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AF SCIENCE

The Role OF TASK-1 in Atrial Filbration

The Repolarization Crisis in AF

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is fundamentally a disorder of disrupted electrical recovery, or repolarization. In a healthy heart, electrical signals from the sinoatrial (SA) node are followed by a controlled recovery phase—the refractory period—that ensures proper timing between beats.

 

In AF, this recovery period becomes shortened and unstable. Multiple abnormal electrical sites emerge in the atria, firing prematurely and independently. This leads to self-sustaining re-entry circuits, creating continuous, chaotic electrical activity. The result is ineffective atrial contraction and a heightened risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality.

TASK-1: The Electrical “Leak” Driving AF

This electrical instability is driven primarily by TASK-1 potassium channels (K2P3.1), which act as continuously active “leak” channels. They allow a constant outward flow of potassium ions, helping set the baseline electrical state of atrial cells.

 

In AF, TASK-1 is significantly upregulated, increasing this electrical leak and shortening the atrial action potential. This enables cells to reset and fire more rapidly, reinforcing the re-entry circuits that sustain the arrhythmia.

A Precision Target for Atrial-Specific Therapy

TASK-1 offers a highly differentiated therapeutic target due to its atrial specificity. It is minimally expressed in the ventricles but elevated in diseased atria, allowing for targeted modulation without the ventricular side effects seen with many current therapies.
 

Because TASK-1 is continuously active, even modest inhibition can prolong the atrial action potential and disrupt the circuits driving AF—offering a precise approach to restoring normal rhythm and rate at its source.

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J. Kevin Buchi

BOARD MEMBER AND M&A ADVISOR

Mr. Buchi previously served as Chief Executive Officer of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and of TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation. From 1991 to 2010, Mr. Buchi served as the Chief Financial Officer at Cephalon Pharmaceuticals and from 2010 to 2011 became the Chief Executive Officer to complete the $6.9 Billion acquisition of Cephalon by Teva Pharmaceutical. Subsequently, Mr. Buchi served as Corporate Vice President, Global Branded Products of Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Buchi is currently on the Board of Directors of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRX) and of Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC). Mr. Buchi has a B.A. in chemistry from Cornell University and a Masters in Management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Paul E. Miller, Ph.D.

BOARD MEMBER, CEO & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Miller is the Founder and CEO of Consulting Life Sciences, a biotech consulting and brokerage firm he launched in 2007. From 2009 to 2023, he served as Co-Founder and Chief Corporate Development Officer of AnaBios Corporation, a company focused on advancing translational science through the use of primary human tissues in preclinical research. With over 40 years of experience in both science and business, Dr. Miller’s research background spans a wide range of fields, including cancer biology, immunology, protein secretion, gastrointestinal function, genomics, cardiology, pain and itch therapeutics. He also spent 20 years in the cultural arts industry before fully integrating his scientific knowledge with his business expertise in the biopharmaceutical sector. Throughout his career, Dr. Miller has led the development and commercialization of innovative services for preclinical contract research organizations (CROs), helping streamline drug discovery and safety testing—efforts that generated over $80 million in revenues.

Najah Abi Georges, Ph.D.

BOARD MEMBER, CSO & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Abi Gerges has over 30 years of experience in cardiovascular research and 26 years in preclinical R&D. He is a seasoned leader in drug discovery. He spent 16 years at AstraZeneca and 10 years at AnaBios, where he currently serves as Senior Vice President of Research Alliances. Dr. Abi-Georges has authored more than 59 peer-reviewed publications and has been instrumental in developing several first-in-class therapies, including Tagrisso, Zeposia, Velsipity, and APD418. Known for his deep expertise in cardiovascular drug development and safety, he is widely respected across the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies.

Cooley M. Pantazis, M.D.

BOARD MEMBER, CMO & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Pantazis is a board-certified pathologist and has served as the Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Advent Health in Ocala, Florida, since 2015. Formerly, he was a tenured Associate Professor and Director of Surgical Pathology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In 2005, he founded Hemacon Laboratories, a molecular hematopathology reference lab focused on diagnosing bone marrow and blood cancers. With over 40 years of experience in both medical practice and research, Dr. Pantazis has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications. His expertise includes animal cancer models, laboratory test development, and molecular cancer diagnostics, and he remains actively involved in research collaborations.

