Leadership
Management
Richard Grant
Executive Chairman
Brent Nowak
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Erik Hall
Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Greg Lumpkin
Financial Advisor
Board of Directors
Brent Nowak
Founder and CEO
Dr. Nowak is the founder and executive director at the applied, Medical Device Institute (aMDI), which is part of Grand Valley State University. He was the Director of the Robotics & Intelligent Machines Laboratory at the University of Texas.
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He co-founded the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Lean Systems at the University of Texas. He secured an educational partnership and development agreement with the US Navy Undersea Warfare Division, which expanded into a multi-university program (Naval Engineering Education Consortium). He also has experience with the Southwest Research Institute, Robotics Research Group, Rockwell Space Operations and NASA. He has published multiple papers and received numerous awards for his research. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1997, his MS in Mechanical Engineering in 1989 and his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1983.
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Erik Hall
Founder and COO
Erik is an MBA graduate from Michigan State University. He was VP at Lee Shore Equities, which manages early stage financing as well as large assests in the life science and tech communities.
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He earned his BS in Engineering from Purdue University. He has experience in engineering and marketing with Halliburton, Trane, Mead Johnson and Plascore.
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David Pfeiffer
Dave is a successful biopharmaceutical executive with 28 years of experience as a senior executive in the life science industry. He was a COO at Nitric Bio, CCO at Ellman and VP of Sales & Marketing at Collagenex.
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He also severed as a member of the Board of Directors at CD Diagnostics and Ellman International. He received his BS from Rutgers University and his MBA from the the J.L. Kellog Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Dave is currently President & CEO of Ralexar Therapeutics.
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Rich Grant
Executive Chair
Rich Grant brings a wealth of experience to Orthoforge as an accomplished medical device executive with over 30 years in the orthopaedic and medical imaging industries. As President, CEO and Co-Founder of Breakaway Imaging, LLC,
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Mr. Grant successfully developed new imaging technology (the O-Arm), incorporating 2-D (fluoroscopy) and 3-D (CT) imaging, in a mobile platform optimized for orthopedic and spinal surgeries. Mr. Grant orchestrated the sale of Breakaway Imaging, LLC to Medtronic, Inc. in June 2007. Mr. Grant also has extensive experience with early-stage medical device companies as evidenced by his work as President and CEO of TheraCell, Inc., in Northridge, CA, specializing in stem cell harvesting and processing for orthopedic applications, and, as President of Bonovo Orthopedics in Phoenix, AZ, a US-based company that manufactures and distributes spine and orthopedic instrumentation and implants in China. Mr. Grant currently serves on the Board of Directors of two medical device companies, an orthopedic bracing company and an ortho-biologic company, while also serving as the Chairman of the Board of a company specializing in computer-assisted total knee solutions. Notably, Mr. Grant also served on the Board of Directors of Excelsius Surgical (sold to Globus Medical), Nocimed (partnering with Nuvasive), and Angstrom Medica (sold to Pioneer Surgical).
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Mike Behr
Mike has over 30 years experience in the Life Science arena and has held leadership positions in multiple start-ups as they progress from an idea through development and then commercialization. Mike has served on both public and private boards.
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He was co-founder and CEO of CD Diagnostics, which developed an immunoassay to diagnose infection in total joint replacements. This assay (Synovasure) has become the gold standard for diagnosing Periprosthetic Joint Infection. CD Diagnostics was purchased by Zimmer in 2016. He was a VP at OrthAlign, a start-up medical device company that manufactures intelligent instruments for total joint replacements. Prior to CD Diagnostics and OrthAlign, he spent 23 years with J&J Orthopaedics and Zimmer. Mike joined Orthoforge, Inc. (www.orthoforge.com) in 2019 as interim president and Board member. He currently works as a consultant with multiple Life Science Start-Ups as they progress towards commercialization. He is also a member of Broad Street Angels in Philadelphia.
Mike graduated La Salle High School in 1982, received his B.S. with a Minor in Biology from West Chester University in 1986 and completed his MBA at St. Joseph’s University in 2003.
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Scientific Advisory Board
Samir Mehta, MD
Chairman
Dr. Mehta is the Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated the Temple University School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Pennsylvania and his trauma fellowship at the University of Washington Hospital (Harborview) in Seattle, WA.
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He has authored numerous journal articles on research in orthopaedic trauma, the biomechanics of healing, biologic bone healing and the biomechanics of orthopaedic trauma.
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Joseph Hsu, MD
Dr. Hsu is the Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Trauma at the Artrium Musculoskeletal Institute in Charlotte, NC. He is a graduate of the Tulane Medical School, where he also completed his residency and fellowship. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has been recognized on multiple times and the Faculty Educator of the Year at his hospital.
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Dr. Hsu is the Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Trauma at the Artrium Musculoskeletal Institute in Charlotte, NC. He is a graduate of the Tulane Medical School, where he also completed his residency and fellowship. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has been recognized on multiple times and the Faculty Educator of the Year at his hospital.
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Richard Kyle, MD
Dr. Kyle is the Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center and the Medical Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory at Hennepin County Medical Center. He is a member of the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons, The Association of Bone & Joint Surgeons, The Hip Society, The Knee Society,
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The Orthopaedic Research Society and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Dr. Kyle is one of the most accomplished orthopaedic surgeons in the United States. He helped design some of the most successful orthopaedic trauma devices and participated in multiple studies involving orthopaedic trauma and orthopaedic imaging.
