Matt Davidson Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Azora Therapeutics
Matt Davidson is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Azora Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AZR), a biotech company developing AT177, an oral, colon-targeted aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist for ulcerative colitis. Spun out of Stanford’s SPARK program, Azora went public company in 2026 through a reverse merger and up to $64 million in PIPE financing.
As a serial biotech entrepreneur, Matt has taken a company from idea to IPO and subsequent approval. In 2013 he founded Verrica Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRCA) based on a personal experience and developed YCANTH® into the first FDA-approved medicine for the viral skin disease molluscum contagiosum. As CEO of Verrica he managed all aspects of development including international sourcing and out-licensing leading to a Japanese approval of YCANTH® in 2025.
Matt grew up and lives in Los Angeles and earned his PhD in Immunology from Stanford University School of Medicine and his BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley.