expertise — he offers partnership. With a career that spans Fortune 100 boardrooms, high-growth startups, global healthcare transformations, and philanthropic leadership, Rod brings a rare mix of strategy, substance, and humanity to every service he provides. Whether you engage him as a coach, advisor, board member, or speaker, Rod’s approach is anchored in clarity, values, and an unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change.
His services are rooted in real-world leadership experience: turning around multi-billion-dollar divisions, launching breakthrough innovations under pressure, building inclusive coalitions, and mentoring the next generation of change makers. Rod doesn’t apply off-the-shelf strategies — he tailors each engagement to the unique mission, stage, and needs of the people and organizations he serves. From C-suite strategy to grassroots mentorship, his work is driven by a single goal: unlocking growth with purpose.
Rod believes that leadership is not about status — it’s about stewardship. Across all his service areas, he operates with humility, insight, and a sharp instinct for what matters most. Whether you're building a company, reshaping a culture, navigating crisis, or preparing for the next step in your journey, Rod meets you where you are — and helps move you forward with conviction.
Case Studies
Thankful for Divine Connections in Life
“Rod Cotton, you are an inspiration to me and to those who know you. I’m grateful for your support and encouragement in helping us to fulfill our mission and vision at Moleculera Biosciences!Rod Cotton, you are an inspiration to me and to those who know you. I’m grateful for your support and encouragement in helping us to fulfill our mission and vision at Moleculera Biosciences!”
— Craig Shimaski, PhD, CEO of Moleculera Biosciences
Columbia Business School Leading Strategic Growth & Change Program
The Just Society - Strategic Partnership/Advisory with Congressional Leaders and Their Staff Members
“Transformative indeed Rod Cotton! Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman is a New Jersey treasure!”
— Winston S. Kirton, Partner at BakerHostetler
Health Equity Summit on the Roche campus
“We so enjoy bringing executives with real-life experience into our Columbia Business School Executive Education classroom Rod Cotton! The group really enjoyed learning from your experiences, particularly the way in which you handled the challenges of the hashtag #pandemic and how to take a more strategic view, with an enterprise mindset.”
— Rita McGrath, Strategy Professor at Columbia Business School and Founder of Valize Management Consulting
Health Equity Summit at Roche
