Aspire Biopharma Appoints New Board Member

Phillip Balatsos brings commercial and capital markets expertise to drive development of patent-pending drug delivery platform

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASBP), a biopharmaceutical company developing a patent-pending drug delivery technology, has appointed Phillip Balatsos to its Board of Directors. Balatsos is a senior financial markets executive with over 25 years of experience across foreign exchange, emerging markets, institutional sales and trading, and public company governance.

Why it matters

The appointment of Phillip Balatsos to Aspire Biopharma's board is expected to provide valuable guidance as the company continues to evolve and strengthen its patent-pending drug delivery technology. Balatsos' extensive experience in capital markets and his entrepreneurial background are seen as assets that can help accelerate Aspire's strategy of reformulating established drugs with large markets.

The details

Balatsos has held leadership roles at global financial institutions including Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse, and XP Investments. In addition to his capital markets career, he brings entrepreneurial and operating experience, having founded and scaled a multi-location hospitality business and advised national restaurant groups on procurement, pricing, and operational efficiency. Balatsos currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Inspire Veterinary Partners, Inc. and Ciso Global, Inc.

  • Phillip Balatsos was appointed to the Aspire Biopharma Board of Directors on February 6, 2026.
  • The appointment follows the planned departures of Suren Ajjarapu and Donald G. Fell from the board.

The players

Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.

A biopharmaceutical company developing a patent-pending drug delivery technology.

Phillip Balatsos

A senior financial markets executive and board director with over 25 years of experience across foreign exchange, emerging markets, institutional sales and trading, and public company governance.

Kraig Higginson

Interim CEO and Chairperson of the Aspire Biopharma Board.

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What they’re saying

“On behalf of our Board, I am delighted to welcome Phillip to the Aspire Biopharma Board. His leadership experience will provide invaluable guidance as the organization continues to evolve and strengthen.”

— Kraig Higginson, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the Aspire Biopharma Board

“The Company's mission to provide rapid-onset therapeutics through novel sublingual formulations resonates strongly with my experience in scaling growth-stage companies. I look forward to supporting this team as they advance their platform and drive the next phase of growth and innovation.”

— Phillip Balatsos

The takeaway

Aspire Biopharma's appointment of Phillip Balatsos to its board signals the company's commitment to leveraging his extensive capital markets and entrepreneurial expertise to drive the development and commercialization of its patent-pending drug delivery technology.