Make-A-Wish® South Carolina announced the election of Dr. Robert “Bob” Ryan (pictured), Founder and CEO of Paradigm Therapeutics and Co-Founder and CEO of Innova Therapeutics, to its Board of Directors. A longtime Lowcountry resident with deep experience building mission-driven partnerships, Dr. Ryan will focus on growing awareness, corporate engagement, and philanthropy to grant more life-changing wishes for South Carolina children.
Dr. Ryan brings 35+ years of research, pharmaceutical, and biotech leadership spanning preclinical through Phase IV development. He previously co-founded and led Scioderm, the first biotech to receive the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation, guiding the company to a successful acquisition by Amicus in 2015. His work has centered on therapies for Epidermolysis Bullosa and cancer, reflecting a career devoted to helping patients and families facing serious illness.
A former Make-A-Wish board member in both South Carolina and North Carolina, Dr. Ryan re-joins the MAWSC board with a clear, mission-first agenda. He cited Make-A-Wish’s impact on children and families as his reason for returning to leadership and shared his intent to expand company participation and open new opportunities in eastern South Carolina by leveraging his Lowcountry network.
Dr. Ryan’s volunteer and governance experience includes serving on the board of DEBRA US since 2013, where he is currently Vice Chairman, and on the board of Aegle Therapeutics, where he chaired the Compensation Committee from 2017 to 2025. He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology with advanced degrees in Genetics and Pharmacokinetics and has held senior roles with global CROs and pharmaceutical companies including PPD, INC Research, Quintiles, Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Atherogenics, and Pfizer.
“Dr. Ryan pairs board-level leadership with a servant mindset for kids and families,” said Misty Farmer, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish South Carolina. “His rare-disease and oncology background, coupled with strong ties in the Lowcountry, will help us build partnerships that translate directly into more wish journeys filled with hope, joy, and strength.”
“Make-A-Wish changes what today feels like for a child and helps families see tomorrow with confidence,” said Dr. Bob Ryan. “I am honored to serve and to help connect more companies and community leaders to this mission, especially across eastern South Carolina, so we can grant more wishes for the kids who need them.”