z About Us with Photos

Our Story

Like many stories, ours began with a problem. While working in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Eric Graban found himself driven to find better ways of measuring the integrity of protein structures. With patient safety at stake, he grew increasingly frustrated that existing technologies for day-to-day measurements of protein structure were limited, low resolution techniques such as FTIR or SEC. More discouraging was knowing that high resolution techniques available in the most advanced protein analytical laboratories could be a valuable tool for supporting day-to-day decisions; but the time, expense, and expertise required to obtain (or even access) the equipment or facilities needed for these techniques effectively put them out of reach.

Eric sought a way to bring a high-resolution capability to locations that did not have the time, budget, or resources to access the type of data provided by latest cutting edge technologies. He soon found the solution in research performed by Dr. Richard Vachet at UMass, Amherst. Dr. Vachet’s mass spectrometry-based covalent labeling technology provided the ideal combination of high resolution analysis of protein structure, while not requiring the highly specialized equipment or expertise needed for comparable technologies. A joint research program demonstrated the feasibility of the technology at detecting even subtle changes in protein structure and identifying the specific location of the changes in the structure.

QuarryBio has since expanded to include work with Dr. Robert Vaughan in the Biotechnology Program at Indiana University, as well as our own in-house mass spectrometrists, whose depth of expertise in mass spec data analysis has allowed us to develop a proprietary data analysis software program uniquely suited to this application. That work has demonstrated the effectiveness of epitope mapping and protein structure analysis across multiple applications for our biotech clients.

Our Team

Eric GrabanFounder and CEO

Eric’s experience prior to starting QuarryBio includes 7 years as a research & development chemist in specialty chemicals, 7 years as a chemist and a manager in the Manufacturing Science and Technology group at Eli Lilly & Company, and 6 years as a production and technical services manager for Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions. Eric received his Sc.B. in Biology from Brown University and his M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Ohio University.

Dr. John HaleChief Scientific Officer

Dr. Hale is currently the CSO of Hale Biochemical Consulting. He received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Missouri in 1978 and his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of South Carolina in 1986. After a postdoctoral fellowship in the biology department of the University of California at San Diego he joined Hybritech Inc. in 1988 as a research scientist where he led research efforts on a number of monoclonal antibody diagnostic projects. In 1991, he joined the antibody-engineering group at Hybritech working on in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Hale joined the Biotechnology Research group at Lilly Research Laboratories in 1994. While at LRL, he formed the proteomics group and directed multiple biomarker and target discovery programs. Since retiring from LRL in 2011, he has been a consultant in biotechnology. Dr. Hale is the author of more than 70 scientific publications and holds 7 patents in the area of protein biochemistry.

Dr. Richard VachetChief Scientific Advisor

Richard is currently a Professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. One of his research focuses is the development of new methods to study protein structures and interactions, with close to twenty publications describing covalent labeling of proteins and its applications. Richard received his B.S. in chemistry from the College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Robert VaughanScientific Advisor

Robert is currently the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies for the Biotechnology Program at Indiana University. His research interests focus on how RNA‐protein interactions within viruses and innate immune receptors can regulate their activities during infection. Robert received his B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Texas A&M University, and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Indiana University.

Steve JohnsBusiness/Strategy Advisor

Steve is currently President and Founder of Confluence Pharmaceuticals LLC, a biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic medication to treat Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Prior to this, Steve led a number of successful start-ups and early stage companies. Steve lends over 25 years of business experience in Strategic Planning, Building Management Teams, M&A and Capital Formation to the project. Steve received his B.S. from the University of Illinois, and his M.B.A. from Indiana University.

Dr. Brad FravelIntellectual Property/Business Advisor

Brad is currently the Executive Director of Corporate Relations for the Indiana University Foundation, a role focused on catalyzing fundraising for IU via corporate partnerships. Prior to this role, Brad served for 4 years as a Business Development Manager for the Indiana University Research & Technology Corporation, a role which focused on working with research faculty and local entrepreneurs to commercialize IU research. In this role, Brad managed an IP and license portfolio of over 100 technologies across multiple disciplines. Brad received his B.S in Chemistry from Southern Methodist University, his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Indiana University, and his M.B.A. from Butler University.

Brent LieffersOperations Advisor

Brent has 22 years of manufacturing experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Brent held numerous management roles at multiple sites around the world for Baxter Healthcare, including manager of biologics manufacturing, process engineering, technical services and director of manufacturing. Brent is currently the Sr. Director of Operations at BioConvergence LLC, located in Bloomington, Indiana. Brent received his B.S. in Business Management at Pepperdine University.