UR DEDICATED TEAM
Alex Tarnava, Founder & CEO
Alex Tarnava is an inventor, author, and published researcher at the forefront of molecular hydrogen science. He developed the world’s only open-cup hydrogen tablet delivery system, now the most studied and widely adopted method of hydrogen therapy globally. His patented technology has been featured in over 20 published clinical trials and cited extensively across peer-reviewed research.
Alex has co-authored 17 scientific papers, with additional work currently in press and under review. He also co-invented Inhale H₂, the first safe and effective hydrogen inhalation system, launching in 2025.
Dr. R.J. Holland, PhD, Founder & Advisor
Dr. Richard Holland studied chemistry at the University of Manchester before completing his PhD in combinatorial chemistry at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, focusing on novel oncology drug targets. He later held a postdoctoral role at the Thrombosis Research Institute, researching coagulation inhibitors.
In 2004, Richard immigrated to Canada, became a citizen in 2008, and worked as a medicinal chemist at Neuromed (later Zalicus), where he became Associate Director and helped lead a major collaboration with Merck. He contributed to multiple clinical candidates and IND applications.
In 2015, he joined Arbutus Biopharma to help develop therapies for hepatitis B. He was a named inventor on several patents, including ARB-729, now in phase 2 trials. Richard is currently Senior Director of Chemistry at Genevant, working on nucleic acid delivery technologies used in vaccines, protein replacement, and gene editing.
Initially skeptical about molecular hydrogen, Richard became convinced of its therapeutic potential after reviewing clinical research, particularly a promising human study on hydrogen’s potential for Hepatitis B—an area aligned with his current pharmaceutical research.
Dr. Matthew K. Defrese, PhD, Director of Formulation & R&D
Dr. Matthew Defrese is the Director of Formulation and R&D at Hydrogen Water Tablets. He earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from California State Polytechnic Institute. Matt has over 13 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries, with broad expertise in chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) aspects of oral and parenteral dosage forms. spanning across early-stage IND development through late stage NDA submissions and commercial launch.
Throughout his career, he has worked in industrial, academic, and startup environments, co-authored peer-reviewed publications, and is listed as an inventor on multiple patents. Dr. Defrese brings a deep focus on innovative drug delivery and is committed to advancing product development through both scientific rigor and entrepreneurial leadership.
Dr. Pavimol Angsantikul, PhD, Principal Scientist, Formulation & CMC
Dr. Pavimol Angsantikul is the Principal Scientist at Hydrogen Water Tablets, with over a decade of expertise in nanomedicine, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical development. She earned her Ph.D. in NanoEngineering from the University of California, San Diego, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Bioengineering at Harvard University. Her research portfolio uniquely positions her for hydrogen technology innovation, featuring pioneering work on hydrogen-powered micromotors, biomimetic nanoparticles, and advanced delivery systems for therapeutic applications. She has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 6,700 citations and an h-index of 31, reflecting her impact in the field.
Dr. Angsantikul’s pharmaceutical leadership experience includes directing a formulation laboratory focused on preclinical and early clinical-stage drug product development, where she served as drug product lead and collaborated cross-functionally with analytical, preclinical, and regulatory teams to support critical studies, including in vitro and in vivo safety assessments, PK/PD evaluations, and regulatory submissions. At Hydrogen Water Tablets, she is focused on driving breakthrough advances in molecular hydrogen delivery and ensuring robust product performance from concept through commercialization.
