NEW HAVEN, Conn. — BioCT and Shipman & Goodwin LLP announced that Reid Waldman, M.D., chief executive officer of Veradermics, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year for his contributions to Connecticut’s life sciences sector.
The award, created in 2013 by BioCT and Shipman, recognizes entrepreneurs whose work drives innovation across the state. Dr. Waldman leads Veradermics, a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class therapeutics for dermatologic conditions, including treatments for pattern hair loss.
“Reid is a pioneer in the field of dermatology and passionate about developing solutions that have potential to fill critical gaps in dermatology, and ultimately improve patient outcomes,” said Dormer Stephen, partner at Shipman and a member of BioCT’s board of directors. “Shipman is proud of our long-standing support of BioCT and its continued commitment to recognizing industry leaders like Reid.”
Past recipients of the award include Halda Chief Scientific Officer Kat Kayser-Bricker, 2024 honoree Stephen Bloch, M.D., of EvolveImmune, and scientific leaders such as Craig Crews, Ph.D., Ranjit Bindra, M.D., Ph.D., and Jonathan Rothberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Waldman said he was honored to be recognized within a state known for its growing bioscience strength. “We’ve had several very exciting milestones over the last year at Veradermics, continuing to build clinical evidence for our lead investigational candidate VPDHL01 for treatment of pattern hair loss in women and men, two patient populations that are underserved by currently available treatments,” he said. “We are proud to be pushing the standards in hair loss and dermatology, and to join industry peers who share in our ethos of tackling the hard issues in healthcare that will make for a brighter tomorrow.”
BioCT President and CEO Jodie Gillon said Dr. Waldman joins an elite cohort of state innovators. “As a clinician-entrepreneur hailing from University of Connecticut, Reid brings a unique combination of cutting-edge clinical knowledge and savvy business development,” she said. “Reid and our previous awardees now represent a group of companies who have secured over $100 million in financing due to transformative science and exceptional leadership.”
Dr. Waldman has guided Veradermics through multiple equity financings, most recently raising $150 million in a Series C round, and has advanced the company’s lead asset into Phase 3 and registration-directed trials. If approved, VDPHL01 would become the first non-hormonal oral therapy for pattern hair loss in women and men.
A board-certified dermatologist with more than a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Waldman previously authored more than 100 publications, including the textbook “Dermatology for the Primary Care Provider.” He earned his BA and MD from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and completed his dermatology residency at the University of Connecticut with a Distinction in Clinical Trials.
The award presentation took place Dec. 4, 2025, during BioCT’s annual holiday event, co-hosted with the Yale Life Sciences Pitchfest, which featured Yale researchers showcasing new work in therapeutics, medical devices and digital health.