J. Kevin Buchi

M&A ADVISOR

Mr. Buchi previously served as Chief Executive Officer of BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. and of TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation. From 1991 to 2010, Mr. Buchi served as the Chief Financial Officer at Cephalon Pharmaceuticals and from 2010 to 2011 became the Chief Executive Officer to complete the $6.9 Billion acquisition of Cephalon by Teva Pharmaceutical. Subsequently, Mr. Buchi served as Corporate Vice President, Global Branded Products of Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Buchi is currently on the Board of Directors of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRX) and of Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC). Mr. Buchi has a B.A. in chemistry from Cornell University and a Masters in Management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Shashank Upadhye, J.D. LLM

IP ADVISOR

Mr. Upadhye is a partner at Upadhye Tang LLP and a nationally recognized pharmaceutical IP and FDA strategist with nearly 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical companies maximize asset value and investor returns through integrated patent and regulatory planning. He previously served as Chief Legal/IP/FDA Counsel at Apotex, Sandoz/Novartis, and Eon Labs, where he guided numerous drug products from development through approval and commercialization, bringing deep operational and executive-level insight. Shashank specializes in designing robust patent portfolios, exclusivity strategies, and FDA regulatory pathways that enhance competitive positioning, extend franchise life, and unlock long-term enterprise value. He is the author of the leading treatise Generic Pharmaceutical Patent and FDA Law and is widely recognized as a trusted advisor to pharmaceutical companies, executives, and investors on high-stakes IP and regulatory strategy.

Peter R. Kowey, M.D.

FDA & REGULATORY ADVISOR

Dr. Kowey is a leading American cardiologist and medical researcher. He serves as Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and holds the William Wikoff Smith Chair in Cardiovascular Research at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. A recognized expert in cardiac rhythm disorders, Dr. Kowey has authored or co-authored over 400 scientific papers and received more than 150 research grants. He has played key roles in numerous clinical trials and co-edited three major textbooks on cardiac arrhythmias. Dr.Kowey is a fellow of multiple prestigious organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. He also serves on the editorial boards of Heart Rhythm Journal and the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, and reviews manuscripts for 25 scientific journals. He has consulted for over 60 international pharmaceutical companies, chaired multiple data and safety monitoring boards, and served as an advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Cooley M. Pantazis, M.D.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Pantazis is a board-certified pathologist and has served as the Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Advent Health in Ocala, Florida, since 2015. Formerly, he was a tenured Associate Professor and Director of Surgical Pathology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In 2005, he founded Hemacon Laboratories, a molecular hematopathology reference lab focused on diagnosing bone marrow and blood cancers. With over 40 years of experience in both medical practice and research, Dr. Pantazis has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications. His expertise includes animal cancer models, laboratory test development, and molecular cancer diagnostics, and he remains actively involved in research collaborations.

Najah Abi Georges, Ph.D.

CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Abi Gerges has over 30 years of experience in cardiovascular research and 26 years in preclinical R&D. He is a seasoned leader in drug discovery. He spent 16 years at AstraZeneca and 10 years at AnaBios, where he currently serves as Senior Vice President of Research Alliances. Dr. Abi-Georges has authored more than 59 peer-reviewed publications and has been instrumental in developing several first-in-class therapies, including Tagrisso, Zeposia, Velsipity, and APD418. Known for his deep expertise in cardiovascular drug development and safety, he is widely respected across the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies.

Paul E. Miller, Ph.D.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & FOUNDING PARTNER

Dr. Miller is the Founder and CEO of Consulting Life Sciences, a biotech consulting and brokerage firm he launched in 2007. From 2009 to 2023, he served as Co-Founder and Chief Corporate Development Officer of AnaBios Corporation, a company focused on advancing translational science through the use of primary human tissues in preclinical research. With over 40 years of experience in both science and business, Dr. Miller’s research background spans a wide range of fields, including cancer biology, immunology, protein secretion, gastrointestinal function, genomics, cardiology, pain and itch therapeutics. He also spent 20 years in the cultural arts industry before fully integrating his scientific knowledge with his business expertise in the biopharmaceutical sector. Throughout his career, Dr. Miller has led the development and commercialization of innovative services for preclinical contract research organizations (CROs), helping streamline drug discovery and safety testing—efforts that generated over $80 million in revenues.