Dr. Yutaka Niihara is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Niihara International, Inc., where he leads the company’s mission to expand global access to critical pharmaceutical treatments for sickle cell disease. A physician, researcher, and innovator, Dr. Niihara is the principal inventor of patented L-glutamine therapy for the treatment of sickle cell disease. His work has helped shape a new pathway of care for patients suffering from this inherited and life-altering condition.
With more than two decades dedicated to studying, developing, and delivering sickle cell treatments, Dr. Niihara brings deep clinical, research, and executive leadership experience. He serves as Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and previously served as CEO of Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare and orphan diseases. His contributions to the field have been recognized with LABioMed’s Spirit of Innovation Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, among others.
Dr. Niihara earned his B.A. from Loma Linda University, his M.D. from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and his Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Through Niihara International, he continues to combine medical innovation, manufacturing strategy, and global government partnerships to address one of the world’s most pressing unmet medical needs.
Mr. Prannav Khanna is a legal and financial executive with experience spanning audit, taxation, regulatory advisory, and governance consulting. A graduate of Mewar Law College, he is the Founder and CEO of Prannav Khanna & Co., a firm providing professional services in audit, tax statement preparation, and legal consultation related to financial and compliance matters.
In addition to his professional practice, Mr. Khanna has been actively involved in public policy and governance initiatives in India. He has worked closely with the trade wing of the Aam Aadmi Party and has participated in policy discussions aimed at supporting business growth and economic development. He previously served on a Delhi Government School Management Committee and is also the founder of Citizens for Effective Governance, an organization focused on civic engagement and institutional effectiveness.
At Niihara International, Mr. Khanna contributes insight into regulatory navigation, cross-border commercial structuring, and government-facing strategy—particularly relevant to the company’s model of selling directly to public health agencies in emerging markets.
Maurice Bethea is a strategic finance and operations leader with 30+ years of experience turning complex ideas into fundable, high-growth businesses. He has structured and secured multimillion-dollar capital for commercial and real estate initiatives and now applies that financial discipline to accelerate biotech and medtech innovation.
Maurice leads capital planning and investor relations, designing capital-efficient funding strategies that align milestones with investor expectations. He shapes market development and partnership architecture to create clear commercial pathways, and architects business model design that translates science and product differentiation into sustainable revenue engines.
A founder and operator across multiple industries, Maurice builds the financial systems, governance, and organizational growth plans that enable teams to scale. He partners with R&D, clinical, and commercial leaders to de-risk programs, secure strategic partnerships, and position companies for long-term value creation.
Christopher Kunney is a healthcare technology strategist, executive, and advocate with more than 25 years of experience advancing digital transformation across the healthcare ecosystem. As Managing Partner of IOTECH Consulting and CTO of Ask Me Your MD, he brings a comprehensive perspective shaped by leadership roles within health systems, health IT firms, and advisory organizations. His work focuses on leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and interoperability solutions, to improve care delivery, operational efficiency, and health equity.
Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Fort Valley State University and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. A HIMSS Fellow, TEDx speaker, and recognized industry leader, he is dedicated to advancing a people-first approach to healthcare innovation that prioritizes better outcomes, accessibility, and patient-centered care.
Throughout his career, Christopher has held senior leadership positions including Senior Vice President of Digital Acceleration at Divurgent, Chief of Strategy and Business Development at DSS, Inc., and Executive Director of Emerging Healthcare Technology at AT&T, as well as CIO roles within major health systems. He is also the founder and host of the “Straight Outta Health IT” podcast and has served in advisory and board roles with organizations such as Morehouse School of Medicine, HIMSS, and multiple healthcare nonprofits, contributing to workforce development and industry innovation.
Akira Yamagata serves as Secretary of Niihara International and as President of EJ Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary responsible for overseeing the development of the company’s L-glutamine manufacturing facility in Ube, Japan. In this role, Mr. Yamagata plays a central part in advancing the company’s supply chain strategy and ensuring that manufacturing capabilities align with Niihara International’s global distribution goals.
Prior to formally joining the company in 2023, Mr. Yamagata worked closely with Dr. Niihara as Executive Secretary and served as the Chairman’s representative at EJ Holdings. His longstanding collaboration with company leadership has positioned him as a trusted operational partner in executing the organization’s international expansion and factory development initiatives.
Mr. Yamagata holds an Associate of Science in Radiography and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from AdventHealth University. His academic background in biomedical sciences, combined with his executive oversight responsibilities, supports Niihara International’s commitment to scientific rigor and operational excellence.
Dr. Yutaka Niihara’s biography is included above.
Dr. Lynn Edward Wilson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with decades of clinical and leadership experience in patient care, hospital administration, and medical-legal evaluation. He earned his M.D. from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Southwestern University Medical School in Dallas. Dr. Wilson is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has been a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Wilson has held numerous leadership roles, including Chief of Orthopedics at Whittier Hospital Medical Center and Chief of Medical Staff. He also served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, and later held a leadership position within the orthopedic department at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles. In addition, he has served the State of California for decades as a Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) and Agreed Medical Examiner (AME), bringing extensive expertise in independent medical evaluation.
Currently engaged in part-time nonsurgical orthopedic practice, Dr. Wilson contributes seasoned clinical judgment and governance experience to Niihara International’s advisory framework. His longstanding dedication to patient care and medical integrity strengthens the company’s mission-driven approach to expanding access to life-changing therapies.
Joycelyn Larkins is a business strategist, capital readiness advisor, and founder of The Continuity Protocol™, a proprietary framework designed to help founder-led companies strengthen operating foundations, improve financial discipline, reduce owner dependency, and build strategic options to scale, hold, or exit.
She brings more than 25 years of experience across financial services, commercial credit, enterprise business development, organizational transformation, and founder-led advisory. Her work focuses on helping companies connect capital strategy, business structure, stakeholder communication, and disciplined execution.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Larkins served as a Senior Commercial Credit Analyst with NationsBank Corporation, where she developed a lender’s perspective on risk, repayment, documentation, and financial structure. She later held national business development leadership roles at AT&T and BellSouth, generating more than $141 million in annual revenue through strategic alliance development and enterprise relationship-building.
As an advisor to business owners and executive teams, Ms. Larkins has helped companies across multiple industries strengthen their capital positioning, operating models, execution readiness, and value-creation strategies.
At Niihara International, Ms. Larkins contributes expertise in business structure, capital readiness, stakeholder communication, and execution discipline. Her advisory perspective supports the company’s mission-driven approach to expanding affordable access to essential medicine while building the operating foundation needed for growth, funding readiness, and long-term impact.
Kier “Junior” Spates is a man of many talents—son, brother, friend, comedian, writer, podcaster, inspirational speaker, and radio host, to name just a few. But what truly sets him apart goes beyond these titles. He’s also a survivor, a warrior, and a humble soul on a quest for greatness. These qualities reflect the spirit of this remarkable Sickle Cell champion.
Hailing from Houston, Texas, Kier has made quite a name for himself in the comedy world. He was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his outstanding writing on the Steve Harvey Talk Show. Kier is one of the funniest comics you’ll ever meet! He’s served as an executive writer for popular shows like Showtime at the Apollo, Miss Universe, and Little Big Shots. His talent has taken him around the world, sharing the stage with legends like the late Aretha Franklin, Lyfe Jennings, and Anthony Hamilton. In 2005, he was one of the main acts on the “Rickey Smiley and Friends Show,” and he’s also performed for the troops on USO tours in Japan and Bahrain.
Kier’s comedy has resonated with audiences on college campuses, too, lighting up stages at institutions like Texas A&M, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University. His standup has earned him accolades across the Improv circuit nationwide.
On the screen, Kier has appeared in shows like BET’s “Comic View” and “Getting Paid,” and he even played “Dre” in Barbershop Blues alongside Ralph Tresvant of New Edition. He’s been part of several hit stage plays, including “Confessions,” which featured the late Gerald Levert and Kelly Price. You can catch him every morning as the lovable play cousin Junior on the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, where critics are already dubbing him “THE NEXT BIG THING IN STAND-UP COMEDY.”
Kier discovered his passion for making people laugh at a young age. By the time he was fourteen, he realized that comedy could be his lifelong calling. Influenced by legends like Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Martin Lawrence, he honed his craft and became the go-to funny guy among friends and family. He loved to entertain, especially at family gatherings where he would channel his inner Michael Jackson. His science teacher even let him perform stand-up at the end of the day if the class did well on their tests. Little did he know, he was already stepping into his purpose!
Kier also founded the Kier’s Hope Foundation Incorporated, aimed at inspiring and educating families affected by sickle cell disease. He and his family provide vital resources and support to those in need. In recognition of his incredible work, the City of Dallas declared the first Saturday in June as “Kier Spates and the Kier’s Hope Day” in 2018. The following year, the State of Texas honored him by declaring June as “Kier Spates and Kier’s Hope Sickle Cell Awareness Month.” Most recently in May 2025 Kier was recognized on the Texas Senate of Texas with Resolution 349 for all of the work he does in Texas on behalf of everything he does for people with Sickle Cell.
Kier’s message is clear: you’re not alone in this fight. Together, we’re “Working to Change the Shape of Sickle Cell Disease.”
Kier Spates is undeniably a force to be reckoned with. His motto is unforgettable, and he firmly believes that laughter is the best medicine. As Kier puts it, “This Just Got Serious.” To stay connected with Kier, follow him on:
• Web: KierJrSpates.com
• Facebook: @JuniorSHMS
• Twitter: @JuniorSHMS
• Instagram: @JuniorSHMS
• YouTube: JuniorSHMSTV
And to learn more about Kier’s Hope, visit:
• Web: KiersHope.org
• Facebook: @KiersHope
• Twitter: @KiersHope
• Instagram: @KiersHope
• YouTube: KiersHope
Dr. Karl Seelig is a seasoned executive, inventor, and strategist with more than two decades of experience driving innovation across telecom, medicine, biotech, AI, and blockchain. He is widely recognized for pioneering global ringback tone replacement technology, a multibillion-dollar market innovation that highlights his expertise in corporate development, complex negotiations with Fortune 100 companies, and high-impact technology commercialization.
Dr. Seelig has led patent portfolio strategy, complex patent filings, and high-stakes litigation, including appellate-level successes, while reducing legal expenses by up to 80 percent through innovative outsourced litigation models recognized by leading institutions. His work spans venture fund and offshore hedge fund due diligence, compliance, and fund management, as well as hands-on entrepreneurship in startups, mergers and acquisitions, and patent enforcement.
A visionary business leader, Dr. Seelig is known for crafting disruptive business plans, leading cross-functional teams through M&A, fundraising, and joint ventures, and executing go-to-market strategies that drive sustainable, ESG-aligned revenue growth. He has introduced corporate venture funds, open API approaches, and intellectual property strategies that accelerate corporate expansion, while forging strategic partnerships and launching revenue-generating products and services with significant growth potential across multiple industries.
