Lou is responsible for all U.S. and global preclinical, and clinical research and development programs in the company’s therapeutic areas of psychiatry and neurology. He will also serve as a member of the company’s senior management and Pharmaceutical Leadership Team (PLT).

Lou is a global industry veteran with a track record of accomplishments as an executive manager with extensive experience in the design, development, execution, monitoring and reporting of clinical trials in various therapeutic areas including numerous CNS disorders as well as in oncology and infectious diseases. He has demonstrated broad based expertise in both the clinical and preclinical realms, working in a global company leading teams and providing strategic medical direction for the commercialization and medical marketing of products. Additionally he has experience in coordinating major clinical development programs with international development partners and interfacing with international regulatory agencies.

Lou previously served as Director, Neuroscience-U.S. Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for Marietta-based Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he directed the global strategic development and medical activities related to new product development and support for medical marketing. He led Phases II and III-IV clinical trials to evaluate psychiatric compounds for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia, neurological compounds for migraine and Parkinson’s disease, and oncology compounds for nausea/vomiting cancer chemotherapy and appetite/weight loss in patients with AIDS. Prior to his role with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Barbato served as Senior Program Manager/Chief Safety Officer and Medical Director of Oxford Pharmaceuticals in the therapeutic areas of psychiatry, respiratory and analgesia and with medical devices and was involved in the successful launch of products. He has been responsible for the filing of several NDAs.

Lou earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and Italian from St. Peter’s College. He earned his medical doctorate degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, where he earned a full scholarship from the Congress Italian-American Organization (CIAO) in Washington, D.C. He performed his clinical clerkship at Griffin Hospital associated with Yale University School of Medicine and at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth England.

Lou serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians, Executive Committee of the International Society of CNS Development, the Movement Disorder Society, Drug Information Association, American Psychiatric Association, Association of Clinical Research Professionals, International Society of CNS Trial and Methodology Movement and Disorders Society and International Society of Bipolar Disorders.

Lou has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications.