Tag Archive for: Chief Financial Officer

Chad Kolean Joins Vivex Biologics as Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Life Science Partner is pleased to announce the recruitment of Chad Kolean as Vivex Biologics’ Chief Financial Officer.

Vivex Biologics is a leading regenerative medicine company that markets tissue technology products and cellular therapies focused on orthopaedic applications with an emphasis on spine related therapies. They have a diverse portfolio of current products including cellular bone matrices, amniotic tissue, general orthopaedics, and sports medicine products to meet the therapeutic demand in the areas of spine, dental, sport medicine, and wound care.

Chad Kolean

Vivex is preparing for its next stage of growth with the launch of its new product, VIA Disc. This product will be used for the treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). As the company continues to grow in the spine and biologics industry, it sought a seasoned Chief Financial Officer who understood the landscape of this field.

Kolean previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company. One of his major milestones in preparing Titan for success was controlling and managing inventory and manufacturing challenges. His attitude helped put the company’s financial house in order.

He was also Chief Financial Officer of Cellectar Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, where he restructured management and raised funds, which led to an uplisting on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Before that, Kolean served for Pioneer Surgical Technologies as their Chief Financial Officer. He was responsible for the financial aspects of leadership restructuring, development and execution, treasury, board support, investor relations, and operations.

Kolean’s arrival will provide tremendous guidance and leadership to Vivex Biologics as it prepares itself for the next stage of growth and development and the launch of a new product in the biologics space. By leveraging Kolean’s experience as a financial leader in the spine and orthopaedic industry, the company hopes for continued growth and preparation for a future financing event.  

About Life Science Partner

Life Science Partner is a specialized executive search firm that recruits transformational leaders for healthcare and life sciences companies. Our high-touch, partner-led process ensures an exceptional level of service, while our backgrounds as physicians and industry executives enable us to efficiently deliver the brightest candidates in the medical device, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and healthcare technology fields.

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Frank Stokes Joins Castle Biosciences as Chief Financial Officer

Life Science Partner is pleased to announce the recruitment of Frank Stokes to Castle Biosciences as Chief Financial Officer.

Castle Biosciences is a molecular diagnostics company dedicated to helping patients and their physicians make the best possible decisions about their treatment and follow up care based on the individual molecular signature of their tumor. The Company currently offers tests for patients with cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma, with development programs in other underserved cancers.

Stokes previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Hammock Pharmaceuticals, maker of therapies for women’s health and urology. Prior, he was a senior investment banker at Leerink Swan, where he focused principally on diagnostics and biopharmaceuticals.

“Frank brings financial acumen, expertise in capital markets, success with mergers and acquisitions, and a deep knowledge of the diagnostics industry—all of which will help our team continue our mission to improve patient care decisions and deliver shareholder value,” commented Derek Maetzold, President and CEO of Castle Biosciences.

“With two commercial products, a robust pipeline, and a strong base of clinical data, Castle Biosciences is well-positioned to leverage his strengths as we target our combined U.S. market opportunity of nearly $2 billion and continue to deliver strong growth in revenue and test volumes.”

Stokes received a B.S. in business administration followed by MBA and J.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About Life Science Partner Executive Search

Life Science Partner is a specialized executive search firm that recruits transformational leaders for healthcare and life sciences companies. Our high-touch, partner-led process ensures an exceptional level of service, while our backgrounds as physicians and industry executives enable us to efficiently deliver the brightest candidates in the medical device, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and healthcare technology fields.

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Jim Long Joins Notal Vision as Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Former Managing Director for Empresario Partners and Interim CFO for MDLive

Life Science Partner has recruited Jim Long to serve as Notal Vision’s Chief Financial Officer. Notal Vision is a health technology company offering the first patient-activated, home-based monitoring system to prevent the progression of macular degeneration through early detection and intervention.

As the CFO of Notal Vision, Long will report to Quinton Oswald, CEO, and will be responsible for overseeing all financial matters including fundraising to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory.

Long has extensive tenure in leading healthcare companies’ financial planning and operations along with notable successes in creating strategic partnerships for realigned the financial team culture and performance while partnering with the Board Chairs, Founders, and Senior Executives to bring key initiatives to fruition. 

His financial leadership of several major company transitions is regarded as a key asset for his new role at Notal Vision.

