Timothy Block
Hepion PharmaceuticalsAbout Timothy Block
Timothy Block, Ph.D., age 71 as of April 24, 2025, has served as an independent director of Hepion Pharmaceuticals (HEPA) since November 26, 2013. He is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine, Director of the Drexel Institute for Biotechnology and Virology Research, Co‑founder and President of the Hepatitis B Foundation and its Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, and President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center. He is an AAAS Fellow, has published 180+ papers and holds 12 U.S. patents, with extensive advisory experience including Bristol Myers Squibb’s Entecavir Advisory Board .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University College of Medicine | Professor of Microbiology & Immunology; Director, Drexel Institute for Biotechnology & Virology Research | Not disclosed | Scientific leadership; research administration |
| Hepatitis B Foundation | Co‑founder & President | Not disclosed | Patient advocacy and research ecosystem building |
| Baruch S. Blumberg Institute | Co‑founder & President | Not disclosed | Hepatitis/virology research leadership |
| Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center | President & CEO | Not disclosed | Regional biotech development leadership |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Public Company? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Myers Squibb (Entecavir Advisory Board) | Advisory Board Member | No (advisory role, not board director) | Industry advisory experience |
| Other public company boards | None disclosed | — | No public company directorships listed for Dr. Block in HEPA proxy |
Board Governance
| Item | Status/Details |
|---|---|
| Independence | Board determined Dr. Block is independent under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) |
| Years of Service | Director since November 26, 2013 |
| Committees | Audit Committee (member); Compensation Committee (member); Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee (Chair) |
| Audit Committee “Financial Expert” | Michael Purcell (chair) designated; Dr. Block is a member |
| Attendance (2024) | Board: 26 meetings; Audit: 7; Compensation: 2; Nominating: 0. All directors attended 100% of Board and applicable committee meetings |
| Attendance (2023) | Board: 11 meetings; Audit: 4; Compensation: 6; Nominating: 2. All directors attended 100% |
Committee Assignments
| Committee | Chair | Members |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | Michael Purcell | Michael Purcell; Timothy Block; Kaouthar Lbiati |
| Compensation | None listed | Michael Purcell; Timothy Block; Kaouthar Lbiati |
| Corporate Governance/Nominating | Timothy Block | Timothy Block; Michael Purcell; Kaouthar Lbiati |
Fixed Compensation
| Metric | Transition 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Fees ($) | $22,000 | $55,500 | $72,900 | $86,193 |
| Option Awards ($) | $0 (no grants) | $0 | $0 | $188,424 |
| Total ($) | $22,000 | $55,500 | $72,900 | $274,617 |
Notes: 2024 introduced significant equity grants for non‑employee directors; prior years were cash‑only for Dr. Block .
Performance Compensation
| Metric Category | Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Non‑equity incentive plan for directors | None disclosed for directors; director compensation comprises cash fees and equity awards (options/RSUs) |
| Performance metrics tied to director pay (TSR, EBITDA, etc.) | Not disclosed for directors |
| Vesting schedules (director equity) | Not detailed for Dr. Block; footnotes confirm options held and exercisable status |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Item | Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Current public company boards (Dr. Block) | None disclosed |
| Compensation Committee interlocks | None; no interlocking relationships under Item 407(e)(4) |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Ph.D.; AAAS Fellow; 180+ publications; 12 U.S. patents .
- Extensive hepatitis B and virology domain expertise; frequent congressional and regulatory testimonies; service on FDA and NIH panels .
- Leadership in non‑profit and academic research institutions (Hepatitis B Foundation, Blumberg Institute, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center) .
Equity Ownership
| As of Record Date | Shares Beneficially Owned | % Outstanding | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 99,906 | <1% | 351 common shares + 99,555 options exercisable within 60 days |
| April 24, 2025 | 1,998 | <1% | 7 common shares + 1,991 options exercisable within 60 days |
Additional notes: No pledging/hedging disclosures for Dr. Block were identified in retrieved proxy excerpts; Section 16(a) filings were in compliance for FY 2024 .
Governance Assessment
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Positive signals:
- Independence and robust committee engagement; serves as Chair of Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee and member of Audit and Compensation Committees .
- Strong attendance (100%) across Board and committees in 2023 and 2024, indicating high engagement .
- Deep scientific expertise aligned with HEPA’s therapeutic focus, enhancing board effectiveness on R&D oversight .
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Compensation & alignment:
- Compensation shifted from cash‑only in 2023 to predominantly equity in 2024 (cash $86,193 vs option awards $188,424), increasing at‑risk exposure; however, director equity awards lack disclosed performance metrics and vesting detail for Dr. Block .
- Beneficial ownership is de minimis (<1%), comprising mostly options exercisable in the near term; direct common share ownership is minimal (7 shares as of April 24, 2025) .
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Potential conflicts:
- Dr. Block leads multiple external research organizations (Hepatitis B Foundation, Blumberg Institute, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center). No related‑party transactions involving Dr. Block were identified in retrieved proxy excerpts; monitor for any future transactions above $120,000 as per Item 404 disclosures .
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RED FLAGS:
- Low direct common share ownership may limit “skin‑in‑the‑game” alignment, despite option holdings .
- Absence of disclosed performance conditions on director equity awards reduces pay‑for‑performance linkage for board members .
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Overall: Governance profile shows independence, high attendance, and relevant expertise. Key monitoring areas are ownership alignment and any future related‑party interactions with Dr. Block’s affiliated institutions .