# Richard J. “Rick” Hawkins

> Austin-based entrepreneur Richard J. “Rick” Hawkins founded Lumos Pharma and formerly served as its chairman and CEO. His career spans Pharmaco, Sensus, contract manufacturing, research management and board service, including current roles at Aether Therapeutics and Orphagen.

- **Role:** Founder and Chairman at Aether Therapeutics; Board Member at Orphagen Pharmaceuticals
- **Organizations:** Lumos Pharma, Pharmaco, Sensus Drug Development, Covance Biotechnology Services, id2, LabNow, Aether Therapeutics, Orphagen Pharmaceuticals, Savara, Plus Therapeutics, LoopOne, Ohio University
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Biology, Ohio University
- **Known for:** Built Pharmaco into an organization with more than 700 employees and subsequently managed a 2,000-person international operation., Helped establish a contract manufacturing business acquired by Akzo Nobel., Received Ohio University’s Distinguished Business Achievement Award in 2006.

## Career timeline

- **1970-1971** — Earned All-Mid-American Conference recognition as a cornerback and punt returner, according to his LinkedIn profile.
- **1980s** — Founded Pharmaco in Austin; public accounts differ on the precise founding year.
- **1991** — Pharmaco combined with Applied Bioscience International.
- **1990s** — Co-founded Sensus and helped establish an outside protein manufacturing operation.
- **2003-2009** — Founded and led LabNow; a later SEC biography dates its founding to September 2003 and his leadership through October 2009.
- **2011** — Became CEO of the original private Lumos Pharma, per its March 2020 SEC filing.
- **2014** — Received Ohio University’s Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship.
- **2016** — Lumos raised a $34 million Series B and appointed John McKew chief scientific officer.
- **2017** — Began service as co-founder and chairman of Aether, per its annual report.
- **2020** — Led the combined public Lumos and became chairman in March.
- **2024** — Lumos was acquired by Double Point Ventures in December.

## Achievements

- Built Pharmaco into an organization with more than 700 employees and subsequently managed a 2,000-person international operation.
- Helped establish a contract manufacturing business acquired by Akzo Nobel.
- Received Ohio University’s Distinguished Business Achievement Award in 2006.
- Received the Konneker Medal in 2014.
- Inducted into the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Hall of Honor.
- Member of the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame.

## Latest updates

- **2024-12** — Double Point Ventures completed the acquisition of Lumos Pharma.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhawkins-lumos

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rick-hawkins
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26