“Having led multiple corporate sales requiring post-sale restructuring as the head financial officer, Long has the background in complex financing required to fund Notal Vision’s aggressive growth objectives,” states Tom Callaway, MD, President and Founding Partner of Life Science Partner.  “He will be an excellent partner with Quinton to build a highly valuable company.”

Long earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Spanish and his MBA in Finance and Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin.

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Francis Ota, MBA, Joins Lineagen as Chief Financial Officer

Former Executive Vice President, Finance MDxHealth

Life Science Partner recruited Francis Ota to become the Chief Financial Officer at Lineagen, an innovative genetics diagnostics company for neurodevelopmental disorders. Ota joins Lineagen after serving as the Executive Vice President of Finance for MDxHealth, a publically owned Belgium based diagnostic company with a US CLIA lab that develops epigenetic tests for cancer assessments.

During his tenure at MDxHealth, Ota played a key role in generating profitable growth, raising capital and negotiating M&A transactions. Earlier in his career he held financial leadership roles at Focus Diagnostics (acquired by Quest), QUAD Research, and Medtronic among others.

“As a global leader in finance, Ota has overseen the financial management of a CLIA laboratory from rapid growth through exit via acquisition,” states Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner. “With his solid understanding of the reimbursement and revenue management challenges of a CLIA lab, Ota will serve as a critical member of Lineagen’s leadership team.”

Ota earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and International Business from the University of Colorado and his MBA from the University of California.

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David Gill Joins EndoChoice as Chief Financial Officer

Former Chief Financial Officer at INC Research 

Life Science Partner recruited David Gill, MBA to become Chief Financial Officer at EndoChoice. EndoChoice an Atlanta-based company providing physicians with gastrointestinal endoscopy, diagnostics, infection control and imaging products.

He was most recently CFO of INC Research, a publicly traded contract research organization. Previously Gill served as the CFO for TransEnterix, leading a $55 M Series B financing, relocating the company headquarters, and leading planning to scale up GMP manufacturing. As CFO for CTI Molecular Imaging, he raised a total of $213 M including an initial public offering to finance the rapid growth. He established a strategic relationship with Siemens that led to the acquisition of the CTI for $1 B.

In his new role at EndoChoice, Gill will work closely with CEO Mark Gilreath to oversee all corporate financial operations. “Gill understands how to use debt, public markets, and private equity to generate significant return for shareholders,” stated Tom Callaway, MD, Founder and President of Life Science Partner. “He has excelled in companies with highly varied technologies and global operations.”

Gill earned his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University and his MBA from Emory University Goizueta Business School.

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Charles Deignan joins the Metastatix, Inc. as Chief Financial Officer

Life Science Partner recruits former VP of Finance & Administration and Principal Accounting Officer of AtheroGenics, Inc.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Charles Deignan, an experienced pharmaceutical finance executive, to Metastatix, Inc.

Metastatix is an emerging pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing effective, convenient and safe small-molecule drugs for a broad portfolio of indications including cancer, HIV infection and inflammation. The company’s initial focus has been on the CXCR4 receptor, a critical mediator of cellular and chemical trafficking.

Deignan was most recently Vice President of Finance & Administration and Principal Accounting Officer for AtheroGenics, Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical products for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

In this role, he was responsible for all areas of finance and accounting, as well as risk management, information systems and human resources for the company.  Previously, Deignan was Division Controller for AAI Pharma, Inc. in Wilmington, North Carolina where, among other financial responsibilities, he directed the financial reporting related to the company’s IPO.

“Deignan is a proven, roll-up-your-sleeves financial executive who understands the challenges of an early-stage company,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “In addition, he brings many other skill sets to the company with his demonstrated experience in human resources, information technology and clinical trials contracting and management.”

Metastatix recently raised a $35M Series B round from a nationally recognized group of venture investors including Frazier Healthcare Ventures, HIG Ventures, SROne, Aruna, and Georgia Venture Partners.

Deignan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Boston University’s School of Management and is a Certified Managerial Accountant.

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Rob Shaw to join Georgia Arthritis Foundation as President and CEO

Life Science Partner recruits Rob Shaw, Former Executive Director of the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Rob Shaw, a not-for-profit healthcare focused executive, to the Georgia Arthritis Foundation. 

