

leadership team


Dr. Michael Presti, M.D. PH.D.
FOUNDER - CEO


Raymundo Sison, M.S.
CPO


JOE SUAREZ, M.B.A.
CFO

advisory board


- Co-founded two highly successful life science companies: RTI Surgical, Inc. and AxoGen, Inc., both now publicly traded (NASDAQ: RTIX, AXGN)
- Former CEO of Florida Institute for Commercialization of Public Research
- Visionary and innovator in medical technology, regenerative medicine
- Successfully launched, managed, or advised numerous biotech startup companies
- Accomplished pharmaceutical executive with >25 years of demonstrated success developing brand name and generic drug products, Dr. Bittorf has taken more than 30 products to market.
- Leadership positions with Curis Inc., Flatley Discovery Lab, Trek Therapeutics, Compaction Simulation Forum, Living Proof Inc., and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
- Deep expertise with GMP, risk management, business development, regulatory process, and formulation and manufacturing techniques from feasibility through commercialization stages.
- Excels at driving innovation resulting in cost savings and improved product control, engaging stakeholders to secure funding for technology investments, and leading regulatory submissions of Quality by Design initiatives.
- World-renowned addiction expert with 45+ years of experience studying effects of opioids and other drugs
- Authored over 1000 articles, chapters and abstracts in scientific journals
- Former Consultant to White House Office of Drug Policy
- Emeritus Eminent Scholar, Distinguished Professor and former Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Florida
- Director of Research, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Educational Foundation
- Addiction expert and prominent advocate for treatment of drug addiction, criminal justice reform, and developing resources to help families in crisis
- President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum
- Appointee to Presidential Drug-Free Communities Commission
- Contributed to national drug-related legislative policy, including the Second Chance Act, the Drug Impaired Driving Act, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and the Drug Free Communities Act
- Managing director and co-head of the M&A Buyside Advisory at Fifth Third Securities
- Managing director at Praxis Partners LLC
- Expert in corporate valuation, M&A, venture finance, entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, cross-border acquisitions
- CPA with 30+ years of operational, strategic and transactional M&A advisory experience
- Over two decades Product Development experience in Medical Device, HCT/Ps, Biologic, and Pharmaceutical industries
- Directed R&D at AuxThera Inc., AxoGen Inc. (NASDAQ: AXGN), RTI Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTIX) and other biotechnology companies
- Brings practical expertise especially for startup and small to mid-size companies
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Jamie Grooms
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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Dr. KEVIN BITTORF, Ph.D. M.B.A.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
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Dr. Mark Gold, M.D.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
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Jessica Hulsey-Nickel
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
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dr. JIM PARRINO, Ph.D. M.B.A.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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MARLO TAN WALPOLE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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Jamie Grooms
EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Co-founded two highly successful life science companies: RTI Surgical, Inc. and AxoGen, Inc., both now publicly traded (NASDAQ: RTIX, AXGN)
- Former CEO of Florida Institute for Commercialization of Public Research
- Visionary and innovator in medical technology, regenerative medicine
- Successfully launched, managed, or advised numerous biotech startup companies
-
Dr. KEVIN BITTORF, Ph.D. M.B.A.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
- Accomplished pharmaceutical executive with >25 years of demonstrated success developing brand name and generic drug products, Dr. Bittorf has taken more than 30 products to market.
- Leadership positions with Curis Inc., Flatley Discovery Lab, Trek Therapeutics, Compaction Simulation Forum, Living Proof Inc., and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
- Deep expertise with GMP, risk management, business development, regulatory process, and formulation and manufacturing techniques from feasibility through commercialization stages.
- Excels at driving innovation resulting in cost savings and improved product control, engaging stakeholders to secure funding for technology investments, and leading regulatory submissions of Quality by Design initiatives.
-
Dr. Mark Gold, M.D.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
- World-renowned addiction expert with 45+ years of experience studying effects of opioids and other drugs
- Authored over 1000 articles, chapters and abstracts in scientific journals
- Former Consultant to White House Office of Drug Policy
- Emeritus Eminent Scholar, Distinguished Professor and former Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Florida
- Director of Research, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Educational Foundation
-
Jessica Hulsey-Nickel
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
- Addiction expert and prominent advocate for treatment of drug addiction, criminal justice reform, and developing resources to help families in crisis
- President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum
- Appointee to Presidential Drug-Free Communities Commission
- Contributed to national drug-related legislative policy, including the Second Chance Act, the Drug Impaired Driving Act, the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and the Drug Free Communities Act
-
dr. JIM PARRINO, Ph.D. M.B.A.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Managing director and co-head of the M&A Buyside Advisory at Fifth Third Securities
- Managing director at Praxis Partners LLC
- Expert in corporate valuation, M&A, venture finance, entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, cross-border acquisitions
- CPA with 30+ years of operational, strategic and transactional M&A advisory experience
-
MARLO TAN WALPOLE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Over two decades Product Development experience in Medical Device, HCT/Ps, Biologic, and Pharmaceutical industries
- Directed R&D at AuxThera Inc., AxoGen Inc. (NASDAQ: AXGN), RTI Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTIX) and other biotechnology companies
- Brings practical expertise especially for startup and small to mid-size companies
