Bringing Growth to Life
ABOUT

At Vitas Partners, we bridge the gap between science and business to foster innovation and growth. Our mission is to empower startups, universities, enterprises and business leaders with strategic insights, expert guidance, and tailored results.
We are committed to driving advancements and achieving results by harnessing the power of our experiences to solve real-world business challenges, ensuring sustainable success and a brighter future for our clients and communities.
Our people bring passion for navigating the unique challenges and opportunities your business or technology has ahead.
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Core Values
Integrity
Commitment
Innovation
Excellence
Collaboration
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OUR TEAM
Together we have worked as a team for the last decade in human and animal health. Our team is dedicated to improving your idea or business.



Thomas "TJ" Masterson
Founder and President
TJ brings over a decade of business leadership experience, specializing in biotechnology. With a robust background in leading cross-functional teams, TJ has excelled in various capacities within both human and animal health sectors. Notably, he spent five years at the helm of a privately held animal health biotech company, where he drove significant shareholder value by guiding complex products from inception through clinical trials. His expertise extends across diverse domains including Regenerative Medicine and Oncology.
TJ is recognized for his comprehensive approach to scaling startups, encompassing strategic business planning, capital raising, intellectual property management, financial oversight, customer relations, and business development. His proficiency in navigating mergers and acquisitions further underscores his ability to deliver successful outcomes. TJ's unique blend of business acumen and his talent for accelerating the development of intricate products and initiatives positions him as a valuable asset in achieving business objectives.
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An avid University of Kentucky sports fan TJ lives in Lexington, KY with his partner Melissa and their dog Benny.
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"I have been there through the celebrations and challenges of running a business. I know the joy in growth and bringing together like-minded people to achieve a goal. I understand the need for a team to execute on vision with urgency and growth. I love complex challenges."



Donald Cohen PhD
Consultant
Don is dedicated to bridging research with practical applications in the commercial sphere. As Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Director of the Flow Cytometry and Immune Monitoring Facility, he brings extensive experience collaborating with Fortune 500 life science companies. Don's adeptness at aligning research outcomes with strategic value consistently benefits universities and private industries, particularly through the development of groundbreaking products.
With a Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Don has amassed over four decades of expertise in cellular immunology, contributing to more than 120 peer-reviewed publications. As a pivotal member of UK's Markey Cancer Center, Don played a crucial role in achieving its "Comprehensive" Cancer Center designation, the highest recognition bestowed by the NCI.
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Don resides in Lexington, KY and enjoys traveling with his wife Rosie and their family pets. He is a proud father and grandfather.
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"I enjoy applying scientific research to problem solving. Over the course of my career, I have utilized my academic training to bring forward novel products to the market and solve complex problems. This continues to fuel my passion for my work."
Coming Soon...
Consultant
Coming Soon....