The Arthritis Foundation is a nationwide nonprofit organization leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases with more than 500,000 volunteers, 46 chapters and 150 community service sites.  The Georgia Arthritis Foundation works to improve the quality of life for children and adults with rheumatic diseases and their families.  The Arthritis Foundation works to improve medical care, provide collective and individual advocacy, stimulate research, and provide education and support for a disease that affects people of all ages.

Shaw is an experienced fundraiser and health advocate.  In Shaw’s most recent role at the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), he successfully led the organization in raising millions of dollars each year for the JDRF program through a wide variety of community fundraising events and a major gifts program.

A native Floridian, Rob moved to the coast of Georgia in 1992 and then relocated to Atlanta in 1994.  Over the past thirteen years, Rob has been actively working with not-for-profits including: Project Open Hand, AIDS Walk Atlanta and the American Heart Association.

“In addition to being a seasoned and successful fundraising executive, Rob exhibits a genuine passion and commitment that is magnet for enthusiastic volunteers and board members,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.

Rob received his Bachelors degree in Science and Journalism from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

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Harold W. Ingalls joins CardioMEMS as Chief Financial Officer

Life Science Partner recruits former Vice President, Finance and CFO of Serologicals Corporation who led company through $1.3 B acquisition

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Harold W. (Bud) Ingalls to CardioMEMS, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer.  CardioMEMS is an early stage medical device company focused on the application of Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to create innovative devices for the diagnosis and management of chronic diseases. 

CardioMEMS is developing and commercializing implantable wireless sensors targeted for the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) markets.

In Ingalls’ previous role as CFO of Serologicals, a public life sciences company, he was instrumental in executing on a strategic high-growth, mergers-oriented business plan and negotiating its $1.3 B acquisition by Millipore.  Earlier,  his general management skills were evident as he was President and CEO of Roche  Industries,  a $500 M international commodity and specialty chemicals manufacturer.

“Bud has a diverse operating and financial background with more than 20 years in the senior leadership role in technology-based companies,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “He knows how to finance a company for accelerated growth, and is a proven public company CFO.”

Ingalls will join the executive management team with the primary responsibility for the continued private and public financing of the Company’s operations, including the expansion of the technology platform and the launch of additional products.  In addition, he will oversee a small team with responsibility for the analysis and review of the company’s financial data, performance, expenditures and costs.

Ingalls received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.

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James Klein Selected by Adherex to Serve as CFO

Life Science Partner recruits pharma finance executive with entrepreneurial and global R&D experience

Life Science Partner announces the placement of James A. Klein, Jr., as chief financial officer at Adherex Technologies, Inc., to be based in its new Research Triangle Park, North Carolina headquarters. Klein assumes overall responsibility for the company’s financial health and integrity. He will oversee ongoing financing of this publicly traded company, including analysis and review of financial data, reporting performance, and internal operations.

A biopharmaceutical company, Adherex discovers and develops cancer therapeutics through its pioneering platform for tumor vascular targeting.

“James Klein’s broad, varied experience prepares him well for Adherex,” says Life Science Partner Founder and President Thomas H. Callaway. “On the one hand, he directed finance for a $500 million international research operation at Wellcome. On the other hand, he was the start-up CFO of an emerging pharma company. So he’s a proven quantity and a tremendous resource.”

To his experience in finance matters ranging from intellectual property to IPOs to cost controls, Klein adds a firm understanding of the drug development, research organizations, and business management. Klein transitions to Adherex from a company he founded, DataScout Software, which develops data acquisition and management solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.

Previously, Klein was an early employee of Triangle Pharmaceuticals, serving as CFO and treasurer. With Klein managing all financial aspects of the operation, Triangle raised venture capital and held a successful initial public offering.  With a market capitalization of more than $500 million at Triangle, Klein oversaw SEC filings, financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, long-range planning, risk management, as well as investor relations.

At Burroughs, Klein held the titles of international R&D financial controller, senior financial analyst, and various other corporate accounting positions. Here, he held financial responsibility for a $500 million, international R&D operation. In addition to financial reporting, Klein guided business plans for new product acquisitions; managed facilities expansions; and served as a member of the international integration committee during the Glaxo-Wellcome merger.

Klein earned his accounting degree at the University of Mississippi. He is a certified public accountant in the state of North Carolina.

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