In a strategic move to bolster its clinical leadership, Warren-based Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. announced Wednesday the appointment of Dr. Matthew Greenhawt as chief medical officer. The hire comes at a pivotal moment as the company prepares to resubmit its New Drug Application (NDA) for Anaphylm™, a needle-free sublingual film for the treatment of severe allergic reactions.
Greenhawt, an internationally recognized expert in allergy and immunology, joins Aquestive from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), where he served as CMO. His career has been defined by a focus on patient-centered care and addressing the real-world barriers that prevent patients from using life-saving epinephrine during emergencies.
Aquestive’s flagship candidate, Anaphylm, aims to revolutionize how anaphylaxis is treated. Unlike traditional auto-injectors (such as EpiPens), Anaphylm is a polymer-based film roughly the size of a postage stamp that dissolves under the tongue.
“Patients frequently fail to carry epinephrine or delay administration during anaphylactic emergencies due to barriers that include needle anxiety, inconvenient carriage, and administration hesitancy,” Greenhawt said. “I joined Aquestive because of the company’s commitment to addressing these real-world challenges through innovation.”
Greenhawt’s transition to the private sector follows decades of leadership in academia and advocacy. His credentials include:
- Former professor of pediatrics: Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
- Prolific researcher: Author of over 370 peer-reviewed publications.
- Award-winning clinician: Recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
- Editorial leadership: Senior Associate Editor for the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Dan Barber, president and CEO of Aquestive, noted that Greenhawt’s understanding of health policy and patient preferences will be “invaluable” as the company nears the finish line with the FDA.
As Greenhawt takes the medical helm, the company is focused on the resubmission of the Anaphylm NDA. If approved, Anaphylm would become the first and only oral medication for the rescue treatment of anaphylaxis.
The product’s design—which is thinner than a credit card and resistant to weather excursions—is specifically engineered to ensure patients always have treatment on hand, whether in a wallet or a phone case.
Dr. Gary Slatko, who served as interim CMO, will remain with the medical team to support the upcoming launch and ongoing clinical pipeline.
