About Us
Delivering ultra-pure phytocannabinoids and natural product derivatives
CitraChem Corp.TM has developed a biochemically inspired, organic semi-synthesis platform that produces phytocannabinoids and terpenes with high purity and stereoisomeric control. Our goal is to deliver cost-effective building block compounds, consumer product ingredients, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in order to accelerate medical research, facilitate drug development, and improve safety and quality across product types. The company was founded to bring a process chemist’s success in designing an efficient laboratory process for manufacturing high purity cannabinoids beginning with readily available plant-based terpenes. The starting point was to synthesize cannabidiol (CBD) following a pathway that mimics how phytochemicals are formed indigenously in all plants of the Cannabis genus. The route passes through cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) as an intermediate, which itself is difficult to procure in quantity and high purity as a botanical isolate due to its tendency to decarboxylate. Subsequent work has shown the platform to be general, yielding other clinically relevant therapeutic agents in a fraction of the time and cost relative to fermentation-based and agricultural extraction approaches. CitraChem’s long-term strategy is continuous innovation in developing processes to manufacture natural products, chemical building blocks, and research standards for designated target markets.
Our Team
Jason Kingsbury, PhD
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A scientific consultant specializing in chemical synthesis, Jason has gained experience as an entrepreneur by focusing on sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Starting in 2014, he was a lead process chemist and technical advisor on a commercialization effort at the University of Washington for a new class of fluorescent dye molecules important in biological imaging. More recently, he co-founded CitraChem with a vision of bringing cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and other rare cannabinoids of low natural abundance to patients and consumers in analytically pure form.
A native of upstate NY, Jason was salutatorian of Hamilton College’s Class of 1997 before moving to Boston to enter graduate school. In 2003, he received a Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry from Boston College before moving to Harvard University to study natural products as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) postdoctoral fellow. For nearly two decades, he helped to spread scientific knowledge and train the next generation of medicinal chemists by researching and teaching organic chemistry at the college level.
James Winokur, MBA
CEO
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As CEO, James has responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company. James is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience managing global teams in the areas of operations, finance, sales, marketing, and support. Prior to CitraChem, James was the CEO of Berkshire Roots, a MA-based, vertically integrated cannabis operator. His other cannabis experience includes Board Membership with Association of Cannabinoid Specialists (ACS), SVP & GM of the Product Group at MariMed – a multi-state cannabis operator and product licensee/licensor, and CEO of CannaKorp, a cannabis vaporizer device company start-up he co-founded and subsequently sold.
Prior to entering the cannabis industry in 2014, James held positions as Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development at PTC, a $1B plus global software company and Co-owner/GM of several Culligan Water Conditioning franchises throughout New England and New York. James earned his BA and MBA from Boston College.
Sean Fair
Board Chair
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A serial entrepreneur, Sean Fair has gained considerable experience in a wide range of industries during his career. Sean began his career in finance and corporate leadership which gave him a strong base from which to begin his future business ventures. Utilizing his leadership and business insights to find, attract, and assemble the best supporting team and individuals, Sean transforms concepts and ideas into reality. His entrepreneurial range spreads across many sectors, sizes, and valuations. He was a co-founder of a vertically integrated cannabis company, Nature’s Remedy, based in Massachusetts. A native of Glens Falls, NY, Sean graduated from Hamilton College where he was captain of the tennis team and member of the orchestra. He is presently an active volunteer and civic leader, serving as Chair of the Conservation Commission in the town of Wayland, MA. Additionally, Sean serves on the Board of Directors for the Sudbury Valley Trustees, an environmental non-profit.
Ed Silva
Director
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Derek Santini
Director
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Derek H. Santini is an accomplished entrepreneur and investor with over two decades of experience in real estate development, business management, and finance. A graduate of Babson College with a degree in Finance, Derek has successfully led multiple real estate projects in warehouse logistics and commercial residential development.
