Dr. Howard-Sparks has over 25 years of industry experience in biopharmaceutics and drug delivery technology, providing integrated strategic leadership across CMC, Device, Nonclinical, and Project Management. She has developed innovative drug product formulations across a variety of administration routes and has been instrumental in advancing assets from preclinical to launch, resulting in the commercialization of OPANA® ER, OPANA® IR, ABSTRAL®, DAPIRING®, and NINLARO®. Prior to joining Elion, she was Vice President of Product Development at EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, leading scientific teams responsible for the development of long-acting intravitreal injectable products.

Michelle started her career as a scientist at Endo Pharmaceuticals participating in both the development and launch of Endo’s first two NDA’s. She has held scientific and leadership roles at International Partnership for Microbicides (a Gates Foundation partnership) targeting the prevention of HIV transmission, Millennium/Takeda Oncology, and Boston start-up, Zafgen, Inc. She is co-inventor on numerous patents and has authored multiple scientific publications.

Michelle earned a BS in Biology and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.