TORONTO– OBIO®, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new chair of its board of directors, Frank Florio, as well as the addition of three new members, Dr. Wendy Naimark, Naheed Kurji and Anne Woods.
Mr. Florio, an accomplished healthcare and life sciences industry executive, is passionate about cultivating and commercializing healthcare innovations. In his role as SVP, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Commercialization, he leads the efforts of Canadian SME Myant Inc. in commercializing their Digital Health Platform and innovative Wearable Technology solutions based upon Textile Computing™ in the cardiovascular health market. Prior to this, he held several executive roles at BD over 16 years, and advised and mentored start-ups in the healthcare industry. Mr. Florio holds an MBA from Queen’s University Smith School of Business, an undergraduate degree from Wilfred Laurier University and an ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Dr. Naimark is co-founder and CTO of Ripple Therapeutics, a spin-out of Interface Biologics, that is based on a discovery that fundamentally changes the way drugs can be sustainably delivered. Prior to her return to Canada, Dr. Naimark led the clinical development of a novel drug eluting scaffold at 480 Biomedical (founders included Dr. Robert Langer from MIT). She began her industry career in drug delivery at Boston Scientific in the group which developed the TAXUS® Drug Eluting Stent. Dr. Naimark earned her PhD in Biomaterials from the University of Toronto and began developing her career in local drug delivery at Caltech during her post-doctoral fellowship. Dr. Naimark is an inventor of over 30 patents in the local drug delivery field.
Mr. Kurji is the co-founder, president and CEO of Cyclica, a neo-biotech that is unlocking the protein universe to discover the medicines of tomorrow. Mr. Kurji is also co-founder and director of EntheogeniX Biosciences, a psychedelic-inspired biotech company for mental health, he chairs the board of the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) and serves as a member of the Life Sciences Advisory Group for Global Affairs Canada. Mr. Kurji holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Business, an undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa, and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT.
Ms. Woods is the managing director of healthcare and life science at Silicon Valley Bank Canada where she brings a combined 25 years of experience in both capital markets and life sciences. Her role allows her to contribute to the growth of the ecosystem in Canada by providing unique access and insights into markets, companies, and investors. Ms. Woods holds a BSc from McGill University, a MA from the University of Guelph and is a CFA Charterholder.
Mr. Florio, Dr. Naimark, Mr. Kurji and Ms. Woods will serve alongside a board of directors with experience and expertise in areas critical to OBIO’s mission to advance the commercialization of early-stage Canadian health science companies by strengthening the ecosystem through advocacy and programming.
“The appointment of Mr. Florio, Dr. Naimark, Mr. Kurji and Ms. Woods is exciting news for OBIO®. All four appointees bring a wealth of experience and insight that will help OBIO® deliver on our mission. We look forward to the guidance each of them brings to OBIO® as we enable Canadian health science companies to raise capital, develop their workforce and facilitate adoption of innovation in the healthcare system,” says Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®.