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Stephen Thomas, Ph.D., ATC
Steve is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Exercise Science at Thomas Jefferson University and the Chief Scientific Consultant at the Penn Throwing Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania. He has lectured at numerous seminars at various universities. He is a reviewer for several professional journals and a grant reviewer for the NATA, OREF and the EATA. His specialty is in diagnostic
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ultrasound examination of sports injuries.
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Jim McCrossin, ATC, CSCS, ACSM
Jim is the Head Athletic Trainer of the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been with the Flyers organization for 2 decades. He holds a BS in Athletic Training, a Masters in Sports Medicine and pursuing a Ph.D in Athletic Training. He is a nationally recognized expert in rehabilitation from athletic injuries.
Brian Murphy, DO, MPT
Dr. Murphy is the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Crozer Keystone Health System. He completed his Masters in Physical Therapy from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
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and completed his residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He was part of 2 life science start-up ventures: Sports Physical Therapists, Inc. and the Murphy Rehabilitation Center.
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Mark Schafer, Ph.D.
Mark is a biomechanical engineer who is an internationally recognized expert in ultrasound R&D, regulatory procedure, IP and GMP systems. He has 27 issued patents to his name. Mark has held academic positions at Drexel University and the University of Washington. He authored or co-authored 25 professional journal articles
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and 5 chapters for books on ultrasonic devices. He has lectured at 44 professional conferences and was an invited lecturer at 5 special conferences on medical applications of ultrasound. Mark has received honors from the Acoustical Society of America, The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the US Dept of Agriculture. He has 39 years experience with numerous ultrasound development companies.
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Atul Kamath, MD
Dr. Kamath is the Director of the Center for Hip Preservation at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a graduate of the Harvard School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Pennsylvania and his fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.
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He has won numerous awards for research and clinical investigation. He has co-authored several journal articles and presented at orthopaedic symposiums.
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Consultants
William Allen
Intellectual Property, Thompson Hine
William holds a Ph.D. in physics and a B.S. in physics and mathematics. He has wide-ranging experience in electrical, mechanical, and materials technologies including semiconductor device fabrication and integrated circuits, and medical devices.
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He also has experience with business methods including applications of machine learning and cryptography, tires and tire-making equipment, integrated circuit processing tools, X-ray and optical inspection equipment, and flat panel displays and signage. While a physics professional, he co-authored numerous publications in scientific journals.
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Jeff Gibbs
Regulatory Council, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara
Jeff has been with HP&M since 1990. He has developed extensive experience with FDA matters and has a practice focused on medical device and IVD companies. These companies range from start-ups to global manufacturers. He previously worked for the FDA.
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He has written and lectured on a variety of FDA topics. He has served on numerous advisory boards related to FDA matters. He currently serves as the chairman of the Food & Drug Law Institute and also the LifeBridge Innovation Council. He has received numerous recognition awards including: “Top FDA Lawyers” (Washington Post), Washington DC Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and LMG Life Sciences Star. He received an Award of Merit from the FDA.
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Stephen Jannetta
General Counsel, Morgan-Lewis
Steve is an active member of the Pennsylvania life sciences and healthcare communities. He provides his advice and counsel to numerous medical device, biotechnology and healthcare companies. His areas of expertise include M&A, securities law issues, joint ventures, corporate governance and
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licensing transactions. He is a board member of Life Sciences Pennsylvania. He also serves on other boards and advisory boards. He previously served on the attorney advisory committee for the Pennsylvania Securities Commission. He served previously on the board of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and the Haverford Civic Association.
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Greg Lumpkin
Financial Advisor
Greg is an experienced financial advisor in the life sciences community. He provides CFO services to start-up life sciences companies, such as WindMIL Therapeutics, Tarsa Therapeutics, Tobira Therapeutics, Cortria, sGC Pharma Corp and CD Diagnostic.
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He was VP of Finance at Vitae Pharmaceuticals and PanamaTech. He spent 10 years in various financial roles at McGraw-Hill, Inc.
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Paul Radensky
Reimbursement Consultant
Paul advises manufacturers at every stage of product development, including the design and monitoring of clinical trials on matters relating to obtaining coverage, coding and payment for new technologies by Medicare, Medicaid and third-party payers. He is a principal of McDermott+Consulting, LLC.
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He has been recognized as an authority on legal, regulatory and reimbursement issues with pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. He is board certified in internal medicine. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in American for Biotechnology Law from 2009 to 2019 and LMG Life Sciences Star in 2015, 2016 and 2018. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Medical Society and the American College of Physicians.
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Beth Roberts
Reimbursement Council
Beth counsels on Medicare and other health care issues and lobbies the U.S. Congress and regulatory agencies on her clients’ behalf. Her clients include health care providers; pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device manufacturers; investors; and professional and trade associations. EXPAND COLLAPSE Beth is a creative problem solver who is passionate about improving patient access to care. She works collaboratively to solve bet-the-company issues in innovative ways. She helps turn reimbursement challenges and changes into business opportunities. She also explains complicated laws and regulations in a simple and straightforward way.