Respira Adds Former Altria Exec to Leadership Team

Respira Technologies has appointed Brian W. Quigley, a 16 year veteran of Altria Group, as its Chief Operating Officer effective July 1. At Altria, Quigley served as CEO of its smokeless tobacco business from 2012 to 2018, a $2.3 billion business with over 800 employees, according to a press release.

Quigley will be responsible for driving Respira’s operational strategy, regulatory strategy, and commercial efforts with a focus on disrupting the tobacco market, nicotine replacement therapy market, and developing pharmaceutical applications through partnerships.

Respira has developed two proprietary drug delivery platforms, RespiRx, a zero heat aerosol technology, and Wave, a low heat aerosol technology. Both technology platforms are designed for safe aerosol-based delivery of drugs to patients and end users, without the creation of harmful by-products and compounds.

The company’s device platforms have applications in nicotine replacement therapies, reduced harm tobacco products, and pharmaceutical drug delivery with a total addressable market opportunity of greater than $1 trillion, according to the release.

“We are thrilled to have Brian join the Respira team as we prepare to enter the commercial phase of our company’s growth,” said Mario Danek, Respira’s founder and CEO. “Brian’s vocal leadership for responsible industry practices and harm-reduction combined with his impressive track record of driving business performance in FDA regulated businesses make him the perfect leader for the next phase of growth for our unique product platforms.”

Quigley said he is excited to be joining Respira Technologies at this critical moment in the company’s journey. “I look forward to working with our team, investors, and partners as we prepare to commercialize our proprietary drug delivery platforms,” said Quigley. “My goal is to help improve public health and patient outcomes across a range of inhalable therapeutic applications, including tobacco cessation and the reduction of risk associated with tobacco use.”

Respira is backed by leading venture investment firms, including Evolution VC Partners, Poseidon Asset Management, and DG Ventures.