# Ahmet Tutuncu

> Ahmet Tutuncu, MD, PhD, is a San Diego physician-scientist, biotechnology executive, and repeat founder whose career has centered on respiratory drug development and the practical problem of getting medicine into the lungs. He is CEO and co-founder of AeroRx Therapeutics, after co-founding Elevation Pharmaceuticals and Patara Pharma, both later acquired. Across academic medicine and industry, his development work contributed to three successful regulatory applications for respiratory products.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at AeroRx Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** AeroRx Therapeutics, Patara Pharma, Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Verus Pharmaceuticals, SkyePharma, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation, University of Istanbul, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- **Education:** MD; training in Critical Care Medicine, University of Istanbul, PhD in Respiratory Pathophysiology, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- **Known for:** Co-founded three respiratory biotechnology companies: Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Patara Pharma, and AeroRx Therapeutics., Elevation Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals in 2012., Patara Pharma was acquired by Roivant in 2018 and became Respivant Sciences.

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Worked in academic medicine as an assistant professor at the University of Istanbul and published respiratory physiology research.
- **Before 2006** — Held positions of increasing responsibility at Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation, then served as Director of Corporate Medical Affairs and Medical Director for pulmonary products at SkyePharma.
- **2006** — Joined Verus Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Medical Affairs.
- **2008** — Co-founded Elevation Pharmaceuticals to develop inhaled therapies for people underserved by conventional inhalers.
- **2012** — Elevation Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals and became Sunovion Respiratory Development.
- **2013** — Co-founded Patara Pharma and served as Chief Medical Officer.
- **2018** — Patara Pharma was acquired by Roivant and became Respivant Sciences.
- **2024** — AeroRx Therapeutics was incorporated in Delaware; Tutuncu became its co-founder and chief executive officer.
- **2025** — AeroRx reported positive Phase 2a topline results and closed a $21 million Series A financing.
- **2026** — Presented full Phase 2a data at the American Thoracic Society International Conference and discussed AeroRx on The BioHub podcast.

## Achievements

- Co-founded three respiratory biotechnology companies: Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Patara Pharma, and AeroRx Therapeutics.
- Elevation Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals in 2012.
- Patara Pharma was acquired by Roivant in 2018 and became Respivant Sciences.
- Development activities contributed to three successful NDAs/MAAs: Flutiform pMDI, Pulmicort HFA pMDI, and Lonhala Magnair.
- Co-authored peer-reviewed respiratory research spanning mechanical ventilation, respiratory physiology, fibrosis, and inhaled drug development.
- Led AeroRx through positive Phase 2a results and a $21 million Series A financing in 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — AeroRx announced modeling-based analyses supporting once-daily dosing of inhaled AERO-007 for presentation at the ERS Congress 2026.
- **2026-05** — Tutuncu presented positive Phase 2a data for AERO-007 at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.
- **2026-01** — Appeared on Episode 105 of The BioHub podcast to discuss AeroRx and the respiratory biotechnology market.
- **2025-10** — AeroRx closed a $21 million Series A led by Avalon BioVentures, with participation from Correlation Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, and others.
- **2025-07** — AeroRx announced positive topline Phase 2a results for its lead inhaled program.

## Links

- Website: https://aerorxtx.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmet-tutuncu-md-phd-1ab6847

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ahmet-tutuncu
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26